Page 77 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

She pushes me back. “Who? That reporter lady?”

I nod and put my head back on her shoulder.

“Okay,” she says, rubbing my back. “Well, that sucks. He’s an asshole for lying to you, but that can’t be why you’re like this—”

“He spent the night with me last night.”

She hugs me tighter. “Oh, Soph. Did you sleep with him?”

I nod against her shoulder. “It was perfect. The entire night. He said he was falling for me and that he wanted to start a relationship. He was so sweet. And God, the sex. It was unbelievable, Mae. Everything he did and said was perfect.”

“Are you sure he’s lying?”

“Yeah. He told me that he’d never do anything to betray my trust, and then I get to the stadium today and find this out. He’s been lying to me the whole time. I saw the bank statements. He’s paying her off.”

As I start bawling again, my legs give way. Maisie tries to hold me up, but I slide to the ground. She sits down and circles her arms around me.

“Breathe, Soph,” she says as she starts rocking me. “You’re going to be fine. You’re always fine.”

“Sophia.” I look up to see Max walking toward us.

“Who the fuck are you?” Maisie jumps up and stands in front of me. “Back off!”

“Mae, he’s security for the team. I know him.”

“I don’t care who he is.” She pushes his chest. He doesn’t budge. “Get away from her. We’re handling this.”

“Let me help you get her to the apartment,” Max says. “That’s all, then I’ll leave.”

“You’ll leave right now,” Maisie says, trying to stretch her five foot, five frame up higher. “Come on, Sophie. Stand up. Let’s get inside.”

“I’m fine, Max,” I say, pushing myself up.

When he tries to help me stand, Maisie punches him in the stomach. He takes a step back, smiling. “I see you’re in good hands here.”

Maisie puts her arm around my waist and pulls me away from him.

“Don’t follow us, asshole,” she yells and then lowers her voice. “You’re going to be fine, Sophie. Fuck Seb. Fuck that team. Fuck everyone. I’ve got you, honey. You’re going to be fine.”

“I feel so stupid,” I say as she drags me toward the door. “After Sam, I know better than to trust people. Why did I let my defenses down so quickly?”

“I don’t know, Soph. Seb fooled me, too.” She starts pushing me up the stairs to my apartment. “But that’s done. It’s time to tighten the circle. You can trust people. You trust me. And your family. And Roman—”

“Do not call Roman, Maisie,” I say, turning around to look at her. “Seriously, I can’t take him being involved in this right now.”

“I won’t call him, Soph,” she whispers. “It’s just me and you tonight—like it’s been from the beginning. We’ll get through this. Just me and you.”

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