Sweet Satisfaction

I wiped the first and last tear that rolled from the corner of my eye and sat forward .

Luke and I didn’t fight. This felt like my heart had been bruised and pummeled. I almost couldn’t breathe. What if he walked away? What if I wasn’t worth fighting through the fight ?

I walked to the bathroom to fix my makeup. Helena would be annoyed if she saw I had ruined her artwork. I’d given her more leeway with Jake in another state. My skirt was short too. I felt liberated finally wearing what I wanted .

I needed to burn through the minutes I had before the driver arrived. I wasn’t ready to see anyone. I wasn’t in any condition to cheer up children. I had to get my shit toge

ther. The realization hit me like a punch—I might be spending my nights alone from now on .

Twenty-Eight

Luke

I hailed a taxi outside the team’s hotel. I was mad enough to kick down a door, but I wasn’t going to do that in DC. I gave him the address for the Deluxe and sat back as the driver turned every corner in this damn city. Why in the fuck were all the streets one-way ?

I paid the guy and took the elevator to the top floor. This alone was a risk, but it was better than the one Alexa was willing to take .

I banged on the door .

“Helena, I’m not — ”

Her crystal blue eyes locked on mine when she whipped the door open .

“What are you doing here ?”

I barged past her. “We have to talk .”

“I’m going to be late to my car.” She picked up her guitar case .

I stood between her and the door. “I have to tell you something .”

I never wanted this to come out. With everything that had happened between Alexa and me it was the last thing I wanted her to know, but fucking Charlie had forced my hand .

“Can we do this later ?”

“No.” I gripped the case from her and placed the guitar on the floor. I could tell it made her mad .

“Luke, let me out of here .”

I’d never done this. Any of it. Never cared. Never bothered to try it. I didn’t have to. But Alexa brought something out in me I didn’t know I liked. And because of it I had jumped in a damn cab and raced to get to her before she did something she’d regret .

“I am going to that hospital today .”

“So am I,” she countered .

“Listen. Charlie has something on me,” I admitted .

“What is it ?”

“The press. All the plans to clean up my image—involving you—it’s because a girl accused me of getting her pregnant .”

I saw the instant hurt in her eyes. The betrayal. The disbelief .

“Wh-what ?”

“It’s not true. None of it. I’ve never even met the girl, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going through image rehab with Charlie. And she knows about us. She knows how I feel about you. Why I’ve been so damn adamant you stay out of this .”

“Wait, she ?”