Page 86 of Pretty Relentless

I admit, the happiness on her face almost makes all the other bullshit fade away. Almost. “Hey,” I reply, taking her in my arms and kissing her lips.

She tastes like mint and honey, and all I want to do is get lost in her for hours on end. Unfortunately, that’s not what can happen right now. We have some things to discuss tonight, because I’m certain Max is right and everyone in town will know by morning.

“Come on, let’s get inside.” I take her hand and lead her out the door, up the back steps, and into my house.

She takes off her sensible shoes and hangs her coat on one of the hooks at my back door. “What smells so good?” she asks as we walk to the kitchen.

I run my hand over the back of my neck, nervously. “Uhh, that’s a candle wax warmer thingy with some sort of vanilla cookie melt in it. We’re having pizza, and I meant to throw it in the oven when you were on your way, but I…got distracted.”

She gives me a cheeky grin, clearly assuming I’m referring to something sexual, especially when her brown eyes take a slow, leisurely stroll down my body, landing on my groin. When she meets my gaze again, she must sense my hesitancy and uneasiness. “What’s wrong?”

“Come in the living room with me,” I suggest, reaching for her hand. “We have something to talk about.”

She’s clearly nervous but slips her hand inside mine and walks with me to the couch. “You’re starting to freak me out a little,” she finally says.

I take a deep breath and, while still holding her hand in mine, decide to rip off the Band-Aid. “Some photos were posted on social media today.”

She looks confused. “Photos? Of who?”

“Us.”

Clearly, by the look on her face, she wasn’t expecting that. “Us? How? When?”

“They’re pictures of you and me at Logan’s cabin yesterday. Kissing on the porch and then walking into the cabin together.”

Her wide eyes stare back at me, and I can read the fear, confusion, and sadness within. “Why would someone post pictures of us?”

“I don’t know,” I tell her honestly. “And we don’t know who posted them because they’re posted anonymously.”

“How is that possible?” she asks, her voice getting smaller and smaller as the conversation continues.

“I don’t know, but Max said you can post in groups without anyone knowing who the original poster is.”

“Max? Max knows?”

I slowly nod my head. “Yeah, Max knows. He saw them and called me.” Swallowing over the massive lump in my throat, I add, “A lot of people know. The photos have quite a few comments.”

Her complexion grows increasingly pale as she watches me, trying to process what I’m telling her. “Can you…” She pauses and clears her throat. “Did he tell you what they’re saying? In the comments?”

Fuck, this is hard, because I know I’m about to crush her.

“Yeah,” I say gently, stroking my thumb over her knuckles as I continue to hold her hand. “A lot of the comments are very supportive of you. Of us.”

She nods slowly. “But not all of the comments,” she deduces, understanding where this is going.

“No, not all of them.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “What are they saying?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I quickly state.

“But it does matter, Gavin. This is my job, my livelihood.”

“I know it is, sweetheart, which is why I’m telling you right away.”

“Then tell me what else they’re saying,” she insists, even though she knows it’s going to hurt.

My mouth opens, but the words don’t come yet. I know what I’m about to tell her will hurt, and fuck if I want to be the guy who crushes her.

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