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“No. I don’t have a choice though.”
Carter is still outside with Cody when Char pulls up to the house.
“Lexie, I think you should wait. Talk to Carter.”
I shake my head. “He needs to focus on his recovery and Cody’s.”
“Cody?”
I give her a quick rundown, what little I know.
“It’s better this way,” I tell her, though I don’t really believe the words myself.
I give her a quick hug before I hop in the SUV. I’m barely out of the driveway when Carter calls me, but I send the call to voicemail. He calls again. Then texts. Finally, I just shut off my phone and speed down the road.
The song on the radio station ends, and the DJ begins to talk.
“Carter Wallace made a sex tape with his coach’s daughter.”
I punch the button and turn the radio off, tears welling in my eyes as I make my way down the country road and back to Dayton.
Four hours later, eyes so puffy from crying I can barely see through them, I park in front of my apartment. The street is lined with press. Just as it had been at the stadium the day the tape emerged. Only now, it’s me that they want.
Rifling through Char’s SUV, I find a baseball hat and a sweatshirt. I put them on and inconspicuously make my way to the entrance at back of the building. Once safe inside my apartment, I relax against the door, the weight of today settling in and making me weak.
“Oh my God, Lexie. You’re here,” Abbie says. She flings her arms around me, and any hope of staying strong and holding back the tears dissolves with her embrace.
“It’s over. Everything is ruined,” I tell her as I sob into her hair.
“Oh, sweetie,” she coos as she smooths my hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it.
“I should have never gotten involved with Carter Wallace on any level.”
There isn’t one piece of me that actually believes that. I would give anything for that man, in fact, it kind of feels like I have. I’ve given everything and as devastated as I am, loving him was worth it.
“How did this happen?” Abbie drags me to the couch. “No one knew except me, you, and Carter.”
“And his brother. He’s the one who sold the tape to the press.”
Abbie shakes her head in disbelief. “And what does Carter have to say about all of this?”
I shrug. “He stormed out as soon as he heard and went after Cody.”
“What about you? What about…”
“I didn’t give him a chance. While he was dealing with Cody, I left.”
“He hasn’t tried to call or anything?”
“He has.” My eyes fall to the floor. “I just… I turned my phone off. I need space.”
Loud banging on the door startles both of us.
“I bet that’s him,” Abbie says, getting up from the couch. She checks the peephole before opening the door, and her face falls.
“Don’t tell me the press got in.”
