“What pictures?” I ask again.
“They’re pre-Rix-and-Tristan old,” Brody says, jaw working. “They’re irrelevant.”
“Why do they feel the need to keep bringing up things that happened years ago?” I hold up a hand when Gage opens his mouth to speak. “I know why. Because they have a strange fixation with his love life, and if I wasn’t the coach’s daughter, it wouldn’t be half as exciting.”
“It’s frustrating, but true.” Brody’s tone is all empathy.
“Plus, you’re still in university and he’s thirty,” Gage adds.
Mac kicks his shin.
“I’m not trying to be a dick. I’m just stating facts. You’ve got this star hockey player with a prolific history with women that may or may not be blown out of proportion thanks to clickbait, and a university student who is the physical embodiment of wholesome and angelic?—”
“This is the whole fucking problem!” I argue. “This isn’t about how much sex he’s had and how much sex I haven’t had, or how much sex he and I are or aren’t having. We’re in a relationship. We have feelings that extend beyond his dick and my vagina!”
“We know that, Tally,” Brody says gently.
“I just mean that this sort of presents as an oil and water situation, where he’s the oil and you’re the holy water,” Gage explains.
“Tally?” Flip’s deep voice comes from behind us.
“Phillip!” I bounce out of my chair.
He crosses the deck and wraps his arms around me. I cling to him, relieved, terrified, and desperate for the closeness and the comfort.
“Are you okay?”
My bottom lip trembles and fresh tears spring to my eyes as the weight of everything crashes down.
Alarm fills his eyes. “Kitten? What happened, baby?” His thumbs sweep my cheeks, brushing the tears away, but more follow.
“I think she’s just a little overwhelmed,” Cammie offers.
“Did anyone hurt you? Are you hurt?” He runs his hands down my arms, his panic my own.
“N-no.” I suck in a breath. “I was just scared.”
“Oh, baby. You need a break from my bullshit.” He presses his lips to my forehead and then my lips.
That makes more tears fall. “I don’t want a break from you,” I whisper.
His expression softens. “That’s not what I meant.” He squeezes me close. “Those videos.” He chokes on the words. “I was fucking terrified, kitten.” He cups the back of my head. “You’ll stay at my place tonight where I can make sure you’re safe.”
“I don’t have an overnight bag.”
“We’ll pick up whatever you need.” His gaze moves behind me. “Thank you for getting Tally here safely.”
I’d forgotten we weren’t alone, that my friends are watching this exchange.
“Of course. We always have Tally’s back,” Brody replies, and Chase murmurs his agreement.
Flip grabs my backpack and slings it over his shoulder while I hug Cammie and say goodbye to the guys.
Flip’s SUV is parked in the driveway. He helps me into the passenger seat and takes his spot behind the wheel. His jaw is tight as he backs out of the driveway.
“Are you okay?” I ask once we’re on the way back to his place. I just want to curl up in his lap and stay there for the rest of eternity.
“No.” He stretches one hand along the back of the seat and finds the nape of my neck. “I’m worried about you. It’s my job to keep you safe and protect you.”
