Meet Me Backstage

44. Your Song

JACKS

I've been staring at my ceiling for the past hour asking myself the same question—how did I fuck this up so badly?

I want to go to Skye, tell her how sorry I am, and beg for forgiveness, but I don't even know where to start.

I'm sorry I accused you of conning me to get publicity.

I'm sorry I assumed you sold me out to the paparazzi.

I'm sorry I'm such a fucking dick.

I hear a knock at the door and I jump up, praying it's Skye on the other side. I open it and see Dré on the other side.

"Is now a better time?" he asks, holding up a cardboard holder with paper coffee cups. "I brought coffee."

I step back and wave him in.

"Everything alright?" he asks as I sit down on the couch.

"I think I just ruined everything with Skye."

His eyes widen and he blows out a puff of air.

"What happened? I mean, things certainly seemed to be going well this morning."

"I accused her of calling the paparazzi, basically insinuated she staged our kiss. God, Dré, I fucked up so bad. I don't know what I was thinking."

"I do. You were thinking about Angel, and your dad, and all the other people who have sold you out for fame in your career."

"But Skye isn't one of those people. I know that. I just... I panicked."

"Damn," he says. "I get it, but... damn."

"Is everything handled with the story?"

"Yeah, actually, I talked to one of our people and I'm pretty sure I found their main source. But uh... it's probably gonna sting to hear it."

"Who?"

"It's your dad."

"Of course it is." I pinch my eyes shut and slam my fist on the armrest of the sofa. "How the hell did he even know all of th-"

I stop, realizing the answer to my own question.

"What?"

"He was talking to Skye the day he showed up in my bus. She must've told him. Goddamnit, how is he still managing to fuck up my life?"

"Sounds like he's short on money. He called around multiple outlets trying to sell the scoop to the highest bidder."

I nod.

A sudden banging on the door makes us both jump, and I get up and look through the peephole. It's Roman.

I open the door and he pushes past me and into the living room.

"What the hell did you do, Ford?"

"You're gonna have to be more specific, Rom, I've done a lot of stupid shit in the past 24 hours."

"Why did Kay say Skye was crying in her room?" he asks, stepping toward me with his chest puffed.

My head drops and I take a deep breath.

"I went to bat for you, Ford! I encouraged her to go for you. I thought you were going to be good for her. I told her you were a good guy!"

"Whoa, knock it off, Roman," Dré says, standing up and stepping between us. "It's a misunderstanding."

"Did you cheat on her?" he asks. "Because I swear to g-"

"No, I didn't cheat on her."

"What did you do?"