Page 62 of Game Changer

Joe stops before he reaches the door. “You’ll be okay sis. Buckie is a good guy, and I can’t imagine what he’s thinking about all this right now. Sorry I was so harsh.”

“I don’t know. I told him we needed to take a break.”

“Ugh Zara. Is he still in London?”

“No he’s in L.A.”

“You mean you dumped a guy whose name is now ruined and left him to stew over it five thousand miles away? Alone?”

“I was angry and upset and… stop it. You’ve done worse asshole.” I punch his arm and he furrows his brow at me. His meltdown over Nessa’s pregnancy trumps anything I’ve done in this situation.

“Call him as soon as you’re done here with Niall. You can’t end things this way, it’s not fair on either of you.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Good girl, now come here.” He pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re a superwoman Zara, you can conquer anything. This is just a fly on your windscreen.” He kisses my forehead. “See you on the other side of this shitshow sis. Love you.” He lets me go and leaves.

“Love you Joe,” I say to his retreating back and close the door. I head back into the living room.

“Okay Niall, let’s see you work your magic.”

* * *

Atwo-hour chat with Niall has left me feeling on top of the world. He’s positive that we can get all these allegations put to bed and have my licence back as soon as possible. He’s also given me a way to keep the bars open while the council’s investigation is ongoing. They’ve only taken my alcohol licence and closed the club. But my bars all serve food, so they can continue as restaurants. Patrons are allowed to bring their own alcohol in as long as I don’t sell it to them.

Niall knows his stuff and I’m impressed by him, but I’m not surprised that Dan has someone like this on his legal team. His knowledge of media law is astounding.

I’m alone in my living room now. I keep looking at my phone on the coffee table, wanting to call Buckie but terrified that he hates me now. I left things in a terrible state between us. I blamed him for all this when he’s as hurt by it as I am.

I finally pick up my phone and call. The phone rings out and I get his voicemail. I’m contemplating leaving a message when the beep goes, and I have no choice.

“Hey Buckie, it’s Zara, but you already know that by now… God I’m mumbling I’m sorry. Call me back Buck. I’m sorry. I need to talk to you. I was upset when we last spoke, and I didn’t know what I was saying. I love you. I need you. Okay speak soon. Love you.”

I hang up shaking my head.

“Blithering idiot,” I say out loud to myself.

I’m about to put my phone away when I see a Facebook messenger notification on the screen. Someone random wants to send me a message. Usually these are about the bar or club. I try not to engage too much with people I don’t know on my private profile, so I open the message to see who it is.

The name isn’t familiar at all, and the message contains a photo. I tap it to make it a bit bigger and it takes me a split second to understand what I’m seeing. It’s a photo of Buckie and Annalise sitting at an outdoor café or restaurant near the ocean together. The image is a little grainy but not so much that I don’t see her hand on his. The text under it instantly has my blood boiling.

Do you know what your boyfriend is up to behind your back?

I’ve honestly had all I can take with this now. It’s time to cut ties and get my life back. Those two are welcome to each other.

I type out a text to Buckie.

Forget phoning me back. I will not be played for a fool. Leave me alone and tell that bitch to rot in hell.

I attach a copy of the photo, then block his number. Throwing the phone on the table, I lie down on the couch and cry until sleep overwhelms me. Thoughts of their laughing faces floating all around me as I drift into an abyss of shattered dreams.

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