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“I don’t need rehab. I’ve tried it. I needher… I needyou.”
He falls silent. I can picture him clenching his jaw and giving me that death glare. “I’m notifying the doctor. Have you taken a drug test?”
“No, but I’ll enroll in the league’s substance use program and accept whatever suspension they impose.”
Ethan releases a frustrated growl, likely because I’m fucking up his dream season. “Why would you do this, Jackson? You’ve lost everything. You could’ve reached out to anyone on the team for help. Why would you party before a big game? It makes no sense, not even for you.”
Isn’t that the million-dollar question? Could I have handled Kyle without meeting him at the Hard Rock? What made me grab that first drink?
I’m on the brink of lying. It’s much easier to pretend to be rich, spoiled, and not give a fuck than to admit I’m…broken? Lost? Ashamed?
Besides, I learned a long time ago that no one cares.
“What did he do or say to get you there?” Ethan asks.
I’m so shaken by his skill at connecting the dots, the truth tumbles out. “He has pictures of you and Aurora together. He threatened to publicize our relationship, have you fired, and ruin Aurora’s reputation.”
I scoffed when Kyle said he’dexpose my character.Never did I think that meant setting me up to lose Aurora. My addiction, the slew of mental health disorders I’ve been diagnosed with, being in a situationship with another man—any of that, I was prepared for and okay with.
If I had knowncheatingwas what he was aiming for, I would’ve never left my hotel room.
“You should have told me. I’m not your fucking rival!” Ethan shouts. “You walked right into his trap, gave him precisely what he wanted. If I hadn’t been ready for the consequences, would I have stood with you and Aurora at the arena?”
I squeeze my eyes shut to ward off the impending migraine.
My voice is hoarse from throwing up, my tone flat from sleep deprivation. “For her, yeah. You’d endure anything for her, but it doesn’t matter. The damage is done, and you two are fine…” My words trail off, this headache slamming into me.
“We are not fine! Aurora is not fine!”
I don’t know why he’s so angry, but he’s not helping this piercing pain.
“Jax!”
I jolt at Ethan calling my name.
“Jax!”
“Hm?”
“I’m texting Doc. Are you at your place downtown?”
“Yup,” I mumble.
“Okay, he’s on his way. Can you let him in?”
“The doorman will. The elevator opens into my penthouse.”
There’s silence, and I concentrate on breathing through the pulsing behind my eyes.
“You know,” he says, releasing a defeated sigh, “part of me wishes I could sit back and smile while you fuck it all up. But this hurts Aurora, and I can’t do that. She extended her contract in New York and started looking at apartments. If she stays here, I swear, I’ll kill you myself. You need to get your shit together and fix this.”
I rise too fast, and the glaring headache pummels me, knocking me down. “Don’t fuck with me. What are you implying?”
He can’t want me with her. Not with my problems. Not with a baby.
“She’ll forgive you for relapsing if you stay sober. If you can do that, I’ll support you. I’ll talk to her.”
“Are you serious?” My heart races, tears threaten my eyes, and my throat constricts with emotion. “I was sober for months. I can’t explain why I picked up that first drink, but I’ll never do it again. I’ll never put myself in that situation. I’ll do anything.” Those last three words are strained, the biggest plea of my life.