Page 58 of Face Off

“I’ve been there before.” I hesitated. “I still am.”

His eyes met mine. “Really?”

I almost laughed. Wasn’t it obvious I was out of my depth? In over my head? Out of my league? Whatever all of those expressions meant, rolled into one walking bomb, waiting for the one thing that will make everything explode?

“Yes, I feel like I’m on the highest level of fake it ’til you make it. I have no idea what I’m doing, so I have to go one day at a time with my job, with Sadie, with this whole new life. Half the time, I’m worried about messing it all up and revealing the fact that I don’t belong here. The other half, I’m worried about literally surviving the day and wondering if there’s enough food for both Sadie and me to eat.”

I pulled back when those words left my mouth. I really, really hadn’t meant to say that. I never wanted anyone to know how much I was struggling, let alone Mikey. A multimillion-dollar earning athlete.

“Holly.” His voice was so gentle.

I stared down at the table, wishing I could run away without him following.

“Please forget I said that. Please.” I wasn’t above begging at this point.

“Holly, look at me.” There was no judgment in his tone.

It nearly broke me, but I finally locked eyes with him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I huffed out a laugh. “We’ve known each other for a few weeks, Mikey. That isn’t the kind of thing you tell someone, especially not when we work for the same organization.”

His jaw tightened, and I wanted to sink into the ground.

“I get it. You’re incredibly independent and strong and aren’t used to relying on anyone, but that’s over now.” I could feel his eyes on me. “You’re a part of something bigger. Not just the Fury team, but our family. We look out for one another, always. You might think that no one has been in a similar position, but believe me, there’s been worse. So many of us have had to accept the help and generosity of the Pride and the guys. You’re friends with Taylor. Did you know she lived with Sydney and Brandon for free when she first got here? Or that Amelia got her job because of Madi? Hartman gave his kidney to Kendall! Addi got Emma out of a really dark place. Dani would have been jobless, homeless, and stranded in Mexico if Jake and Chloe and the Pride didn’t step in. You are not alone.” He emphasized each word.

I didn’t know most of those stories. I’d heard bits and pieces that confirmed that the women looked out for each other, but I didn’t think it would be at that level. I didn’t think something as taboo as money would be involved.

My head, and my heart, couldn’t believe that people could be this good or selfless or accepting. I hadn’t seen much of that in the past several years.

“Let me—let us—help you.”

I finally looked up at him and was stunned by the sincerity on his face. The plea in his eyes.

I swallowed. “I’m getting paid tomorrow. I’ll be fine then.”

He exhaled slowly. “Okay, but if things ever get even remotely tight again, you just need to let me know. We can come up with a code word or something if you want.” He cracked a smile, and it was enough to finally make me relax. “And if you’re not comfortable with someone giving you money, give one of us a grocery list.”

That didn’t sound nearly as bad as outright charity. It was something I could pay back or pay forward. It wouldn’t always be like this. I knew that, and one day I’d be in a position to help them too.

“Thanks, Mikey.”

He gave me his best smile in return. “Anytime, Holly. I mean it.”

I expected to feel exposed or embarrassed, but after that, he never mentioned it again as we walked around. A few times, he grabbed my hand as he led us through the crowds, and each time I savored the feeling.

When was the last time I felt this safe and secure with a man?

Not even my ex.

Never.

20

Mikey

I barely slept. All I could think about was how hard Holly was trying to keep things together. It wasn’t fair. Her stupid ex should be helping, but that wasn’t what she wanted, so I had to let that go. She was a fighter. She was used to surviving and doing it with little to no help. But that didn’t have to be how she lived anymore. She had all of us. I knew for a fact that if she even casually mentioned money being tight, especially since she was transitioning to a new job, not a single one of us would have batted an eye at helping her. I would have gladly brought her and Sadie dinner for a few nights. Chloe would have insisted they come over more often. Taylor would have brought her breakfasts in the mornings and planned team lunches that were paid for by either her or Chloe. There wouldn’t have been any judgment. No keeping track of debts. We simply helped each other.