Page 47 of Wilde About You

He rocked back with laughter. "Kiddo, I couldn't have dreamt up a better match for Colin."

Colin came down the stairs. It was easy to gather from his expression that the call hadn't gone well. He dropped his phone on the coffee table. It bounced off and hit the floor. He stepped over it and dropped back down on the couch. "Think my career's over. No one wants to take a chance on me after the injury. I need to prove myself again, they said."

"So prove yourself," Finn said plainly. "Go independent and leave them all with chins in the snow. Then when they come begging, you tell 'em to fuck off until they come up with a stellar offer."

"You make it sound so easy," Colin said.

"Never said the word easy." Finn got up with a few deep groans. "I'm going to lie down. This chess playing is exhausting." He winked at me.

"I'll make dinner when you wake up," I told him.

I got up and sat next to Colin, but I sensed he wasn't up for cuddling or even talking. We sat silently. Things were great between us, but we each had our own set of problems. I'd reached out to a few contacts to see where I could unload the photo for the most money, and the whole time I was writing the emails, I felt my soul draining out of me. Could I really do this to those men and their families and their careers?

Seeing Colin's phone on the floor reminded me that I'd decided to stop hiding from the world and charge my very dead phone. I hadn't looked at it yet. "I'm going to run up and get my phone. I'll probably regret turning it on."

"I know I regret turning mine on," he said glumly. Most of his predicament was my fault, and that put a bitter taste on the whole relationship. My fucking brother.

I walked upstairs. Finn's door was shut. I could hear a light snore already. I went into our room and picked up my phone. There were at least thirty texts and fifteen missed calls. Most from numbers I didn't recognize. Some from Mom and some from Dad. There was even a voicemail from my oldest brother, Brant. I was sure it would be a long lecture about the trouble I was in, not that any of my family really knew what was going on. Gigi had called several times, and my boss, Bradford, had left a voicemail that just said "call me now." That was two days ago. I saved one text from an unknown number because it was one that might come in handy later. I ignored most of the other calls and texts but sent one to Gigi.

Hey, I'm fine. Still laying low, and I met someone. Can't wait for you to meet him, but not now. I'll text again soon. Hope everything is good, Gi.

I hated to do it, but I decided to call Bradford back. I was sure he'd just tell me I was fired. I dialed and he picked up on one ring.

"Where the fuck have you been? Is it true?" He was practically salivating into the phone waiting for an answer. But I had no idea what he was asking.

"Is what true?"

He released an exasperated growl. "Rumor has it you snapped some photo at the UFC fight that is a really big deal. What is it? Did you catch a backroom deal? Did they throw the fight on purpose?"

"How did you hear about—" My words drifted off. Lyle and his big mouth. I should have known. Thank goodness I never told him about what was in the photo.

"Ah, so there is a photo. You know that's the property of Sports World. You were working for us at the time."

I rolled my eyes. Typical. "No, I wasn't because as I told you I wasn't on any list, I had no pass and they kicked me out because I wasn't supposed to be there. So as far as I'm concerned, I was just there hanging out with my cameras."

"Well, we'll see what the legal department has to say about that."

I knew I'd regret the call. "Yes, why don't you see about that. And this is probably a good time to hand in my verbal resignation."

"No, wait, you need to hand over the photo. Where is it? I've had like ten calls from J.J. Gregor's lawyers, so it must be damn good."

"Great, so for you he sends lawyers, and for me he sends out his thick-necked militia."

"Seriously? You were attacked?"

"Yes, I was, and no, I won't hand over the picture."

"You'll hear from our lawyers soon," he said sharply.

"Look forward to ignoring their calls like I'm going to do with the rest of yours."

"Wait, Sadie, fuck, don't hang up. Where are you at?"

"Somewhere safe and secure just like the photo. Goodbye."

I tossed my phone aside in disgust, much the same way Colin had done after his disappointing call. I went downstairs. Colin was at the front window looking out. His shoulders were taut, and his whole body looked tense. My muscles tensed in response.

"Colin, what's the matter?"