Page 89 of Try Line Hearts
Another message arrived before he could reply.
Maeve:They’re saying you’re playing better because of Evelyn. You are not a Victorian poet who needs a muse. I have watched interviews with Evelyn. She is perfectly nice and has the emotional impact of a tasteful throw pillow.
He rubbed a hand over his face.
Lucas: It was harmless.
Her response came instantly.
Maeve: It was useful. Which is worse. Do you know what I saw? I saw you stand there and let the world give credit for your joy to the wrong person while the right one wasn’t even allowed to exist.
Lucas swallowed.
She wasn’t finished.
Maeve: And before you say, “it’s the plan,” I’m pretty sure he agreed to discretion, not historical revisionism. There is a difference, Luke.
A pause. Longer this time.
Maeve: He texts me more than you these days… and he’s not skimpy with detail.
Lucas closed his eyes.
Lucas: That’s wildly inappropriate.
Maeve: Correct. And I won’t stop.
She softened, just a fraction.
Maeve: That man looks at you like you are the last safe place on earth. And you just let a presenter with a professional blowout imply he’s a training aid.
Lucas’s chest tightened.
Lucas: What was I supposed to do?
This time, Maeve waited before answering.
When she did, it was quieter.
Maeve: I know why you did it. I know you’re scared. I know what’s at stake.
Then the line that hurt.
Maeve: But you don’t get to protect your career by slowly erasing yourself. Or him.
Her final message landed like a kiss to the forehead and a knife between the ribs.
Maeve: You are not playing better because you had dinner with a pop star. You are playing better because you are finally telling the truth somewhere. And if the world keeps mistaking him for a PR strategy, something is going to break.
She signed off the way Maeve always did — with love sharpened into warning.
Maeve: I love you. I am on your side. But if you keep letting other people name your happiness, I will drive over and ruin several very expensive careers.
Including yours.
More texts.
Declan: That was excellent. Exactly the tone we wanted.
