Page 157 of A Sky Full Of Stars

“What?I’m going to kill him. Why the hell is he always keeping secrets?”

Thomas huffs out a laugh but there’s no humor in it. “Because he’s Luke. Do you need any more explanation?”

“Not really,” I say honestly. “But it’s still shitty. Anyway, back to you. You knew about the photo?” I swallow a lump in my throat as my chest tightens. I always wondered if Thomas saw the half-naked image of me when it was released a few years back, but I never suspected he’d known about it before then.

“Your gran told Luke about it, and when he got home that day, he was fuming. I assumed he’d seen you outside, but then he fucking devastated me by telling me what he knew. We were young. We were stupid, and we wanted to protect you. But I’d do it all again if I had to.”

“Do what?” I can guess what comes next, but I want to hear him say it.

“I’m sorry, Lainey. I know you can take care of yourself, but what that asshole did…” His voice breaks as he trails off, shaking his head. “I couldn’t let him get away with it. It took everything in my power not to find you and wrap you in my arms to protect you, never letting go. But rather, it confirmed my need to push you away. We were hoping you’d never find out. That we could make it disappear. But then Luke called me not long before you texted and told me you knew. That it had been released publicly by someone else. A girl named Jess that had been rejected by multiple ballet companies based on your gran’s information.”

Holy shit.I knew about Jess, but I had no idea anyone else knew about the photo before that. Nausea fills me as Thomas grabs my hand.

“I’m sorry, Lainey. I should have told you.Weshould have told you.”

“Did you hurt him?” I ask, staring into his eyes, knowing the answer.

“Yes,” he rasps, his gaze unwavering.

“And that’s why he released the statement? Later on. Saying he didn’t release the photo.”

“Yes.”

“Are you crazy? What if he’d reported you? Leaked it to the media? Ruined your career? You’d been through so much, Thomas. Why would you do that?”

“I did it for you! And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I love football, and at times in my life it’s been my only savior, but make no mistake, Lainey, you are and always have been my number one priority. I would burn the world down for you. And trust me, he deserved far worse than what we gave him. But the fucker showed remorse and—”

“Okay.” I cut him off, my heart pounding so fast it makes me dizzy.

“Okay?” Thomas’s expression morphs into one of confusion. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. I can’t exactly tell you I don’t condone violence, when we both know what I’ve done. And what you did helped me. But I’d prefer not to know the details.”

Thomas huffs out a laugh. “If Luke had his way, things may have been different, but I knew you wouldn’t have wanted that. Only…” He trails off as his gaze softens, a light sheen coating his eyes. “What happened?” he asks, a waver in his voice. “Younever mentioned the ripped dress. How?” He chokes up and my heart jolts.

Taking a deep breath, I avoid Thomas’s gaze and finally admit the whole truth. “We were sleeping together—had been for a while—and I had no reason to doubt him. But one day while I was showering after…” I swallow, nervous to say the next part. “He cut up my costume on behalf of Jess and her friend, hoping it would stop me from performing.”

“What the fuck?” Thomas tenses, his expression turning vicious. “He didn’t just take the photo? Did he fucking hurt you?”

“He never hurt me. Not physically. I was a willing participant, but I didn’t know what he was planning.”

Thomas shakes, his anger bubbling until I grab his face, pressing my forehead to his. “I never told you because I never wanted to cause trouble. I wanted to forget it all happened, and I was worried about your reaction. And Luke’s. Rightly so, apparently.”

Thomas cringes but the frown doesn’t drop from his face. “I want to kill him. I should have done more, and you should have gone to the police. Or something. Did they force you to dance?”

“No, that was all me. Standing up to them.” I made the choice to perform, knowing the cuts in my costume revealed my nipple, my stomach, my ass. I chose that. And I’d do it again.

Thomas’s lips pull into the smallest smile and he shakes his head. “Of course you did. While I’m not happy you went through any of this, and I want to break every one of his bones, I always knew you were a fighter. You’re amazing, Lainey. Don’t ever doubt that.”

He gazes at me in awe, and I shy away from his stare. “We’ve both been through so much, Thomas. And when you ended things, setting me free, I grew a lot from that experience. Inever thought I’d dance again after that, but when I saw you in the club, I wanted to dance, and now my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner, even if it was just at the club.”

Thomas’s smile widens before he pulls me into his arms. “I’m so fucking sorry they took dance away from you. But I’m happy you’ve finally got it back.”

“Thank you,” I say softly, my body warming in his hold. “I’m not sure where I’m going from here, but I feel better about it.”

“You don’t need to know,” Thomas says as he presses a kiss to my head. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

“I think there’s something that would make me happier.”

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