Page 141 of Family Bonds- Emma & Warren

“What are you talking about now?” he asked.

“I know you don’t follow talk, but Mike was concerned about it. I’ll send you the link. Just rambling from people, but you know how it is.”

“Yes,” he said. “Do that.”

“Warren, watch out for Mike.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d heard this. Or with any publicist.

“Why?” he asked.

“He’ll do whatever he has to do to get his way and save his job. Remember, it’s his job to turn shit into gold. If someone is talking one way, he’ll do what it takes to drive the narrative the way he wants.”

“I know,” he said.

“I heard he called Tiff and told her to cut the shit with DeMarcus. That she should know better than to drop news before a game and that loss could have fallen on her fiancé’s shoulders, costing him future contract money.”

“Where did you hear that?” he asked.

“From his agent. We got a good laugh out of it. Don’t get me wrong, people’s personal lives always cause issues and you have to compartmentalize.”

“I do that,” he said.

“No one is saying you don’t,” Kyle said.

“Except Mike?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Kyle said after a pause. “I’m just saying, don’t trust him.”

“Thanks,” he said.

He disconnected and called Mike next. “Warren,” Mike said. “What’s going on?”

“Did you call Emma?” he asked.

“What?” Mike asked. “When?”

“Since I’ve been out, have you called Emma?”

“I don’t remember,” Mike said. “I talk to a lot of people.”

Which told him what he needed to know.

The right answer would have been no. That he’d have no reason to talk to Warren’s girlfriend.

“Don’t mess with me, Mike,” he said and disconnected the call. He looked at the clock. “Fuck!” he shouted and hit the steering wheel with his fist.

Tomorrow would be soon enough to do what had to be done.

41

BE THAT PERSON

The doorbell went off, but Emma ignored it. It was probably just a delivery of something and they were letting her know they were dropping it off.

Her fingers kept pounding on her keyboard.

Over the past week, she was doing everything she could to not think about the fact she was missing Warren and maybe it was best they had this distance because if it hurt this much, how much more would it be if he moved even further away?