Page 123 of Sweetheart: Part One

“Are you alright?” they asked with a warm smile. “I could grab you a coffee, if you’re getting tired.”

My gaze drifted to the stage, where Ebony and Dean were still talking. Ebony wouldn’t know who I spoke to right now. “No, but thank you.”

“If you need anything, shout.” I could see an undercurrent of concern in Jay’s eyes as they stepped back, as if they’d noticed things might not be quite right for me.

“I appreciate that,” I said, with a faint smile.

They walked away, leaving me to my quiet anxiety, when I was distracted by what Dean was saying in the interview. “I hear through the grapevine some pretty cool news about the Crimson Fury pack.”

“Have you?” Ebony asked.

“Is it, or is it not the case, that you recently signed a Sweetheart?”

My heart tripped over itself, and my eyes were back on the screen. I saw just the faintest moment of surprise on Ebony’s features before he smoothed his expression.

“I wasn’t told you were going to be prying into my private business, Dean,” he said, though he sounded playful.

“Come now, you know that’s what we do. And how private is she, if you brought her with you today?”

Ebony leaned forward in his chair, one eyebrow cocked, but Dean Trance was already turning to the crowd. “Do you want to meet her?”

There was a cheer.

What?

But I hadn’t been told.

Suddenly, people were surrounding me with urgent voices.

“Dean’s fucking done it again,”one said.“Someone needs to hide his stash.”

“Hey, love—”A hand was on my arm.“Bit last minute. You don’t have to, but they’d love to see you.”

“I…” My voice was caught in my throat. I couldn’t focus as the chaos unfolded. There were people around me, talking to me, even if I couldn’t focus on what they were saying.

“Come on—Vex Eden, is it?”

“You can say no,”a kind, familiar voice said. Hazel eyes found mine, grounding me. That was Jay, I thought, but there were a dozen other voices, drowning theirs out.

“Just tell us now so we can—”

“…Sharon, you see the live stream? it’s off the charts…”

“Make a real name for yourself—”

“Need an answer now, alright?”

“I…” I felt sick. I couldn’t.

I couldn’t.

“She’s in, folks, we just got the confirmation!” That was Dean Trance’s voice, drowning out all the others. “Vex Eden, the Crimson Fury Sweetheart, ladies and gentlemen.”

Suddenly, I was being dragged to the edge of the stage.

“You can say no,” Jay was saying, their voice turning sharper as it was directed at someone else. “Lee,give her a second—!”

“We don’t have a second.” A pen was being shoved into my hand. “Just sign here. Puts you on the roster. Normal waiver.”

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