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I let her carry on for a second before cutting her off. “Look, you know people will say anything to make the headlines. I am not, nor will I ever be, in a relationship with someone who isalreadyin a relationship with someone else.”
“So you’re saying this Monroe woman is making this up. Andrea, you can’t possibly think dating some…football playeris acceptable. How did you not think that something like this would happen? What would Josh think of this?”
How dare she?I see red. “Don’t talk about Josh and what he’d think. You have no idea. You’d barely even address him when he was alive. Don’t think for a second you can use him now that he’s gone. I know exactly what he’d want for me, and that’s for me to be happy and loved and find the things and people that make those things true.”
My chest heaves, and I try to catch my breath as my heart feels like it might pound right out of my chest. “Unless you have something worthwhile to say, this conversation is over. I’m sorry if this upsets you and your little world, but what I do with my life and who I date or spend time with is none of your business.”
“Andrea…” She pauses like she doesn’t know what to say, and I just need her to be quiet.
“Bye, Mother.” I hang up, and Snipe rests his head on my thigh, puffing out a breath.
A lump aches in my throat for the first time today, and I need it to go away. I won’t cry. Not about this and not because of what she said.
My phone buzzes, and I want to throw it across the room. All of this is too much. It’s too much, and it wasn’t even anything. I laugh at the absurdity of it all because if I don’t, I’ll cry, and I’m not doing that.
I pick up my phone and look at the screen.
NORA: I got a call. Miranda from the Tigers wants to meet in the morning. Don’t hate me, but I said we’d be there. She wouldn’t tell me what it was about. 8:00 a.m. I’ll pick you up.
NORA: If you aren’t speaking to me, it’s ok. I’ll wait. *Kissy face emoji*
I groan and pick myself up off the floor, although staying there would be entirely appropriate at the moment. I tiptoe down the hallway and peek in at Axel. His sweet, innocent face is just what I need to remind me that there is good in the world. I run the back of my finger over his cheek and leave him.
I grab my guitar and notebook from the back room and settle on my bed. There has to be a song in all of this. It’s so completely messed up that I’m not sure where I’d even begin.
I start strumming, closing my eyes. I’ve been trying so hard to pick myself up, and the second I feel like I might actually be able to stand, it’s like the world wants to tear me down. I want to run right back into hiding.
I jot down some notes but stop, tossing my pen down. I rest my head in my hands, my throat feeling tight. I know I can’t hide anymore. I want to. I want to stay where it’s safe, and I don’t have to face reality.
Josh would have never wanted that, and that’s all I’ve been doing, but I can’t hide from this. It’s everywhere. He’d tell me to get up and fight. Quit sitting around feeling sorry for myself and show them all what I can do and, in this case, who I am.
I’m not a cheater or a slut or some chick looking for her five minutes of fame hanging off some baller's arm. So I’ll go to this meeting in the morning to see what Miranda wants, and if it has anything to do with this, I’ll do what I need to and tear the lies down.
Chapter 15
SEAN
“So what’s this about?” I step into the large conference room, leaving the door open as I take a seat next to Craig. His nose is in his phone, and Miranda is across from us.
It was a long night, and I’m more than ready to get this over with and down on the field.
“We’re waiting for a couple more people to arrive.” Miranda takes a sip of her coffee.
I look at Craig. “Who? Who else is coming? If this has to do with the lies my ex is spreading, then that only has to do with me.” I try to keep my temper in check, but the last twenty-four hours have tried every ounce of my patience.
Miranda frowns, setting her coffee down. “Actually, that’s not true.”
Before I can ask her to clarify, there’s a knock on the door jam. A woman with long bright blue hair and glasses walks in, followed by…Andie.
“Andie, it’s so good to see you again.” Miranda stands, moving to shake her hand. “And you must be Nora. It’s nice to put the face with the name. Thank you so much for coming today. I know it’s early.”
I sit stunned by this turn of events but stand briefly when Craig gets up to shake hands and introduce himself.
I feel like I’m the only one in the dark, and the darkness is not my friend. I don’t like it one bit. I meet Andie’s eyes, and by the cool glare she sends me, she’s not happy about it either. Or maybe it’s just me she’s unhappy with.
“Well, since we’re all here, let’s get started. I’ll try to keep this short.” Miranda jumps in as Andie and Nora sit. “Craig and I spoke yesterday after the press let loose on the two of you.” She gestures between Andie and me. “It’s safe to say damage control would do everyone some good.”
“Wait.” Nora stops her, pushing her glasses up her nose. “The only damage control that needs to happen is for Sean, here, to step out there and clear this whole thing up.”
