And that was that.
Everyone stopped arguing.
It was a few hours later when Garrick came upstairs and slipped into the room, still covered in his dirty suit to make a point I wish he didn’t have to, when he looked at me cross-legged on the bed with my phone. I don’t know what passed between us, but I stood up, slid off my shirt and leggings leaving me in nothing but skin, and pulled him into the bathroom to strip him of his clothes too.
We took our first shower together where he’d pressed me against the wall and showed me what shower sex was like.
And then I lathered my hands in soap and washed him while he watched with an intensity that still curls my toes whenever I think about it.
The headlines that sputtered out after new, more interesting things came to light from other celebrities were now going full force again because of the night at the Beverly Hilton. I can only imagine what the papers would have said if they knew what happened once we were all inside that car.
Still, Garrick’s new manager, who I’ve met twice now and already like twenty times more than his old one, keeps us up to date on what’s being said and how to handle it. Unlike Michael, Gordon Fuller has already shut down two different articles that made me sound like I was playing house with both Garrick and Zayne.
Rylee Simmons in Relationship with Two Violet Wonders Musicians
Two for One Deal! Newly married Simmons Allegedly Moves Zayne Gray into New Home
Not to mention the interview Sarina had done had come to light when follow-ups were made to the L.A. Free Press about legal actions they were supposedly going to take about the payout I’d taken for my last article. But the second Gordon fired back with threats of lawyers, not one more peep was made from anyone there because they knew they had “no case” according to the new manager.
He’s even given me options to make money while still writing, suggesting a lifestyle blog of everyday life that I could get paid for by advertisers sponsoring me. I’ve given it a lot of thought since he initially brought it up, realizing it was the perfect way to introduce the world to the version of Garrick I know and have fallen for.
Walking into the kitchen, I plug in my Ninja air fryer and get out the ingredients I need for homemade chicken tenders. Since Garrick doesn’t eat food like this, I usually indulge on the days he’s out. According to the note he left me this morning, he’s got a day full of interviews with people about the news that they plan on sharing after their album releases.
It’s twenty minutes later when I hear the sound of the door opening that I turn down the music I have blasting as I cook and watch Chase walk in with a confused look on his face.
“That’s not my brother’s music,” he remarks, dropping his keys onto the counter and staring at the mess I made. He looks tired—dark bags are under his eyes and his shoulders look weighed down. “Are you making chicken tenders?”
He sounds hopeful, so I smile. “Want some?” Nodding, he pulls out the stool and drops onto it with a heavy sigh. I can’t help but say, “I know it’s none of my business, but are you okay?”
Staring at the counter for a few moments, he gives me a loose shrug. I grab a second plate, pull the tray out that contains the crispy chicken, and split the food. Since this isn’t the first time I’ve made fried food for the two of us, I know what condiment to grab him from the fridge.
“Forget I asked,” I offer lightly, sitting across from him with my own plate.
“It’s too surreal to even admit.” His voice sounds beat, defeated. “Telling my family was one thing, but the world?”
I make a face. “I’m hardly the world.”
He grumbles, “Tell that to my brother.”
Blushing, I break apart the chicken and watch steam billow from the halves. “I was listening to The Wild.” The topic change causes him to look up from his food. “That’s what I had on when you got in here. It drives your brother nuts, but I saw him mouthing along to the lyrics when he didn’t think I was paying attention, so I don’t think he minds that much.”
Chase’s lips tilt upward at the corners. “I think I’ve heard of a few of their songs. They’re not bad.”
“You should tell Garrick that.”
He snorts. “I’m glad he has you,” he says after a time passes. “I know I haven’t been that warm or welcoming, but for what it’s worth I think this is good for him. For both of you.”
I drag the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip. “Has he told you about what’s going on with him and the band?”
Chase’s face twists. “Yeah. And I know where you’re going with this. It’s not your fault. Honestly, they’ve been rocky since getting back together.”
That’s what Zayne had said.
“I feel like I can’t make anything better,” I admit quietly, playing with my food. “Garrick has been going nonstop trying to figure out the logistics of how this will all go down while all of them try helping Zayne. But he doesn’t seem to want to be helped and I can tell that bothers your brother a lot.”
Chase nods. “Garrick would give the shirt off his back for anyone, even if they don’t deserve it. But he finds this situation personal. I think because he went through it, he wants to be the one to get Zayne to the other side. He just needs to remember that it took him awhile to quit for good. In my opinion, he’s being too hard on Zayne and that could ruin their friendship in the long run.”
“Have you told him that?”
Hesitation, then another nod. “He didn’t like
