Page 138 of Make Me Yours

There’s a stunned beat before she says, “After we spent over a hundred thousand dollars on your degree, you’re just going to throw it all away?”

Tears sting the backs of my eyes. “It’s not about the money.”

“I have no idea who you are right now, Lilah. I really don’t. Are you having some kind of mental breakdown? Is this a cry for help? Do you want me to book you a stay at Miraval so you can relax and get your head on straight again?”

“I’m not having a breakdown, Mom.”

“I don’t understand what’s happening with your life. First the breakup, then you get fired, and now this…photo. I’ve never been so disappointed.”

The words are like a slap across the face. I press my lips together, so I don’t say something I’ll end up regretting, before blinking up at the ceiling. I’ve always tried to make my parents proud. Sometimes to my own detriment.

And I refuse to do it any longer.

“Did you cheat on Devon with him?” she demands. “Is that what really happened?”

“No,” I say. “Of course not.”

“Then what are you doing with Steele Sanderson? Are youin a relationship now? I always knew that hockey player was trouble. It’s such a violent sport.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “We’re friends,” I whisper. “We’ve always been friends.”

It’s not entirely a lie, but it doesn’t quite feel like the truth either.

“I need to go,” I say, cutting her off before she can ask anything else.

“I—”

“Bye.” I hit the end button before I lose my nerve.

I’m still standing near the window when I feel Steele’s presence behind me. Moments later, his arms slip around my waist and his lips brush the side of my face.

“I take it that was your mom?” he asks quietly.

I nod, not trusting my voice. After a moment, I say, “They saw the photo. Let’s just say they’re not happy about it. Their friends have been completely scandalized.”

He presses his lips against my temple. “I don’t give a shit about your parents’ friends. But I do care about you. Areyouokay?”

“Honestly? I don’t know,” I admit before twisting in his arms to face him. “Wait… Why are you home so early? Did something happen?”

He hesitates for a beat. “I got pulled into a meeting with Hugh. Evelyn and Rina were there too.”

My stomach drops. “Because of the photo?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, the guilt hitting me all over again. “I never thought… I mean, we were having a private moment. It didn’t even cross my mind that someone might take a picture of us.”

“That’s on me,” he admits. “I should’ve known better. I should’ve realized people are always watching. Especially when it comes to professional athletes.”

“Are you in trouble?”

When he remains quiet, my heart clenches.

“It’ll blow over,” he finally says. “I’m not worried.”

The way he avoids direct eye contact tells me everything I need to know.

Everything he refuses to say out loud.