Page 44 of Everything In Between

THIRTY-SEVEN

hayes

“You need to break up,” my publicist demands.

I stare at her blankly, then look to Coach, wondering if he is wishing he were anywhere else than here right now—like I am.

Leaning forward, I steeple my fingers against the table. “No.”

My publicist sighs. The exhaustion is evident on her face.

I know she’s been going through it ever since Corey took to the internet, ranting about me punching him at Jersey’s show and calling out the league to take action.

She’s been trying to clean up the narrative for anyone trying to give me bad press about the situation.

“Hayes, please,” she says, leveling me with a look that begs to give her a break. “This is not good for you, and it’s not good for her. You had your fun, but it’s time to get back to work.”

“I’m not breaking up with Jersey.”

We’ve been going around in circles for the last thirty minutes on this topic. I keep glancing at my watch, knowing Jersey is due to land in Milwaukee this morning. Hopefully, we can wrap this meeting up so I can go on vacation with my girl.

My publicist gives Coach an exasperated look, like she’s begging him to back her up on this matter.

Little does she know that Coach couldn’t give two flying fucks what I do in my personal life, as long as I still show up and give the performance of my life every week.

Which I do during training and rehab and will even more once when we’re back for the season.

“I can’t believe this,” she mutters. “You’ve already lost a number of sponsorships. You’re losing so much money from those deals. You’re lucky Corey Shrader isn’t pressing charges, otherwise this could be so much worse.”

“Listen,” I say, deciding that I’m well and over this conversation.

“Jersey and I are not breaking up. Not now, not ever. There will be other deals, other promotions. There is only one of her. I don’t care about the sponsorships.

If they’re dropping me because I stood up for my girlfriend, then I don’t want to work with them anyway.

Why don’t you get to work finding me better sponsors?

Otherwise, I’ll have to find a new publicist.”

“Really, Hayes?” she asks, unamused. “I’ve represented you your entire career. You’d throw that professional relationship away for someone you’ve only known a few months?”

I open my hands and shrug. “Jersey is my future. So, I don’t know what to tell you.”

She sighs and I know I’ve won. She can’t argue when I lay down the truth like that. “Okay. I’ll continue to run damage control where I can. But please, for the love of god, try not to punch anyone else.”

I grimace. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I leave the meeting room, ready to get on with my day. On my drive home, I replay her words.

You need to break up.

It’s not good for you, and it’s not good for her.

I know that being with her is good for me, but the thought that I could be hurting her? Even in any capacity is enough to set my blood on edge. We’re good for each other, aren’t we? I think everything we’ve been through thus far has proven that.

With a sigh, I press my head back against my head rest, thinking it all over. My teeth grit and I shake my head.

I can’t fathom the idea of my life without Jersey.

But not as much as I can’t bear the idea of being together being bad for her.

My thoughts are still spiraling into uncertainty an hour later when I park at the airport commuter lot to wait for Jersey.

My fingers tap along my denim-clad thigh.

Glancing over at the clock, I wonder how much longer it will be before I hear from her.

She should be landing any moment now, and I’m desperate to see her.

My bags are packed and loaded into the back of my truck with enough clothes to get me through a week—and I can always do laundry if we decide to stay longer. Periwinkle is settled in her little bed in the back seat, waiting patiently for the car ride to be over.

I haven’t seen her in a little over a week, but it feels like an eternity. I know Cal has been on her ever since the show in New Jersey, giving her task after task to check off, keeping her swamped with busy work. I’ve hated not being able to be there for her through it all.

When I suggested she join me for a little getaway a few days ago, I had my fingers crossed she’d say yes.

Even when she agreed, I was a little surprised.

Jersey is so laser-focused on doing what she needs to for her career.

Though I hoped she’d run away with me, I wasn’t sure she’d go for it.

It seems she is as ready for a break from the madness as I am.

It fills my heart, knowing that she’s missing me just as much as I’m missing her.

Jersey arranged for her jet to land at one of the smaller airways so she wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of the public.

A text message chimes and my stomach tightens.

Jersey

I’m here

I shoot her a quick text saying that I’ll be around in a minute and then pull out of my spot, heading toward where I need to be to collect her.

Sure enough, she’s waiting for me with a suitcase in tow, her security guard standing right behind her, keeping a weather eye on their surroundings. I park the truck and slide out of the driver’s seat, rounding the front to her.

Just like in my dreams, Jersey launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her torso against mine.

I waste no time burying my face in her hair, breathing in her fresh, clean scent and relishing her in my arms. My hands snake around her trim waist and I hoist her up against me, wanting to be closer to her.

“God, I missed you,” I mumble.

She makes a cute sound in the back of her throat, a blend between a mewl and a whimper, and tightens her arms around me. “It feels so much longer than a few days.”

I let her go and frame her face with my hands, tilting her chin up so I can have access to her mouth.

She parts for me immediately, allowing me to kiss her like it’s the air I’m needing to survive.

When I finally have satiated my fill of her—for now—I pull away and stare down at her.

Her gaze has glassed over and her lips are deliciously swollen.

She blinks a few times and then beams up at me. “That’s some hello.”

“Gotta make up for lost time,” I say with a wink. Glancing back at her suitcases, I grab one and her security takes the others. “Shall we?”

Together, we walk back to my truck. She slides into the front seat while we get her bags settled in the vehicle, leaving her door open.

“All right, looks like you two are all set,” Jake, her security guard, says. He closes the hatch in the back and turns to me.

“Are you not coming with?” I ask him.

Jersey pops her head out of the door. “I told him since I’ll be with you, I’ll be in safe hands.” My chest clenches. “Besides, you said we’re going to your lake house, right? Will we really even be out and about that much?”

I shrug. “Valid point.” A smirk appears on my face and I turn to her, waggling my eyebrows. “You’ll be lucky if I even let you out of the bedroom.”

Jersey laughs and shakes her head again, this time in amusement. “See? I don’t need him around for that.”

“I’d rather have you all to myself, anyway.”

“I’ll take that as my cue to leave,” Jake says with a laugh.

I give him a handshake. “Thanks for watching out for her.”

He dips his chin. “Right back at you.”

I hop into the driver’s seat and peer out the rearview window at the security guard walking back to the plane, then down at the girl in my passenger seat. “Ready to go? You’ve got everything you need?”

“I’m more than ready. I started packing the minute you invited me out here.”

“Did you pack your guitar? I didn’t see it with you.”

Her lips roll into a smile, and she shakes her head conspiratorially. “Nope. I didn’t even pack my notebook.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Really?”

“I didn’t. It’s still back in my room in my work bag. I haven’t touched it since being at the studio last. I am officially on vacation.”

“I like the sound of that,” I say, proud of her for doing this for herself.

“Me too. I’m so ready to unplug and relax. How far is this lake?”

Plugging in my phone to the charging cord, I get it set up on its stand so I can see it if necessary. Pulling away from the airport, I answer, “Just shy of four hours. It’s a bit out of the way.”

“Can we stop for coffee first?”

A few minutes later, we’re in the drive thru of a small coffee shop. We pull up to the screen to place our orders and Jersey leans over my lap so she can see the menu. While she’s draped across me, I run my hand over the back of her head, her silky strands caressing the tips of my fingers.

She fights back a shiver, and I fight back a smile.

“Good morning. Order whenever you’re ready,” the barista inside says through the speaker.

“I’ll have a caramel latte,” Jersey says through the window. She turns to me, expectantly.

“I’ll do a large black coffee.”

“Great, that will be $12.99. Please pull around to the window.”

Once Jersey’s back in her seat—mostly—I pull the car around the bend of the drive thru and then hand the worker my card when she holds a hand out. She does a double take when she sees me and then bends down to peer in my window. Her jaw drops open.

“Oh my god, are you Jersey Matthews?”

Jersey’s reclining over the console now, and she gives the girl a wide smile. “I am.”

The girl leans further out of the drive-thru window to see Jersey better. “Wow, I’m such a huge fan. We’ve seen Hayes around here before,” she glances at me and then back to the pop star in my front seat, “but I never thought we’d see you here too!”

“We tend to be a two-for-one deal these days,” Jersey responds, giving me a fond pat on the shoulder.

I run my hand through her hair again, not minding one bit that she’s the star of the show. That’s exactly the way I like it. I’ll gladly take a step back to watch her shine.

I get my credit card back and then we’re being handed two coffee cups. The girl waves at us both and gives us an air hug. “Thank you so much for stopping by! It was so nice to meet you!”

Jersey waves at her as we pull away. When we’re on the road again, she settles back in the passenger seat and smiles down at the coffee in her hands. “She was nice.”

“This is Wisconsin. Most people are nice,” I say, turning the steering wheel with one hand while I get my coffee situated in the cupholder.

“Well, I like it.” She takes a sip of her latte and then makes a happy sound. “I’m so glad to be back. I’m liking LA less and less with each day that passes.”

I give her a sideways glance and then run my tongue over my teeth. “You don’t have to go back, you know.”

She sucks in a surprised breath and falls silent next to me, but I can still hear her breathing. She does her best to level herself out. In and out.

It’s a crazy notion. Absolutely bonkers of me to be bringing it up at this point in our relationship. But I’m doing it anyway.

I don’t like the idea of her home and my home not being the same place.

“What do you mean?”

I reach over and put my free hand on her thigh, running my thumb over the silky-smooth material of her leggings. “You could stay here, in Milwaukee. This could be your home base in between shows rather than having to go back there.”

“But the recording studio is there.” Her voice is weak, like even she isn’t happy about that fact.

“I’m sure there are places to record here in the city.” Then I have another idea. “Or I’ll build you a recording studio at the house.”

She falls silent again. The air in the cab grows heavy, not in an uncomfortable way, but in a way that feels a bit fragile. I wonder if both of us are afraid to break the delicate balance of this dance I’ve spun us into.

“You’d do that for me?” she finally asks in a small voice.

I glance over at her and fight off an affectionate smile. “I’d do anything for you, Jersey. Something like that is a drop in the bucket. Just say the word and it’s done.”

She falls quiet again. My attention falls back on the road, and I reach for my coffee, taking a sip.

“Callum tried to persuade me to end our relationship,” Jersey whispers.

“He what?” While I’m not entirely surprised, I am annoyed. Callum’s really got some nerve. But then again, didn’t my publicist do the exact same thing to me this morning?

Her lips tighten into a straight line and she nods regretfully. “Right after the show you came to. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away. But obviously, I didn’t let him convince me. He thinks staying with you is a bad move for my career.”

I scoff and shake my head. “Right, like he really cares about your career more than keeping his pockets lined.”

Jersey exhales. “I know. I walked out on him. He’s been pissed at me ever since and even more moody than usual, but honestly, I don’t care. I wish there was a way out of this contract for me.”

“Have you talked to your lawyers about it? Is there any loophole?”

“I have, and there isn’t,” she mumbles. “The contract from the label is airtight.”

I reach for her hand and thread our fingers together. “We’ll get through it, together. You’re not alone anymore, okay?”

She squeezes my hand and gives me a grateful smile. “How could I ever forget?”

“Can I tell you something crazy?”

“What?” She’s a bit hesitant, unsure where I’m going with this.

I shoot her a sideways glance, the wave of uncertainty returning. “My publicist told me the same thing this morning.”

Her jaw drops. “That we should break up? You’re joking.”

“Not at all.” I grit my teeth again. “She said it wasn’t good for either of us. That it was bad for you.”

She falls silent, then carefully asks, “What did you say?”

“I told her no. That if she had a problem with it, then I’d find a new publicist.”

Jersey’s surprise makes it all worth it. One of these days, she may stop being so shocked that I’ll keep choosing her. “You didn’t!”

“I did, and I meant it. No one is breaking us up if I have anything to say about it.” I swallow thickly and glance at her. “But—Jersey, I don’t want to ever hurt you. If you feel like being with me is bad for you, I don’t—”

“It’s not. Don’t ever think that. There’s only ever been a few things I’ve been sure of in my entire life, and one of those things is that you’re good for me. You are.”

My lips twitch, her words relieving the knot of tension balled up in my chest. “You’re good for me too.”

When I glance back at her, she’s still watching me. Those full lips curved up and her eyes twinkling.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask her.

“Because I love you,” she says without hesitation. “I love you a whole lot.”

I squeeze her hand again, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world. “I love you a whole lot, too.”