Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
My lips part, and I swear I feel his words like a physical blow.
“You aren't serious,” I say, shaking my head. “You honestly think that's what I'm about? You think I only care about the page’s performance?”
“You didn't take down Daniel's video.” He doesn't yell, but his tone is sharp enough that I flinch.
“I—”
“You knew he was getting horrible, dangerous comments and you didn't take it down,” he cuts right over me, not even giving me a second to explain. “Do you really only care about the view count? Even though Daniel's receiving death threats and his wife is afraid to go out in public. That's why you're here with Darrell, having a date when you couldn't even make time to be with me this week—”
“That's enough,” I cut him off, tears spilling down my cheeks. My voice cracks but I don't care. “I've heard enough,” I say, swallowing the emotion clogging my throat. “I don't know what triggered this, and I don't know how you can spend the last five months with me and think these things about me, but if you do believe them…if you believe the vile words that are spewing from your mouth right now, you have no clue who I am.” I shake my head, my heart sinking into my stomach. “I thought you were smarter than this,” I say. “I understand getting angry. Hell, I got angry just now when Darrell informed me that you've been telling everybody in the locker room that I do this for fun. That this was just a beneficial situation for both of us. But I was going to ask you about it. I was going to hear you out because I didn't believe for a second that's how you spoke about me when I wasn't present. But look at you, all up in your anger and taking it out on me when you're not even giving me a chance to explain.” Disappointment settles heavy in my now cracking heart.
Patience. Monroe had told me I’d need to have patience exploring this new, serious territory with Nash, but damn. It’s hard when he’s being so reactive.
If he’d given me one chance to explain I would’ve told him all about the situation with Daniel and the video. I would’ve told him I did take the video down. Days ago. I had an entire discussion with Crossland McLaren and Coach about it. But I couldn't do anything about the screen recordings of the video that were circulating around the sports influencers right now. As much as I try to reach out to every single one to get them to take theirs down so we can stop doing more damage and bringing attention to all the derogatory comments, I couldn't keep up with every single one of them. I spoke to Daniel’s wife, explaining all of that, plus what I was working on to try and help the situation, and she was completely understanding. Supportive even, but she must not have had a chance to tell Daniel about it yet.
I shake my head, wanting to tell him, but after what he’s said? There’s no point.
“Can’t believe this,” I say, mostly to myself.
The anger seems to fade out of him, his shoulders dropping, his eyes clearing from the hardness that clung to them seconds ago. “Reese—”
“No,” I say, my heart flinching at the way he says my name—like a plea and apology at the same time. But I'm done. “You didn’t even give me a chance.”
I head toward my car, and hear him following me, my name on his lips.
“Don't,” I say, throwing my hand up at him. “Do not follow me. I need space…if you say anything else…”
I might not have the patience to stop my heart from fully breaking.
“I’m sorry,” he says as I get into my car. “Reese…”
I drive off, and the farther I get the stronger my tears fall. I dial up the girls and call an emergency meeting, and within fifteen minutes I'm in Monroe’s living room, Blakely and her surrounding me on her couch as I let it all out.
“I took the video down,” I explain through my sobs. “I took it down the second it turned dangerous. I told Daniel’s wife that, but she must not have told him everything or Daniel must not understand that I can't control every screen recording and stitch that's been made. I needed to talk to him in person, but Nash didn't even let me explain. And God, he thought I was having a date with Darrell? That I was making some deal with him? How could he even think that about me?”
“He's being an idiot,” Monroe says, hugging me close.
“He's in love with you,” Blakely says, totally not what I was expecting.
“What? He is not,” I say. “Someone in love with someone wouldn't say those things.”