Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“How are you feeling?” I asked, and his eyes fell on me, looking conflicted and stressed and just generally confused. It was a lot to have fall on you in one night.
“I feel … I don’t know. This entire situation is fucked.” He dragged a hand through his hair, and I fought the instinct to reach out and rub soothing circles into his back. I managed to resist, thankfully, because touching him would only lead to me losing more of my ability to remain unemotionally involved.
“I think that once you let your fans know what’s going on, things will get better. It takes the power away from the catfish because people will know it’s not you.”
“I hope so,” he said, eyes still on mine. “Thanks for sticking around.” A pause as he took me in, and something pleasant yet deeply uneasy began to bloom in my chest. “Everything is better when you’re near.”
The way he was looking at me was too intimate. There was so much in his eyes he wasn’t saying, but I could feel the impossible weight of it. Jumping up, I pulled out my phone to check the time, not making eye contact when I said, “It’s late. I promised Margie I’d pick up Zara before nine-thirty, so I need to go.”
“Let me drive you.”
“No need. I’ll catch a taxi outside.”
His expression fell, and I felt awful for abandoning him, but he had his parents here to support him. I was only his ex-wife.
“See you in the morning, though? You’re still taking Zara to school, right?”
“Right, yes.” Jace stood and approached the door. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
I stepped past him and felt his hand briefly touch the small of my back before it fell away. It was obviously an instinctive thing, and he had to remind himself that touching me wasn’t appropriate anymore. I knew because I had to remind myself of the same thing whenever he was near.
Several pairs of eyes watched us as Jace walked me back out through the gallery. I said a quick goodbye to Roan, still rocked by the notion of him being in love with me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it or to believe it at all. But like Jace’s father had said, he was rarely wrong. Still, my brain refused to fully accept the idea. It was just too disconcerting to know that the person I’d considered a close friend, and who I’d shared so many private things with, was harbouring a secret like that. Then again, it wasn’t like confessing would be easy. I was his cousin’s ex-wife, and besides that, I’d have to let him down. I loved Roan like a brother, not in a romantic way.
Once again, I received wary, unhappy glances from both Angus and Kami which I did my best to ignore. Leaving the building, I stepped outside with Jace, and luckily, a taxi approached only a few moments later. I managed to flag it down before I had to exchange any more conversation with my ex-husband. He waved me off, the sadness and tension around his eyes filling me with worry and concern. He’d been in recovery for two years, and it was the best thing for our daughter. Zara was so happy to have her dad around this week, and I suddenly realised that I wanted it to continue. I wanted Jace there for her every day, even if it was tough for me personally. I’d work through it for her sake.
The following morning, Jace arrived just as Zara was ready to leave for school, and he didn’t come into the house. I was disappointed because I’d hoped to ask if any more details had come to light about the catfish. Peering through the window, I spotted not only Jace’s car pulling away from the kerb but another dark car with tinted windows. So, Isla and Dixon had been called in already. That was fast.
I was relieved because having security around meant Jace would be safe from being approached by any more possible catfish victims. I knew it was mean to think it because these people were being preyed upon and lied to, but I’d witnessed enough of Astro’s success to know how intense people could get inside fandoms. Even when well-intentioned, fans could act out of character when they met their idols.
It was the whole reason why I’d always hated attending awards shows and events where Jace and I would be pictured together. The amount of hate I used to receive online was overwhelming and scary, with every little thing about my appearance and who I was being picked apart. It was also why we went out of our way to keep Zara’s image private until she was old enough to decide for herself.
Since it was Wednesday morning, I headed out for my usual midweek treat. I typically visited the café around the corner for a cappuccino and an almond croissant. The weather was mild, and I enjoyed the stroll, but then a (metaphorical) dark cloud fell over the entire day when my next door neighbour, Viola, appeared just as I was passing by her house.