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“Yes. Really.”

“Okay, then explain to me why Dex is hosting your fantasy football draft this year.”

I hear his sigh even from the kitchen. She makes a damn good point.

“It was just a joke. West did it to me at an event last year. We included my brother-in-law in the fun this year, and he still ended up getting the better of me in the end.”

“Go home, Cash.”

“Please just let me see her. Let me tell her how sorry I am.”

I hear the pleading in his voice, and I’m almost tempted to rush through the hallway and into his arms.

Almost.

But how can I ever trust him again? It wasn’t just being embarrassed by the truth coming out in front of his entire team. It was the fact that West was in on it for months, that this was all some big joke between them. It was the total betrayal of making a bet, of profiting off me, of tricking me into a drunken wedding and then further tricking me to stay married…probably something else he profited on. Maybe West has to pay him a certain amount of money for each month we’re married.

The thought pulses more tears to start.

I hate this feeling. I’ve never had my heart broken before, so I had no idea what it was like. Now I can say confidently and without reservation that it is zero out of ten stars, do not recommend.

CHAPTER 40: Ivy Maddox

Chicago

Things aren’t any better the next morning.

If anything, they’re worse now with a little distance and a whole lot more pain slicing through me.

I find Everleigh in the kitchen, sitting at the counter with her tablet and a cup of coffee a little after nine.

“Good morning. Did you sleep okay?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Terrible.”

“I’m sorry. Help yourself to coffee. I made a pot.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, and I pour myself a cup.

Even fucking coffee reminds me of Cash and how he drinks it black. I pour half the cup full of cream so I’m not drinking anything too closely related to him.

She’s careful with her words as I sit on the stool beside her. “Is there anything you’d like to do today?”

“Cash has practice all day, so I’d like to go get the rest of my things,” I murmur.

“You can stay here as long as you’d like.”

I press my lips together as I tilt my head and focus on my sister. “Thanks, Ev. But I think maybe I’m just not cut out for Vegas.”

She looks a little desperate as she says, “I don’t want you to leave me, but I understand if you need to.”

“I can’t stay in a city where his face is plastered everywhere, and I can’t work at a company that represents one of his brands.” My voice is flat.

“Well, part two is solved because I just terminated our agreement.”

“Ev, no,” I protest. “He’s a huge client. You’ll be out a ton of money.”

She lifts a shoulder. “I don’t care. I refuse to work with someone who broke our morality clause.”