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“The doctor cleared him hours ago, but the nurse hasn’t unhooked his IV or mentioned a discharge time,” I grumble.
My dad enters the room as if he’s being chased. “The crowd out there is crazy. It’s a media circus.”
“Fuck.” I slam my head back on the pillow.
My mom clears her throat, and Dad frowns. Nervous energy races through the room.
“Thank you for coming,” Sky says earnestly. “We could be stuck here for a while.”
“Oh, here.” Mom hands my phone over. “The charge nurse said a policewoman gave this to her for you. I told her I’m your mom.”
There are tons of missed calls and texts, but I dial Mr. Dimon’s number immediately, putting it on speakerphone.
“Mr. Maher,” he answers in his formal tone.
“Yes, sir. Thank you. Anytime,” I ramble.
“Any idea what you’re saying?” he says evenly.
“No.” I rake my hand over my face. “Thank you for all you did to help get Sky back. Not many GMs would’ve taken me seriously.”
“From the day you stepped into our practice facility, you’ve given one hundred percent to your job and this team. I reward loyalty with loyalty.”
“You went so far beyond. Thank you.” The anxiety that I’d be punished for missing a game vanishes.
“Have you talked to Finn yet?”
“No, I called you first.”
“He’s coming up with a diversion to distract the media while you and Sky leave. I told him not to fly back, but his strategy involves a press conference, which leaves me and Jayce McKenna. Neither of us jumped to volunteer.”
“I’ll do it. I’m his mom,” Mom interrupts.
“Talk to your family and call Finn.” Mr. Dimon disconnects the call.
“Mom,” I pause, deciding the best way to say no.
“She can do it, son. She’s never been shy around cameras.”
“Besides, what could they possibly ask me I’ll bungle?” She swipes her hair out of her eyes.
Sky cups my face so I turn to him.
“They should know. Everything. Not for the media, but for you and me and our future. We can’t lie to them.” His brown eyes implore me, but I’m not ready to tell my parents and risk their scorn for Sky.
“I’m a sex worker,” Sky says in a rush. “I have the dance studio and teach classes, but most of my income comes from dancing and taking my clothes off.”
My dad clears his throat, and my mom clutches those nonexistent pearls. I should buy her a necklace so she has the real thing.
“The guy who took me met me on my website and imagined an entire relationship with me. So all this is my fault.”
“It’s not,” I bark, and watch my parents’ faces.
My mom blinks rapidly, and my dad continues to clear his throat.
“I understand if I’m not what you want for your son. But you deserve the truth.” Sky’s hand rubs my arm, grounding me.
“He’s my choice. The only one for me.” My voice is rough.
