blissful moment, suspended between sleep and wakefulness, he forgot the nightmare of the pa

," a deep voice said from bes

nts leading up to his impromptu escape came flooding back. He ran a hand o

" Edwin asked, his vo

y eyes flickering with concern. "About tw

ry outside. They were driving along a winding coastal road, the Pacific Ocean stretching endlessly

win asked, realizing he had blind

t's about 20 minutes up the coast. Completely private, away from p

t the flood of notifications. Missed calls from Marcus, his publicist, his fath

his heart. What would his fiancée say? Did she believe

Lance said softly, noticing Edwin's hesitatio

essage. He'd face the fallout soon enough. For now, he allowed himself t

ivate drive. As they rounded a bend, the beach hou

lines and vast expanses of glass. It seemed to grow organically f

asked, unable to keep

ouse. "One of the perks of tossing a ball arou

iving area was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, streaming in through floor-to-ceiling windo

. Now that they had stopped moving, the full weight of his situation came crashing down on

ered. "Oh God, wha

ing to rest on his shoulder. "Hey," the quarterback said gently

concerned gaze. "Why are you hel

ybe not exactly, but I know what it's like to have your whole world turned upside down in an inst

in the corner. "Want a drink? N

o, I... I think I've had

ad. As Edwin sipped the cool liquid, he felt so

t?" Lance asked, his t

little he knew of it. The charity gala, the drinking, the terrifying blan

gh with emotion. "But I can't remember, and all the evidence... God, what if I

ho had built a multi-billion dollar empire, would surely view this scandal as confirmation of his worst fears. Edwin cou

ath. The woman whose temperamental nature and self-destructive tendencies had culmin

asn't cut from the same volatile cloth. But now, with his career and reputation ha

ried deep, locked away where even his closest confidants couldn't reach. He wouldn't – couldn't – voice these fear

When Edwin fell silent, the quarterback leaned forward, hi

eyes, meeting La

judge of character. You're not a violent man. You're not an abuser. Whatever happe

brought tears to Edwin's eyes. "Y

ght now, when the whole world is against you, maybe hav

p in his throat. For the first time since thi

, it was a call from Marcus. Edwin stared at the screen, torn between

Lance said gently. "Your team ne

before answering the call. "Marcus,

ustration. "Edwin, what were you thinking? Running off with

idge of his nose. "I'm sorry, I just...

slightly. "The studio's in crisis mode. Your parents are worried sick. And La

e of guilt through Edwin. "I'll call her soo