Page 157 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“Things are going good. I’ve been seeing less articles about how you may not make it back before next season, and more about you and Briar being engaged. I’ll admit, there’s a couple about a secret baby too. But I’ve been burying those.”

I wipe my hand down my face, groaning. “Please keep at it. I don’t want her to read about pregnancy rumors.”

Zhuri, my publicist, pauses. “Is there anything going on that I should know about?”

I’m too quick with an answer. “Nope,” I assure her, shaking my head despite her not being able to see it. “Nothing at all.”

She doesn’t sound convinced when she says, “okay.”

“Great. Thanks, Zhuri.”

“Welcome Warner. Keep up the good work. I think that girl has been good for you.”

She has.

She has a right to be suspicious, because therehasbeen something going on. Something rather big, actually.

Pulling up the files that my friend sent me, I dial Tony’s number.

“Yeah?” he answers on the third ring.

“It looks like you’ve been busy with some offshore accounts I’m sure someone wants to know about all of it.”

He’s silent for a couple beats on the other end of the line. “I have nothing to hide,” he tells me sternly.

“That’s funny, because that’s not what the forensic accountant I know has to say about the matter.”

His demeanor changes in an instant realizing I have proof. “You say one word and everything you guys have been working for goes in the toilet, Warner. Mark my words, I will ruin her life.”

“By what? Tattling on her to the school board? Is that all you have?” I scoff.

“Elara’s address hasn’t changed, which is surprising. A little neglectful of you not to even warn her.” His voice is bitter and biting.

“If that’s all you got, you have to hit a lot harder.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Leo. Enjoy a couple days of peace. It would be a shame if everything comes crashing down on you at once.”

Tony hangs up, leaving me with a giant pit of dread at the bottom of my stomach. What did I just do?

I give myself a second to recover before calling my sister.

47

BRIAR

The only thing I was told about today was that I had to look nice. The Spring air has been a little chilly in the last few days, and I’m rummaging through my closet trying to find anything I can wear.

“That’s a lot of clothes,” Elara says as she walks into the room, plopping herself onto my bed. I turn, finding her decked out in a long blue dress.

“Where are you going?” I ask her.

She shrugs her little shoulders, her curled blonde hair falling over them. “Aunt Isla just told me I had to dress nice. It has pockets!”

Pursing my lips, my brows furrow. What the hell is going on?

It has to be some kind of family photos for PR, but then again, we agreed that we would keep Elara out of any photos if at all possible.

“Okay, well do you want to help me pick something out?”

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