“Oh, shit.” My stomach sank. I was the biggest idiot on the planet.
“I’m guessing from her stunned reaction that you hadn’t said it before?”
“Not in so many words.”
“Boy, I don’t think the media’s your biggest concern right now.”
Nope. Definitely not. My biggest problem was me and my big mouth.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
FRANKIE
Does it matter that I’m in love with her?
Love.
He loved me.
I didn’t know how to process that, what to even think or how to react.
Standing in the kitchen with my three fellow coaches felt like facing a firing squad for a crime I couldn't regret. Sure, maybe it was stupid, but falling for Teddy had awakened something inside me. So, why couldn’t I just say that, instead of repeating the endless apologies I was trapped in?
Griff paced back and forth, arms crossed tightly over his chest, like he was trying to keep himself from losing it.
Sullivan leaned toward me, lowering his voice. “For the record, I kind of guessed it. Okay, not guessed… but Ryder told Sydney who told Sam.”
“My love life’s a game of telephone now?”
He shrugged, his eyes telling me he didn’t know what to say to that.
Meanwhile, Remy was glued to his phone, scrolling through social media, trying to pinpoint who was spreading the story.“Do we know how this got out?” He seemed more focused on finding a solution than pointing fingers.
But Griff, old Griff, the one who’d wanted to mentor me in my career, who’d pushed me to break through glass ceilings, couldn’t seem to let it go. He kept muttering to himself, shaking his head. Then, he stopped, his gaze snapping up to meet mine. “Teddy fucking Valentine. Seriously, Frankie? That guy? Is this why you and Travis ended things? Why I gave you two weeks off…”
“No,” I said quickly, placing a hand on his arm to stop the brewing storm. “No. Travis and I ended before… this. I was hurt after him, but what really messed me up was blaming myself for not seeing him for who he really was sooner.” I glanced over at Remy. “I think I know who leaked the story.”
Last night, Teddy punched Travis. And then, today, our relationship was exposed to the world. There was no way that was a coincidence. So, I told them everything—the threats, the fights, Teddy kicking him out of my house that first night. All of it.
They listened, asking only a few questions.
Griff sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t realize that boy had it in him. But did you hear what he said in there?” He jerked his thumb toward the living room.
“He loves me.” I’d heard every word he said, and every unspoken one as well. Teddy had the worst timing.
Griff pushed an agitated hand through his hair, frustration written all over his face. “This won’t just hurt the team, Frank, it’ll hurt you. It’s an unfortunate aspect of our sport, of this world. People will blame the woman. Your career will suffer. It could get ugly.”
“We won’t let it,” Teddy said, his voice firm from the doorway. He walked in with long, purposeful strides, moving past the coaches and stopping directly in front of me. His handsslid down my arms until his fingers interlaced with mine. “I’ll fix this. I promise I’ll protect you.”
“I can protect myself,” I said, meeting his gaze and, for a moment, forgetting everyone else was in the room. This man, the one who loved me, held my full attention.
“I know. God, I know that, Frankie. You’ve handled everything on your own for so long, but I’m here now. You don’t have to do this alone anymore. I don’t care if Griff wants to get me off the team or if Mr. Mac finds a way to terminate my contract. You will not go down for this. Not without me.”
“Together,” I whispered, tears welling in the corners of my eyes.
He nodded, pressing a quick kiss to the tip of my nose. I’d never thought of nose kisses as anything special, but the way he made it feel… Damn, he made it perfect.
“I think I’m a little in love with him too,” Sullivan said, wiping away fake tears. “Teddy, I think you chose the wrong coach.”
