We knew this could happen. Now we just have to brace for the fallout. Which…fuck, I have no idea what that will look like. I’m kind of terrified to read the article.
An alert pops up on my phone before I can read any farther, and my eyes narrow as I take in every word.
Local Hockey Player Dead in Pedestrian Accident.
Fuck. What?
I click on the link and suck in a breath when I see Dirk’s name. Clutching JJ’s arm, I shake him awake.
His eyes flutter open and he yawns. “Morning, baby.”
I squeeze his arm, then slap at his chest. “JJ…Dirk, he’s…” I can’t even say the words. Oh my god.
Shifting, he frowns. “Dirk’s what?”
Rather than try to explain, I shove the phone in his face.
His eyes narrow as he reads the headline and then his lips lift just a little. “Ah, you don’t say?”
“JJ.” My heart lurches. “He’s…he’sdead”
His smile only grows.
“JJ.”
He presses his lips together, effectively hiding the expression. “I’m sorry. Yes. I see that. He’s dead.”
The smile returns. What the hell? Heart in my throat, I snatch the phone from him.
“I’m sorry, baby. I know it’s shocking, but honestly…fuck.” He shrugs. “He got what he deserved.”
I hate the way my stomach flips at his words. How my heart rate settles. How my own lips tip up.
“You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Adeline.”
“Did you—” I shake my head. Never mind. I don’t want to know.
He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I mumble, still a bit numb.
I can’t believe Dirk is dead. That…he can never hurt me again. JJ did that, didn’t he? Head tipped back, I study him. He’s already smiling down at me. Yup, he definitely did.
Why doesn’t that bother me? Why do I think it’s hot? Unable to stop myself, I lean up to kiss him. My lips are just brushing his when there’s a knock on my door.
“Addie.”
Vivi’s concerned voice sends my heart racing.
I pull away from JJ and snag a shirt from the floor. Then I rush to the door and peek out into the hall. My cousin is clad in pajamas, her brown curls a mop on top of her head.
“Oh my god,” she says, her face a mask of panic. “Did you see the news?”
“About Dirk?” I frown.
I’m surprised Vivi has heard, let alone is this upset.
She shakes her head and thrusts her phone in my face. “No. It’s Tabitha. She’s gone to the press.”
