Chapter Sixteen
A few days later, Dex woke up to his phone vibrating like mad. If not for a business dinner last night, he’d have stayed over at Samantha’s, but work came first. He’d been out late with the producers of his Sunday night TV broadcast, having a steak dinner and discussing the upcoming season. He planned to travel to Kansas City about five days prior to the first game and they’d begin interviewing the players and coaches.
Reaching for his phone, he sat up in bed and glanced at his notifications, his stomach sinking at the posts from TNZ. “Oh, shit.”
Someone had taken photos of him and Samantha outside The Back Door after her meeting with the lawyer. She’d been upset and he’d been consoling her. She’d been cuddled up to his side with his arm around her.
Is pro playboy, and former Miami Thunder quarterback, Dex Sterling, a home-wrecker? The upcoming Sunday Night Football commentator who recently signed a multimillion-dollar deal with FSN was seen in an intimate, midday embrace outside The Back Door, his brother’s SoHo bar. Was the runaway bride two-timing her fiancé?
Their hug had been twisted into something ugly. Just like his agent had feared. But he wasn’t worried about himself. He was concerned about Samantha.
Austin had called three times and a glimpse at the comments on the post showed Dex being called a home-wrecker and Samantha much worse. All because the news didn’t have the accurate story about her leaving her cheating, lying fiancé at the altar. And because the truth wouldn’t make for salacious news about FSN’s new hire.
The phone rang and he glanced at the screen. “Goddammit.” He couldn’t ignore it and took the call. “Ian.”
“What the fuck?”
Dex rubbed a palm over his pounding forehead. “We both know it’s bullshit and it’ll blow over by the next scandal. Have you spoken to your sister?”
“She’s not answering. If you need me to get my lawyers on this, let me know.”
Dex blinked. That was a lot better than Ian yelling at him for not taking care of Samantha. “If it’d help, I’d do that myself, but thanks. TNZ didn’t outright say I did anything, they asked if I did. Which gives them leeway they don’t deserve,” he muttered, hopping out of bed. “I’m going to your sister’s place in a few minutes. I just woke up to this clusterfuck.”
“Call me if you need anything.” Ian disconnected the call.
Before he did anything, he typed out a text on the family chat, letting them know he was okay and handling things. Then he took a quick shower and dressed for the day.
Once he was in his Benz, he pulled out of the lot, only to realize there were paparazzi on the sidewalk. Dammit. He was used to them on the rare red carpet he walked and when he was introduced as the face of FSN. But never with the kind of negative press he was receiving now.
On the way uptown to Samantha’s, he called Austin and let his agent yell. It wouldn’t change anything but it would let the man get it out and calm down. Once he did, Austin begged him to lay low and not go out in public with Samantha, at least for now, leaving Austin cursing again. But he did express concern for his cousin and the press that might be following her. That was the only reason he wasn’t furious with him asking Dex to hide his relationship with Samantha. The one she thought was a close friendship and he considered much more. In the end, Austin promised he’d do his job, meaning damage control on Dex’s behalf.
Finally, he pulled up to Samantha’s building, frustrated to see the paparazzi there, too, on the public sidewalk. Ignoring their shouting, he left his vehicle with the doorman who promised to keep an eye on it.
Samantha had put him on her permanent guest list and he took the elevator to her apartment. He knocked and waited for her to answer, hoping she wasn’t furious with him for putting her front and center before the tabloids.
He heard the sound of her unlocking the door and it swung open. Samantha stood before him in her work clothes, a gorgeous vision in a pencil skirt and white V-neck blouse. She wore makeup and did not have the look of a woman whose life had been wrecked again. But she didn’t look happy, either, not that he blamed her.
“Dex! I’m so sorry.” She stepped aside so he could walk in.
Her words confused him but he waited until she shut and locked the door before asking, “Sorry for what?”
“Those pictures and the text,” she said anxiously. “I don’t have anything that could be affected but I know the network is going to be upset with those photos. I dragged you into my mess from the beginning and I’m beyond sorry. Should you even be here now? The doorman told me there are paparazzi outside.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m with you because I want to be.”
“I know but being my friend shouldn’t cause problems for you,” she murmured, a frown furrowing her brow.
Ignoring the discussion of their relationship status, her earlier words buzzed around his brain. He couldn’t figure out how she knew the network would care one way or another and suddenly realization dawned. “Austin. Did he call you?” he asked of his agent and her cousin .
She pulled her lush bottom lip between her teeth. “Well, to be fair, most of my family called this morning. When TNZ posts, it usually goes viral.”
Dex walked over and braced his hands on her hips. “Listen to me. As far as I’m concerned, we’re in this together.”
And he’d keep being there. That was the only way he could prove to her he was worth trying another relationship because he wasn’t going anywhere.
She stepped closer and then she was in his arms, hugging him tight, the tension in her body ebbing. “Thank you. But your career—”
“My character speaks for itself,” he interrupted her, his tone gruff. “If they don’t like it, they can shove their morality clause up their asses and I’ll sue.”
Despite the seriousness of the conversation, he felt her laughter against his chest. “You’re special, Dex.” She glanced up at him and he tipped his head, pressing his lips to hers… but not for long.
He wanted nothing more than to mess her up, smear her red lipstick, and take her against the wall, fucking her until her eyes teared and she came hard. But she was dressed for work and had obviously put time and effort into her appearance, no doubt due to everything going on around them, so he stepped back.
“Can I give you a ride to work?”
She smiled and nodded. “Before we walk out together, are you sure ?”
“Dead sure.” He held out a hand and she placed her palm in his, confirming they were a team.
***
Pretending to be fine in front of Dex hadn’t been easy but she’d been doing it since the wedding. Nobody needed to see her fall apart. Despite her own emotional issues courtesy of her upcoming discussion with Jeremy that was bound to turn into an argument over the forensic accountant, and splitting up, or her buying out the business, today was about Dex. He was the one with a career at stake because of her life choices and he needed her support this time, not the other way around. The truth was, her stomach was churning, she was nauseous, and she hadn’t been able to eat anything today.
Samantha had been running on fumes since her wedding. Nerves that day had spiraled into a daily state of anxiety, something she’d kept to herself. She didn’t want anyone worrying about her more than they already were. Not even Dex knew how upset she was over the conversation she needed to have with Jeremy.
By the time Dex dropped her off at the building where her office was located, she’d grown dizzy but shook it off and chalked the feeling up to the ever-present anxiety. Today’s was worse, as men and women with cameras were waiting outside of both her apartment and work, standing on the sidewalk, snapping photos of her as she exited the car. It was so bad, Dex walked her to the doors, shielding her with his big body. Once inside, she’d insisted on heading upstairs alone.
She needed space to think because she understood the problem, even if Dex refused to see it. Them being together only fed the gossip and gave the paparazzi more to write about. She wasn’t a household name but for sports fans and women who followed hot athletes, Dex was well known. Add in his new contract and name in sports media, and his being with her made for juicy headlines and could possibly put his new job at risk.
Her cousin and Dex’s agent, Austin, wasn’t pleased with their relationship. He’d warned her that they both had something to lose but she could only see the downside for Dex and promised herself she’d pull back. Something Dex made difficult for her to do because he was always there for her in every way.
She stepped off the elevator and right into Jeremy.
“Just the person I wanted to see,” he said, approaching her with anger in his narrowed gaze. “How dare you embarrass me by hooking up with another man so soon after our broken engagement. It’s public and humiliating!”
Anger welled up inside her at the audacity of the man. “Are you kidding? Just because you weren’t caught publicly doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for things ending. Don’t try and twist things around, Jeremy. I’m short on patience this morning and you’re the last person I want to see.” She turned to go and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him again.
“Don’t walk out on me. We weren’t finished. You’ve been ignoring my calls and my texts about the business.” His face grew red with anger and she swallowed hard, jerking back her arm.
“Get your fucking hands off me and if you have a problem with my decisions about the business, talk to my lawyer.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Do you really think bringing in some outside forensic accountant is going to stop me from getting what’s mine? I built this business,” he said, his voice rising.
Oh no, he did not just say that. “ We built this business and don’t you forget it,” she said, straightening her shoulders.
She wasn’t going to cower even if his fury was reminding her of that moment in her apartment when he struck her.
She glanced around but it wasn’t yet nine a.m. and they seemed to be alone.
He stepped closer and she backed herself against the nearest wall. “Move away,” she said in the sternest voice she could manage. Black spots flickered in front of her eyes. Dammit. She should have eaten something earlier.
“Hey! Get the fuck away from her!” Brandy rushed over and grabbed Samantha’s arm, pulling her from Jeremy who was looming over her. She stumbled toward her friend, grateful for her timing.
“Fucking bitch,” Jeremy yelled, before storming off in the direction of his office.
“I’m dizzy,” Samantha said, and Brandy immediately wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to a chair at the nearest desk.
Brandy knelt down, worry in her eyes. “What’s going on? Do you need me to call 911?”
Samantha ran her tongue over her dry lips, her head spinning. “I’m sure it’s low blood sugar because I didn’t eat this morning.”
Brandy pursed her lips. With determination, she said, “That’s it. I’m taking you home.”
Because Samantha felt like crap, she didn’t argue. She rose to her feet and immediately felt herself going down as she blacked out.
***
Later that day, Dex met his brother Jared at the gym near his apartment. The paparazzi had left his residence, allowing him to walk there. He worked out, showered at the gym, and after, they walked outside. The plan was for him and Jared to head downtown for drinks, to talk and catch up. Since their dad’s heart attack, Jared had been working overtime at the office, trying to do things that would take the heavy lifting off their father’s plate.
“Want me to drive us to The Back Door?” Dex asked.
Jared shrugged. “Let’s Uber. We’re going to have to come back uptown after. No need to go get your car from the lot.” He pulled out his phone to request a rideshare.
While waiting, Dex called Samantha to say hello. The phone rang and a familiar female voice answered. “Hi, Dex. It’s Brandy,” Samantha’s friend said.
“Hey. Is Samantha there?” Or was she too bogged down with work to talk, he wondered.
“She can’t come to the phone right now but… hang on.” He heard rustling, and then, “I’m back. Dex, Samantha’s in the hospital.”
His stomach churned at her words. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
“She had an argument with that asshole and passed out.”
“What?!” Dex drew a deep breath, getting control of his anger, and his worry. “Did he touch her?” His heart threatened to beat out of his chest.
“Yeah. After, she was dizzy and I had her sit down. Once she was better, I helped her stand… and she passed out cold. But she woke up pretty quickly.”
He blew out a long breath.
“She said she just hadn’t eaten today,” Brandy went on. “But I insisted she go to the hospital anyway. Someone called 911. She’s fine but I thought you’d want to know.”
“Are you there with her now?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Which hospital?”
The question had Jared staring in concern. Dex held up a hand. He needed answers before he could explain things to his brother.
He waited for Brandy to give him the name and Samantha’s location. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He disconnected the call and turned to Jared. “It’s Samantha,” he said. “She’s at Sinai, so I’m heading over. Sorry. We’ll catch up later?”
Jared slapped his shoulder. “Of course. Shoot me a text and let me know she’s okay.”
“Will do.” Dex stepped to the curb and held out a hand to hail an empty taxi, lucky to get one right away.
By the time he arrived at the ER, his need for answers had grown. At least Brandy had said Samantha was okay, but that wasn’t enough until he laid eyes on her himself.
He walked in and saw Brandy in the hallway outside a sliding glass door to an ER room and strode over. “How is she?”
“Okay. They’re giving her fluids for dehydration. Come on in. She’s going to be furious I told you.”
He frowned at that. “Well, I’d be the furious one if I’d been left in the dark.”
Brandy looked at him and smirked. “Well, we wouldn’t want that. Samantha needs you, whether she wants to admit it or not,” she said, grasping his arm. “Samantha, I hope you’re decent because you have company!” Brandy spoke in a singsong voice as she pulled him into the hospital room.