Page 20 of Crossing the Red Line
“No, it’s okay.I’m sure it will go away.”
“Well, maybe just pop in and see the team doc.I mean, maybe he can give you something.You look like you are going to be sick,” Aurora added.
Did I really look that bad?I was certain I’d put on enough makeup to hide the puffy eyes and dark circles.
“Anyway, Dylan and I were talking last night and he’s hoping it’s an announcement of some new players to replace a couple that are on the verge of leaving.”
“Yeah, Knox said the same thing.He said anything would be an improvement from Johnson.”Lorelai laughed.
“Hard not to be.Dylan doesn’t even know how Johnson got to where he is,” Aurora agreed.“He makes me laugh.”
“Sounds like something he’d say,” Lorelai added.
I placed my coffee mug down and picked up my muffin, shoving almost half of it in my mouth at once.It was the first thing I’d eaten in two days; I was starving now that I was around food, and my stomach let out a grumble, thanking me for feeding it, even if it was only flour and sugar.It was then I noticed both girls looking at me.
“What?”I asked, after I’d swallowed everything in my mouth.
“You sure you’re alright?You’re acting as if you haven’t eaten in days,” Lorelai said, taking a small bite of the chocolate-covered croissant in front of her.
“Sorry, ate really early this morning,” I lied.
“We asked you if you knew what the secret announcement is.I’m sure your father has mentioned something to you.”
I hadn’t spoken to my father since before I’d gone away with Lucas.I had no clue what the announcement was.
“Nope, not a clue.My father tells me nothing,” I muttered.“And I don’t really want to talk about my father.”
Lorelai and Aurora looked at one another and then back to me.
“What?”I questioned, knowing they both had something on their minds.
“Ella, we are worried about you.”
“Why?There is nothing wrong.”
“Ella, you haven’t been yourself all week, and Dylan said that you approached him about the hospital campaign to see if he would mind taking part, even though he said he was taken off the project and that your father designated Lucas as the spokesperson instead because of his knee injury.”
I swallowed hard.
“Yeah, Knox mentioned something about this as well.He said that you followed him out to his car to see if he’d step back in.Does Lucas not want to take part?”
I’d panicked after I’d returned from Vegas.It had happened on Monday when I’d called in sick and then decided I’d work from home.I’d opened my email to see that the photoshoot had been rescheduled and was now set to take place at the beginning of next week instead of the weekend.Instead of emailing Lucas the details, I’d taken matters into my own hands, went against my father’s instruction, and tried to get either Dylan or Knox to take part instead.They were demanding I be there for the photoshoot, and the last person I wanted to see or spend time with was Lucas.
“What’s going on, Ella?We all thought Lucas was the one to get the spotlight on this?I can’t imagine he’d not want to do it.After all, this sort of thing looks great for the guys,” Aurora said as both girls looked at me.
I bit my bottom lip, wondering just how much I should divulge.
“We both know he can be difficult with these things,” Lorelai said.
“Maybe we can help,” Aurora said.“We can always talk to the boys and have them talk to him.”
“It’s not that.He’s more than happy to do it,” I muttered, my finger tracing the rim of my mug.
“We don’t understand.Why are you asking the others to do it if he isn’t refusing?”
I sighed and then looked at the girls with defeat.“Look, I’ve not mentioned this to many people.Actually, I haven’t mentioned this to anyone at work, but Lucas and I…”
“Oh my god, are you guys dating?”Aurora questioned, almost ready to jump out of her seat with excitement.
