Chapter 93

Juno

I tried to sit as calmly as possible, pretty sure I was doing a bad job, while we waited to be called onto the set. Seeing Jack again and hearing him sing the lyrics to the music he'd written had stripped away every bit of defense I'd had.

There was no doubt in my mind. I was as hopelessly in love with him as I'd ever been, and I knew I'd made the biggest mistake when I'd walked out on him. Over the past month I'd done nothing but wish I was his again.

Seeing Kai and being able to use the money I'd got so far from the song to help pay for Jack's repairs, even if I'd done it through Kai, had helped. And it made me realize I had grown stronger.

I felt less scared of Jack, but it was clear he was angry with me and had no desire to talk to me at all. I'd ruined everything.

Relief flooded through me as we were finally called onto the set, and the four of us trouped out, all waving and smiling. It was easier to pretend for an audience. They were at a distance, and they didn't know me so well. Couldn't necessarily read my fear in slight movements.

Following all three men out, I waited until they all sat on the sofa. To my surprise, I was forced to sit right next to Jack, Kai choosing to sit beside Liam instead of leaving that gap for me.

I only had a moment to wonder if it had been deliberate, Jack keeping his eyes fixed on our interviewer, a much-loved US television host.

Heat flushed through me, as the sofa was small and the three men solid enough that my body touched his, nowhere else for it to go.

Jack finally glanced my way, and I gulped, knowing I must look like a deer in headlights. Another quick flick of his eyes to our legs pressed side by side showed he noticed it too, but the interviewer started talking and drew our attention to him.

For a moment, he chatted about the band, the song, and how well it was doing, and then he started on the questions.

"Juno, what was it like watching one of your own personal fantasies come to life before your eyes?" the interviewer asked out of the blue, the first thing he'd said to me.

I blinked, too stunned by the question's phrasing to know how to respond.

"You admitted it was based on Jack and you, didn't you? And the two of you had a brief fling while the song was being written. That must have been a dream come true for a fan," he continued, smiling, his eyes lit up like a predator's.

"We didn't have a fling," Jack replied before I could say anything. "We're friends."

"Good friends," I said, trying to help sell the truth he wanted to give. Jack glanced my way, pity in his eyes and an almost pleading look. He hated this as much as I did.

It helped me find some courage.

"And it was inspired by Jack and I, not based on anything real. But you're right, it was a dream come true. Getting to work with such talented musicians and songwriters would be any creative's dream come true. I learned a lot, and I felt very welcome."

My words seemed to make the host back off a little, and he turned his attention to the others.

"What started the project? It appeared to come out of the blue, and it's a little different from the band's normal songs," he asked next, seeming to aim the comment at Kai.

"It was Jack who drove it. He came up with most of the song lyrics, and Juno helped us understand the characters and what drove them. The rest sort of fell into place, all of us doing what we do best. We've been doing this a long time, and even something with an unusual feel for us…we still know our process, you know?"

The interviewer nodded as if he understood every word, but I felt as if curiosity and more questions were coming anyway.

"We heard you say Jack himself was inspired by the characters, but it's come as a surprise to fans that Jack isn't credited for this song."

"He's not?" I asked without thinking, surprise making the words blurt out as I looked at the man beside me for an explanation.

He looked my way again and shook his head, seemingly unable to speak. The tension rose as the audience realized this wasn't normal and we'd been placed in an awkward position.

"Seems it's not just the fans who are surprised by that," the interviewer said, making it even more clear someone would have to explain.

"We had a misunderstanding," I said, the penny dropping on what must have happened.

Jack had to give up being credited for the lyrics so I could be credited instead, and then I'd ended up being paid instead of him. But how was I going to explain that to the audience?

"Sounds like it's quite a big misunderstanding. Care to clarify it?" the host asked.

I took a slow, steady breath as I tried to think of a way to answer this.

"Jack was really kind and basically let me have the accreditation," I said, feeling more confident as I spoke. "He's an amazing person, and I can't say I know his exact reasons, but I'm so grateful. He's a true gentleman and a thousand times better than any character in a book."

There were cheers and a few wolf whistles, and I felt my cheeks getting hotter as I spoke.

"It sounds like someone wants to be more than just friends," the host added, encouraging the audience with a glance their way. "What do you say to that, Jack? What made you give up not only the claim but the royalties to Juno?"

I exhaled, my heart missing a beat at the question that put him on the spot. How on Earth was he going to answer that, and how would he ever forgive me for setting the question up the way I had?

"It was a simple decision," Jack replied. "I never really do any of this for the money, just the love of doing it. It's rare that something inspires me so much, and it was a thrill to write."

The words were a non-answer, but they seemed to satisfy our host, or he realized that he wouldn't get a different answer out of either of us. Without further delay, he encouraged the band to get ready to perform the song, and they quickly moved to do so.

I exhaled, trying to calm myself down and feeling my heart race, pounding so much in my chest that I felt lightheaded and almost sick.

There was a brief moment as our host talked about what was coming up next on the show, and then the band was ready.

For a few minutes, I wasn't the focus again, and I could calm down, but all eyes were on Jack, and I was sure he was under the same level of pressure I'd felt only moments earlier.

As he sang, goosebumps rose on my arm, but I managed to keep the tears at bay this time. All too soon, it was over, and the band was coming back to the sofa. This time, Kai sat next to me, with Jack on his other side, but I tried to look normal.

It was almost over.

The host seemed to move on as well, talking about other news and asking questions related to future projects and other things the fans could look forward to. I was given an opportunity to mention my books and the TV series in production, and then the show came to an end.

My relief was immediate as we were all led back off set again, and I could stop being under the spotlight. It had been an awful interview.

I was more than ready to leave, and I headed to the door as soon as I thought I could get away with it.