E P

sports car's engine doing nothing to quiet t

ake was underestimating Claire's reaction-tea

eer with ruthless pragmatism, and he always believed relationships with women outside my circle were th

e the image of her pale face

Don. I connected it

" Don's voic

answered

he money? Did s

t the torn check. "She'll move

r contract negotiations next season. The team management wants a picture-perfect 'American Idol.' T

The word "kid" instantly brought back the im

rifying idea wormed

ed to a halt on the side of the road. A

ed Don, hanging up before he cou

rtment, using my finger

s scattered on the floor. She heard me

her, my shadow f

point, my voice cold

pupils dilated. She stare

e reaction. My heart san

sement deal gone, penalties from the team, a mass

slowly replaced by something I couldn

d me straight in the eye. "Hale, are you insan

tain. Yet her eyes were so stea

u really think I would keep an unwanted child and ru

always assumed she loved me so m

overthinking it? Maybe she really was just sick. The

ching her face for any crack in her c

ists and nodded.

and turned to leave. This