Page 13 of The Publicity Stunt

"It's not what... you know what? Whatever," Rudy says and stomps back to the locker room.

Kace chuckles and dries off. At least he's getting under the jerk's skin. Bruno leans out and nods to him, and Kace goes in to change. Ever since everything went down the first day of practice, he's made it a point to stay on the other side of the locker room from Rudy. Coach was generous enough to move lockers in their stadium after murderous threats.

His former friend seems to drag his feet to leave, and Kace knows he's waiting to leave at the same time as him. Kace glares in annoyance, but he decides the best option is just to ignore him. If Bri's outside, he doesn’t want to keep her waiting by playing a game of chicken with the asshole on who'll finally leave first.

They walk out together, and the audible gasp from Rudy as they round the corner makes ignoring him completely impossible. He sees the reason for his shock when Bri and her friend come into view.

"Hey," Bri says, her smile shy. "I thought I'd surprise you."

"I'm glad you did," Kace says and winks. "I see you brought a friend."

The blonde holds out her hand, and he's surprised at how tall she is. With her heels, she's over six feet and might be taller than Rudy. "Tessa."

"Hi, Tessa. Kace Lyons. It's nice to meet you."

The look she gives him tells him she knows about the arrangement, but if Bri trusts her, he supposes he can, too. Someone doesn't get far in the industry Bri is in by trusting the wrong people.

"She had to come and help explain the game to me," Bri admits. "I looked up some stuff online, but it was like reading a textbook. She's the biggest hockey fan, but as you can see, she's hardcore for the other team."

He smiles and nods at her Twisters jersey. Brett would be proud. "Texas girl, too?"

"Born and raised."

"You grow up with Bri?"

"Yep."

"I went to school about an hour south of you guys. And I can say, the girls I went to school with aren't nearly as pretty as the two of you. She’s kind of a big deal."

Tessa rolls her eyes but nods. "Looks like my girl's your lucky charm. Almost got a hat trick. Maybe you'll get the next one she gets to watch, but it might be a while. She's got a pretty busy schedule."

Rudy stands, his mouth gaping open, and Bri looks at him and back to Kace. "Is he... Is he okay?"

"Don't pay him any attention. That's Rudy. The guy my ex cheated with."

Her body language shifts, and she stands straighter. "That's unfortunate."

"Tell me about it. I have to play with him for at least the rest of the season."

Tessa, annoyed at the glaring, snaps her fingers in his face. "Trying to catch flies. Snap out of it, Cheater, Cheater Pumpkin Eater. Run along now."

Her response makes Kace chuckle, but Rudy just glares at her. He walks a few paces and stops, and Tessa kicks out her hip while crossing her arms under her chest and stares at him.

"What? I walked away!" Rudy calls.

"Away, creep. Out of eyesight. Buh-bye now."

"You are officially on my list of my top favorite people right now," Kace says with a laugh. "No one puts that man in his place. Do you two want to get a bite to eat?"

She laughs. "Sorry, hunny, but I can't be seen in public with a Bootlegger. My boyfriend would disown me."

"He's a trainer for the Twisters," Bri adds.

"But you two have fun," she says. "I have a car waiting for me. Call me when you get back to the hotel, okay?"

Bri nods and watches her walk away. Kace can't keep his eyes off Bri, and without fail, Brett chooses this moment to round the corner.

"Hey, buddy!"

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