Page 5

I laugh, short and dry. “That bad, huh?”

“You tell me.”

“I didn’t sleep with Vanessa Howard. Well, technically, I did,” I say before he can ask. “But I didn’t even know she was married.”

“I believe you,” he says simply.

That surprises me.

“Thanks,” I say, a little softer.

“But Jack…” His voice lowers. “How long do you plan on living like this?”

I rub the back of my neck. “I didn’t plan this.”

“I know. But that doesn’t mean you’re not stuck in it.”

I sit on the edge of the couch. “I didn’t know she was married. She said her name was Yvette. That’s how she introduced herself.”

My father sighs. He’s my only family member, and I love him so much, but right now, I want to be alone. “Jack, you ever think about what it’s costing you?”

That one hits cause I know it’s pure love. No judgment.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I didn’t expect it to get this bad.”

“What’s your next move?”

I shake my head, though he can’t see it. “No clue. Nova’s spinning it. I’m supposed to stay quiet.”

“You okay?”

That one takes me longer to answer.

“Not really,” I say.

He’s silent for a moment. Then, “You want me to come out there?”

“No,” I say quickly. “I’m fine. Really.”

“Jack.”

“I just… need to think.”

“You need to start changing,” he says gently.

I nod. “I know.”

There’s a beat of quiet.

“You know I love you, right?”

“Yeah,” I say, throat tight. “I know.”

“All right then. Just… take care of yourself.”

“I will.”

We hang up. I sit there a while, glass in hand, letting the silence press in again. There are no cameras, spotlights, screaming fans, or judgmental headlines.