Page 46 of Runaway Girl
“And I heard what he said about Ali, too.”
I rubbed my temples. “Dad, I’m a grown woman.”
“So what? You’re still my baby. He has another thing coming if he thinks he—”
“Mum.” I interrupted. “Dad’s got a chocolate bar hidden in his pocket.”
Stark betrayal flashed in his eyes as Mum’s narrowed on him.
“Every man for himself.” I winked.
Crisis averted. For now.
Chapter 27
ETHAN
As soon as the interview aired, I was back to being the golden boy, my desperate pleas resonating with the equally afflicted lovesick fools and star-crossed lovers.
Runaway Girl had turned into#runbacktome,the hashtagtrending and taking over the internet. The masses rallied for reconciliation and a happily ever after.
Oh, how I wish for that too.
However, I was yet to hear from Alicia, and the dead space had my nerves peaking. I didn’t know whether to be grateful or alarmed that that goodbye text hadn’t come through. But every minute that passed without it had a certain hope blooming in my chest.
My fingers drummed against the steering wheel as I pulled up to the stadium, a crowd of paparazzi swarming the gates. It was packed—a lot more than usual.
I slowed to a crawl, not wanting to run over some guy’s toes and get sued for the inconvenience.
But as my car rolled past, the reception caught me off guard. Invasive, flashing lights came from all directions, their screams penetrating through my safe, steel bubble.
“What’s the important announcement, Mr Harris?!”
“Ethan! Ethan! Does this have anything to do with your most recent interview?”
“What’s so important you called a press conferencebeforethe game? HARRIS! HARRIS!”
What are they talking about?Maybe Coach has set something up?
With a confused scowl, I left their questions behind, parked up, then made my way to the back entrance reserved for staff.
However, with each step closer, my muscles seemed to tense as a charged energy set off my intuition.
Something’s wrong. Something’s wrong.
As soon as I breached the door, I was jerked sideways, blindly pulled into a darkened alcove.
“Come with me,now,” rushed a familiar voice. My gaze snapped to Jake, who continued to grip my arm.
I whacked his hand away with bruising force, the impact causing him to hiss in pain.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I seethed through clenched teeth.
Yet, he didn’t seem to get the memo as, despite my threat, he still blocked my way. “Youwillfollow… unless you want me to lay this on yourRunaway Girlinstead?”
It was the way he said it—his tone intentional, provocative andknowing. I had to find out what he knew because, based on hisexpression, he had some type of knowledge. And he was ready to use that to invoke maximum damage.
Not if I have anything to do with it.
