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His gaze is slightly strained. “I know. Cam told me he took Bron.”

It’s so embarrassing. “He did. I don’t have a relationship with him. It’s a long story, but my mom asked me to call him. He wants to see me.”

“And you don’t want to?”

I pause and do a gut check. Do I want to see him? Am I intrigued? Why am I letting this bother me so much? “I don’t know. He’s horrible. They both are. They messed us up so bad. But Elias told my mom he’s been sick and that he wants to talk to me.”

“How does Elias know?”

“He’s always been friends with my dad.”

“Friends? I thought he was Cam’s best friend.”

I nod. “He used to be. It’s complicated. Everything about this has too many layers. Anyway, I was having a great day. I didn’t even mind talking to my mom on her birthday until she brought this up. She said he’s sick. All I can think about is how bad things were with him. How bad he treated Chase. He treated us like objects he could use. He didn’t protect me?—”

Stop.

Don’t say anything else.

Oliver’s gaze narrows. “What do you mean he didn’t protect you?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “It’s old, and I’m over it.”

He takes my shoulders in his hands. “I don’t think you are, and you can trust me.”

His hands are so strong and warm. So reaffirming is the look in his eyes that I can’t help but believe him.

“One of Walter’s friends got handsy with me. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Walter didn’t believe me and sided with the man. He tried to get Chase arrested for stomping on him.”

Emotions flash through his face like a slide show on 2X speed. His jaw clenches, and his hands tighten around me. “Did that man hurt you?”

A flash of fear blows over me. I’ve never seen this look on Oliver’s face.

“No, I locked myself in the closet and called my brother. Chase did a number on him. I don’t think he’ll ever bother a woman again.”

Oliver bobs his head up and down, easing his grip a little. But he pulls me closer and wraps his arms around me. I let myself feel his warmth, the way our bodies mold to each other. It’s comforting and triggers the instinct to bring myself closer.

I open my mouth only to close it and open it again. It takes two more tries before I can find my voice. “If we keep hugging like this, I’m going to cry, and I can’t do that right now. I can’t let the crew see me like this.”

He pulls back but doesn’t drop his arms. “You shouldn’t have gone through that. Your father should have believed you. I’m glad Chase was there.”

“Thank you. I don’t think Walter knew he would try that, but it hurt me that he would stand up for that guy. He would’ve pressed charges against Chase if Cam had not threatened to cut him off financially. Anyway, you see why it’s so complicated?”

“Yes. But let me say this: you have the right to your feelings. You have the right to say you never want to see him again. He should have protected you.”

“Shouldn’t I at least want to see what he wants? Or what he needs?”

He shakes his head. “Only if it doesn’t bring you down. You have to take care of yourself too.”

“I know, but now I feel like?—”

“A traitor,” he finishes.

I can only nod.

“Don’t. Remember I told you about my dad and my siblings once? He only wanted something to do with me when I got the MLB contract. He was calling me son and coming to see me in Chicago. I was dumb enough to fall for it. When I walked away from it, it was like I didn’t exist again.”

It makes me sad for him, but I understand. “Sounds like Walter. He was only happy with us when we did things that brought him money. He and my mother are all about the money and prestige we can bring them.”