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“I told you this would fucking happen. I told you you’d ruin her and should stay away. But you wouldn’t fucking listen, would you?”
“I’ve got it handled.”
“Yeah, well now we’ve all seen how you’ve got it handled.”
“Shut the fuck up!”
I turn around and shove him in the chest without thinking. I’m ready to rip his helmet off. We can finish what he started at the lake house.
Refs and other players come flying over to us from across the field. Garner and Ramsey pull me backward while he continues to shout something unintelligible. The referees warn us this is our first offense, and we won’t get another warning.
I get the signal to come off the line, and Coach subs for me. I slam my helmet on the back of the bench and sit down. The guy next to me looks at me like I’ve lost my shit. One of the offensive coordinators comes over and crouches in front of me.
“Tune him out. You’ve got to leave your personal problems off the field, or we won’t get through this game. You’re here now. The only thing you can fix now is what happens on that field, so focus on that. Worry about the rest after the game, got it?”
I nod like I understand him because it’s impossible to explain that I can’t possibly worry about the rest later. Not when my girls are in trouble, and not when I’m failing them by being here instead of there when they need me most. Having a family member who wants to rub that shit in on top of it just pours salt in an already fresh wound.
39
Beatrix
“Lizzy. I need to take you over to your mom’s. Something’s come up, and I’ve gotta run to Madison’s house.”
“I can stay here on my own for a while. Dad and I have already talked about it now that I’m in high school.”
“No. We need to get you to your mom’s. Your dad is letting her know that’s where we’re headed.”
She drops the stylus to her tablet and looks up at me, her brows drawing together.
“Why are you being so weird? You look… panicked or something. What happened? Is someone hurt? Is dad hurt?”
“No. He’s fine. He’s completely fine, and he’s getting ready to play. If we get you to your mom’s soon, you can probably still catch some of the first half while you work. I’m fine too; I just have some… work emergency stuff that’s come up that I want to take care of.” I didn’t mean to scare her. I thought I’d kept my tone in check, but apparently, I’m transparent in my worries.
Lizzy eyes me warily, but she starts to pack up her homework and put it back in her school bag along with her computer and tablet.
“Do you have stuff to stay overnight?” I ask quietly as I start to gather my own things from around the room.
“Overnight?” There’s a hint of incredulity to her tone.
“I might have to stay at Mads’s house to finish working on things, and if you’ve got all your stuff and that happens, no one will have to run back. You know your dad will be in late when he gets home after the game.”
“I guess. I just have to get some things out of my room.”
“Okay. Just be quick, all right? And thank you. I appreciate you doing this for me. I’m really sorry. I was looking forward to working on this with you.”
“It’s okay.” Her eyes search my face, and I can tell she knows there’s more going on, but she’s being kind enough not to press the issue with me. Which I’m more grateful for than I can say because I’d love to get out of this house without bringing any attention to why we’re doing it. Knowing that the stalker could be watching us even as we pack up has me rattled.
My heart races in my chest at what all this means as I pack my own bag. By the time we get in the car, it’s hitting hard that there are pictures of Cooper and me circulating out there somewhere. That people we don’t know have them and could release them to anyone. My heart skips a beat. That Lizzy could accidentally stumble on them or worse that someone at her school could have them and taunt her about it. Kids are fucking cruel in high school, and I don’t wish her any of that heartbreak, let alone the kind that we’ve inadvertently fueled. I know Cooper must be panicking about all of it.
I can only imagine what my own father will think when he finds out because it’s not a matter of if but a matter of when. When the tabloids or the opposition get wind of it, they’ll use it to smear him. Paint a picture of what an immoral, reckless heathen I am and how our family doesn’t deserve where his career has taken us.
There’s going to be so much fallout.
My phone rings with a call from Madison, and I answer it despite not wanting to in front of Lizzy. Because if I don’t answer, she’ll go into a full-blown panic.
“Hey, Mads. You’re on speakerphone. I’m driving Lizzy to her mom’s house, and then I’ll head your way so we can get started on the work thing.” I try to prepare her and pray that she doesn’t slip up and say the wrong thing.
“Oh good. Just wanted to make sure. The client already called, and I’m just worried about timing is all. I’m glad to hear you’re on your way.”
