What do you mean he’s been pictured with a woman?
Lexi
Is he with you?
No. I don’t know where he is. He was supposed to be at that meeting with me, but he never showed. IDK if he’s hurt or if something happened… What photo are you talking about, Lexi?
Shit. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just thought he was done with the random hookups and wondered what the deal was.
The photo, Lexi. Show me the damn photo.
My heart plummets to the ugly carpet floor a moment later when the photo comes through. It’s a shot of Griffin and some pretty blonde woman. His arm is around her shoulders, and she’s looking up at him like he’s her knight in shining armor. He’s staring down at her with a look of genuine concern. Neither seems aware that they’re being photographed.
This can’t be happening.
It can’t be what it looks like.
Me
Where did you see that photo, Lex?
Lexi
…
It popped up on social media. On one of the Rogues’ fan sites I follow to make sure the women don’t get all gross about Ryder.
When?
Five minutes ago.
Five minutes ago. This photo was posted five minutes ago, which means it can’t have been taken too long before that. Which means Griffin was more than likely with this woman when he promised he’d be with me at my pitch. The one he secured for me. The one with his old coach.
My throat feels like it’s closing. My eyes tear up. And my heart squeezes painfully in my chest. Then my mouth waters and bile rises up my throat. I barely make it into the bathroom in time to puke my guts up. All the while, my phone buzzes with incoming messages from Lexi.
Lexi
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation. Griffin cares about you. He would never miss something important if he promised to be there. Not without a good excuse. I just thought it was weird after the stuff he’s said lately.
Are you okay?
Am I okay?
Not even close.
Even though I’m terrified of what he’ll say if he answers, I call Griffin one more time. I’m not sure if I’m relieved or furious when it goes straight to voicemail.
He ditched me. He made a promise that he’d be there, and he broke it. For some blonde woman with legs for days. He set this whole thing up, then couldn’t even be bothered to show. After telling me he loves me.
What a fucking joke.
I should have known all of this was too good to be true. Should have known he’d disappoint me. Just like my dad. Just like every other man in my life, outside of my brother.
Tears blur my vision as I pull up the airline app. I’m not thinking straight, I know I’m not, but my mind and body are telling me to flee, to run away, to get as far away from Griffin Wright as I can so he can’t hurt me anymore today. In minutes, I’ve changed my flight to the first available out of Michigan, and then I make the call I’m dreading more than anything in the world.
He picks up on the third ring.
“Hey, Mi-Mi. How’s it going, squirt?”
