Time to lighten the mood.
My shoulders slide back as I set a sly grin on my lips. “I know you love to be the big, bad protective type, but I’m pretty sure I just proved I’m strong enough to handle things myself. Did you see the way Aaron’s head snapped back?”
When Trevor’s gaze flicks to my face, I raise my eyebrows. “Not bad for someone who crunches numbers all day.”
His fingers frame my cheeks as a smile twitches at the corner of his mouth. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
“I’m more than incredible. I’m scrappy.”
This gets the response I’d hoped for. Trevor’s laugh tumbles free as his shoulders settle. The tension in his eyes washes awaylike a sandcastle built too close to the waves, slowly, in gentle passes.
“There he is,” I murmur, leaning until my nose brushes his.
Trevor’s eyes run a lap around my face before he makes a decision. A different kind of focus replaces the hard frustration that had been there a moment ago.
“Kenzie, I—
“Aaron agreed not to press charges.” Patrick leans against the wall, a handful of steps away.
A shout bursts from my mouth as I jump in surprise, nearly breaking Trevor’s nose.
“You need to wear a bell or something,” I tell him, hand splayed over my thudding heart.
His mustache twitches like he’s restraining a smile as he drops his crossed arms and pushes off the wall. “Even with Aaron agreeing to keep the scuffle confined to the clubhouse, this is messy. Terry wants to get ahead of speculation before they can spin too many theories. I agree with him, which is why you’re both heading to media.”
“Now?” I sputter.
Patrick dips his chin.
The momentary reprieve I felt at not being brought up on assault charges swings into a violent swirl of nausea. I expected to face public scrutiny but not while also wearing a grandpa costume. Preferably, I’d have on the adorable outfit I’d wornhours ago—hair coiffed, a barely there sheen of eyeshadow on my eyelids, and my favorite apple lip balm on my lips.
Trevor stands, extending his hand to me. “The sooner we do this, the sooner we can go home.”
Home.
That word feels like a drop of water after days marooned in the desert. Nothing would be better than being at home with Trevor, our sweet fur babies nestled around us.
“Okay.” I slide my shaky hand in his and follow him down the hall.
Chapter 29
Trevor
Once we’re a few steps from the media room, I pause, flicking a pleading look Patrick’s way. Thankfully, he understands and lets himself into the crowded space while I stop Kenzie in the hallway. Taking a deep breath, I tighten my abs, just in case this conversation goes sideways. I won’t blame Kenzie, but that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt like heck.
“When we get in there, they’re going to ask a lot of questions—really probing, really personal questions. I plan on telling the truth as much as I can. It’s a lot easier down the road if you keep things honest. I’ll try to keep their attention off you and focused on me, but…” I pause, rubbing the back of my neck. “If this is too much trouble—”
Kenzie’s lips halt my own. Before I have a chance to wrap my arms around her and deepen the kiss, she pulls away, an unreadable emotion in her green eyes.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
Her smile deepens into something so breathtakingly beautiful artists could spend their whole lives trying to capture it and never quite get it right.
“For reminding me what really matters.”
While my forehead bunches, she tugs on the front of my jersey with a gentle, “Come on.”
