034:

Where could Mr. Stevak have heard anything about her? Had somebody close to her been complaining about her? Somebody in the band? Like who? Megan and Maille wouldn't do anything like that. She stared at Kell Stevak and wondered who he was friends with that might have said something about her.

Afterward, she waited until Cousin Steve wasn't near Mr. Stevak, and she approached with a hesitant smile. Ryan stayed close to her side.

"So, if not my professionalism, then what? Somebody close to me is complaining about my lifestyle, and Mr. Stevak has taken offense? He was extremely rude in there, almost like he was trying to discredit me. My record stands for itself!"

Steve rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Melia, you do have kind of a reputation."

Her eyes widened. "What reputation are you speaking of?"

His hands fell to his sides. He gave Ryan a quick uncomfortable glare and then blew out his breath. "You know, busy with the guys, wanting all the attention. You're a diva, Melia, eccentric and self-centered."

She took a step back. "Really."

"It's just your media personality."

She nodded and sucked in her bottom lip, holding his eyes. "What some reporters say about me to get their quota of dirt?"

He nodded again and looked at Ryan who was rocking back on his heels, his hands shoved in his pockets.

"You don't believe that stuff. You know me, Steve."

"I do, Mia. I do."

"Then please explain to Mr. Stevak about listening to the media reports. You'd think, as professional of a star as he is, and as private of a guy, that he'd understand and reserve judgment on someone he has barely met. He doesn't know me, he doesn't know what my life is like."

Steve took her arm and pulled her away from Ryan, to a corner of the room. Ryan started to follow, but Steve actually shook his head, and in that slight shake was the message--- leave us alone for a second, bro, she's family to me-- and not you-- yet.

Melia caught Ryan's disturbed expression and was mystified. "What's up?"

"There is a rumor going around."

"There are usually rumors, Steve."

"No, not around the media, but around in our inner circle."

"Inner circle as in... family?" That was a horrifying thought. The family didn't ever listen to gossip. It was a cardinal rule, never to judge each other that way.

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not exactly, but some people who are family, who are also in the industry are part of it. I heard it from someone close to us."

Melia stepped back, but he caught her and pulled her ear close to his lips. Her eyes were wide and annoyed, but she went with it anyway. "I'm not afraid of gossip, Steve."

"Who is the father of your baby?"

Melia's face crumpled. That little piece of info? Really? The family knew the answer to that by now. No, she hadn't spoken to each and every person in her very large family yet, but only a few were actually old enough to speak to the press or to those of their close friends.... could it be Matthew? He was so close to the family right now.

"You know. Jared is the father of both of my children."

"How is that possible?"

Ryan had started walking over to them, but Steve kept Melia's arm tightly against his chest, and leaned into her so their words were very private. Melia waved Ryan away and saw his eyes narrow in annoyance.

"If you want the full story, come over to my house tonight. I can't share all that right here, right now, but you have to tell me where the rumor is coming from. Are you saying that someone in the family doesn't believe me about Jared being the dad?"

"You are very close off-screen and in your private time with a number of other men."

"Close? Are you kidding?" She wrenched her arm free. "When would I have time? You can follow me around and find the time for me yourself, Steve!"

"It isn't me, Mia. And it might be circumstantial. Maybe making a public announcement would help."

She snorted. "Right. That hasn't helped anyone. They just think you're trying to cover something up then."

He closed his eyes in frustration. "You'll have to figure it out then."

"Is it somebody in our family? Is it Megan?"

"Do you really think that of your sister?"

"No. No, I don't. I know she couldn't ever do such a thing, she knows the baby's father is Jared, and she knows me."

"I can't tell you, but just be careful who you confide in, and who your friends are." He let her go and walked back over to Kell Stevak who was getting ready to leave. Melia blew out her breath on a sigh and looked to Ryan.

"What was that all about?" He asked coming up to her, diffusing what build there was as she scratched her arm in irritation.

"Nothing. Family business."

"I'm family." He said softly, and she did turn to look at him. If he was family to her, why wouldn't she confide her fears to him? She felt a nagging sense of insecurity flood her.

But in typical Melia fashion, she put it aside and tried on her best smile and went on.

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