Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Well, I’m glad they did. You’re a true asset to the team. John has nothing but great things to report. Keep up the good work. We have grief counselors on staff, and take off as much time as you need. HR will be reaching out to you, to offer you any support that you need as you navigate healing.”
I watch as she swallows back her emotions. “Thank you, sir.” We stand and shake Roger’s and Coach’s hands before leaving the office.
The drive home is quiet. Neither one of us needs to fill the silence. Instead, we relish it, knowing that the other is there for whatever we need. When I pull into the driveway, it’s lined with cars and trucks.
“They’re still here,” Rowan says, taking off her seat belt.
“I’m sure they were worried about you, and the guys might be napping,” I say, chuckling.
“I’m kind of glad that they’re here,” she tells me. “I want to tell them all what happened. Their support means so much to me. To us,” she says, reaching over and placing her hand on my arm. Her warmth settles me. I’m so damn grateful she’s here with me, and she’s going to be okay. I’ll make damn sure she has the support she needs, from me, from counselors, whatever she needs. Not getting to her sooner will always be something that I’ll regret, but she’s going to be okay, and that’s what I need to focus on. Her, us, and our future.
“Well, let’s go tell them. We can order some food, or make some, and wait for the press conference.”
“I’m sure Corie already knows, being the social media manager.”
“Probably. That’s a good thing. She has all the details and the truth to respond to the trolls.”
“This is going to be a media nightmare, Landry.”
I shrug. “Probably, but that’s just because the nosy fuckers don’t have anything better to do with their time. Don’t read comments. Just let them be the keyboard warriors that they are, and we’ll live our lives. The next scandal will come along soon enough, and we’ll be history.”
“Is it too much to ask for that to happen this week?” she asks.
I chuckle. “We might get lucky. Come on, let's go in and tell them, and get something to eat. I’m withering away here, woman.”
“Right.” She laughs.
Leaning over the console, I press my lips to hers. “I love your laugh, and I love you.”
Her eyes soften. “I love you too.”
Together, we make our way into the house and find everyone gathered around the island. It’s covered with breakfast food, and it looks like they’re just getting ready to eat.
“What’s all this?” Rowan asks.
“Oh, well, I might have tracked Landry’s phone on the family app we have, and saw y’all were close, so we started cooking. We didn’t want this one to wither away.” She leans into me, giving me a side hug.
“Thanks, Core,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“I can’t believe you’re all still here,” Rowan tells me.
“Is that okay?” Knox asks.
“It’s more than okay. I can tell you all at once.” Rowan looks at me, and I nod my encouragement. “We met with Roger and Coach Warner. I told them my story, start to finish, and they encouraged me to press charges. They are also pressing charges, as it was an incident between employees. That probably won’t stick, but mine will.”
Corie beams at her and steps in front of me, pulling Rowan into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, Rowan. What do you need? What can we do?” Corie asks her.
“You’ve already done enough. Just being here for me and staying here last night. I know that was a weird request, but a genius one, Corie. I’ve never had a family before.” Rowan shrugs.
“Well, if family sleepovers mean I get a meal like this, we should do them more often,” Reid says.
Camden coos, as if agreeing, and we all laugh.
“Hand me a plate,” I tell Sloane. She does just that, and I pass it to Rowan, holding my hand out for another. We all gather in the dining room.
“I got an email from Roger,” Corie confesses. “He said that a press release would be in my inbox in the next thirty minutes.” She holds up her phone to show us.
“I’m sorry for all the unnecessary attention this is going to bring into your lives,” Rowan says.
“As long as you’re okay, we can handle the attention, right?” she asks, glancing around the room.
“I mean, we’ve got hefty shoulders,” Reid says, flexing his muscles. “We can handle whatever they throw at us.”
“I was worried too,” Corie speaks up. “When my ex outed us—” She nods toward Knox. “—I was sure it was going to be the end of the world, but it all worked out. I know it’s not the same. Please don’t think I’m comparing the two. I know what you went through, and everything he put you through in the past is horrific. I guess what I’m trying to say is we don’t care about attention.” She shrugs. “We care about you. About your healing and well-being. The rest of it is just noise.”