A solid warmth at my back shifts, a steady rise and fall of breathing behind me. Dylan’ arm is draped around my waist, his fingers curled against my stomach like he couldn’t bear to let go, even in sleep.
I turn slowly, careful not to wake him. His face is relaxed, lips slightly parted, dark lashes resting against his cheek. The tension that usually clings to him is gone. He looks… happy. Peaceful when he should be exhausted.
And for one selfish second, I allow myself to pretend that this could be our normal. That is some alternate universe, Emma can wake next to Dylan after a night of great sex, and the world won’t fall apart because of our jobs.
A muffled noise from the living room pulls me from the fantasy. When I last checked, Squid was sprawled out on the couch, tangled in a blanket, his limbs everywhere. Sage was curled in her favorite armchair, sleeping soundly.
No screams. No night terrors.
I swallow the lump in my throat.
Dylan stirs beside me, his arm tightening around my waist as he nuzzles into my neck. “Morning.” His voice is rough with sleep, low and warm against my skin.
I force a smile. “Morning.”
He presses a kiss to my shoulder before rolling onto his back, stretching with a groan. “We should get up before Squid eats everything in your kitchen.”
I nod, but something gnaws at the edge of my thoughts. A feeling I can’t shake.
Then my phone vibrates on the nightstand.
And everything crashes down.
The photos are everywhere.
Dylan and Sage on the dance floor. His hand in hers. Her face glowing with joy.
It should have been a beautiful moment. Itwasa beautiful moment. But the headlines turned it into something else.
SOUTHERN MAVERICKS STAR BREAKS FRATERNIZATION RULES WITH TEAM CHEERLEADER!DYLAN FLESKI’S SECRET RELATIONSHIP EXPOSED!WHY IS EMMA RUSSELL PAYING THE PRICE FOR DYLAN FLESKI’S MISTAKES? CHEERLEADER SACKED WHILE FULLBACK FLIES UNDER THE RADAR
My phone won’t stop buzzing. Texts from Skye and Kelli. Missed calls from unknown numbers. And the email that sends my world crumbling beneath me.
Termination notice. Effective immediately.
I squeeze my eyes shut, gripping the phone so tight my knuckles ache.
Dylan swears under his breath as he reads over my shoulder. “No. Fuck no.” He shoves out of bed, pacing the small room, his hands tugging through his hair. “They can’t do this.”
I stare at the screen, the words blurring together.
Violating the terms of employment.
Inappropriate conduct.
Breach of contract.
We have no choice other than to terminate your employment, effective immediately. A courier will collect your uniform and return to you the contents of your locker.
I knew this was a risk. I knew this could happen. But knowing doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Dylan stops pacing, dropping to his knees in front of me, his hands on my thighs. “I’ll fix this.”
I shake my head. “You can’t.”
His jaw clenches. “The hell I can’t.”
Another notification pops up on my phone, and Dylan snatches it before I can. His expression hardens as he reads.
