Chapter 9
Kaylee’s POV
I couldn’t put up much resistance. Mrs. Puth always had contingency plans for everything–whether you cooperated or not, things would unfold according to her design.
Case in point: I’d barely hung up when men in dark suits appeared at my hospital room door.[]
Within an hour, I was aboard the Puth family’s private jet, flying from New York to their estate in Washington.[]
The sprawling mansion I’d once only glimpsed in lifestyle magazines materialized before me again.
Mrs. Puth sat on a Cassina leather sofa that probably cost more than my yearly rent, her expression glacial:[]
“Kaylee, you’re going to ruin him.“[]
She sized me up: “Are you pregnant?”
My stomach twisted with pain again. Face ashen, I shook my head and told the truth:[]
“No. Jax and I haven’t spoken in years.
“He was visiting Selena on set when he ran into me. He took me to the hospital when I got sick. That’s literally it.“]
Mrs. Puth’s perfectly maintained features settled into calculation mode, working through the optimal PR strategy.[]
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” she finally said. “You’ll record a video statement making it crystal clear that you and Jax have absolutely no relationship, nor will you ever…“]]
“Says who?”
I hadn’t spoken–the voice came from the doorway.
Jax shoved the door open and stormed in.]
He positioned himself between me and his mother, dropping into the seat across from her: “Who’s giving her orders about what to say?”
Mrs. Puth’s expression hardened: “Jax, have you seen the Twitter storm? The press is having a field day. Your entire brand will collapse!”
Jax let out a harsh laugh.
“My brand?” he shot back. “Since when did you give a damn about that?]
“How many guitars did you have Dad break trying to force me into Wharton? How many demos did you ‘accidentally‘ delete?]
“If I hadn’t blown up, if I didn’t have platinum records and international tours, would you even let me through the front door?“]
Mrs. Puth’s face went white.]
“Mom, what you care about isn’t my career–it’s your social standing and bragging rights.[]
Chapter 9
“As long as I can play, as long as I can create music, my career is solid. No one can take that from me.“]
He pulled me to my feet: “We’re out of here.“]
I stumbled as he practically dragged me through the house and into his car.
He didn’t start driving. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, barely controlling a tremor.[]
I knew this sign–he was fighting to keep his emotions in check.[]
“Jax,” I said his name quietly.
“What now?”
“Your mom actually has a point.“]]
“Bullshit.”
“Your music is incredible–it deserves an audience,” I said. “I heard the new album. It’s seriously beautiful work.“]
Jax’s body tensed.
“You listened to it?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “That’s why your mom’s damage control makes sense.“[]
“… One more word about that and you can walk back to New York!“[]
“Fine, I’ll go.” I reached for the door handle. “If someone spots us together, it’ll just make everything worse for you.“]
I started to step out.
Jax grabbed my wrist.
“Kaylee… why?” he asked, voice raw with emotion. “Why do you think I give a shit about any of that more than I care about you?”
I froze.
When I looked back, I saw something I never expected–Jax’s eyes were rimmed with red.]
I was stunned. Jax never looked this vulnerable.
“Are you crying?”
“No, my eyes are just irritated from reading those comments,” he turned away quickly.[]
“Does it hurt?“]
Jax was silent, then finally nodded: “Yeah. It hurts.“[]
“Being in the spotlight means dealing with public opinion…” I tried to comfort him, but he cut me off.[]
“I’m not hurt for ME. I’m hurt for YOU.“]
Jax finally snapped, “Who the hell do they think they are, talking about you like that? How dare they say such disgusting things about
33.0%
Chapter 9
you based on a few blurry photos?!]
“Do you have any idea how scared I was when I couldn’t find you at the hospital? You’re not used to this–you’ve never had thousands of strangers attacking you at once. I was terrified you might… do something desperate….“]
Jax’s eyes were bloodshot. He turned away, trying to hide the tear that escaped.]]
Jax Puth–who had weathered media storms and brutal criticism without blinking since his debut–was crying.]
…All because people were attacking me.[]
“Hey,” I called softly.
Jax wouldn’t look at me.]
I touched his arm gently, whispering: “I’m okay.[]
“Seriously. I’m fine.
“Did I ever tell you about growing up?”
I’d never shared my past with anyone before.[]
But seeing Jax like this, I didn’t know how else to reassure him.[]
“My mom met my dad while working at a gentleman’s club, but he was married with kids.[]
“After I was born, I couldn’t even walk to the corner store without neighbors pointing and whispering, calling me the bastard child of a homewrecker.“]
My vision blurred: “So don’t worry about me. I grew up with this. What these keyboard warriors are saying now… it’s nothing I
haven’t heard before…”
I didn’t finish.[]
Because Jax suddenly turned and pulled me against his chest.
His embrace was almost desperate, the expensive cedar cologne he wore now mixed with something uniquely him.[]
I tried not to sink into his arms, attempted to pull back, but he only held me tighter.]
Finally, exhaustion took over. I’d been awake for over twenty–four hours, constantly fighting waves of pain.]]
In the end, I fell asleep in Jax’s arms.[]
