He was still sleeping when I woke up, so I tiptoed out of his bedroom and into the kitchen, cut up some fruit, made a huge amount of eggs and sausage, and brewed a pot of coffee.
It was perfect. Blissfully peaceful, since I’d left my phone on the bedside table. He wrapped me in his arms after shuffling into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and sleep-rumpled, and all felt right in the world. The morning had dawned, and with it, endless possibilities.
Then I made the mistake of checking my phone before getting into the shower.
There were texts from Lola, my mom, and most concerningly, my agent. Dread souring everything I’d just eaten in my stomach, I tapped on the text from Elise first. She’s not a big texter—email is her preferred mode of communication—so the fact that she’d sent me several messages before nine a.m. was concerning.
Elise
Have you seen the news? Well, news is generous. Have you seen what’s been posted on an online gossip rag?
Elise
We need to discuss how to move forward. While we could deny this, it’s only a matter of time before everything comes out, anyway. The smart thing would be to get ahead of this and use it to our benefit. The publisher agrees.
My stomach rolls, and nausea grips me. What is she talking about?
As if she was preemptively reading my mind, my agent’s next text contains a link to a gossip site that normally focuses on sports and athletes.
So it’s something about Sebastian and me. Okay. That’s fine. We haven’t done anything scandalous, and sure as hell don’t plan to.
“You okay? You look pale.” Large, strong hands splay across my shoulders before sliding down my arms and wrapping around my waist from behind. Sebastian’s warmth and spicy scent envelop me, and I suck in a few deep breaths, drawing strength from him.
I don’t want to click on the link, but I need to know what’s going on.
“I’m not sure yet. I got a few texts from my literary agent that have me a little nervous.” I’m going to have to tell him everything. Not that I don’t want to. Things are going well with us, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about, but I figured I’d wait until after the postseason came to an end so I didn’t distract him.
That may not be possible anymore.
“What did they say?”
“It’s all a little cryptic, but she sent me a link. I’m psyching myself up to click on it.” My heart races and my stomach hollows out. It has me feeling queasy, and I’m thankful for Sebastian’s solid bulk behind me. I’m not ashamed to admit that I let myself lean against him and draw on his strength.
Whatever happens next, I won’t have to deal with it alone.
I hope he’s not angry at me for keeping my pen name and success close to the chest. It all seems so silly now. Why I didn’t tell him when we reconnected?
“I’m here with you. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.”
God, his words are so comforting, but they make me feel even worse for not trusting him with all of this sooner.
“Okay. Yeah. It’s probably nothing more than people deciding I’m not good enough for you.”
Sebastian’s chest rumbles against my back. “It better not be. And you better know that’s bullshit, Rosebud.”
“I do,” I say rather unconvincingly.
“We’re going to talk about why it sounded like you didn’t really believe that later. For now, click on the link, Indigo.” He presses a kiss to my temple before looking at my phone over my shoulder.
Steeling myself, I suck in a deep breath, then tap on the link.
The first thing I see is a photo of Sebastian and me outside of the coffee shop from yesterday afternoon. He looks angry, while I wear a startled expression.
The second thing I see is the headline.
Hockey star Sebastian Navarro linked with Robert Bloom and Vivian Marsh’s daughter.
Okay, that’s not so bad. I mean, it’s annoying as hell being reduced to my parents’ daughter, but that’s to be expected.
