Page 99 of Breaking News

I drew in a sharp breath, reaching for my suitcase. “Let’s put a pin in that and discuss it more tomorrow,” I told Jill, like I was wrapping up a meeting with an employee. Then again, that’s exactly what the fuck I was doing.

She huffed out an annoyed sigh before gripping the handle of her suitcase and dragging it away. The rest of them just stared at me like I’d done something wrong. “Let’s go.”

The five of us walked in tense silence through the airport to the parking garage, where we broke off into our two groups. I loaded my suitcase into the trunk and climbed into the driver’s seat, holding my breath in agony as Chase took the backseat.

Damn it.

Xander slid into the passenger seat beside me, yanked off his hoodie, and let it drop to the floorboard.

“Look, I don’t want her trying to blackmail Noah Sherman,” I said, pulling my seatbelt across my chest. “I wish you wouldn’t have suggested that to her.”

Xander slowly turned his head toward me, his eyes dark with judgment. “Oh, good, Graham Harlowe is taking the moral high ground yet again.”

“Someone has to.”

His lips parted. “Says the man who’s been fucking one of his employees.”

“Fucking her?” I licked my lips, annoyance surging through my veins. “Maybe you were justfuckingher, but I’m in a relationship with her. I care about her.”

Xander didn’t even flinch. “Ah, that must be why you’re letting her ruin her reputation over you.”

“It wasn’t supposed—” I drew in a sharp breath, knowing I couldn’t explain myself out of this. I pinched the bridge of my nose, slumping my shoulders forward.

Everything Xander was saying was completely fair.

“Look, I don’t want to fight with you,” I said. “You’re not wrong. I fucked up. I should’ve handled it better. Should’ve protected her.”

Xander was silent. I didn’t wait for him to reply. With a sigh, I sat up straighter and shifted into reverse, backing out of the tight parking space.

In the backseat, Chase cleared his throat and leaned forward, putting his hands on both of our headrests. “Hey, so… I feel likeI’ve missed a few memos or a group chat or something. You’ve been sleeping with Jill?”

I just shook my head as I merged onto I-70, too tired to explain. And then I looked over at Xander, who was staring out the window with his arms crossed.

I was supposed to be telling him about the job recruiter from theIndyStarasking about him. However, it suddenly occurred to me that I had no obligation to tell him about the job opening. And I wondered how the pay for this regional reporter gig compared to my current salary.

I blew air out through my nose as I cut over into the left lane, shaking my head at myself.

Jill was talking about extorting a local politician, and I’d just entertained the idea of stealing a job opportunity out from under a man who rightfully deserved it.

This scandal was bringing out the worst in us.

chapter thirty-seven

Jillian

The waiting room at the rheumatologist’s office was unexpectedly calm, with muted lavender walls, a painting of a dandelion, and a fountain in the corner trickling away. No blaring TV or obnoxious smells, and even the other patients were quiet as they scrolled through their phones.

And with my stubborn best friend beside me, it gave me a much-needed sense of peace in that otherwise hectic morning. Rush, rush, rush. Stress, stress, stress. When they told me at the front desk Dr. Stroud was running behind and my wait might be a little long, I was somewhat relieved. It was nice to just… sit.

Meghan laid her phone face down on her thigh and cracked her knuckles. “Are you nervous?” she asked when she caught my eye.

“Not really. If anything, I’m worried about just being brushed off again.”

“Want me to come back there with you?” She folded one leg over the other, bouncing her foot up and down. “I won’t let them brush you off. I can fight.”

I laughed under my breath and shook my head. “Please don’t. I’m going to do my best to advocate for myself this time.” It’s what I’d been telling myself for the last twenty minutes:Stand up for yourself.Don’t downplay the pain just to seem polite. Don’t smile through it like it’s fine.

Because it wasn’t.

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