“Come on, hon. Maybe we should go upstairs and let me pull it up on my laptop,” Ella said.
“That’s a good idea.” This from the usually silent Rick.
“No. I’d rather get it over with. What are they saying?”
Gary sighed, obviously resigned. “Stupid, mean things, Avery. Uncalled for and untrue, I’m sure. Things about your father using you to save the sister he loved more.” Gary forced a laugh. “See? Ridiculous.”
Not so much, Avery thought. Lights flickered behind her eyes, and she suddenly couldn’t breathe well. Anxiety. She drew in deep breaths.
“I mean, anyone who knows you knows how amazing you are. Same with Olivia and your brothers. Of course your father loves you all.” He was rambling now.
“Thank you, Gary. We’ll read the rest ourselves,” Ella said, grabbing Avery’s hand and pulling her along.
Avery couldn’t believe her father’s past was coming back to haunt her again. But it was her father’s past, she reminded herself. Not anything she’d done. She’d survived the gossip, the talk, the speculation then, and she’d survive it a second time.
&nbs
p; They reached the apartment. Rick deposited Ella’s suitcase in the apartment and locked the door behind them. “Pack now. I’m getting you ladies out of here,” he said.
“No. I want your laptop,” she said to Ella.
Rick shot Ella a warning look, but Ella was Avery’s best friend. She pulled her computer from her bag. “I think it would be smarter to ignore it.”
“And not know what I’m in for the next time a reporter ambushes me? No.” Avery settled into a chair in the living room and began tapping on the keys.
She found an article with today’s date immediately.
Kingston’s Girl Holds on with Iron Grip. She read the headline and winced.
She felt Ella looking over her shoulder. Drawing strength from her friend, Avery read on. After a rehash of Avery’s sad past, her father’s betrayal of his wife and kids, and the existence of another life and family, the article went on to say that Avery had visited Grey at his Miami concert in the hopes of rekindling their high school romance. Grey had a weak spot for Avery and always had, according to a source who’d asked not to be named.
And because of her past, Avery was too insecure to keep any of the more recent men in her life. They’d managed to get a quote or two from the few guys she’d dated and gently let down. They’d obviously held a grudge or had been paid well, because they claimed she was clingy and needy, all stemming from the daddy issues she had, and they’d been the ones to dump her.
Once she’d gotten her hooks in Grey Kingston, the wealthy, beloved member of Tangled Royal, she held on for all she was worth. She was, in fact, the reason for the breakup of the much-loved band. Again, quoting a source who’d asked not to be named.
“What the ever-loving fuck?” Ella yelled, obviously finishing the offensive article at the same time as Avery.
Avery shook her head, unable to clear the spots that had taken up permanent residence in front of her eyes. Her hands were clammy, her skin damp.
“Avery?”
She heard Ella’s voice as if from a distance before she collapsed, everything going dark.
Chapter Twelve
Avery came to with a cold cloth on her forehead, Ella standing over her with a worried expression on her face.
“I can’t believe I passed out.”
“Emotional triggers can do that to you,” her friend said gently.
“Well, I’m sick and tired of dealing with the emotional fallout from my past.” Avery yanked the cloth off her forehead and struggled to a sitting position.
Ella put a hand on her shoulder. “Stay put until you know you’re okay.”
Avery brushed at her now-damp hair that stuck to her forehead. “I feel fine. Can we just forget this ever happened?”
“Umm … I don’t think so.” Ella trailed off and winced. “I called Grey.”