Off Script

Let them Talk(MBJ POV)

We ended the call, and I set the phone down. Mina let out a shaky breath, finally leaning fully into me instead of against me.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

Her eyes lifted to mine, red and wet. "Better. Not okay... but better."

I pressed my lips to her forehead.

"That's enough for tonight. You don't gotta be okay—you just gotta let me hold you."

She exhaled slow, sinking into my chest, her body finally starting to soften in my arms. For the first time since those damn headlines, I felt her breathing settle against me.

I rubbed slow circles on her back, whispering, "Block out the noise, baby. It's just us right now."

Her grip on my tee loosened a little, her head resting heavy against me. I thought maybe she'd drift off like that, finally at peace for a minute—

Then my phone lit up again.

Tasha.

I groaned under my breath. "Damn..." I muttered, kissing Mina's temple before reaching for it. "It's Tash. I gotta answer."

Mina tensed slightly but nodded. I swiped to accept, holding the phone low so she could still lean against me.

"Mike," Tasha's voice came fast, no hello. "You seen the feeds?"

"Yeah," I said flat, my hand rubbing Mina's arm to keep her calm. "We saw."

"I figured. Phones are blowing up over here. Studio already calling. PR wants to know if you're making a statement or if we're waiting it out."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "We're not saying shit right now. Not tonight."

Tasha hesitated. "Mike... we need to talk about Haven."

At her name, Mina's body stiffened against me. I pulled her closer, meeting her eyes before answering.

"Yeah. We already know," I said, voice low but sharp. "Angle of that picture? Too clean. Too damn convenient. And champ called her out earlier. The only reason I didn't confront her then was 'cause we didn't have proof."

Tasha hissed through her teeth. "I knew she was messy, but I didn't think she'd go this far. That's foul."

"Foul don't cover it," I muttered, jaw tight.

"Michael, you gotta be smart here," Tasha pressed. "If you go off on her when you go back to set, it's going to look like you confirming everything. Like she got to you."

Mina shifted in my arms, her whisper sharp: "So what, she just gets away with it?"

Tasha must've heard her, because her voice softened. "No, Mina. But y'all got to play this right. We'll line up security tighter. I'll work on figuring out who she passed that picture to. In the meantime... let Michael do his job when he goes back, enjoy the day off together. Don't give her the reaction she wants."

****

That night, I didn't let Mina out of my arms.

Every time her breathing hitched, I pulled her closer. Every time she shifted like her thoughts were running too loud, I kissed her temple and whispered, "Just us right now."

She finally drifted off like that, curled into me, her fingers still knotted in my tee.

I lay awake longer, staring at the ceiling, jaw tight. Haven's name burned in my head. J.C.'s little voice calling her out replayed on a loop.

By morning, Mina stirred beside me, her braids falling across my chest.

"Morning," I whispered, brushing them back.