Page 154 of By His Play

I’d fuck it up. I’d hurt her.

If things were different...if my father got his way and I spent my days working for Callahan Enterprises, then yeah, maybe we could have turned our friendship into something more.

But as it is, with my career, I can’t.

A bitter laugh explodes from Effie at my question as I pull into Grams’ driveway. “Everything, Kieran. Everything is wrong.”

She throws the door open and races from the car before I have a chance to form a response.

“Fuck,” I bark, slamming my palm against the steering wheel. “Fuck.”

I’m out of the car and chasing her into the house in a heartbeat.

“Effie,” I call when I don’t immediately find her in the living room. But another door slamming deeper in the house lets me know where she’s gone.

My footsteps pound through the house as I close in on her bedroom.

“Effie?” I question softly as I knock on the door and push it open. “Ef?—”

My breath catches when my eyes land on her and take in her expression.

Her features are tight, her eyes dark and full of tears.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, moving closer. “But we agreed. Today is?—”

“I get it,” she mutters under her breath. “This was all my fault. I lied. B-but?—”

“But what?” I ask, my brows pinching.

“H-How c-could y-you?” she stutters.

I frown. “I…I don’t know what?—”

Suddenly, she marches toward me and thrusts her cell at me.

“Everyone hates me, Kieran,” she cries.

Taking her cell, I scan over the news article she was reading.

Disbelief washes over me, and I slowly begin shaking my head.

“N-no, this…this isn’t what I said.”

“Well then, who did?”

Pain explodes in my chest as I stare down at Effie. Tears now streak down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling as she wraps her arms around herself.

“I…I don’t know.”

“Keep reading. They’re saying that the only reason I have a job at KC Foundation is because I’ve been blackmailing you.”

“WHAT?” I roar.“I never said any of this, Effie. I swear.”

A bitter, sad laugh spills from her as she turns her back to me and walks toward the window that showcases the backyard.

“It doesn’t really matter, does it? It’s what’s been printed.”

“Effie,” I say, closing the space between us and wrapping my hand around her forearm.

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