“Why are you so secretive about your relationship with Tally?”
“Because she’s my girlfriend and it’s my job to protect her. If she was your sister or your daughter or your best friend, would you not be disgusted by all of this?” They fire more questions at me.
Campus security arrives and I hold up a hand.
“Look, my relationship with Tally is not for public consumption. She and I have been friends for a long time. She is very aware of my history, just like you are. Unlike you, she’s willingto leave my past where it belongs. I care very deeply for Tally. She is my top priority.”
“Is she more important to you than your hockey career?”
“My hockey career has a limit. My feelings for Tally do not.” I pin the reporter with a glare. “I am asking you, respectfully, to back off. You want access to me, here I am. But you are scaring my girlfriend and you are turning her campus into a circus and unsafe place. Leave Tally alone, or my next step will be hiring her a personal bodyguard. If you have further questions, you can contact my agent or Hemi Bright, the head of Terror PR, and believe me, she’s just as protective of Tally as I am, and she will not be nearly as kind with you.” I grab the bags from the trunk, use my elbow to close it, and head for her building as security moves in to clear the media.
Fee is standing at the doors with Cammie and the two of them are flanked by Mac, Chase, and Brody.
Fee makes a heart with her hands. “That was amazing.”
“Thanks. They probably ruined my fucking surprise, though.”
“Worth it for the high-level protective alpha boyfriend vibe, though,” Cammie says.
The guys lead, clearing the way to the elevator, which is open and waiting for us.
We get on as a group and no one tries to join us. Once the elevator doors slide closed, I release a tense breath.
“You okay, man?” Brody asks.
“Yeah. I just need them to back off my girl.” I sigh. “Thanks again for getting her out of that situation safely. I owe all of you.”
“We take care of ours,” Brody says and the rest of them echo the sentiment.
Once we reach the apartment, they follow me down the hall to Tally’s bedroom.
I push the door open, step inside and freeze.
“Oh shit,” Fee says from behind me.
“Dude. That is epic,” Brody says.
“I need one of those,” Chase says, I’m assuming to his girlfriend. “But of you, not Madden.”
“Your birthday is coming up,” Cammie replies.
Fee pushes her way through the throng of hockey boys and jumps in front of me, blocking my view of the body pillow in my likeness. “Your face tells me you didn’t know that existed.”
“I do now.”
“I bought it for her,” Cammie chirps from behind me.
“Recently?”
“Yup.”
I glance over my shoulder at Cammie who stops making wild hand gestures and smiles manically. I decide to leave it alone. “Tally’s secret is safe with me.” For now.
“Oh thank god, she would die of embarrassment.” Fee’s shoulders come down from her ears. “I’ll just put it away for her.” She rushes across the room and shoves my pillow likeness into Tally’s closet.
Her friends help me set up the surprise for my girlfriend.
“I’m seriously taking notes here, man,” Brody mumbles.
