Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
My phone is pressed to my ear as my mother’s sharp voice cuts through the quiet.
“I’ve had a dozen people send me that photo, Lilah. A dozen. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is for me? For us?”
I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the glass. “I didn’t ask for the picture to be taken.”
“That’s hardly the point. You put yourself in that position and let him wrap his hand around your throat in public. What kind of message do you think that sends?”
I don’t answer right away. Mostly because I’m unsure what to say.
It wasn’t what it looked like.
At all.
But it doesn’t matter to the gossip sites or to the people who only see what they want to. Who have painted it as something dark and ugly.
Her tone creeps up a notch. “How do you expect to get another job at a reputable law firm after this? Who will hire someone involved in such an ugly scandal?”
“I don’t want another job practicing law,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
The silence that follows is brutal. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I said that I don’t want to be a lawyer.” My voice is quiet but steady. “I don’t think that world is for me anymore. If it ever was.”
There’s a stunned beat before she says, “After we spent over a hundred thousand dollars on your degree, you’re just going to throw it all away?”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes. “It’s not about the money.”
“I have no idea who you are right now, Lilah. I really don’t. Are you having some kind of mental breakdown? Is this a cry for help? Do you want me to book you a stay at Miraval so you can relax and get your head on straight again?”
“I’m not having a breakdown, Mom.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening with your life. First the breakup, then you get fired, and now this… photo. I’ve never been so disappointed.”
The words are like a slap across the face. I press my lips together, so I don’t say something I’ll end up regretting, before blinking up at the ceiling. I’ve always tried to make my parents proud. Sometimes to my own detriment.
And I refuse to do it any longer.
“Did you cheat on Devon with him?” she demands. “Is that what really happened?”
“No,” I say. “Of course not.”
“Then what are you doing with Steele Sanderson? Are you in a relationship now? I always knew that hockey player was trouble. It’s such a violent sport.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “We’re friends,” I whisper. “We’ve always been friends.”
It’s not entirely a lie, but it doesn’t quite feel like the truth either.
“I need to go,” I say, cutting her off before she can ask anything else.
“I—”
“Bye.” I hit the end button before I lose my nerve.
I’m still standing near the window when I feel Steele’s presence behind me. Moments later, his arms slip around my waist and his lips brush the side of my face.
“I take it that was your mom?” he asks quietly.
I nod, not trusting my voice. After a moment, I say, “They saw the photo. Let’s just say they’re not happy about it. Their friends have been completely scandalized.”
He presses his lips against my temple. “I don’t give a shit about your parents’ friends. But I do care about you. Are you okay?”
“Honestly? I don’t know,” I admit before twisting in his arms to face him. “Wait… Why are you home so early? Did something happen?”
He hesitates for a beat. “I got pulled into a meeting with Hugh. Evelyn and Rina were there too.”
My stomach drops. “Because of the photo?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, the guilt hitting me all over again. “I never thought… I mean, we were having a private moment. It didn’t even cross my mind that someone might take a picture of us.”
“That’s on me,” he admits. “I should’ve known better. I should’ve realized people are always watching. Especially when it comes to professional athletes.”
“Are you in trouble?”
When he remains quiet, my heart clenches.
“It’ll blow over,” he finally says. “I’m not worried.”
The way he avoids direct eye contact tells me everything I need to know.
Everything he refuses to say out loud.
42
STEELE
Now that Lilah’s in my arms, everything finally settles. I tighten my hold, wishing I could absorb some of the weight she’s carrying and make it my own.
“I’m worried this will damage your career,” she whispers.
I pull back just enough to look at her before tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “You think I give a damn about hockey right now?”
She tries to smile, but it doesn’t quite land.
She’s concerned.
All the positivity and excitement from earlier this morning has vanished.
I’ll be damned if I allow anyone, including her mother, the media, or some faceless internet troll to steal her sunshine.