Page 111

Olivia

Austin left a few hours ago, but the ache hasn’t left yet. I’m holding Danny’s good hand as tears roll down my cheeks. Eventually the nurse brings a cot in for me to sleep on. She shushes me as I sob, and despite the warmth that radiates from her, I feel colder than ever.

How could I have been so cruel?

I’m furious, of course. Furious that Austin hadn’t known this was going to happen, but really, how could he? He’s just one man trying to be better. I dragged him into our lives. This is as much my fault as it is his. And really, it doesn’t even matter because the real person to blame is Austin’s father. I know it in my gut.

The nurse brings in a bag for me, containing some fresh clothes and my phone which I had left in Austin’s car.

I shake my head when she asks if there is anyone she should call. Danny and I only have each other. There is no one else to call.

I have a few messages, including some from Jenny at Squeeze the Day.

Jenny: Babe, I’ve just heard, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.

I jot out a quick reply to let her know Danny is stable and to say thanks.

Me: Hey Jenny, thanks for messaging. I know it’s been crazy. Danny is doing okay, though. He has surgery tomorrow morning for his leg, but the doctors are optimistic.

I see three little dots pop up instantly.

Jenny: What happened with Danny??

Me: He’s in hospital. What are you talking about?

Jenny: Millie and Travis. They posted another video. They’ve outed Austin. I had no idea who he was, or I would have told you. I’m so sorry for pushing you toward him.

Shit, fuck, poo bags. What the hell is she talking about?

I quickly jump onto the app. I’ve been tagged so many times. I’d turned off my notifications recently as it was all getting too much so I hadn’t known about the video. Rotating the screen, I pull my thumb to my mouth and bite the skin around my nail. I watch the video, eerily similar to the apology video from weeks ago. Except this time, the looks on Millie and Travis’s faces are smug, like they’ve just found out how to print money out of their ass, and they’re going to brag about it to everyone. They’re holding hands, sitting close together.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fans for their patience. We’ve had a particularly difficult time lately due to one Olivia Daniels. See, the apology video we wereforcedto make a few weeks ago was complete bullshit.

“Olivia has been dating a criminal. Head of an organization called The Unseen that specializes in beating people up so they hand them their money, selling drugs illegally, and now, apparently, forcing any competition to his girlfriend’s business into hiding.

“The name of this man, the ‘Masked Man’ as Olivia has dubbed him, is Austin Black.

“We’ve had multiple people come to verify thisinformation to us at great personal risk to themselves. Austin is dangerous and terrifying to work with, we've been told. He’s ruthless and will stop at nothing to get his way. And Olivia allows this to happen.

“We’re trying to rebuild our businesses. Any support and love you can show us would be greatly appreciated.”

The video cuts out, and new streams of tears track down my cheeks.

This can’t be happening.

Has Austin seen this?

What will happen to him?

Will his father find out?

Is this why Danny got hurt?

I check the video's upload time: fourteen hours ago. Fourteen hours ago, I was lying on the couch with Austin, asking him to be my boyfriend. His laughing and telling me he’d been calling me his girlfriend for weeks was the happiest I’ve felt in years. He really does love me. I know he does.

I bring up Austin’s contact and press call. It rings only for a few seconds, and then it cuts to voicemail. I huff out a breath. As if, after everything, he’s going to reject my call.

Me: Seriously? Too chicken to answer your phone?