Page 159 of Made Better Together

Being contrite is my best defense. It’s easy to be genuine on that front, because it’s what I feel.

“You didn’t give me any choice.” His anger is clear, if controlled. “Care to explain what the hell you were doing in Georgia, kissing our client?”

I exhale. Just fucking tell the truth.

“We…uh, we’re together, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“How long? Did it overlap with the time before your leave of absence?”

“Yes…but only by a week.”

His face is stone. “A week?”

“Yes.”

“So when you sat in here and told me you wouldn’t keep any other secrets, you were already lying?”

Technically, he told me “no more secrets” as opposed to me making any promises, but arguing that point won’t make a difference.

“Yes.” I squeeze my lips together. Apologize Connor. “Milo, I’m so sorry. I really…I shouldn’t have held this back from you…”

“Lied.”

I relent. “Yes. I…didn’t handle it properly. I apologize.”

“The thing is, if you’d been honest from the beginning, we probably could have figured it out. Kept you out of projects for Eden. Had some kind of metaphorical wall between you and her account.”

“I screwed up…” My stomach churns as I struggle to respond.

He doesn’t wait for me, anyway. “I don’t know if I can ever trust you again. The integrity of the firm is essential.”

My gut is like a rock, my forehead heavy. “I understand.”

The pain on my face must be apparent because his eyes narrow, watching me for a beat, and then his demeanor softens.

“Your time at SLP is officially over. I’m rescinding your job offer for the junior associate position.” His voice is noticeably calmer, despite the harshness of his words. “I know this is not fun to hear, but it’s business, and you betrayed my trust.”

“I know.”

“I hope that you find success in the NFL, truly. No one is perfect, and if you can learn from this, you’ll be better for it.”

The evenness in his tone helps me recenter a fraction, and I remember one other dynamic to this.

“Milo, one thing. Grace, she didn’t know anything…”

His face tightens again. “Oh, I know. Grace doesn’t have the capacity to lie like this, for weeks. I suggest you talk to her before I have to update her myself. I’ll give you through tomorrow to handle that.”

“Thank you.” And after a hasty goodbye, I leave his office.

45

EDEN

Ipull up to breakfast at Dad and Tina’s house right before nine. Normally, coaches would be at the facility by now, but apparently they’re starting late today since it’s an off day for the players.

The front door is open, like normal. “Hello!?”

“Hey,” Dad calls from the kitchen. “In here.”