stirred from his restless sleep on Lance's couch. He'd barely managed to cl

nce appeared from the hallway, loo

d, his voice tinged with co

suppose. Lance, I can't thank you enough for everything

de. "Don't mention it. Anyon

d... it means more than you know. Listen, once thi

. "I'll hold you to that. Now go out

e buzzed with a text from M

ach house that had been his sanctuary. The cool morning air hit his face

statements. Edwin found himself staring out the window, watching the c

waiting, his normally impeccable appearance slightly

ay from any potential prying eyes. "We've got about forty-five m

ung waiting. Inside was a perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit, cr

the importance of appearance. When Edwin emerged from the dressing room, he looked every inch the movie

. Now you look like yourself agai

flanked by the agency's logo. The sight of it made Edwin's stomach churn with

mphasize your cooperation with the authorities, and appeal to the public to reserve judgment until a

palms were sweating, and he could feel his heart racing. "What if

you're undergoing medical evaluation to determine t

him since this nightmare began. Here he was, looking like a million bucks but feeling like a fraud, pre

pens out there, whatever they throw at you, remember this: you're Edwin Ka

ways come so easily to him on screen. But as the murmur of gathered press grew louder, he felt a wave of nervousness unlike a

a of flashing cameras and expectant faces. Despite his impeccable appearance, he felt naked an

****

ing his own storm. The sleek sports car purred beneath him as he maneuvered through the winding roads leading to his cliff-si

the world. As he pulled into the circular driveway, he noticed another car parked haphazardly near the entrance

e, the man who'd been there through every touchdown and fumble, both on and off the field. The same man he'd lef

tation to come. As he pushed open his front door, he was im

pped with sarcasm as he lounged on Lance's Italian leather sofa, feet propped up on the glass

r behind him. "Dev, man, I'm s

lly jovial face was twisted with anger and hurt. "I called you from a

e bizarre series of events that led to him harboring a confused and terrified Ed

ted? What, did you stumble into a wormhole an

uldn't help but chuckle. "Not

ipping with sarcasm. "Another supermodel

w, confused. "What are

he station, I figured you must have run into some leggy blonde or sultry brunette who just cou

s hands defensively. "It wasn't like that a

e telling me that Lance 'Love 'em and Leave 'em' Castellan didn't spend the night

wasn't like that. I know I've... I've made mistakes in the past, but this time

hat's so complicated about keepin

one. "I know it sounds crazy, but I promise you, ther

not ready to let go. His stance and tone made it

d in a screech of angry buzzing. The caller ID flashed "Jer

a finger to Devin. "I've

hands up dramatically. "Don't let me stop yo

at his friend, Lance answered

d the phone away from his ear. "Do you have any idea how much damage control we've had to do? The team owner

y confused. "Wait, what? W

e Good Samaritan act with Edwin Kasper? Ring any bells? We've b

ce's involvement in the Edwin Kasper scandal, Lance's eyes drifted to the massive flat-screen TV dominatin