Page 80 of Slapshot Bride

“He knows you, and what you do.”

“And that is public information, Riley. It’s nothing.”

Her eyes find mine. “You told him I’m your girlfriend. You shouldn’t have. He… he knows people, Easton. He’ll come for you. Maybe I should go. I need to go. My parents…”

“Riley.”

“Easton.” Her voice is very quiet. “You did not have to do that. It’s going to make things more complicated. He's going to—”

“Riley.”

She stops.

She’s spiraling, and I’m not going to let her. She’s come too far to quit, and I tell her just that.

“I know what he's going to do,” I say. “I know what kind of man he is. I know how he works, and I know what tonight just cost me in terms of what comes next, and I need you to hear me when I tell you that I would say it again.”

She stares at me.

“You won’t go back to him. If you do, you lose everything you’ve worked hard to regain. Yourself. Your mental health. Your photography. Running away and choosing yourself would be pointless. You can’t keep running forever. He was bound to find you, and I’m surprised it took so long. But that doesn’t change anything. So, for tonight, we’re going to pretend he didn’t show up. And we’ll focus on you. When the time comes, and he returns, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

“What if…” Her eyes fill with tears. “What if I c-cost you everything? Your career, your life… y—”

“Shhh… Please, don’t cry, baby.”

My heart cracks. My thumb swipes her tears away. “You won’t cost me anything. I promise. I just need you to not rethink your decision or second-guess it because you’re scared. I need you to be courageous, and know I’ll always be here for you. Okay?”

She looks at me for a beat. Then she nods.

“Okay.”

I heave a sigh of relief. I look at her. I want to kiss her, but I can’t. She needs some time to herself. So, I set her down on the couch and retreat to the kitchen.

I need something to do with my hands that isn't reaching for her. I fill a glass of water I don’t need and set it on the counter.

I stand there, and I think about the word I just said in the driveway to a man that didn’t deserve to hear it first.

Girlfriend.

I think about how little I hesitated.

I think about the look on Preston's face when I said it.

The way every protective instinct in my body had locked into place the second that asshole stepped too close to her.

And the truth is, I'd do it again. I'd say it again in a heartbeat.

I'd say it to every reporter with a microphone, every camera pointed in her direction, every smug bastard who thought he had the right to show up here and make her feel small.

I'd say it however many times it took to make Preston understand she's out of reach.

That he doesn't get to corner her anymore. Doesn't get to manipulate her. Doesn't get to act like she's something he can win back because he decided he's not done with her.

No.

If the word girlfriend puts a wall between Riley and that piece of shit, then I'll build the damn wall myself. Brick by brick.

The problem is, it didn't just feel protective. It felt true.