Page 95 of Fake Out Hearts

I almost break down crying because I’m so relieved that Theo gets it. But of course he does. He’s as familiar with Shawn’s bullshit as I am because he’s been on the receiving end of it too. Knowing he doesn’t think the worst of me makes it at least a little easier to breathe, and my stomach’s churning finally starts to slow.

Theo pulls me in for a hug, and I melt in his arms, full on ugly crying. He rubs my back but doesn’t try to stop me, probably because he knows I need to let this all out or it’s going to make me implode.

“We’ll get through this. I promise,” he whispers in my ear. I don’t know how the hell he can be so sure, but having Theo in my corner at least makes me feel like there’s a shred of possibility that we will. “The Aces have some of the best PR and legal people in the business, and we all know Kaplan just did this to fuck with both of us. We won’t let him win.”

“Thank you,” I murmur as he draws back a little to wipe away my tears with his thumb.

“You’re my wife, remember? I’d do anything for you. Anything.”

It’s supposed to comfort me, and I know that, but it just makes me cry all over again.

I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve him, but I’m so grateful he’s here. There’s no way I’d survive something like this without him. I’d go to pieces. I already am.

Theo pulls me in for another hug, and I try my best to relax in his arms. Eventually, my breathing slows and steadies, and my tears finally subside. But my phone vibrates in my pocket, and my anxiety spikes all over again—because whatever the notification is, after what we just watched, it probably isn’t good news.

“What is it?” Theo asks as I yank my phone from my pocket but hesitate to look at the screen. “Just tear the bandage off. Get it over with.”

I turn the phone over and see a text from Caroline, the studio head at Curtain Call. Instantly, my heart plummets into my stomach before I’ve even read the message. But I can’t stop myself. My eyes dart over the text, and dread piles up in me with every word.

“What’s going on?” Theo asks, and my eyes snap to his.

“It’s Caroline at Curtain Call. They’re terminating my contract with the dance school.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yeah. One of the kid’s parents heard about the video and sent an email to Caroline about being uncomfortable with me as their instructor. She said she doesn’t want to, but until this gets sorted out, she has to let me go. Curtain Call can’t take the reputational hit.”

“That motherfucker,” Theo growls as he pulls me into his arms again. I feel the rage bubbling in him, the pure hatred toward Shawn, and I don’t blame him. “Screwing with me is one thing, but to go after you? I’ll fucking kill him.”

“He’s not worth it.”

Theo pulls back to look me in the eye. “No, he’s not. Butyouare. I won’t let him or any of his asshole friends hurt you. I swear.”

As my mind starts to whirl again, a cacophony of anxiety and fear, I cling to him. He’s all I have left, the only thing keeping me anchored to solid ground.

My haven in the storm.

Chapter 29

Becca

The condo feels emptier than normal with Theo gone.

He’s away for a game, and he wanted me to come with him, but I really didn’t think that was a good idea with everything going on. So I insisted on staying home and laying low instead while I figure out my next steps now that Shawn’s completely ruined whatever reputation I might have had.

I’m exhausted. I’ve spent all afternoon calling nearby leads, hoping to find some other work now that Curtain Call’s cut me loose. But unsurprisingly after the video, no one will touch me. It’s only been a couple of days since the episode aired, but it seems like everyone already knows about the “trashy dancer who is pole hopping from one NHL player to another.”

That was seriously a line I saw in one of the equally trashy tabloids who’ve picked up the “story” since it broke. Of course, not even one of them have reached out to me for comment or my version of the story, but why would they? They don’t practice real journalism.

I sigh and slump back on the couch, my phone dangling from my hand, the screen full of job search results. I should take a break, go for a walk with Milo or something, but I’m terrified that someone will recognize and corner me on the street—andTheo made me promise I wouldn’t go out alone. So if some shitbag paparazzi who’s hiding in the alley ambushes me, it’s all over. That’s the last thing I need.

It’s almost time for my meeting with the lawyer Theo hired anyway, so I decide to call the job search quits and get ready for that. God, I miss him, even though he’s been texting me non-stop since he left. Like he sensed it, I get a text from him again.

THEO: How’s the job hunt going?

BECCA: Terribly. Nothing but “no, thank yous.” Whatever. I’m leaving in a bit to meet with the lawyer.

THEO: Good. I wish I could be there with you for it. I’m sorry I can’t.

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