63. Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Willow

I have a paper calendar for the two years the tour would span spread out on my table. I'm handwriting in all the locations so I can see it out of a list. I could probably find an app to do this but there's something soothing about doing it by hand.

Today is the deadline; Erik's waiting for my answer. I'm leaning toward doing it, even though it's the exact opposite of what I was looking for. But it's Asher Wilde. I don't know if he'll be putting out any new music after this. Honestly, it's the perfect example of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When we were planning out the original tour, I did want to leave the door open on me being around for Tripp's season. I never said it out loud to anyone, but I had such a great time at the games and couldn't imagine missing out on almost all of them.

Things have definitely changed.

Someone knocks on the door. I look out and see it's Seth.

"Hate to bother you. Do you have a minute?" he asks.

"You're not bothering me. Come on in." I wave him in, and we sit at the table, covered in calendars and markers. A surprise Seth pop-in is pretty rare.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"It's hard to answer that. What's all this?" He points to the table.

"The tour the label proposed. It's massive. The one I have to decide on today. "

"Wow. Looks extensive."

"That's a good word for it. I'm sure you didn't swing by to watch me write things down on massive calendars. What's going on?"

"You know I hate meddling, right? Meaning, you know I'd rather be anywhere else but here."

"Yes. I do," I say. I know he means it. He'd rather be tackling a stalker compared to getting into whatever he's about to.

"I realized we haven't been to Tripp's place. I also saw the news about him potentially retiring. This news, paired with your conversation after the label meeting. I know I couldn't keep this to myself."

"Keep what to yourself?" What in the world is going on?

"Tripp is mad because he thinks you told someone about something… sensitive , correct?"

Oh my god. Did Seth overhear and tell someone? I can't believe this. This might actually be my fault.

"Yes," I say warily. When Seth doesn't say anything, I jump to the conclusion hanging out in the middle of the room.

"Tell me it wasn't you. Tell me you didn't tell someone Tripp said that. Because—"

"Willow. Absolutely not. No. Never."

A wave of relief hits me. My clenched jaw relaxes. The nails digging into my thighs relent.

"But I know who did." He takes a breath that spans what feels like a lifetime. "Erik. It was Erik," Seth says but my brain can't connect the words to what this means.

"What do you mean it was Erik?"

"The doctors came by at some point when you were in Tripp's room. I wanted to make sure you had privacy, so I pulled them to the side, or around the corner of the room. I could still see you, and I wasn't too far away. I told the doctors we'd call for them when you were out of there or took a break. When I walked back to the room, I found Erik slinking around."

"Slinking around?"

"Legit standing as close to the door entrance as he could, ear pressed to the door. He was definitely listening in. It was only for maybe 30 seconds or so, but I take it that he had impeccable timing."

"How do you know he heard what was leaked?"

"Because he literally muttered the word retirement , like a dumbass, before I snuck up on him and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. Plus, he found a way to leave right after. I followed him out to the parking lot and heard him talking to someone about tour timing and something was about to go his way."

No way. I can't believe it. Erik.

"I hate that I'm doing this. But I like Tripp. Out of everyone you've dated, this guy is someone who cares about your safety. He's thinking about your comfort level. I made him jump through so many hoops in the beginning—" he pauses when I shoot him a side-eye "—but it's my own way of kind of weeding out the losers."

I truly can't even find the words.

"If you and Tripp aren't going to work, that's fine. But for it to be over because of that sleaze ball, Erik? No way. That can't be it."

It's like this haze, clouding my vision, is finally lifting. My brain can make sense of what happened, from start to finish. It still hurts that Tripp thought I'd divulge that kind of information, but I can understand how it didn't make sense any other way.

"Seth. You might be a hopeless romantic, you know that right?"

"No, I'm not. And don't tell a soul," he says, pointing at me. "Are you mad?"

"Livid. But not at you. I'm thankful you told me. I truly had no idea how this got out and now it's starting to make sense. "

Something isn't right with this Asher Wilde tour. All I can think about is how Erik wanted to do the tour right at the start of the football season, which would've taken me out for all of it. I didn't tell him that was one of the reasons I didn't want to do it, but it was.

"I can't believe Erik did that."

"I can," Emilie says while she's walking down the stairs, shaking her phone at me and Seth. "I don't mean to eavesdrop, but you need to see this."

Willow Announces Major Tour with Asher Wilde. This is the headline that shows on her phone. The bogus article also talks about me signing a massive contract extension.

"Can I meddle one more time?" Seth asks, his eyebrow raised, clearly devising a plan. "Let's go to the label. We'll pick up Claire on the way. Surprise that little bastard before he has a chance to do anything."

"I love it. We should do that." Emilie is pointing at Seth, enthusiastically.

I think he's right. If I try to call, there's going to be some bullshit, runaround explanation.

"Let's go." I grab my coat and Emilie has the door open, putting her shoes on as we leave.

Do I feel bad that I told a little white lie to Erik's assistant? Yes. I told her Erik called and asked me to come down for an urgent meeting. I need to keep going because I can't lose my nerve. Seth is even marching down with us. He wants to stay close because according to him, he "doesn't trust that rat bastard" .

While Emilie looks laser focused, Claire looks like she could spit fire. I asked her to stay back unless I tap her in. She called my lawyer on the way and confirmed what I was 99% sure of. I can withhold this album, the tour, all of it.

I walk right into the meeting like I belong there.

"Mind if we join you?" I ask. Erik's face is priceless. He's surprised and not in a good way.

"Did we have a meeting?" Erik looks at his phone. When no one answers him, he tries to smooth things out. "Sure, have a seat. We always have time for you."

What a snake.

"First, I decided on the Asher Wilde tour. It's going to be a no for me. I know this will be difficult since you already made the announcement but, what can ya do?" I shrug my shoulders in the most nonchalant way.

"Lo—"

"Don't you dare call me that and do not interrupt. Second, I'm not signing a contract extension. As a matter of fact, my lawyer is currently looking into terminating our contract early. But no matter, if I have to wait to put this music out, I will." I pretend to look at my nails, giving him a break to let that soak in. "I will not do another thing that is tied to you. Third, you should be ashamed of yourself. I know what you did. You took something someone very close to me told me in confidence and you leaked it. To try and get what you wanted from me. You are a disgusting excuse for a human."

"What are you talking about?" Erik stands and asks, like he has no idea what's going on.

"If you try to gaslight me right now, I will take every detail of this to the press. I'll air this whole thing out and sign my name. You know what you did. Don't make me say it. "

"Maybe I do want you to say it? Maybe you've got it wrong?" He fucking baits and gaslights me at the same time.

"Ricky, do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up," Claire says through gritted teeth.

"You are a walking piece of garbage," Emilie says in disgust.

Erik's eyes go from Claire, to Emilie, and back to me. He tries to soften and give me this sweet smile. I wish there was a cornerback here to smoke Erik. Knock that smug look off his face.

"Are you really not going to do the Asher Wilde tour? That seems foolish."

"No, Ricky. What seems foolish is saying I agreed to do it when I didn't. Also, I bet if we called his team, we'd hear how this was your idea and how you approached them, right? You are despicable. You knew I was hurting… a hurt you caused and tried to use it to your advantage. Not like I haven't made this label millions of dollars."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Erik says, almost in a growl, and puts his hands in his pocket. The rest of the people at the table look like they'd rather combust than be in here.

"I do." And before I can keep going, Seth leans his head in the doorway.

"Remember me?" He waves and smiles at Erik. It's one of the best mic-drop moments Seth will probably ever have in his life and I'm thankful to witness it.

"Is this true, Erik?" One of the big wigs walks into the conference room. I couldn't have asked for better timing. I don't know where she came from, but I am so happy to see her.

"They have no idea what they're talking about," he says but it's no use.

"Quit talking. Get in my office right now." She points out the doorway .

"I'm in the middle of a meeting," he tries to reason with her.

"Not anymore you're not," she says in a way that reminds me of Claire.

"Willow, let me get to the bottom of this. I'll call you, personally." The exec says to me with eyes that plead an apology.

I watch Erik speed walk out of the room, shooting daggers with his eyes the whole way.

"Seth. Claire. Emilie. I need a favor if you're up for it."

I have a plan and I'll need some help pulling it off.