“I was already planning on it,” I say quickly, grateful for her candor. “I’ll make sure everything’s set up and goes off without a hitch.”
“Good.” Her attention flicks back to her notes, the topic dismissed as smoothly as it was opened.
I glance at my phone where it sits face down on my knee, knowing full well those messages are still waiting for me.
Deep down, I realize exactly what needs to happen when it comes to Oliver.
So why does the thought of ending it tear me apart in ways I can’t explain?
16
Oliver
Cameras flash as we take our seats behind the long table at the front of the press room. Steele, River, Laiken, Knox, Jax, Zane, and I are the players chosen to represent the team. We’re all dressed in suits. Laiken tugs at his collar before leaning toward the microphone in front of him. Water bottles glint beneath the lights like evidence on display.
Zane leans back, flashing a grin at the crowd. “I’ll probably be the one fielding all the questions. You know, since I’m the face of the franchise and all.”
Steele doesn’t miss a beat. “You’re the face of something, all right. But it isn’t the franchise.”
Laughter ripples down the line.
Even Laiken’s mouth twitches.
Jax elbows River. “How much do you want to bet he practices that smile in the mirror?”
“Damn right I do,” Zane fires back, too wrapped up in himself to realize it was a jab.
I take a sip of water to hide a smile. They’ll keep needling him because he makes it so damn easy.
There’s a routine to these events. Small talk and canned charm as the press waits to pounce on anything worth printing.
The moderator clears his throat. “We’ll start with a few questions.”
The first ones are softballs.
“How’s the team shaping up this season?”
Steele goes into captain mode, his response calm and clipped. “We’ve got depth, speed, and guys who know how to grind. We like where we’re at.”
Another one follows.
“Jax, you’re new to Chicago. How’s the transition been?”
Jax leans in with effortless swagger. “Actually, I’m loving it. The guys have been great, and the fans are unreal. I can’t wait to see what we do this year.”
The easy tempo holds, filled with banter, laughter, and flashes until the moderator glances toward River. The atmosphere shifts as cameras tilt forward.
“River, has your engagement caused any tension in the locker room, considering your fiancée was previously with your teammate?”
Every head turns in his direction.
River’s jaw flexes once before he answers. “None at all. Zane and I are professionals. Whatever’s in the past stays there. Our only focus is on winning.”
Zane raises both hands. “See? No hard feelings here. I’m the bigger man in this situation.”
He winks at the cameras, and laughter ripples, thin and brittle this time.
Then the moderator’s gaze lands on me. “Oliver, would you like to comment on your personal life? You’ve been keeping a low profile lately.”
