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I don’t respond.
Tyrell comes to stand next to me and shakes his head. “I didn’t see this coming. What’s her deal?” I close my eyes, trying not to let my anger swallow me whole. I feel his hand on my back and stop myself from jerking away. “Are you going to talk to Andie?” His voice is soft to prevent the room from hearing. “The comments are getting out of hand. Morgan’s followers are coming for her.”
I hang my head. I don’t have to read the comments to know what they likely say. If Andie knows about this, I’m certain I’m the absolute last person she wants to hear from right now.
My head begins to pound, and the walls are closing in. “I have to get out of here.”
Craig is relentless and waiting for me to respond. I guess I have to figure out if I should risk adding fuel to the fire or say nothing and wait for it to die.
Tyrell looks at me with sympathy. “Try to get some rest. We need you to be all in tomorrow.”
I grab my bag and hightail it out of there. I have no doubt it’s not just Craig who’d like to get a hold of me. The team’s PR reps are probably hot after my ass right now too. If I can help it, I’m skipping out before they catch me. Then maybe I can stay under the radar until this whole thing sinks.
Not wanting to, I look at my phone. I have a hundred texts from Craig but ignore them, jumping to a group text.
MAGGIE: I’m going to kick her tight model ass. Tell me where to find her.
SHANE: Calm down, Firefly.
MARK: Maggie, I’m down. I don’t discriminate.
SHANE: Sean, you ok, man?
MARK: Hell no, he’s not ok. He’s the nice one and would never step out.
MAGGIE: The kids and I are getting on a plane.
SHANE: Maggie, he doesn’t have time to bail you out.
MARK: I’m her alibi.
SHANE: Sean? Seriously? If you don’t answer, I’m sending Maggie.
MAGGIE: Sean? Time is ticking.
MARK: Sean? I’m willing to take one for the team and cause a ruckus to take the pressure off. I still want to know who she is, though. I hope she’s worth it.
______
In my truck, I almost dial Craig but decide to call Shane first. He’s sound and reasonable and will give me no grief about this.
“Hey, bro. How’s life treating you?” Shane’s no-nonsense tone is refreshing after the day I’m having.
“I have no freaking clue what to do about this.” I tighten my grip on my steering wheel, needing it to help me hold it together.
“I bet Craig’s loving this.” Shane’s calm voice makes me feel a little less panicked.
“I haven’t talked to him yet. His texts are pinging as we speak, but I’m not sure I can handle hearing his advice right now. He’ll want to make a statement or get Andie involved.” I run a hand through my hair. “I have no idea why Morgan would do this. She isn’t this person, or at least, I didn’t think so.”
Shane is silent for a moment. “Her name is Andie?” he asks cautiously, creating a pressure in my chest that’s not normal.
“Yeah. She’s the one I got stuck in the elevator with a few weeks back who was there to sing the anthem.”
“The chick who thought you were a self-centered bastard.” Shane chuckles, and the sound makes the band tightening around my ribs lessen just slightly.
“Yeah. I ran into her at the benefit last night, but that was it. Some jerkoff was getting handsy, and I put a stop to it. I walked her to her car, and she reminded me that she doesn’t like me.”
“I like her already,” Shane says matter-of-factly.
