Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“And what about my reputation?” I ask, throwing my arms out. “This is going to be in all the papers and across all the TV news stations in the next few hours. If I don’t say something, I’ll look guilty.”
“The team is making a formal, strongly worded statement on your behalf. I promise we will reiterate our full trust in you. Again, I’m asking you to have a bit of patience.”
I swallow a retort, knowing I’ve probably reached the limit of disrespect I can show to Callum. “And what do I do after the blood test?”
“Stay in your room,” he says.
“I can’t even go to the game?” I ask incredulously.
“It’s best if you don’t. Hopefully by the time we get back to Pittsburgh tonight, we’ll have a better plan.”
I can’t do anything but accept his decision. I order an Uber and Callum waits with me until it arrives, although he spends the time texting on his phone. He gives my shoulder another squeeze just before I get in the car and then I’m left alone with my ugly thoughts.
♦
The drug test was a piece of cake, but I was told the results could take up to a week to process. My mood is black and dismal by the time I arrive at the hotel.
No one’s in sight, most likely resting or having some lunch. I briefly consider texting North and Atlas to see what they’re doing, but remember that Callum told me to stay out of sight.
In my room, I stretch out on the bed and dial Tempe, having no clue if she’s at work. I can’t remember what she told me, and that’s only because my thoughts are so jumbled right now, I can barely remember my name.
“Hey, babe,” she answers, her words a balm I didn’t know I needed. Immediately, some of the anger and hopelessness dissipates, because I know that no matter what happens, I have the girl.
I try to tell her what’s going on, but the words are stuck in my throat. My silence apparently concerns her, because she intuitively asks, “What’s wrong?”
“Something bad happened.”
Before I can even explain, she says, “I’ll fly there. Tell me where to go.”
My heart responds to her gesture with a delicious squeeze of affection. “No, I’ll be flying back tonight, but if you’ve got a few minutes…”
“I have more than a few minutes.”
So, I explain everything, the words tumbling out. I include my suspicion that Tansy has orchestrated this whole thing, but I know Tempe will make that leap on her own. Her gasp of shock hurts more than anything, because I can hear how personally she’s taking this on my behalf, and I don’t like to burden her.
“That’s awful, Raff! I really should come to you—”
“No, stay put. I’ll be back late tonight,” I cut in. The last thing I need is for her to be caught in this shitstorm. “Hopefully I’ll have more information by then.”
“I wish there was something I could do for you,” she murmurs woefully.
“You already have, just by wanting to be at my side. That means the world, Tempe.”
“Of course,” she says gently.
“Just… be careful, okay?”
She’s silent a moment. “What do you mean?”
It’s been an ugly thought brewing since I headed off for the blood test. If Tansy’s behind this, I don’t know what she’s capable of. She could go after Tempe.
“Tansy’s obviously a little unbalanced. I mean… to fake something like this takes a level of cunning that honestly scares me. I don’t know if you’ll be a target. Are you working today?”
“Yeah, actually. I’m set to start in a few hours.”
“Is there any way you can call in sick? Stay at home?”
More silence before she says, “I can’t, Rafferty.”
“If it’s about money—”
“It’s not,” she assures me. “I promised to work and I can’t leave them short-handed. Nothing will happen though. I’m in a public place. Tansy wouldn’t dare come after me like that. She doesn’t want to get in trouble.”
I’m not so sure. As ridiculous and petty as this whole thing seems to be, the truth is… Tansy has to know deep down I’ll be able to disprove these allegations. She’s taking a risk that she’ll get caught, although I don’t know how carefully she’s covered her tracks. The mere fact she’s willing to take such a huge gamble is scary.
“Just…”
“I’m not afraid of Tansy,” she says confidently, and whether that’s an act or not, I appreciate her trying to alleviate my concern. “But I’ll be careful.”
We hang up, but the knot in my stomach doesn’t ease. Tansy’s game is dangerous, and now, more than ever, I need to find a way to prove my innocence and protect the people I care about.
CHAPTER 21
Tempe
The morning light spills into the hall as I knock on Rafferty’s door. It’s still early, barely past eight, but after hearing the false accusations made against the man I care so deeply about, sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned all night, my mind spinning a thousand different solutions and yet none of them seemed attainable. When I woke up this morning, I knew I had to see him, to offer whatever solace or strength I could. I didn’t tell him I was coming, the last communication from him being a short text message around one a.m. that said he’d landed safely and would call me later.