Page 27 of Golden Rule

Too bad.

Joss goes quiet, and I assume her rant is over, but then she gets fired up all over again.

“It would’ve beensomeconsolation if their teammates at least had their backs, but with how Dane says the introduction went in the locker room this morning, there’s no chance of that happening. I mean, hell! If the other Emperors even took asmallstand, like posting on their socials about how shitty the media’s been behaving, I’d even be satisfied withthat!But it’s like we’re the only ones in our guys’ corner, and it fucking sucks.”

It's like she just took the words right out of my mouth. In between the press conference and West leaving for Ricky’s bar, he’s hardly said a word. Yeah, he’s pissed about everything, but I know my husband. More than anything, he’s hurt.

Hurt that the city he loves doesn’t always love him back.

And Joss is right. Itdoesfucking suck.

My next thought is of Pandora’s post, what she subtly threatened to reveal at the end. Only Joss and I know what secret our least fav gossip queen’s hinting at. It’s an incredibly sensitive subject, for too many reasons to name, but I can’t justnottalk about it.

Blue: Be honest. Should West be worried about the whole… Casey thing getting out?

I set my phone in my lap as Joss’s pings on the table. I tune into Jules, Dez, Lexi, and Scar’s conversation while I wait for a response. Then, the second my phone chimes, it’s in my hand again.

Joss: It’s hard to tell. P’s been a nightmare this time around, so I won’t even try to predict her next move.

Blue: My thoughts exactly, which is why I’m wondering if West needs to just get out in front of this whole thing.

Joss: You mean like… tell Coach now?

Blue: Better to hear it straight from the source, isn’t it? If it comes from Pandora, it’s out of West’s control. Which means whatever spin she decides to put on it is how Coach will think it really went down.

My stomach has been in knots about this all day. West fought hard to get where he is—and the idea of his reputation, and possibly even his career—being one post away from ruin is a terrifying thought.

Joss: Trust me, I get your reasoning, but we might be jumping the gun. Let’s see if P drops anymore hints, then we’ll reevaluate.

Blue: If you think that’s best.

Joss: I do. For now. And sorry this is coming up again. I know it’s not fun reliving all the old shit.

I pause to take a breath as I let that sink in, how we’re literally having to relive every terrible thing we thought we’d left behind all those years ago. But, nope. Turns out it was all just lying dormant, waiting for us to return.

Blue: Thanks. Same to you. It’s not fair to any of the guys that all this stuff with their dad keeps getting shoved at them.

Joss: But like always, we’re in this together.

“Care to share with the rest of the class?” Lexi’s words alert Joss and I that we aren’t exactly flying under the radar with our under-the-table texting.

“Sorry, just running something byPR Jossandnot so muchFriend Jossthis time,” I explain. “But you’re right. It can wait until later.”

Lexi’s expression softens, although it was clear she was just giving me shit in the first place. “Everything okay? I mean, aside from the usual bullshit,” she adds with an eye roll.

I force a smile, but it feels fake as hell considering all we’ve been through. But the fewer people who know these particular details, the better.

“Yep, all good.”

Lexi studies my face for a sec, and I suspect she knows I’m not being one hundred percent honest, but she lets it slide.

Thank God.

“Anyway, Joss and I aren’t the only ones being secretive,” I point out, nodding toward Jules. She’s practically had her nose to her phone since before our food arrived, and as soon as she finished eating, she was right back at it.

She looks up, pushing long, red hair behind her shoulder, playing the innocent role when she finally lowers her phone.

“Blue’s right. Who the hell have you been texting all evening? Lemme see.”

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