Surviving (Surrender 2)

“You didn’t do anything, but the fans don’t know that. The internet is abuzz with rumors about you and Declan. We’ve never publically announced your engagement and some pictures have surfaced that shed you in a harsh light.”

“What the fuck Mike? Quit sliding around the issue and spit it out. What’s going on?” Declan’s anger is clear in his tone.

Mike slides a folder to us and then projects the Sayge Facebook page on the TV screen. I gasp when I read the posts. I haven’t checked the site in two days, but there are hundreds of new messages, posts and tags. Most of them slamming me and accusing me of cheating on Declan.

Declan she’s a whore. I’m available if you want to talk.

She’s using you to boost her career. Kick her to the curb!

I saw her with another guy tonight and took a picture. Will tag you for proof. Lying cheating bitch!

I cry out when I see a picture of me hugging Finn this afternoon when he dropped me off at class. The message says, ‘Here’s m

ore proof, she’s using you.’ I’m not sure what scares me more, the fact that someone was taking my picture or that they know I’m in school. I make myself look away and stop reading.

“Fucking unbelievable. Mike, is she being followed?” Before Mike can answer Declan, a new post pops up. This is another one of me and Finn in Paris, once again one of my personal pictures. It’s of us at the wall of “I love you’s” right after he declared his love. Declan tightens beside me and my heart drops. How in the hell are people getting my personal photos?

I open the folder and see more pictures of me. These are taken at different events around town. Some of them are at The Steamroom and also from the launch party. Whoever took these made sure I was not with Declan in any of them.

Amber clears her throat trying to get our attention. “There are similar messages flooding your website. People are accusing Raven of being a whore.”

Declan growls beside me, and I squeeze his hand harder.

“I know it looks bad, but I think we caught this is time.” Mike shuts off the TV and turns back to us. “We have kept Raven behind the scenes and never publically introduced her as your fiancée. We even kept her name off the video footage. To the outside world, it looks like a model trying to tie herself to you or any member of the band for fame. I think it’s time we introduce her.”

“What about her safety? She’s already had two incidences in two years threatening her. Could this put her in danger?” Declan asks.

“I don’t think so. I think if we spin this right, she’ll look like the golden girl. It will be best if we keep what happened this summer a secret, but the rest should be addressed. We knew something like this could happen; we talked about her losing her anonymity.”

“Yeah, but this isn’t the first time people have tagged her and Finn together. Raven’s got three more months of school and several other charity events coming up. I’m afraid of the weirdo’s out there.”

“We can put security on her if we need to.”

I finally find my voice to speak up. “What do we need to do?”

Mike gives Amber a nod, and she pulls out notes. “If you agree to it, I can get an interview with the SCENE featuring Sayge. Generally they focus on the music and entertainment scenes around town, but they want to do an article on Sayge. They want to talk to you as a group and individually. I had them send me over a preliminary set of questions. This would be a good way to introduce Raven and tell your story. It puts us ahead of the game.”

“What do you mean ahead of the game?” Nate breaks in.

“This will allow us to control the story about Raven and Declan; it will give us a chance to let people know who you all are personally. Blake may want to mention he has a serious girlfriend, as well. No matter what we all think of Raven, she has made enemies along the way. They are going to come to the surface in droves. If we introduce her and explain the dynamics of the relationship with Sayge, we can do damage control.”

“How soon do you think we could do this interview?” I ask her.

“The sooner, the better. Give me five minutes and I will see if I can set it up.” She takes her phone and leaves the room.

“I hate to tell you but I have other news.” Mike runs his hand through his hair nervously.

“Please tell me it’s good news.” Cooper asks playing with the rings on his fingers.

“Not good news, but controllable. We had our first pregnancy claim come in this weekend. There was a message on the after-hours voicemail from a woman looking for Blake. She claimed to be four months pregnant with his child and said he ran out on her. She wants his label to step up and help her out.”

Blake smiles and laughs loudly which confuses me. “Mike, who checks the after-hours voicemail?”

Mike smiles back, “Charlie.”

Every one of us burst out laughing. I have tears running down my cheeks when Amber returns. She tries to ask what I so funny, but I can’t form words. I wish I were here when Charlie got that message.

“Let me tell you, I was even scared of Charlie when she relayed the message to me. We are going to ignore it for now until she contacts us again. That girl is protective of you, Blake.”