Crescendo

Chapter 17

The door opened behind him, revealing the party inside. Being a prodigy, Daniel was expected to make certain appearances, and as his girlfriend, I was also a person of interest.

"Daniel," a woman purred, walking out of the crowd surrounding the nearby bar and approaching us with a smile.

Oh, fuck.

"Stella," Daniel said, his grip loosening on me, "it's good to see you."

"Really," she tilted her head, passive-aggressive sparks flying behind her eyes, "Is that why you hung up on me?"

He laughed, dropping my hand completely, "I didn't hang up."

Her lips pressed into a line, and somehow, she still looked every bit as beautiful as she did on the magazine covers.

Stella Stanton was the heiress to hundreds of music studios across the country, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of her dad. I watched her, and Daniel, spend years flaunting their relationship in the press.

Then, after his accident, their breakup was all anyone could talk about. And it only reminded me of my split with Jay, still fresh, and seemingly impossible to move on from.

I had faced him since and wished I hadn't.

Stella turned toward me, her white teeth reflecting the bright blue lights, horrifying, "You're Blair, right?"

I nodded, "Guilty."

"My mother is obsessed with your career."

"That's very flattering."

"Anything new coming out? It'd make her week if I gave her the inside scoop."

I started to respond, but Daniel stepped in, claiming that I had a full draft in the works. I tried not to look too surprised.

"That's wonderful," she said, eyeing Daniel and then moving her attention back to me, "What's it about? Let me guess, a fake relationship?"

I frowned, "Wha-"

"Stella," Daniel interrupted whatever standoff I had stumbled into, "We're going to get a drink. Would you like anything?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, then shook her head, "I was actually just leaving."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said, glancing at me, "Ready, Blair?"

I nodded, wanting to be as far away from their animosity as possible. He placed his hand on my back and guided me away from Stella's killer glare.

When we were at the bar, I stared at him, waiting for a well-deserved explanation.

After ordering water, he sighed, "I was going to tell you she might be here."

So that's what he was going to say.

"And the fake relationship thing?"

He grabbed our drinks and walked to a vacant side of the room, gesturing for me to follow. I did, feeling less secure in our deal by the second.

"The relationship thing," he started explaining after handing me a glass of water and looking anywhere but at me. "It may not have been my idea."

"What does that mean?"

"A couple of weeks ago, she called me, saying that we should get back together."

Oh.

"I mean, are you still-"

He shook his head, "No, it's been over for a long time. I told her that but she said I'd have a better chance at touring again if I proved I was stable and in a relationship, and, I thought about it."

Wait a minute, "Is that who you were on the phone with at Mrs. Leight's party?"

"Yeah."

Jesus.

"So, you saw me across the room and just, chose me?"

Daniel met my eyes, then said, "Basically."

My heart sank, and I nodded. I was just in the right place at the right time.

"So what do we do now?" I asked, changing the subject before I could overthink my position in his life.

"About?"

"Stella knowing the truth."

He shrugged, "She doesn't know for sure."

Just a hunch then?

I sighed, "I didn't sign up for Stella to be on my ass about this."

Daniel laughed, "She's not going to be anywhere near your ass."

He's underestimating the effects of a woman scorned.

"She's going to tell anybody that will listen." I know I would.

"Maybe."

"We have to beat her to it."

"Go to the press?"

"Yeah," I said, actively digging my own grave, "I can talk to Tess, schedule interviews, couple appearances, the usual stuff."

He smiled at me, probably wondering why I was so devoted to our little act.

"Look, I'm in too deep now." And, I'm just starting to write again. "I can't let her ruin this."

Daniel knew that if the truth came out, we'd be all over the gossip columns. "Okay. I'll talk to my publicist, he'll set things up."

I took a sip of my water, shaking off any residual nerves, and smiled, making sure the dozens of journalists in the room saw us together.

The happy couple.

Daniel played along, placing his hand on my back and pulling me close.