Page 114 of Scandal
He snorts. “I’m assuming you haven’t told my parents about your change in relationship status?”
I scrub a hand down the front of my face. “No. We haven’t exactly told anyone.” Not that there were many people to tell. Most everyone in the world already thought we were madly in love with each other.
But Mercury’s family and the band know this started as a PR stunt, and it’s important that the truth about how things have changed comes from us.
“My dad loves you, but he loves his baby girl more. He’s gonna have a hard time dealing with the fact that she’s not coming back.”
I silently nod. “Right. Shit.”
“They’ll get used to it, but it’s going to take some time. Thankfully, they’ve always wanted an excuse to visit Scotland, so hopefully you have an empty room or two in that castle of yours.”
“You know damn well it’s not a castle.”
He snickers. “Whatever, your lordship.”
I roll my eyes. “Arsehole.”
The reality of our situation is starting to sink in. How will we spend the holidays? How many birthdays and Sunday dinners will she miss? Will she come to resent me for this decision?
“This is so complicated.” The guilt I’ve been shoving down over Merc choosing me over her family is creeping back up, but Hen quickly puts me in my place.
“It always is,” he says confidently. “I know it’s not the same, but even I struggle with the fact that Zara and I live so close to my family rather than hers. We could have settled in San Francisco near her parents. There’s no reason we have to be here in LA when I can fly down easily for studio sessions and meetings. But we can’t base all our choices on other people. It’s you and her now. Focus on that first, and everything else will work itself out.”
“Wow, youaresurprisingly wise.”
“These roots run deep. What can I say?”
My eyes latch onto the guitar case in the corner once more. “Can I ask you to keep this to yourself for the time being? I haven’t had a chance to discuss it with Merc, but I imagine she wants to tell your parents herself.”
“No chance in hell I’m dropping that bomb.” He snorts. “But a word of advice…don’t wait too long. If they’re like the million other people around the world who’ve seen these pics, they’lldefinitely know something’s up and want to hear it from you two.”
“Noted.”
We say our goodbyes, and just as I’m about to shove my phone back into my pocket, it vibrates again.
This time, it isn’t Hen.
It’s another text from an unknown number.
Unknown number
I’ve been waiting a long time for you to finally have something in your life worth destroying. Enjoy it while it lasts.
The blood in my veins turns to ice as three pictures follow those chilling words.
Three photos of Mercury and me at the cottage, walking hand in hand around the lake during our morning walk. They’re not zoomed in. No telephoto lens like a paparazzo would use, which means whoever took them was close enough to use their fucking phone.
Enjoy it while it lasts…
My eyes dart around the small cottage, guitar forgotten once more as I dial the only number I can think of.
“Mac, I need you now…”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
MERCURY
“Just a few adjustments to your schedule I wanted to go over,” Evie says, starting our morning meeting while I stare at my half-empty cup of tea in a daze.
