Page 72 of Zone
“What’s it like then?”
“The mother is deceased,” I whisper, and Lindsey switches immediately to a sad face, letting out a littleaww. “But he doesn’t remember her at all.”
She switches right back again to a frowny face. “How many women has he slept with?”
“I don’t know, but it’s not like that either. He’s really bummed out about it. He wants to be a good father, but he doesn’t recognize the name they gave him.”
“Like, maybe she used a fake name? Maybe it’s a setup?”
“No…” Exhaling heavily, I scrub my fingers against my forehead. “It’s not a setup. It doesn’t feel nefarious.”
I think about all the time we spent together, everything he said. I know this is killing him to have a baby girl who needs help and not to be convinced of who she is.
“He’s not a bad guy,” I say quietly.
I can’t explain why I know this in my heart. I absolutely believe in supporting women and men taking responsibility for their actions. I also know sometimes situations can be a lot more complicated than they appear on the outside.
The room is quiet, and I glance up to see my bestie-producer watching me with a veryI told you soexpression on her face.
I’m not going there. This has nothing to do with any magical spells.
“So that happened, but it’s completely off the record. At least for now.” I take one of the cups of coffee and walk over to my desk. “What do you need me to do today?”
Her eyebrows rise, and she nods slowly, circling back around to her own desk and picking up her phone. “You need to record your weekly roundup of the big winners this week. We’ve been pretty one-track minded for the last few episodes, but there are other teams out there.”
“It seems like nobody cares when I talk about the other teams. They’re only here for one thing.”
“True. Our numbers dip if you don’t mention the golden boy.”
“The black and golden boy.”
“Saints Nation!” Lindsey holds both hands in the air. “All the way to the top, baby!”
I can’t help a laugh, shaking my head. “Okay… Record weekly highlight reel. Anything else?”
“Chet Arnold called while you were out. The numbers foryour guest spot on his show aren’t as good as your solo numbers are, but apparently they’re far better than what he gets on his own. He wants to fly down and record another collab if you’re into it.”
My nose wrinkles, and I look up at her. “Am I into it? It felt very awkward and not at all like what I’m used to doing.”
“Are you saying you don’t like seeing the fans’ reactions to what you say in real time? I can totally understand that.”
“It was weird.” I take a seat at my desk, waking up my laptop. “For the most part, they were positive. Hearts, thumbs-ups, laughing emojis…”
“But?” She tilts her head to the side.
“But there were also the trolls, and all the people who don’t want to hear me talk and don’t mind saying it out loud… in the meanest language possible.”
“Why you gotta be so mean?” Lindsey deadpans.
“Seriously.”
“Shake off the haters.”
Our phones buzz at the same time, but mine is on the bar. I watch as Lindsey reads hers, and I know by her expression what’s coming.
“Get your phone, please. This involves you.”
Exhaling a groan, I walk across the living room to reach inside the kitchen and retrieve it. Turning the device over, I see what I pretty much expected.
