44. Lilah
LILAH
I ’m already sitting at the corner table in Lakeshore Sweets, nursing the mocha latte Callie made special just for me, when she and Sloane slide into the seats around me.
“How are you holding up?” Callie asks, her expression gentle as she unwraps a muffin and pushes it in my direction.
“I don’t even know,” I admit. “I feel like I’m caught in the middle of a tornado, and no matter what I do, the wind just keeps picking up.”
Sloane frowns. “It’s disgusting, honestly. The way that picture was taken completely out of context? I mean, it’s you and Steele . Anyone with eyes can see how much he adores you.”
Callie nods, her jaw tight. “And don’t even get me started on how they’re spinning it.
I know exactly what it’s like when people think they’re entitled to your life.
Between Zane’s bullshit and the media circus, I’ve had more than my fill.
I won’t ever let myself or my daughter get dragged through that again. ”
Before I can respond, the bell above the door jingles, and Rina hurries in, tugging off her scarf, cheeks pink from the wind.
“You’re late,” I say. As grateful as I am to see her, I can’t help but eye her with caution. I’m almost afraid of the news she’ll bring.
She hesitates, her hands tucked into the pockets of her coat. “I had to talk to one of the players.”
I tilt my head as everything inside me stills. “One of the players?”
Rina shifts, her gaze darting away before returning.
“Was it Steele? You can tell me.”
Rina opens her mouth, closes it, and then groans. “I knew I shouldn’t have come here right after my conversation with him.”
“I’ll get you a coffee,” Callie says, already rising. “Extra large.”
Rina sinks into the seat beside me and mutters, “Thanks, babe.”
My stomach clenches. “Rina, just tell me what’s going on. You know how Steele is. He wants to shield me from everything.”
“He’s going to be so pissed if I mention any of it to you,” she states, unbuttoning her coat.
I lean in, my voice low. “Please. Just tell me what’s going on. I need to know.”
She glances around before her shoulders wilt. “One of Steele’s longtime sponsors pulled out this morning. Said the optics of the photo didn’t align with their brand, and they’ve withdrawn all advertising from the arena.”
For a moment, I just blink, unable to form a single thought. “What?”
Sloane places a hand over mine while Callie returns and sets the coffee in front of Rina.
“He lost a sponsor?” I whisper, barely able to get the words out.
“He didn’t want you to know,” Rina says gently. “He just wants to protect you as much as he can. ”
My stomach bottoms out. “What can I do to fix this?”
Rina hesitates. “I don’t think there’s a magic fix, Lilah. But… What if we did a quiet interview? One-on-one with someone we trust. A female journalist with integrity. Someone who won’t twist your words.”
It’s not even something I need to think about. As much as he wants to look out for me, I want to stand up for him just as fiercely. “I’ll do it.”
Callie squeezes my arm while Sloane passes me a napkin for the tears I didn’t realize had gathered in my eyes.
“Let’s take control of the story,” Rina says firmly. “We’ll write the ending ourselves.”
For the first time in days, I feel the smallest spark of hope.