“Matteo, can you come get you from work and bring me home?” My voice was shaking as I practically begged.
“Of course. Are you OK, Cassie?”
“Yeah. I just need a ride home please. ” He knew I was lying, but he didn’t press the issue.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. ”
Matteo arrived right on time, and I headed out of the lobby doors toward the car. He rushed out of the driver’s seat, concern written all over his face. He took me by the hand, opening the door for me and closing it softly. Once inside, I buckled myself in and waited for the inquisition that never came. If he had a million questions, he wasn’t asking any.
Matteo pulled the car up in front of my building as hordes of cameramen surrounded it. “Oh my God,” I said, the shock clearly written all over my face.
“Cassie, what’s going on?” Matteo asked.
The press realized it was me in the car, and it took less than two seconds for them to swarm the side I sat on, cameras flashing nonstop, practically blinding me, even in the daylight. “I got this,” Matteo said before exiting the car. I heard him demand they move as he opened my door and helped me out. I lowered my head upon exiting, refusing to make eye contact with anyone.
Reporters shouted questions while Matteo wrapped a pro
tective arm around me and pushed through the crowd.
“Did you know she was pregnant?”
“Did Jack leave her for you?”
“Were you having an affair with Jack while he was still married?”
“Do you think stress made her lose the baby?”
“Leave her alone!” he shouted, trying to get me into my building.
Once inside the building, the doorman blocked the reporters while Matteo shielded me from view and pressed the button on the elevator. He stayed by my side until it opened. “Thank you,” I said through watery eyes.
“Are you going to be OK? Are you sure you want to be alone right now?” He held the elevator door open with his hand.
“You have to go get Jack soon, right? I’ll be fine until he gets home. But I might need you to drive me somewhere later. I’ll call you if I do,” I said, knowing I was being cryptic.
“Whatever you need, I’ll be there for you,” he reassured me.
“Thanks again. ” I swallowed before allowing the doors to close and block everything but my own reflection from view.
In the security of our apartment, I collapsed onto our bed, tucking my knees into my chest. I allowed my tears to spill out onto my pillow. I couldn’t believe this was happening again. I’d never experienced someone so vindictive and cruel, and I hadn’t even read the damn article yet.
I flashed back to being at Fullton, when reports started coming in about Jack getting married and how I was portrayed as the woman left behind. I thought I’d never experience pain and humiliation like that again, but this was far worse. Now that Jack played in the major leagues, everything was amplified. Our lives weren’t simply a local story anymore; they were national news. And this Chrystle story garnered everyone’s attention.
My stomach twisted and turned as I tried to block it all out, but failed. My cell phone rang, causing me to jump as I looked at the number flashing on the screen. I didn’t recognize it, but answered it anyway. “Hello?”
“Is this Cassie Andrews?” a male voice asked on the other end of the line.
I hesitated. “It is. ”
“I wanted to ask you a few questions about the article today for our website, OK?”
“No, it’s not OK. How’d you get this number? Don’t call again. ”
Horrified, I ended the call as quickly as I could. I guess I should have been surprised it took them this long to track me down, but I was completely losing it. I didn’t want the press to have my phone number. I hated it enough that they knew where we lived.
I closed my eyes after putting my phone on silent, falling into the comfort of sleep. The sound of the door slamming woke me.
“Cass? Cassie? Where are you?” Jack’s voice was frantic as the sound of his footsteps beat against the wood flooring. I stayed silent, knowing that he’d eventually find me in here.