Taylor wasn't sure where she was going wrong. 

It wasn't like she'd had much choice about spending her fourth of July in Turks and Caicos with Joe and his family - they had to keep up their PR relationship and that did mean doing things that benefited Joe's career too. She hadn't been delighted when Tree had broken the news to her but it was a small sacrifice to make to keep him happy and on board.

Had it sucked seeing her friends posting photos of their July adventure on their close friends' stories? Yup. Had it sucked even more that Leia hadn't answered any of her text messages since the paparazzi photos were published on the morning of the 4th? Even more so.

As the private jet soared through the sky, Taylor gazed out the window, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The pristine beaches of Turks and Caicos faded into the distance, replaced by an endless expanse of fluffy white clouds. She absentmindedly fiddled with the gold charm on her necklace, the 'L' that looked close enough to a 'J' reminding her exactly why she was in this predicament in the first place.

She replayed the events of the past few days, trying to pinpoint where things had gone awry. The forced smiles for the cameras, the awkward small talk with Joe's family, the constant ache in her chest whenever she thought of Leia - it all blurred together in a haze of discomfort and longing.

Tree, who was sitting with her laptop open on the table across from her, looked up and furrowed her eyebrows a little as she noticed the down mood that Taylor was in. She hated seeing Taylor annoyed or frustrated but seeing her genuinely sad was worse.

The redhead watched as Taylor turned over her phone that had been lying face down, scrolling until her thumb was hovering over Leia's name in her contacts. No new messages. Taylor sighed, running a hand through her tousled blonde waves. She typed out a message, deleted it, then typed again. Delete. Type. Delete.

Two days without replying to her messages wasn't normal for Leia, but Taylor knew she likely would have been recovering from a hangover on the fifth and then she had also been travelling today ahead of their first Ohio show tomorrow. She was sure Leia was busy, or maybe her phone was dead or maybe...

"Is Leia still ignoring you?"

Trust Tree to always say it how it was.

Taylor's head snapped up, her blue eyes meeting Tree's knowing gaze. She let out a soft sigh, shoulders slumping slightly.

"I wouldn't say ignoring," Taylor replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "She's probably just busy with tour prep. You know how hectic things get before a show."

Tree raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of sympathy and skepticism. "Honey, I've seen you two message each other in the middle of costume changes. If she wanted to reply, she would have by now."

Taylor felt a pang in her chest at Tree's words. Deep down, she knew her publicist was right, but admitting it felt like accepting defeat. She glanced back at her phone, thumb hovering over Leia's name once more.

"I don't understand," Taylor said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We were fine before I left. Better than fine, actually. And now... nothing. Well, I guess we had that small argument about me coming here but I didn't think it would have hurt her this much."

Tree's expression softened. She reached across the table, gently squeezing Taylor's hand.

"Maybe I should call her?" Taylor mused aloud, more to herself than to Tree.

Tree closed her laptop with a soft click, leaning forward in her seat. 

"Before you do that, let's think this through. Speaking as a friend now, and not your publicist. What exactly are you going to say?"

Taylor bit her lip, her mind racing. What could she say? Sorry for spending the holiday with my fake boyfriend? Sorry for the paparazzi photos that probably hurt you? Sorry for this whole mess of a situation?

Sorry that she's too afraid of her good name and fortune being tarnished if she was to publicly come out?

"I... I don't know," Taylor admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Look, I know this isn't easy. For either of you. But remember why we're doing this. It's to protect both of you, to give you the privacy you deserve."

Taylor nodded, feeling the weight of Tree's words. She knew the reasons, had gone over them countless times in her head. But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.

"I just wish..." Taylor trailed off, her gaze drifting back to the window. "There's just so many reasons why I can't just... tell the world. Like I want to, I do but..."

"I know, sweetie," Tree said, her voice gentle. "But for now, let's focus on what we can control. You've got a big show tomorrow, and Leia will be there. You two can talk things out in person, away from prying eyes and lenses."

Taylor took a deep breath, centering herself. Tree was right, as usual.

As the plane continued its journey, Taylor settled back into her seat, her mind now filled with thoughts of Leia and their impending conversation.

They'd touch down around five hours before the show started, so she knew that Leia and the others would likely already be at the Ohio Stadium by the time they arrived. Most of her travel luggage had been taken straight from Louisville to Columbus with the rest of her band, so it wasn't like she had to worry about unpacking much from the plane. 

Despite the ease of it all, the drive to the stadium was a blur of green fields and overpasses, Taylor's mind racing faster than the car. She rehearsed what she'd say to Leia, if given the chance. Explanations, apologies, promises... every scenario was overpowering to her.

Would it all be enough if she could never give Leia the peace that she craved?

____

Leia knew it was childish, and she knew it without having to hear Riven and Georgie tell her so repeatedly as she basically hid from Taylor in the stadium. It wasn't hard to do so - the blonde always had her security detail with her and Riven and Tree shared radios, so it was pretty easy to listen in to where the blonde superstar was at all times.

But she knew that speaking to Taylor right before her show was a terrible idea. They were both clearly annoyed and frustrated with each other, and Leia knew that while Taylor was great at compartmentalising and performing without showing her real emotions, Leia certainly wasn't.

Tree, thankfully, had agreed with Leia and had pulled some strings to make it harder for the blonde to have a chance to even speak with her girlfriend. Starting Rep Room earlier, making sure that Taylor had an extra wardrobe run-through... she knew that Leia was volatile and would likely make Taylor upset - even if it wasn't her intention.

Tonight, for the first night since she joined the tour, when Leia finished her own set she didn't rush to get changed and join Andrea and Scott in the VIP tent. 

She was aware that Taylor would think it was harsh, and a planned decision to show her that she was angry at her for flying off with Joe on a week that they'd been looking forward to spending together. Maybe she'd think she was being punished, or that Leia was being immature, or a variety of other things that certainly wouldn't be pleasant.

Factually, it was none of the above.

Leia had every intention of meeting Georgie in her changing room for a quick chance and a fast jog while Camila performed so that they'd be there in time for the start of the show. In fact, she'd even ran to her dressing room and started to get changed while Georgie sat on her sofa, playing with Tate who was due to take his usual show-time nap.

She was so in-grossed in her usual routine that she failed to notice Riven was sitting in the changing room until he yelped as she started to strip her clothes off without looking around.

"RIVEN!" She yelped back, yelling back at him as the man dramatically covered his eyes and turned around. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"ME?" He yelled back, eyes still covered as he faced the wall, ignoring Georgie's snickering. "What kind of lunatic just enters a room and gets naked without checking who is around?!"

  Leia quickly pulled her shirt back on, her face flushed with embarrassment and annoyance.

"It's my dressing room! I shouldn't have to check if anyone's lurking in the corners before I change!"

Riven cautiously turned back around, peeking through his fingers to make sure it was safe. Seeing Leia was decent, he dropped his hands and cleared his throat.

"Well, maybe you should start. Especially when you're actively avoiding your girlfriend who happens to own this whole tour."

Leia's eyes narrowed at the mention of Taylor.

"I'm not avoiding her," she muttered, though the lie was evident in her voice. "I was just... focused on my performance."

Georgie snorted from her spot on the couch, earning a glare from her older sister. "Sure, Leia. That's why we've been playing hide and seek all afternoon."

"Look, I'm sorry for barging in. But we have a situation."

Leia's irritation faded, replaced by concern as she noticed Riven's iPad clutched in his hands. It was very rare that he carried it around with him on tour days, and she was kind of worried to know what was on there that had caused him to need to speak to her as soon as she got off stage. 

"What kind of situation?"

"Zaria's team have asked to pull out of the PR contract," Riven said, his tone serious.

Leia felt her stomach drop. She reached for the nearest chair, steadying herself as she sat down and numbly scratched at Tate's head as he walked over to sit against her legs.

"What? Why?"

"They've been sent some... compromising photos. Of you and Dylan. From the 4th of July."

He turned the iPad around, revealing a series of images that made Leia's heart skip a beat. There she was, standing against the edge of the bar with arms on either side of her, pinning her in. Dylan was in front of her, leaning in close enough to look like he was almost pressed against her. The angle of the shot made it look far more intimate than it had been in reality.

But the camera had captured her face at just the right moment, her eyes downcast and her expression vulnerable. Dylan's proximity, combined with the way his lips were parted mid-sentence, gave the illusion of a whispered confession or a tender moment between lovers.

Whispers of love, and not the threats that had fallen from his lips.

"Oh my god," Leia breathed, her eyes widening as she took in the images. 

Georgie leaned over to look at the photos, letting out a low whistle. 

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you and Dylan were about to have a very steamy night," Georgie muttered, causing Riven and Leia to shoot her angry glares. "I know you didn't - I was there? I was just saying I understand how it looks that way."

Leia shot her sister a glare before turning back to Riven

"We can explain that nothing happened. It's just a bad angle, a moment taken out of context."

"I know that, Leia, I already told them that and they understand what happened but Zaria's team is worried about the optics. They're concerned that if these photos get out, it could damage Zaria's image by association. They're pushing to end the contract early."

"But what about the non-disclosure agreements? The contracts? They can't just back out, can they?" Leia asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

Riven ran a hand through his hair, his expression grim. 

"Technically, no. But they're arguing that these photos constitute a breach on our end. They're claiming that your actions have put Zaria's reputation at risk."

Leia swallowed hard, running her hand through her hair in stress.

"And not to put this on your plate - but think about the effect this will have on Zaria personally if you force her to stay in a PR relationship if these photos come out... you'll look like you've cheated on her and then she'll look pathetic for staying with you."

The weight of Riven's words hung heavy in the air, suffocating Leia with their implications. She felt her chest tighten, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps as the reality of the situation began to sink in. The room seemed to spin around her, the familiar comfort of her dressing room now feeling claustrophobic and alien.

Georgie, sensing her sister's distress, moved closer, placing a comforting hand on Leia's shoulder. Tate, ever attuned to his owner's emotions, whined softly and nuzzled against her leg.

Riven opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could utter a word, the door to the dressing room burst open with a resounding bang. Tree Paine strode in, her tall frame filling the doorway, her ginger hair swinging with the force of her entrance. Her eyes, usually sharp and observant, were now blazing with a mix of frustration and concern.

"Leia Hudson," Tree's voice cut through the tension like a knife, causing everyone in the room to jump. "What in the world are you doing here? The show starts in less than five minutes, and you're not in the VIP tent. I know you wanted to avoid Taylor earlier and I helped with that but missing the show? This is going too far, even for you."

Tree's gaze swept across the room, taking in the somber expressions and tense atmosphere. 

Her voice softened slightly as she continued, "Look, I understand you're upset with Taylor, but this isn't the way to handle it. You can't just—"

She stopped abruptly, finally registering the gravity of the situation she had walked into. Riven's grim expression, Georgie's protective stance next to Leia, and Leia herself, looking pale and shaken, all painted a picture far more serious than a lover's quarrel. The iPad on the table was lit up with the photos, and her eyes drifted down towards it.

"What's going on here?" Tree asked, her tone shifting from admonishment to concern in an instant.

"Tree, we've got a situation," he began, his voice low and serious. "Zaria's team wants out of the PR contract."

Tree's eyebrows shot up, her professional instincts immediately kicking in. "What? Why?"

Riven turned the iPad towards her, revealing the damning photos. Tree's eyes widened as she took in the images, her lips pressing into a thin line as her eyes flickered up to Leia, almost as if they were piercing through her as she looked between the photos and the popstar in front of her.

"These were taken on the 4th of July," Riven explained, his voice tight. "Someone sent them to Zaria's team. They're claiming it's a breach of contract and are pushing for an early termination."

Tree's gaze flickered between the photos and Leia, who was now hunched over in her chair, head in her hands. The publicist's mind was already racing, calculating potential outcomes and damage control strategies.

As Riven handed over the iPad, Tree's eyes scanned the images, her expression growing more serious with each swipe. The room held its breath, waiting for her reaction. The distant sound of the crowd getting excited as they heard the first notes of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett, the last song before Taylor came on, leaked through the walls, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere in the dressing room.

"This is... not good," Tree finally said, looking up from the iPad. Her gaze moved from Riven to Leia, who seemed to shrink further into herself under the publicist's look. "I don't need to ask - but I'm obligated to do so. Leia, are these photos what they look like?"

Leia had a flare of anger, but knew Tree was just doing her due diligence.

"No."

"That's all I needed to hear," Tree replied, not giving Leia any time to explain the full story. Something about the way Tree instantly believed Leia was somewhat comforting but also unnerving. "Riven, me and you can work on this tonight but there's nothing we can do right now that's going to solve this. The one thing we absolutely can do right now is go out there, put on smiles and watch Taylor as if nothing is wrong."

Leia felt numb as she followed Tree out of the dressing room, Georgie and Riven trailing behind. The corridors of the stadium seemed to stretch endlessly, the fluorescent lights harsh against her eyes.

As they approached the VIP tent, Leia could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The fabric of her shirt suddenly felt too tight, constricting her breathing. Georgie squeezed her hand reassuringly, a silent gesture of support that Leia clung to like a lifeline.

Taylor was going to hate her when she found out Leia had ruined her PR relationship. That everything they'd worked for was down the drain - all because she hadn't been strong enough to push Dylan away from her as soon as he walked up to her.

A few fans that had caught a glimpse of them heading towards the VIP tent swung their cameras in their direction, and Leia plastered on a smile, waving and pointing to Taylor, mouthing for them to turn and watch her instead. Riven smiled to himself, knowing that was going to end up online later as a cute 'friendship' moment.

The security guard at the entrance nodded at Tree, pulling back the heavy curtain to reveal the bustling tent. The air inside was electric, charged with the excitement of thousands of fans just beyond the barrier. Leia's eyes immediately sought out Andrea and Scott, finding them in their usual spot near the front. Andrea's face lit up when she saw Leia, waving her over enthusiastically.

The first notes of "gorgeous" filled the air, and Leia realised instantly that they had missed the first two songs. Guilt washed over her, adding to the tempest of emotions already swirling in her chest. She knew how much Taylor valued her presence at the shows, how her eyes always sought out Leia's in the crowd. She could only image how Taylor had felt when she'd noticed Leia wasn't there next to her parents.

As if on cue, Taylor's gaze swept across the VIP section as she and her dancers moved towards the right side of the stage closest to them. Leia watched as those blue eyes, so familiar and yet suddenly so distant, scanned the faces before her. For a moment, Taylor's brow furrowed ever so slightly that only Leia and those that knew her well would notice, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features. Then, their eyes locked.

The change in Taylor's expression was subtle, but Leia caught it immediately. A flash of relief, a softening around the eyes, the hint of a genuine smile breaking through her performance mask. It lasted only a second before Taylor was back in full performance mode, but it was enough to make Leia's heart sink.

Taylor had thought she wasn't coming.

The realisation hit Leia like a physical blow. Despite their disagreements, despite the tension of the past few days, Taylor had still expected her to be there. Had still wanted her there. And Leia had almost let her down.

First Zaria and now Taylor... it seemed all she did was let others down these days.

____

"Why don't you come on stage with me for Shake It Off?"

Leia turned her head, her eyebrows furrowed in thought as Taylor finally spoke. 

Their car ride back to the hotel after the show had been in silence, the divider between them and the driver up and the rest of the car absent of their teams. Usually, it would be bustling with Taylor's parents or Georgie or Riven and Tree but it was empty today.

"You never asked me," Leia replied, no malice in her voice. It was factual - Taylor had never brought up Leia being on stage alongside Charli and Camila for Shake It Off, and Leia had never questioned her on that. "I just figured you didn't want me to."

"I would love you to be up there with me," Taylor admitted, quietly as if she wasn't allowed to say it out loud. "I just didn't think you would want to."

Leia's heart softened at Taylor's vulnerable admission. She turned to face the blonde, really taking in her appearance for the first time since they'd gotten in the car. Taylor looked tired, the adrenaline from the show having worn off, leaving behind a weariness that tugged at Leia's heartstrings.

"Why wouldn't I want to?" Leia asked gently, genuinely curious.

Taylor shrugged, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I don't know. I guess I thought... maybe you'd want to keep some distance. Professional boundaries and all that."

Leia couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"Tay, I think we crossed those professional boundaries a long time ago."

A small smile tugged at Taylor's lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I know. It's just... sometimes I worry that I'm asking too much of you. That being with me, dealing with all this..." she gestured vaguely, encompassing the complexity of their situation, "...might be more than you bargained for."

Leia felt a pang of guilt, knowing that her recent behavior had likely contributed to Taylor's insecurities. She reached out, taking Taylor's hand in hers.

"Hey," she said softly, waiting until Taylor met her gaze. "Being with you is exactly what I want. The rest... the PR stuff, the press... we'll figure it out. And for the record, I'd love to join you three for Shake It Off from now on."

For a moment, the tension between them seemed to dissipate. Leia squeezed Taylor's hand, offering a small smile. Taylor nodded, her eyes brightening as she ran her thumb along the back of Leia's connected hand.

Leia took a deep breath, knowing she couldn't put off the inevitable any longer. 

"Taylor, I need to talk to you about July 4th -"

he blonde's posture stiffened slightly, but she nodded. "I know. I'm sorry about the Joe thing and I should have -"

"No," Leia interrupted gently. "It's not about that. Well, not entirely. Something happened at the club that I went to with the girls. Something that might affect... that side of our lives." 

 Taylor's brow furrowed in concern. "What do you mean? Are you okay?"

Leia felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "I messed up, Tay. I didn't mean to, but... there are photos. Of me and Dylan. They look... bad."

She watched as understanding dawned on Taylor's face, followed quickly by a mix of hurt and confusion as her mind started to jump to conclusions. She dropped Leia's hand, scooting her body slightly away from the girl as she turned more to look at her with a concerned look.

"Photos? Of you and... Dylan?" Taylor repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leia swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet Taylor's gaze. "The kind that make it look like something happened between us. Even though nothing did. I swear, Taylor, nothing happened. But Zaria's team... they want out of the contract."

The silence that followed was deafening. Leia could see the emotions warring on Taylor's face - hurt, anger, fear, and something else she couldn't quite place.

Finally, Taylor spoke, her voice tight with controlled emotion.

"He didn't hurt you, did he? You're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Leia murmured back, her mind drifting to the small bag he'd placed into her hand. She pushed the thought to the side, knowing that's the last thing she wanted to talk to Taylor about right now.

Taylor nodded, almost looking relieved. 

"Tell me everything, Leia. From the beginning."

____

Leia yawned as sent Georgie a love heart in response before turning her notifications off and plugging her phone into her charger on the sideboard. It was something she'd picked up from Taylor - turning notifications off instead of aimlessly scrolling at night, especially on tour days.

"All good?"

Leia looked up with a soft smile as Taylor walked into her own bedroom in the master suite that she was in, her hair now brushed and tied back in a casual ponytail and her tour outfit replaced with the sage-coloured silk pyjamas that Leia recognised as the ones Georgie had got her for Christmas the year before.

"Yeah, just letting Georgie know I made it back okay and checking that she's good with Tate."

Taylor gave a small smile as she climbed into bed next to Leia.

"You know, Tate could have stayed here," Taylor murmured, but Leia just shook her head gently.

"Sometimes it's nice just for it to be us," Leia replied softly, knowing that Taylor was secretly happy that the dog wasn't bounding on the bed with them.

There was still a heaviness between them, the weight of their earlier conversation lingering in the air and the unspoken things too: Joe and the 4th, Taylor thinking Leia wasn't going to show up to watch her... 

Leia had explained everything about her 4th - Dylan's unexpected appearance, his threatening behaviour, the compromising photos. Taylor had listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and hurt.

"I'm sorry," Leia said softly, breaking the silence. "I should have told you sooner or at least picked up the phone when you called earlier. I was just... scared, I guess."

Taylor turned to face her, blue eyes searching Leia's face. "Scared of what?"

Leia bit her lip, struggling to find the right words. 

"Scared of disappointing you. Of ruining everything we've worked for by having my PR relationship cut short. And... scared of losing you."

Taylor's expression softened. She reached out, gently tucking a strand of Leia's auburn hair behind her ear. 

"You haven't messed everything up," Taylor said firmly. "We'll figure this out. Tree and Riven are already working on it. And as for Zaria's team... well, I get it. If they want to go, they can - Riven will sort it all out for you. He's good at his job."

She looked at Leia deeply.

"Hey," Taylor said, her voice gentle but firm. "This isn't your fault. Dylan shouldn't have put you in that position, and whoever took those photos... they're the ones to blame here."

"I'm just... sorry," Leia whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "I know how important this PR relationship is for you, for us."

Leia bit her lip, unable to meet Taylor's gaze. The blonde gently cupped Leia's chin, tilting her face up until their eyes met.

"Listen to me," Taylor said, her voice soft but intense. "You, Leia Hudson, are the most important person in my life. Not Joe, not some fabricated relationship for the media. You."

Taylor's thumb brushed across Leia's cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped.

"I'm so sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise," Taylor continued, her own eyes glistening. "God, I've been such an idiot. I've been so caught up in maintaining this image, this facade, that I forgot what really matters."

She leaned in, resting her forehead against Leia's. The familiar scent of Taylor's lavender shampoo enveloped Leia, comforting and familiar.

"You're the love of my life, Leia," Taylor whispered, her breath warm against Leia's skin. "You're the one I want to wake up to every morning, the one I want to share my life with. Not Joe, not anyone else. Just you."

"I'm sorry too," Leia murmured. "I should have trusted you more, should have talked to you instead of avoiding you."

Taylor pulled back slightly, her blue eyes searching Leia's face. She took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"There's something I've been wanting to tell you," she said softly, her fingers intertwining with Leia's. "I wasn't sure when the right time would be, but... I've started writing for my next album."

"Do you ever stop writing?" Leia teased gently, a fond smile playing on her lips as she wiped at the tears that had pooled in the corner of her eyes.

Taylor laughed, the sound light and airy, easing some of the tension that had built up between them. She reached for her phone on the nightstand, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before she looked back at Leia.

"I want to play something for you. It's not finished yet, and it's just a rough demo, but... I wrote it about us. About you."

As Taylor pressed play, the room filled with the gentle strumming of a guitar. 

"We were in the backseat, drunk on something stronger than the drinks in the bar..."

Leia listened intently, her heart swelling with each word. The lyrics painted a vivid picture of their relationship, of stolen moments and shared secrets. It was raw, honest, and achingly beautiful - and Leia was obsessed with it.

She looked at Taylor, seeing the vulnerability and love shining in those blue eyes. Without speaking, she leaned in and kissed Taylor softly, pouring all her emotions into that single gesture.

When they finally parted, Leia whispered, "It's beautiful, Tay. I love it. I love you."

As they settled into each other's arms, the tensions of the past few days melting away, Leia felt a sense of peace wash over her.

Things weren't perfect, but as long as she was with Taylor - she really didn't care.