Page 102 of Places I've Never Been

“I don’t know for sure. There’s a lot of staff on that island, and Donnelly is a snake. He could havewrangled the information from someone. But if it was something Adam planned last minute, it doesn’t look good.”

Were there shots of them having sex too? When would they show up? Her body shook as time stretched around her. “I can’t believe he’d do this.”

“I’m sorry, Mattie. I can’t believe I told you to stay. Adam seemed like a stand-up guy, and you were so happy. I can’t believe he’d set you up like that either, but it seems unlikely that he didn’t know. I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s my fault.” She should have known. Adam’s over-the-top antics could have been a smokescreen.

She scrolled down to read the caption under the photo out loud.

It’s looking hot, hot, hot in the tropics tonight as Mattie Bellamy bags her man. Seen here in anLA POPexclusive, Adam Brooks cools down, or should we say heats up, with a midnight dip in the waterfall with his high school crush. Will we be hearing wedding bells in the near future? It’s too soon to tell, but one thing’s for certain, Adam Brooks’ teenage dreams have come true, because this Bellamy Babe has forgotten all about Devon Morales. Check back for updates, this story is sure to keep your blood pressure up!

The words “high school crush” stood out to Mattie like an enormous, pulsating stop sign.

Adam had known about her, had followed her career, and then when he saw her struggling with Devon, he’d seen his chance to lure her to this sanctuary where he could have her all to himself by promising her what she wanted most: recognition.

“I’m such a—how could I be so blind?”

“Mattie. It’s not your fault, okay? None of this is your fault. If he did this—and we don’t know if he did—it’s Adam’s fault. Him and that asshat manager.”

Mattie closed her eyes. Adam had been so intense when he’d said he had her back. He’d seemed genuinely surprised by the original photo leak, but he could have been faking it. Doubt slithered into her heart.

“I have to go. I have to get out of here. Jesus, how do I get out of here? There’s no roads.”

“I’m taking care of that. The helicopter will be there at dawn to take you to the main island, and a private charter will bring you home. Don’t go back to the room. The manager will pack up your things and get them to you. Okay?”

Mattie bit her lip and nodded.

“Mattie? I can’t see you. Are you okay?”

“I…I’m—” Mattie choked on the word “fine.” If there were any less appropriate word, she didn’t know what it would be. She wasn’t on the same planet as fine. Hurt, confusion, regret, and betrayal cascaded against her heart, making it hard to breathe, much less think.

“I’m so sorry.” Piper’s voice cracked. “I know this hurts. I have giant bear hugs waiting for you. Just come home. We’ll sort this all out when you get here. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Love you.”

“Love you back.” Mattie hugged her knees a little tighter. “Piper?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.” A sob pushed at her throat. “For everything.”

“It’s the least I can do, sis. If I was there, I’d beat him senseless for you. Bellamy Babes stick together, right?”

A ghost of a smile tugged at Mattie’s lips, but it quickly faded. “Right.”

She hung up and stared at the photo for a long, long time, and when the tears came, she didn’t try to stop them.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Adam!” LT banged on the bedroom door. “Wake the hell up!”

It was dark, but a small amount of light leaked in around the edges of the curtains. “What time is it?”

“Get up,” Cooper slammed open the door.

Adam looked for Mattie, but she wasn’t there. She’d left to take a call from her sister. When? He must have fallen back asleep..

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