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A female reporter was on site, and I wondered how on earth I had missed this.

“Good evening. It was a shocking and terrifying scene at Newsom Creek’s small-town grocery store last night when an armed robbery turned into a life-and-death situation. The suspects held a local woman at gunpoint inside the store, demanding cash and threatening her life. But in a twist of fate, help arrived in the form of one of the town’s most famous faces, pro baseball player Griffin Silver.”

The scene changed, and it was a blurry image of Griffin outside the store, police cars in the background.I hated this. It was all so public.

The screen flashed back to the reporter, who was staring intensely into the camera. “Silver, an up-and-coming star of the Atlanta Braves, was in town visiting family when he became a witness to the frightening ordeal. But what happened next has everyone talking. According to witnesses, Silver didn’t hesitate. He rushed to confront the gunman in a desperate attempt to save his childhood best friend, Tatum Grace.”

This wasn’t fucking happening.

“While Silver’s actions certainly saved the life of Grace, thisincident has already put the pro athlete in the spotlight once again.”

The screen changed again to the town’s sheriff, and I rolled my eyes as he stood at attention, hands on hips, trying to hide his beer and donut belly. There wasn’t much crime in town, so he did, in fact, spend far too much time at the local 24/7 diner.

“We’re grateful for Mr. Silver’s quick thinking, but we are asking the public to stay calm while the investigation continues.”

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

And, of course, the camera goes back to the reporter, living her one and only moment in the spotlight. As I mentioned earlier, it was a pretty dead town. “With the town still reeling from the shocking crime and the heroic actions that followed, many are left wondering: Is Griffin Silver a hometown hero or someone who might’ve put himself and others in harm’s way? We’ll keep you updated as more details unfold.”

Dustin turned off the TV, and I immediately jerked my head to him.

“What the fuck!” I screamed, not even thinking because I needed to see more. They were trying to make Griffin out as a problem now? That would jeopardize his career!

“You don’t need any more stress tonight,” he said calmly and all authoritative-like, like he hadn’t just dropped a huge fucking bomb on me.

My phone rang, and I saw Millie’s picture flash.

“You dropped a fucking bomb on me.” I pointed at him as I answered and pressed the phone to my ear.

“Oh my god! You were on the news!” Millie screamed. Yes, screamed.

“I wasn’t. Griffin was.”

“Same thing! Do you feel any different? Do you feel famous?”

“You’re an idiot.” I couldn’t help but smile at her craziness.

“Trying to lighten the mood. Today must have been really hard on you. With everything that happened last night and your mom’s anniversary, I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

“Oh, and it gets better. Dustin is here, and guess what, Mills? My dad has cancer.” She gasped as Dustin glared at me. “I need to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Are you okay?”

“I will be.”

“Love you forever, girl. Don’t you forget it.”

“Love you more, Mils.”

I hung up and looked at Dustin, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Now, what the fuck were you saying?”

CHAPTER 22

DUSTIN

PRESENT