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He smiled and shook his head. “I’ll take care of myself, son. I’ll change my habits and listen to the doctors. I promise.”
Dex let out a relieved, long breath. “Thanks, Dad. That means the world.” He couldn’t wait to text his siblings to relieve their stress, too.
He wondered if it was ironic that it was the adopted son who’d gotten through to Alex, then shook his head. He was just as much a Sterling as any of his other brothers or Fallon. He just happened to have the right words at the right time.
“Why don’t we go inside and enjoy Lizzie’s lunch. I’m sure it’s healthy.”
Dex chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to know Samantha brought a heart-healthy carrot cake.” He rose from his seat and glanced at his dad. “And no, you cannot have it à la mode.”
“I suppose I should get used to hearing things like that.” Alex sighed and they headed back to the house.
Chapter Sixteen
A few days later, Dex woke up to his phone vibrating like mad. If not for a business dinner last night, he’d have stayed over at Samantha’s, but work came first. He’d been out late with the producers of his Sunday night TV broadcast, having a steak dinner and discussing the upcoming season. He planned to travel to Kansas City about five days prior to the first game and they’d begin interviewing the players and coaches.
Reaching for his phone, he sat up in bed and glanced at his notifications, his stomach sinking at the posts from TNZ. “Oh, shit.”
Someone had taken photos of him and Samantha outside The Back Door after her meeting with the lawyer. She’d been upset and he’d been consoling her. She’d been cuddled up to his side with his arm around her.
Is pro playboy, and former Miami Thunder quarterback, Dex Sterling, a home-wrecker? The upcoming Sunday Night Football commentator who recently signed a multimillion-dollar deal with FSN was seen in an intimate, midday embrace outside The Back Door, his brother’s SoHo bar. Was the runaway bride two-timing her fiancé?
Their hug had been twisted into something ugly. Just like his agent had feared. But he wasn’t worried about himself. He was concerned about Samantha.
Austin had called three times and a glimpse at the comments on the post showed Dex being called a home-wrecker and Samantha much worse. All because the news didn’t have the accurate story about her leaving her cheating, lying fiancé at the altar. And because the truth wouldn’t make for salacious news about FSN’s new hire.
The phone rang and he glanced at the screen. “Goddammit.” He couldn’t ignore it and took the call. “Ian.”
“What the fuck?”
Dex rubbed a palm over his pounding forehead. “We both know it’s bullshit and it’ll blow over by the next scandal. Have you spoken to your sister?”
“She’s not answering. If you need me to get my lawyers on this, let me know.”
Dex blinked. That was a lot better than Ian yelling at him for not taking care of Samantha. “If it’d help, I’d do that myself, but thanks. TNZ didn’t outright say I did anything, they asked if I did. Which gives them leeway they don’t deserve,” he muttered, hopping out of bed. “I’m going to your sister’s place in a few minutes. I just woke up to this clusterfuck.”
“Call me if you need anything.” Ian disconnected the call.
Before he did anything, he typed out a text on the family chat, letting them know he was okay and handling things. Then he took a quick shower and dressed for the day.
Once he was in his Benz, he pulled out of the lot, only to realize there were paparazzi on the sidewalk. Dammit. He was used to them on the rare red carpet he walked and when he was introduced as the face of FSN. But never with the kind of negative press he was receiving now.
On the way uptown to Samantha’s, he called Austin and let his agent yell. It wouldn’t change anything but it would let the man get it out and calm down. Once he did, Austin begged him to lay low and not go out in public with Samantha, at least for now, leaving Austin cursing again. But he did express concern for his cousin and the press that might be following her. That was the only reason he wasn’t furious with him asking Dex to hide his relationship with Samantha. The one she thought was a close friendship and he considered much more. In the end, Austin promised he’d do his job, meaning damage control on Dex’s behalf.
Finally, he pulled up to Samantha’s building, frustrated to see the paparazzi there, too, on the public sidewalk. Ignoring their shouting, he left his vehicle with the doorman who promised to keep an eye on it.
Samantha had put him on her permanent guest list and he took the elevator to her apartment. He knocked and waited for her to answer, hoping she wasn’t furious with him for putting her front and center before the tabloids.
He heard the sound of her unlocking the door and it swung open. Samantha stood before him in her work clothes, a gorgeous vision in a pencil skirt and white V-neck blouse. She wore makeup and did not have the look of a woman whose life had been wrecked again. But she didn’t look happy, either, not that he blamed her.
“Dex! I’m so sorry.” She stepped aside so he could walk in.
Her words confused him but he waited until she shut and locked the door before asking, “Sorry for what?”
“Those pictures and the text,” she said anxiously. “I don’t have anything that could be affected but I know the network is going to be upset with those photos. I dragged you into my mess from the beginning and I’m beyond sorry. Should you even be here now? The doorman told me there are paparazzi outside.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m with you because I want to be.”
“I know but being my friend shouldn’t cause problems for you,” she murmured, a frown furrowing her brow.
