"It's my mother's birthday tomorrow night. Want to come with me?" Nick asked like nothing outside the room mattered. Like the entire world wasn't already burning with rumors about us. His tone was light, almost careless, but I could feel the weight behind it anyway.
I pressed my fingers against my temples. The headache wouldn't leave, like it had settled there and refused to move. "I'm not free. Just clear the rumor first," I said quietly. My voice came out tired, sharper than I intended.
Ashton was the only one who could keep John away. That was the only thought repeating in my mind. But now, even the rumor with Nick had become another problem I couldn't afford. Everything was stacking too fast, like I couldn't breathe between one disaster and the next.
Nick went quiet for a moment. I could almost hear him thinking on the other side of the line. Then he said calmly, "I'll handle it."
"Good," I replied, exhaling slowly. "And stop making things worse."
