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“Yes, and it’s totally unfair. But it’ll blow over. Do you want to get together on the weekend? There’s this new Thai restaurant that opened near me. We could have dinner and then head back to my place.”
Was she living in a parallel universe? “Jordy, I’m sort of in a public relations nightmare at the moment. More and more people are hating me by the second. I just lost two sponsorships and I may lose the rest if I don’t get this under control. Not to mention my athletic gear company. I have no idea how that will be affected. Do you understand how terrible this is?”
“I get it,” he said with a hint of irritation. “But you can’t just stop living.”
Her jaw dropped, and she was thankful he couldn’t see her.
“No, but I could use some support right now. A shoulder to lean on. I’m dealing with this all alone.”
“I can see if I can come by tomorrow, but I have this golf tournament for work, and you know how bagged I am after those, with all the sun and the drinking. Not to mention the schmoozing. These tournaments are a big deal. How about the day after?”
“How about now?”
He huffed at that. “Why are you being so difficult?”
“Are you serious? Have you heard a word I’ve said? My life is crumbling. My whole business is in jeopardy.”
“Okay, you seem pissed. I’m going to let you cool off, and maybe we can talk tomorrow.”
With that he hung up, leaving Reese staring at her phone. She took a few deep breaths. She wasn’t a crier, but she was starting to buckle under the pressure. And just when she needed her boyfriend…
She set her phone down and went to the bathroom and into her medicine cabinet. She had a few sleeping pills left, the ones she vowed to take only in emergencies. This was an emergency. She popped a pill and crawled into bed, waiting for sleep to come.
* * *
Reese’s team came over again the next morning. Thankfully, Daria showed up first. She had coffee and muffins, and Reese realized she hadn’t eaten anything since the scandal broke. She grabbed a blueberry muffin and they sat at her kitchen island.
“You okay?” Daria asked. “You look so down.”
Reese slowly shook her head. “My life is in shambles. I have a mother who blames me for everything and a boyfriend who can’t see me because he has a golf tournament thatmakes him feel bagged. Why do I let people like that in my life?”
“You can’t pick your mom.”
“I suppose. But Jordy?”
Daria pressed her lips together. She did that whenever she didn’t like something. “Can I be frank?”
“Of course. I demand it.”
“Dump him.”
Reese rolled her eyes. “Now isn’t the time to make drastic changes.”
“Now is also not the time to make excuses for a guy you’ve been dating for three years who treats you like shit. He’s never put your first. Not once. Let him go.”
But he’s better than nothing.
“I see a side to him that you don’t.”
Daria gave Reese a hard stare. “Really? Because right now I think you’re making excuses. A good man would have been here for you last night. And where was he? Do you even know?”
That comment caught Reese off guard. “Are you implying something?”
Daria shook her head. “I’ve dated enough losers to know when I see one. I don’t have proof, but I’m sure he’s cheating on you. You see the guy once a week, and he trots you out when he needs a photo op or to impress someone. He’s an asshole. You can have any guy in this town, but you keep settling for him.”
Reese put her hand up. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I have enough to worry about.”
“Fine, but think about what I said.”
