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At least I haven’t had a blackout today. That’s progress.
“To talk some sense into you and to tell you not to give up on yourself because we haven’t given up on you,” Maxwell says. “But I think you know what to do with Olivia, right, Rex?”
He walks up to me and kneels down, so we’re at eye-level.
Our gazes meet, and for a moment, I’m the six-year-old idolizing my oldest brother again, wanting him to include me in his games.
His eyes soften. “People underestimate you, Rex. I know I do. But I realize that now. We Andersons carry burdens that aren’t ours to carry. I think you know that. And somehow, I think you’re the smartest one of us.”
My breath hitches, my pulse clamoring. The tightness in my chest—a sensation I thought was normal before—suddenly releases.
The smartest Anderson.Recognition.
Not a party prince. Not Rex-a-Million. Not the comedian only good for making people happy.
“You really think so?” I ask, my voice rough like sandpaper.
Maxwell’s lips curves in a ghost of a smile. “Tell me, what were you doing before we got here?”
“Trying to pull strings with the OPMC. Save her career.”
“And why would you do that?”
My brows twitch. “Because I love her so damn much. Because this is her calling, and I need to protect it.”
“And?”
The seconds pass by, the silence heavy in the room.
The throbbing pain pulses in my head, the headache unrelenting, but I mull over Maxwell’s words.
Aside from saving Olivia’s career, what was I hoping for?
It starts small.
My heart skips a beat, then two. A jolt of energy sweeps through my veins.
Then my chest seizes.
I need to talk to her.
I don’t know how, or if, I can even fix myself, but I need to talk to her and treat her as an equal.
Despite everything, I want her to stay by my side.
“Good.” Maxwell smiles, a full teeth-baring one this time.
He stands up. “Get down to business then.”
Dazed, I look around the room, finding the guys nodding and smiling encouragingly at me.
My team. My family.
“You guys.” My voice cracks.
Elias tosses back his drink and sets his tumbler down. “You handle getting your woman back. Let’s chat about the press. We need to be creative…”
Chapter Fifty-One
