Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I made it sound like it had nothing to do with the paperwork itself, and she seemed to take it in stride. “Okay. I really appreciate this, Ryan. Go rest. I’ll send you flight details in an email. Most likely a painfully early flight time in the morning. I apologize in advance.”
I waved over my shoulder as I headed out the door. As soon as I got home, Zane buzzed me again.
Zane
This is me waiting patiently for you to tell me how your meeting went.
I couldn’t help but smile at his text. There was nothing patient about Zane Hendley when he was curious about something.
I kicked off my shoes, yanked off my clothes, and slid between cool sheets before video calling him.
“Did you sign it?” he asked as soon as he accepted the call. His face was crinkled in concern, but he was still the most beautiful man on the planet.
“No.”
He relaxed back against his pillow. He was obviously lying in bed like I was. “You didn’t?”
“I managed to put her off until after the holidays. But… I think you should sign it, Zane,” I said, tackling the no-frat topic before breaking the bad news about my assignment.
He reacted the way I expected, squawking out an indignant response. “Why the fuck would you say that? I know it’s not because you want there to be another obstacle keeping us apart. So are you saying I should just sign it and ignore it? In which case, it’s ineffectual… which proves my fucking point. This is a performative piece of theater that has no teeth. What happens if someone breaks it? It means nothing.”
I took a breath and tried to stay calm when inside, I was just as angry and afraid as he was. “Zane. You spent your entire career avoiding sexual and romantic relationships because you didn’t want your reputation ruined by salacious rumors or a sex scandal. Think about that. If you don’t sign this agreement, it’s going to get out. Everyone’s going to speculate on your reasons for refusing to sign it. After all this time avoiding scandal, you’re going to be the one inviting it in.”
“I’m not the one inviting it in!”
“I know, honey,” I said gently. “And I’m so sorry you’re—we’re—being put in this situation. But I also understand why they want to cover their asses this way. People deserve to work in safe environments, free from harassment. And before you open your mouth, no. Of course I don’t feel like you pressured or harassed me.”
“Bear,” he said, his voice sounding smaller suddenly. “I agree people should feel safe. I only disagree with the idea that a piece of paper is going to make a material difference in providing that environment.”
He let out a breath. I heard the sound of his blankets as he shifted under the covers. I wished so badly I could be there with him, provide comfort and security with my own arms and lips.
“I’m tired of other people telling me how to run my business. I’m tired of feeling like I need to act a certain way or avoid acting a certain way. I’m tired of being told I should be a bad boy or a good boy. I just want to write and perform music. I want to help people. I want… I want to be myself. And I want to be with you.”
I loved hearing those words, but I also knew how important his career was to him.
“Baby. Take some time to think about this. Think about what you want. What your dream is. You want to be a role model for kids. Maybe being a role model is making a public show of committing to this policy. Or at least not making a public show of opposing it.”
“Is that what you think?” He sounded hurt.
I had to take a deep breath to calm my desire to burn the whole world before I could continue. “I think it’s my job to protect you, Zane, and I don’t want to see your reputation negatively impacted by this, that’s all.”
“Your job,” he said in a dull voice.
My heart filled with love for him. “My job as the person who loves you most in this world, Z,” I said softly. “Yes. My job.”
Thankfully, that made him smile. “You think you love me most? That’s a high bar. Gran thinks very highly of me. So does Landry.”
“Landry can fuck right off, and I’ll even give Gran a run for her money. I’ve loved you for a long time, Zane. Longer than you know.”
There was silence on the line for a beat.
“I introduced myself to you as Zane the day we met. I never do that in business. It’s always Zee.”
I thought back to his other interactions with people—other close protection officers, vendors, fellow artists. He almost always went by Zee in his professional life. It wasn’t until the relationship became more personal that people called him Zane.