Page 55 of Full Strength

“Yeah I can’t believe she’s here. I wonder if Lucy knows.”

“I’m sure she does if it’s her friend.”

“We should try to get everyone together. Have a mini reunion. Then you could meet her. She’s really cool.”

I nodded and hoped that there wasn’t anything else between them other than friendship. If he said she was cool that probably meant that they had some sort of relationship, right? I wasn’t normally one to get jealous but looking at the beauty on the screen I couldn’t help but feel inadequate.

“Yeah that would be fun.” I tried to sound genuine but the word sounded strained even to my own ears.

“I’m going to try to get in touch with some of the guys and see if maybe we can all get together.”

I nodded, not really paying attention to him. On the screen the news had returned to the studio and they were discussing the extent of the storm. Unless a miracle happened, I doubted we’d be getting out of here soon. Then I remembered the Fury’s next game.

“Wait, what about your flight?”

“I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m going to assume we’re flying out tomorrow. I’m sure flights are going to be cancelled until things clear up.”

So, we were going to be stuck until the snow plows get out and started cleaning the city. I glanced at him. I wouldn’t exactly mind that, but I knew we both had things we needed to be doing.

“Ronny was supposed to open this morning, but I’m going to let him know not to bother. It will be too hard for some of the stylists to come in.”

He nodded while focusing on his own phone. I went back to my room and grabbed mine. There was a text from an unknown number. I opened it and fell onto my bed.

“Oh no.”

Ryan found another number to use to contact me. He said he was going to be coming for Eli. He wanted custody.

My heart sank. I didn’t have the money to fight him. I couldn’t do that on top of keeping up with rent and groceries and diapers. My eyes began watering but I pulled it together. I refused to let him have any control over me. I’d freed myself of him once, I could do it again.

I shot off a text to everyone at the salon and went back to the living room.

Eli was still sitting in Grant’s lap, completely content. I wouldn’t let anything or anyone disrupt his life. I wouldn’t let someone that was a stranger come in and make threats. But I couldn’t do it alone.

I sat down and tried to gather my thoughts, but the news updates were distracting me. I leaned over to the coffee table and grabbed the remote so I could turn off the TV.

Grant looked at me confused when the news disappeared. “Is everything okay? Did something happen to Ronny?”

I shook my head. This was harder to say out loud than I’d thought. I didn't just need to ask him for help, I had to tell him I kept something from him.

“The other night, after the photoshoot, I got a call.”

His eyebrows gathered together. “From who?”

“Ryan.”

He looked confused, and I remembered I never told him my ex’s name. “My ex.”

His expression turned to stone. “What did he say?”

“He said that he saw pictures of us together on social media. I guess someone from the magazine was posting.”

He nodded but remained silent. “And?”

“He wasn’t happy that it looked like we were together. He kept saying he didn’t want you or any other man around his son.”

Grant jerked toward me, but seemed to remember Eli was in his lap and calmed down. “His son? Is he insane?”

I nodded. “Possibly. I told him to leave me alone and blocked his number.”