Page 91 of Slapshot Bride

One of the gallery employees is already waiting with my car, exactly where Elena told him to meet us.

We transfer.

Riley is silent, her eyes on the road.

I hand her my phone with the article open. She reads it and her face falls. The calm expression from a minute ago is replaced by the fear and worry I’ve come to associate with Preston’s presence in her life.

“He did this.”

She stares at the phone.

“I-I have to leave. I have to go somewhere. I can't be at your house. If they find me at your house, I…”

“Riley.”

“Drop me off somewhere. Anywhere. A hotel. I will figure it out. This is going to ruin you. Your career. Your contract with the club. I can’t… It’s not worth it, Easton…”

“Riley.”

She stops but the panic on her face breaks my heart, and I know I need to fix it now.

I pull to the curb, lean over to undo her seatbelt and pull her across until she’s straddling my legs, arms resting on her shoulders and the seat reclined.

“Baby…”

Her eyes are down, and they’re wet again. “Please, look at me.”

I cradle her face and gently tip her chin until our eyes meet. “You have been running your whole life. Today is the day you stop. And he’s already done the worst he can.”

She doesn't answer.

“Remember our agreement? The fake dating? He’s given us the perfect opportunity to launch that and have you reclaim your life. Don’t you see? He’s playing into the old you. The one he knows is too scared to cross him and will do whatever it takes to avoid a scandal. But you’ve already broken free. You don’t play by his rules anymore. Take this chance, and get your freedom with it. Let the world know you’re no longer with Preston Sinclair, Riley. It’s your best shot, and I’ll be with you through it all, until you say otherwise.”

She stares at me wordlessly, and I can’t tell if she’s accepted my words.

My arms around her tighten until she rests her head on my chest, and I kiss her temple. We stay in this position for a few minutes until my phone rings again.

I glance at the phone holder, and it’s Coach Brennan.

“My office, now.” That’s all he says the moment I answer the call.

From his voice, I can tell he’s pissed, and judging by the multiple missed calls, I know I’m fucked.

“You’re coming with me,” I tell her, and finally plant a soft kiss on her lips.

A minute later, she’s settled into her seat, belt in place, but still hasn’t said anything.

The smart thing would be to take her home. Let her rest. Let her process the fact that our lives just got turned upside down.

But there's no chance in hell I'm leaving her alone.

I know Riley.

She'll spend ten minutes by herself and decide the best thing she can do is pack a bag, slip out the front door, and shoulder this mess on her own.

Not happening.

Not on my watch.