America's Sweetheart

eleven | cleared

Trial ended a couple days ago and Haze was taken to prison. As I think about that day, I remember how Colt and I walked out of the courthouse, hand-in-hand. The press was no longer worried about the trial, but they were worried about my relationship with Colt. We immediately released each other's hands and went to our separate vehicles.

Coming out of my thoughts, Colt and I are officially traveling again and this time, we're headed to Chicago. My doctor made me get a scan while we were in LA and he cleared me to perform again, which made Abigail very happy.

We've been on the road since eight hours after the end of the trial. We're almost to the windy city and I smile, knowing I'm safe from Haze. My phone rings and it's Abi.

"Hello?"

"Hey, girl. So my email and phone has been blowing up for three days. I need to know about you and Colt. If I don't give them something, they'll start assuming again," she tells me.

"Abs, I really don't know what to say. I've told you everything that there is to know about us," I answer, exasperated.

"Yes, I know, but when you told me that, I was a friend. I wasn't your Publicist when you told me that. I need the story that you want in the media."

"Uhm, can I talk to Colt and Terry?"

"Yeah. I just need the story before two-thirty."

"Alright, I'll call you back after when Colt gets here and we get Terry on the phone to decide what to put out there."

I send text and ask them to meet up in my bus. I call over the speaker system to the driver and ask him if he can get the fleet to pull over for a little bit.

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"So why did we have to come meet?"

I glance at Colt and give him an eye roll. Abi and Terry are on my laptop because they're both in different states.

"Because our emails have been blowing up for a quote about Emma Lou and you! Good Lord, you knew this. Anyway, talk," Terry tells us.

"Alright," I look at Colt as he speaks, "there is a relationship in the future, but right now we're just testing the waters."

"Got it. Emma Lou?" Abi questions

"There are feelings there for both of us. We both feel attraction to one another and we're just seeing where it takes us," I say and smile at Colt.

Abi and Terri wish us the best and hang up, leaving, Colt and I alone.

"So," he says as he plops down on the couch.

"So."

"After Chicago, we're headed to New York. I have an event that I have to attend. Would you like to go with me?"

"What is it?"

"Uh.. it's the sexiest man alive thing," he says sheepishly

"Oh. Well, I don't know if you remember, but Ever since Golden Hearts was released, I've been America's Sweetheart. I had to go anyway."

"Wait, wasn't your first nomination like three years ago? And didn't you win?"

"Yeah. It oddly coincides with your first nomination and win," I grin and giggle, "But yes. I would love to walk the red carpet with you."

I kiss the tip of his nose and go toward my bedroom.

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