My stomach clenched. I looked at the message for a long moment, then locked my phone and shoved it in my bag.
Not tonight. Tonight was for celebrating. Tonight was for Theo.
Tomorrow, I would face my father. Tomorrow, I would figure out the media strategy and the PR nightmare and all the other consequences waiting in the wings.
But tonight, I was going to kiss my boyfriend in public and let myself feel happy.
I found Theo waiting outside the locker room, leaning against the wall with his sling and his crooked smile.
"Hey, Captain," Theo said.
"Hey yourself." I stopped in front of him. "Thanks for coming."
"Wouldn't have missed it." Theo’s good hand came up to cup my jaw. "I’m proud of you."
"I was terrified," I admitted.
"I know. That’s why I’m proud." Theo kissed me softly. "Doing scary things anyway—that’s what brave means."
"What happens now?" I asked.
"Now?" Theo pulled back, grinning. "Now you take me home and prove you mean all those pretty promises you made."
Heat flooded my chest. "Your shoulder..."
"Has a very specific list of things I’m not supposed to do," Theo interrupted. "Kissing my boyfriend isn't on it."
Boyfriend.The word still made my heart skip.
"Okay," I said. "Let's go home."
We walked out of the arena together, Theo’s good hand in mine. For the first time in ten years, I didn't look over my shoulder to see who might be watching.
I didn't care.
I was done hiding.
13
Theo
The press conference was scheduled for 11:00 AM, three days before Game 1 of the conference finals.
I stood backstage in the media room at Storm Arena. My injured shoulder throbbed despite the painkillers. The sling felt heavier than usual, like it was trying to drag me down through the floor. I could hear the murmur of voices beyond the curtain—reporters setting up cameras, producers testing audio levels, the low hum of anticipation.
Luca stood beside me. He wore a suit instead of his usual game-day clothes—navy blue, perfectly tailored, the kind of armor he’d worn when signing his contract.
But his hands were shaking.
"You don't have to do this," I said quietly.
Luca’s jaw tightened. "Yes, I do."
"I mean..." I shifted closer, lowering my voice. "We could wait. Do it after the finals. Or not at all. I’m fine with—"
"I’m not." Luca turned to face me. The fear in his eyes made my chest ache. "I’m done hiding you. I’m done pretending you don't matter. If I don't do this now, I never will."
Coach Reeves appeared in the doorway. "They’re ready for you."
