“Is it…are our reputations, or personas, or whatever, established enough to do that?” It seems like it’s been a blip of time, even with Rawley and me hanging out more often.
“I’m not worried. We’re going to be able to position you as a strong female role model. We’ll figure out something for Rawley too, on his own. It’ll be easier when the NFL season starts and in the meantime he has his own deals coming in.”
Rawley is what I’m focused on, and he doesn’t react to Aiden’s words.
“Point is, we’ve broken through the noise, established your brands’ values, and have room to be on the offense now.”
“Okay.” I don’t even know how to respond to that. Like Rawley and I are not people, notfriendsgoing through something together, fake or not.
“It isn’t something we need to rush, and Taylor will know best how to position it so there’s no negative blowback. And then we’ll focus on your individual brands going forward. It should be smooth.”
Nothing feels smooth about this discussion with Rawley here.
“Maybe things can ‘fade’ with his training camp and season obligations. Taylor will lock down the story.”
Seriously, can Aiden shut up now?
And then I think of Sarah—can she hear this conversation? No, the shower is still running.
“Okay, let’s talk about this another time, Aiden. Great news about FlashFuel, but I need to hop off to start my morning routine.”
“I’ll send the details to you and your mom.”
When I end the call, I lock eyes with Rawley. He looks a little…defeated?
“Sorry, that was awkward,” I acknowledge.
He focuses down on his plate. “This always had an expiration date, right?”
Two months ago, I would have taken his neutral affect as just a dude acknowledging his situationship may be ending.
But Rawley—he’s never emotionally muted, and there’s nothing sincere in his tone.
Before I can figure out howIwant to react, he stands up.
“I’ll get dressed and out of your hair. I know you have to pack for your flight.”
I should stop him, say something—but I don’t know what.
“I’ll text you later,” is what comes out.
“Okay.”
Five minutes later when he walks out of my house with his things, he doesn’t even hug me goodbye.
35
RAWLEY
Idon’t feel great about how I responded to Aiden’s observations. They felt like shallow stabs, reminding me that Avery and I aren’t for real.
It wasn’t her fault that Aiden treaded over that ground, but I couldn’t stay at her place and face how it felt to know the end was coming.
So I bolted.
I really hope she isn’t pissed at me.
Shit, I hate how fucking tricky this is.
