Page 73 of Reputation (Tempt)

“How did it go when you talked to him last night?” I scrunched up my nose, wishing he hadn’t asked. “That bad?” he prodded, and I nodded. “What did he say?”

“He wasn’t happy about it. He’s afraid it will affect my training.”

“Jesus,” he spat. “Is that all he cares about?”

Sometimes it certainly felt that way, but I wasn’t going to admit that to Nate. “He’s right to care. He’s invested a lot in me and my career.”

“Yeah.” He scoffed. “He also has a vested interest in you continuing to compete.”

“What?” I furrowed my brow, understanding dawning on me. “No.”

“Think about it. As your manager, he gets a percentage of every deal you sign.”

“Yeah, but that’s industry standard. And he’s never taken a salary as my coach.”

“True, but what do you think happens if you stop competing? Stop getting endorsements? You told me he hasn’t been supportive of your clothing line.”

“That’s not—” I huffed. “Nate, this is my dad we’re talking about. He wouldn’t do that.” I knew he wouldn’t.

Nate leaned back in his chair. “I once thought the exact same thing about Trinity. And Annalise. About countless others. People will exploit you, especially now that we’re engaged. Be wary, particularly of those closest to you.”

“No. You’re wrong.”

“If I were your dad, I wouldn’t be thinking about your competition. I’d be worried if you were okay.”

“He was,” I said, but Nate’s comment stuck in my mind. The fact that my dad’s concern for my well-being felt like an afterthought, not his first priority.

I mean, hell, Nate had offered to postpone our trip to Abu Dhabi out of concern. He’d tried to talk me out of a workout. And when he couldn’t, he’d joined me. What had my dad done apart from argue with me and add to my stress?

I pushed away the thought. People showed their concern in different ways.

My phone chimed with an incoming text, and I glanced at the screen.

Kendall: Is it true?

I clicked on the link to the article she’d sent, one of many announcing Nate’s and my engagement.

What was I supposed to say to that? Nate had warned me about the dangers of my phone being hacked. And I didn’t want to lie to my best friend.

Instead of typing a reply, I took a quick photo of my ring, holding my hand up in front of Nate’s button-down shirt. I ignored his furrowed brow and sent it to her.

Kendall: ?? ?? ??

Kendall: OMG. That ring. It’s your dream ring.

I know. Gorgeous, right?

Sorry I didn’t get to tell you before the news broke. Nate’s proposal was quite the surprise.

All technically true, though still a lie by omission.

Kendall: I’ll say. Sounds like we have a lot of catching up to do. But I’m glad you’re feeling better. Are you still going to Abu Dhabi?

We leave tomorrow. When are you back from Paris?

Kendall: Friday. Ugh. I’m so sad that our time in LA won’t overlap. I really wanted to celebrate with you because it looks like we’ll both be *ringing* in the new year in style. ??

I wanted to ask what she meant, but before I could, a picture came through. Knox and Kendall were standing on a balcony with the Eiffel Tower in the background, and… I zoomed in. There was a giant diamond resting on the ring finger of her left hand.

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