“I played better tonight because of you.” He kisses me again, eyes moving over my face.
“The media followed you back here, eh?” Hemi inclines her head to the group of camera-toters.
“The limo drew them in,” Connor says.
“Or your suit did,” Dred says cheekily.
“My suit is awesome.” Connor runs his hand down his teal velvet jacket, the maroon piping matches Dred’s dress and coat.
“It’s definitely a showstopper.” Dallas pats him on the shoulder.
“How do you want to handle this?” Flip asks me. “We can stay in if you don’t want the attention.”
“We knew this would happen.” I look to Hemi. “We prepared for this.” As much as I want time alone with Flip, I don’t want it because we spent the night hiding. I want him to know I’m in this just like he is.
He laces our fingers and kisses the back of my hand. “You stay right next to me, okay? I’ll take care of you.”
“I know you will.” I exhale a nervous breath. Everything will change in a matter of minutes.
“Okay, Tristan and Rix, Connor and Dred, you lead,” Hemi orders.
“We’ll be your front line.” Connor winks.
“Flip and Tally, you follow. Try to stay centered so we can keep Tally as protected as possible. There will be questions, but I’ll handle that. Dallas and I will be your tail.” Hemi claps. “Okay, team, let’s make a statement.”
“We got you.” Rix squeezes my hand.
“Connor will activate villain mode, if he needs to.” Dred winks.
Flip wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple. “You ready, kitten?”
“Ready.”
We stay tight to Tristan and Connor’s backs, with Hemi and Dallas flanking us. Cameras flash, and there’s a collective murmur as their eyes move to me and Flip, his arm wrapped protectively around me. Reporters shout questions, pushing in.
“Are you dating the coach’s daughter?”
“Tallulah, does your father know you’re involved with one of the players?”
Connor wraps his arm around Dred’s waist and spins them toward the reporters. He dips her like they’re in the middle of a dance floor and drags his nose along the column of her throat before he slants his mouth over hers. Tristan and Rix step to the side, and Flip moves me ahead of him, helping me into the waiting limo and diving in after. Tristan and Rix follow, then Dred and Connor.
“If you have questions, you can email me regarding interviews,” Hemi says. “But I’m off the clock. If you’ll excuse us.”
Dallas extends his hand and helps her into the limo. “The answer is yes, I’m absolutely trying to get my wife pregnant. Thanks for asking.” He ducks in after us.
Hemi slaps him on the chest. “What the hell?”
“I’m manifesting, honey.”
“And I thought you were a problem.” Dred shakes her head at her husband.
“I am, and you love me for it.” Connor kisses her.
“Such a villain.” She snuggles into his side.
“Thanks for the distraction.” Flip gives him a chin tip and stretches his arm across the back of the seat. “You okay?”
“Yeah. That went pretty well, right?”
