“Is everything okay?” Casey asks, her eyes on me.
Storm: Telling Coach that you’re tapping his daughter.
All the air rushes out of my lungs, and it only gets worse when Linc’s next message contains a link.
A link to an article that is full of images of us outing our secret relationship for the world to see.
84
CASEY
Istare at Kodie, my heart slamming against my chest.
Something is wrong.
No. Something is really wrong. All the blood has drained from him face.
“Kodie? What is it? What’s—” He reaches out and turns his screen around, showing me a news article. I frown. It takes me a second to process, but the moment I do, the world crashes down around me.
“No,” I gasp, my hand flying up to cover my mouth as I stand from the chair so fast, it topples over and crashes to the floor behind me.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so fucking sorry. I had no idea they were there. If I did?—”
“N-not your fault,” I whisper, my vision blurring as I study the images.
The first ones are of us walking out of the arena hand in hand this morning. Then there’s another at Sutton’s school, saying goodbye to her. Getting our takeout coffee. And it continues. Our entire day has been documented by some asshole.
Acid fills my stomach before burning up my throat. But as angry as I am at someone doing this to us, mostly, I’m angry at myself.
I’ve lived this life long enough to know better.
I’ve seen photographers hiding outside our house when I was a kid, trying to get a glimpse of Dad when he was at his peak. I’ve seen the way they clamor for any shot they can get as the players both arrive and leave the stadium.
I just…
Fuck.
I didn’t even think.
“Casey,” Kodie says softly, but I barely hear it. The only thing I can focus on is how fucking stupid I’ve been. How careless. How selfish.
I was so lost this morning. And then Kodie turned up and everything changed.
The pain and grief became bearable as other emotions took over.
Happiness. So much happiness.
His warm hand cups my cheeks, and I suck in a shaky breath.
“Casey, look at me,” he commands, his voice deep and steady. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“M-my dad,” I whimper.
If he sees this and learns that I’ve been lying to him...
Oh god.
He’s going to hate me.
