My Boyfriend’s Handsome Teammate - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

That number—I'd recognize it in my grave. "Nathan Lowell, I haven't come after you yet, and you've got the nerve to show your face first?"
The bastard had the audacity to laugh. "Easy there, tiger. We're partners in crime now."
"Partners? Don't you dare lump me in with your trash!" My nails bit into my palm. "You're disgusting."
Nathan's voice dripped with smug amusement. "Nobody held a gun to your head. You walked into this willingly."
"Like hell I did! If you hadn't—"
"Takes two to play the game, sweetheart."
The words punched the air from my lungs. I swallowed the fire in my throat, tasting ashes.
"Enough with the dramatics. I need cash."
Was he serious? After burning my life to the ground, he wanted me to fund his arson?
"You're delusional! You wrecked everything and now you're begging? Go to hell!"
His chuckle made my skin crawl. "Say no, and I'll make sure everyone sees what you really are."
Ice water flooded my veins. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Let's just say... you're about to go viral."
The phone nearly shattered in my grip. "Rot in hell, you piece of—"
The dial tone mocked me.
Dread pooled in my stomach. What did he have? Old texts? That night at the lake?
Probably bluffing. Had to be. The thought let me breathe again.
I chased the pills with tap water and sank into blackness, the chaos muffled under chemical cotton.
Life wasn't over. A diagnosis wasn't a death sentence.
But morning brought a different reality.
Phone buzzing—9:00 AM. Mom's caller ID glared at me.
I barely got out "Hello" before her scream shredded my eardrum. "Who is that man? Sneaking around like some common tramp! Do you have any idea what people are saying? You've ruined this family!"
My blood turned to slush. "What are you—"
"Check your damn feeds!" The line went dead.
Fingers trembling, I tapped the trending tab.
There I was—grainy night-vision footage of two figures ducking into Oakwood Grove.
The second half didn't need visuals. The audio said enough.