Page 55 of The Break Out

“Whatever you say,” I roll my eyes at his bossiness. “I would never risk seeing her if I’m sick.”

“Yeah, okay. Call me if you need anything, but we will see you later as long as you’re feeling okay.”

“I already told you I need–”

“Goodbye.” He hangs up and I chuckle, but it burns because my throat is really dry.

After chugging two glasses of water, I dare look at my phone for any other notifications and am pleased not to see Colton’s name on it at all. Maybe once wasn’t enough, but twice was and I can finally be done with him.

The ache between my legs protests that thought slightly because my whore of a pussy would like to keep him, but my mind is pretty happy with the idea.

Mostly.

I shake away the thoughts and lingering fear of abandonment that is trying to claw its way out. Reminding myself this is what I want. Him to leave me alone.

Even though it is a holiday I can’t help but look at my email, skimming for anything super urgent or important. My eyes land on an email from Kenneth’s publicist. I’m a little surprised she’s reaching out. The subject just reads:

POTENTIAL STORY RELEASING. CALL ME TO DISCUSS.

Hello Ms. Collee,

I wanted to reach out to inform you that there is a potential story coming out that does not paint my client in the best light. We are trying to handle it, but as it stands right now if the story leaks, we would like to come to an agreement with Ms. Sparks that she would be willing to vouch for my client’s character as this story could be debilitating to his reputation and career.

Please call me to discuss further. As previously stated, we are trying to handle it before anything is released.

Thank you.

I send a simple email as a response because no matter what the story could be, the thought that Spencer would take Kenneth’s side is laughable.

Ms. Reiner,

My client, Ms. Sparks, is not making any public statements at this time. Nor is she doing any press. Also, knowing the history between our clients I do not think it is reasonable to expect her to make any statement on his behalf. As I’m not aware of the story you are referring to, but if it does not directly involve my client, I respectfully ask that you leave her out of it.

Thank you.

I have to erase the “fuck you” at the end which is directed more at Kenneth since I’m sure he put her up to this request anyway. It does make me wonder what the story is they’re trying to get ahead of because it must be something good.

That’s something I’m going to have to research a bit.

After a long, hot shower, food, and getting some underwear on.

Finally feeling somewhat human again,I start to try and dig for information on what story could be coming out about Kenneth, utilizing all my sources to figure it out.

Seems like whatever it is they are working hard to keep it quiet, though, because I’m not able to find a single thing.

I do, however, start down a rabbit hole that is researching Colton because I realize how little I know about him and considering I’ve now slept with him twice I should learn something about the man other than how obnoxious he is and what his dick feels like inside me.

I’m able to find a lot of articles about him when he was younger, his hockey achievements. A shocking lack of scandals from once he started in the league. Mostly just his stats and the different women he’s been seen with, but that’s it.

Something does catch my eye further down and it’s an obituary for a Josh Wheeler. I click on it, my screen is filled with a picture of a smiling boy who looks like a younger, happier version of Colton. They share the same light brown hair; this kid has freckles decorating his cheeks and is missing his top two front teeth as he smiles widely at the camera.

Their eyes are strikingly similar, the blue-silver that I’ve never seen on anyone before. My eyes catch on the dates that show he was only ten years old when he died. I read through the obituary which is where I learn this is Colton’s brother. It doesn’t give much information other than how much he will be missed and how much he lit up everyone’s lives.

There’s a pang in my chest as I think about this boy losinghis life so young, my immediate thought is that it had to be an accident. My heart hurts for his family, and then my own grief hits as I think of my own brother.

Mine dug his own grave in a way, but I can’t help the lingering guilt I constantly feel when I think of Brandon. Of the things I should have done to help, even though Brent has told me there’s nothing I could have done. I just feel like there should have been.

It didn’t have to be like this.

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