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I shook my head “The CYAs are only two days away I pro and the press is going to love him He’ll do as much or as little as you want” I leaned toward hi to see a different side of hi to love this”

He pushed back from the table “I warned you, Lex I told you if you continued down this path I would reveal the truth”

I looked at him with utter disbelief “You won’t do that It would destroy your career too Stop bluffing and let’s talk through this like professionals Luke Canton is er you have to work him into my career”

I stood facing him with a new confidence I felt as if I were suddenly channeling some part of Luke This is exactly what he would want me to say I had to stand up for myself For him For us

“Prepare yourself I a to unleash all the secrets you have, babe,” he hissed at me

“You wouldn’t Stop with the idle threats”

He pointed his finger at me “It’s not idle I have several top reporters on speed dial There’s plenty of ti country house to my penthouse in the city to make those calls”

“Then I’ll tell the mad Desperate to stop him

He spun on his expensive shoes “You have no proof”

“I need proof to tell everyone you’re gay?” I huffed

“Yeah, you do And it’s just going to be the ra to save her ass versus a well-establishedto believe you, Lex”

“It will ruin you You can’t be gay in Nashville,” I sputtered “No one ith you”

He began to walk through the house, but I was on his heels “No proof As athis to me”

“I know you’re gay You told me We’ve talked about it I cried with you in your rundown apartment You were afraid to come out to your parents You couldn’t tell your friends You couldn’t even tell the man you were in love with”

His face seized in agony “Shut up, Lex You don’t knohat you’re talking about I’ to take my chances”