Page 45 of Love Unscripted
I meant to do this calmly. Rationally. Well, all that just flew out the window. I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with dancing around this subject. I wanted Trina to trust me first, but I don’t know if that’s even possible.
“She’s my cousin.” I leave out her name in case Trina decides to take the article further instead of deleting it. “She got messed up at a party, and I took her to my house to sober up.”
“I don’t believe you.” She hesitates. “I saw you with her. You...you wrapped your arm around her, and she leaned on you. You both laughed.”
“She said something ridiculous about throwing up on my new shoes. They were the first pair of expensive shoes I’d ever bought. I laughed so she wouldn’t feel bad when she did throw up.”
“You helped her into your car and drove away.”
I nod because yes, those are the bare facts of the story. “And she slept all night on my couch, perfectly safe from harm. Because she’s family.” I sigh, take out my phone, and open an album. “You can look through my pictures. You’ll see her in the Christmas photos. Along with my brother and my parents, my aunts and uncles.”
She takes the phone from me. “This really matters to you.”
“Yes.” I can’tlether see how much. “That article almost ruined me. Coach put me on suspension and I almost lost my team.”
“No wonder you hate me.” She blinks rapidly and swipes through the photos. She’s a woman on a mission, still trying to find a way to twist this around. “Why wasn’t she at our wedding?”
“Not everyone could come at short notice.”
“How do I know she isn’t your girlfriend in these photos?”
“Geez, you never quit, do you?” I stand and move to the other side of the room. “Just look at her, Trina. She’s the spitting image of my mom and the other woman in the room. You’ve seen pictures of me with my family, you know those are my parents. How much more proof do you need?”
“I’d like to talk to her.”
“No.” I slash my hands through the air. “Absolutely not. She’s been through enough.” I hesitate. “And for the record, I don’t hate you.”
She snorts and hands me back the phone. Remorse lingers in her gaze, and she squeezes my wrist. “I’m sorry. I thought you were a player too.”
“Like your last boyfriend.” I let out a breath and pinch the back of my neck. “We’re not all jerks.”
“I’m beginning to see that.”
I’m pretty sure I see her changing her mind about me, but it’s hard to be sure. We’re hidden away in the bedroom where there’s no need for either of us to pretend. But it’s gotten hard to tell what’s real from what’s put on for the cameras.
“Can you change the article?” I ask. The hopeful note in my voice makes me sound like a fool, but I’m beyond caring.
Her pinched expression returns. “It’s not up to me. My editor decides all that. But I am sorry I followed you, took those pictures, and assumed the worst. It wasn’t personal.”
“Not for you. But it was very personal to me.” I suck in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “Okay. We have to get out of here. I’m glad we cleared the air.”
“Me too.” She doesn’t seem as nervous anymore. There’s even a hint of mischief when she opens the bedroom door. “If you thought that was a challenge, Liam Ashley, just wait until you take me shopping.”
I groan dramatically and we walk through the house, pretending once again we’re the happiest couple on earth.