Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Abby

W hile I normally didn’t like shopping because of my height, there was something about going to stores where they would alter anything to flatter you that was nice. Oh, I still wouldn’t spend this much money on my own. Ever. But to help Rafe’s image, I’d given in and enjoyed being pampered.

However, after I exited the dressing room area and headed Rafe’s way, I overhead him say, “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

As Rafe explained what was going on, my stomach dropped the second I heard the name Celeb Gossip and News. They could be vicious when it came to sharing highly personal stuff about celebs, their families, and spouses. They’d been sued more times than I could count. However, since they were located in some small country with few laws regarding slander or libel, they kept getting away with it.

And now they’d set their sights on me.

Eventually we got into Rafe’s SUV, and I asked him to play their video. As I waited for him to load it, I couldn’t stop shaking. This was everything I’d feared would happen.

Rafe gave me one last look before hitting Play, and I tried my best to concentrate.

After the intro, the most famous host of CGN—the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Blair Montgomery—smiled on the screen. “Hello everyone. Today we have a bombshell, one I never saw coming. For those who don’t know, Rafael Mendoza is one of the top soccer players in the world. You may have seen him play for the Manchester Dragons in the UK, or for Team USA. However, he recently retired from soccer and returned to his hometown of Starry Hills in California, where he plans to launch a training facility for talented teens. Seems rather boring, doesn’t it? But just wait, it gets better, I promise.” She gave her trademark wink and leaned in closer. “He recently married a woman from his hometown named Abigail Wolfe.” My picture flashed on the screen. “And on the surface, she seems ordinary. But here at CGN, we don’t let that stop us from digging. And sure enough, within a week, our team found something scandalous!”

A graphic flashed on the screen with the word “Scandalous” surrounded by stills of former breaking scandals.

My stomach churned as I recognized a few of them, including the one about a pro football coach impregnating all the girls on his daughter’s high school volleyball team. Emotion choked my throat, and I did my best not to shout at the screen. I didn’t deserve to be on the same level as that bastard, not even close.

Which meant Travis had definitely embellished and lied. Otherwise, CGN never would’ve touched the story.

The video returned to Blair. “Now, as much as I like to spill the tea with you all, wouldn’t you rather hear it from the source himself? To get all the sordid details, let’s welcome Mr. Travis Doucey, Abigail’s former mentor teacher from her student teaching internship.”

As Blair greeted Travis, I struggled to breathe. Both because it was the first time I’d seen him since the day he’d threatened me with blackmail, and also because I knew he’d say whatever it took so he could play the victim.

My eyes heated with tears as I remembered the deep fake video he’d shown me, where I looked like I was sleeping with a student. Had he shared that with CGN, too? Did they believe it?

Rafe paused the video. “Abby?”

My gaze moved to his and before I could think about why it was a horrible idea, I launched at him and he hugged me close.

I breathed heavily, trying my best to get myself together. And the more Rafe stroked my back and murmured sweet nothings, the easier it got, until I could finally talk again. “Thank you.”

“Do you want to stop for now, love? Say the word, and I’ll take you anywhere you want, do anything, to make you forget about that dickhead.”

I hugged Rafe even tighter and breathed in the scent of male and something woodsy. “No, I need to see what he says before I can think of how to handle anything.”

Because I didn’t want to just hide away forever.

Searching Rafe’s gaze, I saw the concern and worry in his eyes. Not pity or regret. Nothing to suggest he blamed me for all of this, or would run away the second I looked away.

How I wanted to trust he’d stay by my side.

I might not be completely there yet, but I needed him with me right now. To face this video together. To lend me a little strength until I could be with my family and friends again.

Those were the only reasons. It definitely wasn’t because everything felt a little less daunting and horrible in his arms.

Stop lying to yourself. For whatever reason, Rafe makes all of this hurt less.

I blurted, “Can you hold me while we watch the rest? Normally I’d ask my friends, but they’re an ocean away, and?—”

He kissed the top of my head. “Of course. But if it gets to be too much, tell me to stop, okay?”

At his gentle tone, my throat tightened again. “Okay.”

After hugging me closer, he positioned his phone. “Ready?”

“Yes. Let’s get it over with.”

He hit Play, and I steeled myself for what was to come.

In the video, the CGN host asked, “So when did Abby, as you call her, start seducing you?”

I blurted, “Motherfucker!”

Rafe squeezed my shoulders, and I managed to focus on the video again.

Travis replied, “Within the first couple of weeks. She’s a nice girl, and pretty. However, I make it a rule to never get involved with someone at work. But I was on a break from my now wife—we all have those rough patches at some point—and vulnerable. Abby must’ve seen that and jumped at her chance.”

Blair asked, “Why would she ‘jump at the chance’ to seduce you?”

“Well, I learned later that she wanted two things from me—a glowing recommendation for a permanent teaching job and to help cover up her indiscretion with a student. He was just 18, so he was of age. But still, if that news ever came out, she would never teach again. Oops.” He looked abashed. “I guess the cat is out of the bag now.”

I barely restrained myself from punching the screen and his smug-ass face before he lowered his voice dramatically and said, “And I believe she also slept with a few who weren’t yet 18. Some students confided in me, and I’d never break that confidence. However, if they ever want to prosecute Abby Wolfe, I’m ready to testify.”

Rafe growled, and his screen cracked and went blank.

My head reeled as I vaguely heard Rafe shout, “That fucking bastard! I’ll kill him.”

But I barely paid attention to Rafe. No, Travis’s words hinting that I’d slept with a minor kept repeating inside my head.

He thought nothing of ruining my life and putting innocent students in the spotlight, all to play the victim and get back at me.

How the fuck had I ever believed myself in love with him?

But as much as it hurt to know I’d been that stupid, this was all bigger than me. Bigger than maybe a few students he would use against me.

Travis had just destroyed Rafe’s chance of a successful training facility launch. Destroyed any hope of showing he had turned a corner and was leading a better life.

No, now he was just married to a woman alleged to have seduced minors.

All of a sudden, the car felt too small, too stifling. And even just looking at Rafe hurt my heart. My stomach roiled, and I was on the verge of breaking down.

And I definitely didn’t deserve to have Rafe hold me and calm me and be nice to me again.

Needing to get some fresh air, and thankful the car hadn’t gone anywhere yet, I grabbed my purse, opened the car door, and ran. I didn’t know where, and barely managed to weave around people on the sidewalk. But I ran and ran, tears streaming down my face, wondering how I could disappear and somehow still fix things for Rafe.