Page 84 of Worth the Scandal
“Why don’t you?”
“Because she’s in Sydney. And I’m—”
“Still here,” he finishes for me. “Trying to hold up your life with hands that are too full of ghosts.”
I laugh—bitter and short. “That’s poetic.”
“It’s also true.”
I go quiet, staring at the window. “I saw a photo last night. Scarlett posted a story. Dinner. Just a table shot. But his hand was in it.”
“Whose?”
“Justin Moore.”
Recognition flashes in his eyes. “The NBL player.”
I nod. “I know his type. I know how guys like him talk. How they flirt. I’ve heard enough stories from other players to know he’s not subtle, he got papped with her a few months back, sent me fucking loopy you know.”
“And?”
“And I lost it,” I admit. “Messaged her. Accused her. Blew up like an insecure prick. I wasn’t even mad at her—I was mad at myself. For not being there. For leaving space he could walk into.”
Dr. Lawson watches me carefully. “And now?”
“I’m flying out today. I booked the flight this morning.” I swallow hard. “I don’t care if I have to sit on the bench. I don’t care if Ted fines me or the team hates me. I can’t keep choosing punishment over love. I’ve paid for a crime I didn’t commit long enough.”
He leans back, and for the first time in all our sessions, I think I see something like pride flicker across his face.
“You’re not running anymore,” he says.
“No,” I agree. A warm feeling erupting in my chest “I’m not.”
I stand, my chest still tight but clear. The guilt is still there—but it’s no longer the one driving the car and controlling my future.
I step out of Dr Lawson’s office and call Shell.
She answers on the first ring. “If this isn’t a management emergency, you owe me coffee and a full-day retainer.”
I laugh, Shell’s almost been the perfect distraction, except for every time she sees me in person, which is a lot she says“call her you giant idiot.” I let out a deep breath. “It’s a Scarlett emergency.”
“Oh, thank god,” she breathes. “I was getting really tired of her pretending she’s fine, you know she’s posting all over Instagram showing off this high roller life but the girl’s miserable there.”
“I want to surprise her. In Sydney.”
“You gonna propose?” Her voice is the highest pitch I’ve ever heard, she’s crazy. There’s a reason her and Scar hit it off like a house on fire.
“Not yet. But I’m ready to start giving her what she deserves.” I mean it, and whether that means me we are close to finding out.
There’s a pause. “How big are we talking?”
“Big, I need flowers, certain ones, lots of em.” Yellow roses actually.
“Like flower explosion big?”
“Bigger.”
Shell grins through the phone. “I’m listening.”
