Page 118 of Play Dirty

She doesn’t respond, big tear-filled blue eyes staring up at me.

“What you did, Stevie…” I shake my head. “We have a lot to talk about, but I had to be here for you regardless. Even if you don’t love me.”

A tiny frown creases her forehead. “What makes you think I don’t love you?”

I’m not sure how to respond to that so I just lean down and kiss her forehead.

“Right now, nothing matters but getting through the trial.”

“What about hockey?” she asks.

“I took leave for a family emergency. Harper gave her blessing. She would be here too if she could.”

“Where are the kids?”

“With my mom. Ally is going over after school to help out too.”

“Did you find a nanny?”

I smile, brushing my knuckles across her damp cheeks. “I’m working on it. But don’t worry about me—let’s just get through the trial.”

“Marty, this is why I had to leave,” she whispers, a fresh bout of tears puddling in her eyes. “I’m always the villain, no matter what the storyline is, and you and the kids deserve better than that. You can’t get caught up in my messes.”

“There are no messes,” I say firmly. “Damien is going to prison. And if for some reason he manages to escape criminal charges, we will sue him in civil court every way to Sunday, until he’s so broke he’ll wish he was in prison. He is not going to get away with this. One way or another, we will make him suffer. And even if he doesn’t, I love you. The kids love you—they ask me every day when Auntie Stevie is coming home. Not to visit, baby, but when you’re cominghome. Because you’re part of what they consider home.”

“I don’t think?—”

“Stop it.” I reach for a paper towel and gently dab at her tears. “Everything going on right now is background noise. I’m here for the long haul, baby, if that’s what you want too. The kids love you… and I love you more.”

I look down at her, hoping my words get through. That she doesn’t just hear them but understands them on an emotional level. In her heart. Her soul. Her entire being. Because that’s where I’m at in all of this.

She’s it for me, and I never should have let her walk away, no matter what was going on.

“You love me?” she asks, as if she’s struggling to take it in.

“You need me to say it a few hundred more times?” I dip my head and softly brush my lips across hers. “Stevie, you have to know how I feel about you.”

“If this is because of the money I gave Brenna—” she begins.

“No!” I’m probably a bit more vehement than I mean to be, but I need to be firm that the money has nothing to do with it. Well, maybe a little. It was the catalyst I needed to realize the depth ofherfeelings.

“We’re going to talk about all of that,” I promise. “But right now you need to get something to eat and relax before your testimony.”

She squeezes her eyes shut. “I’m so scared.”

“You have nothing to be afraid of. I’ll be right behind you, along with all your friends. Everyone that loves you, except my mom and the kids. But Mom has been texting me for updates all morning, even though I was on a plane. I meant to be here before the trial started but I was coming from Montreal and the flight was delayed.”

“You’re on a road trip?”

“I was. But now I’m on family leave. Now go wash your face and breathe. I’ll be waiting right outside.” I kiss her forehead and then slip out, giving her some time and privacy to get herself together.

“How is she?” Chey and Saylor ask in unison the moment I come out.

“Better,” I say, nodding. “She had a good cry, and we talked. Now she’s washing her face. Let’s try to get her to eat something.”

Everyone nods in agreement, and I can’t help but smile at the support group that’s here today. Her good friends—Chey, Saylor, and Effie—are a given. But it’s the others that are special. L’il Barracuda is here, and I’m a little ashamed to admit how jealous I’ve been of him. I found out he’s dating her friend Marcie and he seems like a genuinely good guy.

Madame Bertrand is the owner of the fragrance company that just hired Stevie as their brand ambassador, and there’s truly no reason for her to be here. Except she must love Stevie just like the rest of us.

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