Page 130 of Every Move You Make

His eyes travel to his plate and he nods slowly.

“Is this about money?” I ask. “Because—”

“No. It’s fine.” When his ocean blues find mine again, there’s an unreadable emotion tucked deep in there I can’t decipher that causes my gut to tighten. “We’ll figure this out,” he says before taking a bite of his breakfast.

I get that he’s uncomfortable. This mess we’re in can’t be swept under the rug, and we’re in uncharted waters, but I know once we talk to Steph he’ll see the light on the other side calling us to a brighter future. One, hopefully, where we don’t have to live in secret. He’s not going to relax until that happens, so I’ll make sure he’s given every ounce of support I can muster. Both of them.

Chapter 48

Defense

Robyn

The sound of my bedroom door cracking open wakes me from a fitful sleep. There’s no way I slept longer than a few hours.

“Birdie?” my mom says quietly before sitting on my bedside and placing a hand on my side. “It’s time to get up. It’s almost ten. I have breakfast waiting, and your dad just arrived. It’s time to start making our plans.”

They’re not your plans, they’re mine. They’re Isaiah’s and Dell’s.

I told her everything about Dell last night. The OnlyFans account. The thirst traps. Him being my personal trainer and Isaiah’s boyfriend, too. I tried to tell her all the good things, like how fun and hardworking he is, how kind and thoughtful… but she couldn’t hear any of it. Dell was just another wrench thrown into my career, a career that she was desperately trying to piece together.

Opening one eye, I focus on her. “I’d like to wait for the guys since this involves them.”

“Just…” she trails off while rubbing a soothing thumb over my shoulder. “Come downstairs and let’s talk.”

“Fine. I’ll be right down.”

With a soft tap, she gets up, and I press my palms into my eyes to rub away sleep when she leaves. When I fling my covers away and sit at the edge of the bed, the overwhelming sense of irrevocable and unwelcome change strangles me. Nothing will be the same once I leave my bedroom, andI’m sorely tempted to stay in here forever.

But then I’d miss rugby. I’d miss out on the bone-deep exhaustion after a hard-fought victory. I’d miss out on the scrapes and bruises shown off like trophies. The smell of sunscreen and body odor all mingling together over a bed of grass.

I’d miss my teammates. I’d miss their smiles and their laughter. The stories from their day-to-day lives told over ankles being taped and submerged into ice baths.

I’d miss out on the career I have worked ruthlessly for. Playing at a professional level has cost me a lot, but given me more than I could have ever dreamed.

I wouldn't know Isaiah if it wasn’t for rugby. I wouldn’t have met Dell that fateful day at the pride parade or become his client. These men were always supposed to be in my life. So how am I going to keep them without losing the sport that gives me everything?

Throwing on a sports bra, T-shirt, and athletic shorts, I head down the stairs to the main floor and immediately spot my dad. I haven’t seen him since Christmas, but he’s still the same towering presence he always was. He no longer maintains his Olympic figure like my mom, but with a small belly and broad shoulders, he still turns heads with just how imposing he is. With short dark brown hair that’s a whole lot whiter than brunette, he looks the same, albeit a little tired from flying here last-minute. His green eyes fix on mine, and the fine lines around his eyes deepen when he smiles.

“Hey, Birdie,” he says, coming to wrap me up in a bear hug. I want to believe he means well by being here, but I can’t find it in me to relax. Stiffly, I hug him back. “We’re gonna figure this out.” He releases me, and he gestures for us to sit at my dining table just off the kitchen. “Your mom and I have been discussing this. You know we only want what’s best for you, right?”

I stare down at the bowl of green apple slices and two boiled eggs atop a bed of fresh spinach.Yup, my mom definitely made this breakfast.“I believe youthinkthat.”

“What do you mean?” Mom asks.

A wave of rebellion licks at my heels. “I think you want what’s best for me as long as it’s furthering my career.”

“Well of course, Birdie,” she huffs. “You’re carrying on the family legacy and we are your biggest supporters.”

“My biggest supporters?Hm. Okay. So tell me what you two have been discussing. I can’t wait to hear it.” Stabbing two apple slices with a fork, I bite into the sour fruit and wait for them to speak.

Dad goes first. “First of all, we’ve spoken to a lawyer who comes highly recommended from a couple of my former teammates. We have a conference call with him at noon.”

Mom settles her hands in her lap. “And we think it would be best for you to end things with Isaiah and Dell.”

A sudden weakness tramples over my body, and a twinge of pain forms behind my jaw. “See, I knew it. I knew you were going to ask me to cut them out.”

“It’s for the best,” Mom tries to soothe, but it only adds fire to my flames.

---