Page 43 of The Publicity Stunt

"I'm sure. Go spend time with your dad. He's a really great man."

Kissing her again, he pulls back and sighs. "You have a ride lined up?"

"I do," she says. "You know Bobby won't let me out of his sight for long."

"Oh, that Bobby," he says with a smirk. "Text me when you get back to your room, okay?"

Bri nods and watches the father-son duo leave. In that moment, she realizes it's official. She's fallen in love with Kace Lyons. Between their infrequent in-person interactions and their constant text and call communications, she let her guard down enough to let him into her heart. The sex may have also sealed the deal like he promised. As much as she likes it, anxiety fills her. She just prays he doesn't do something to break her heart because she may not make it through this one.

Chapter Fifteen

Kace

Kace's father sitting next to him in a bar in Canada feels surreal. Kace hadn't lied to Bri about how rare it is to have Victor up for home games because of the costs, and he can't get over the surprise. Because of Bri.

After hearing how Bri's family treats her, he can't help but appreciate the man who refuses to take a dime of Kace's money, even for travel and tickets. His father never asks for anything, and it shocks Kace to see how much he takes for granted.

"So... you and Bri Waters?"

Kace can't stop the wide smile on his face. She'd given herself completely to him, and he craves more. Aches. More of everything. He still can't get over how simply being near her feels electric and magnetic. "Yeah."

"What are your intentions with my girl?"

His girl? "Isn't that supposed to be the question her father asks, not mine? And, just a reminder, I'm your kid, Dad. Not her."

"She doesn't have a father. Not one worth wasting time on, anyway," he says. "What are your plans for her, Kace?"

Narrowing his eyes, he stares at his father. "Excuse me?"

"You were pretty serious about Sasha. I'm not unhappy with the way the situation unfolded, but this seems like a quick turnaround."

He nods, and he lowers his voice to avoid being overheard. "It started as something else."

"What does that mean?"

Looking at the water in front of him, he hates admitting this to his father, of all people. The only other person he's told is Brett. "It started out as fake."

"Fake?"

"You've heard about that whole shitstorm with her ex, right?"

Victor shakes her head. "No. Who was she dating?"

"Some asshole named Easton Duffy. He's a country singer."

"Oh, him? He's bad."

If only he knew the full realm of just how many things this man is bad at. "He cheated on Bri and got caught. Publicly. It was right before her tour started, and it was all anyone talked about. I went to the first concert with Brett, which was supposed to be for Sasha, and things kind of spun from there."

"Spun?"

He sighs. "Our reps thought it would be good for both of us to create speculation about our relationship. For her, it would change up the bullshit around her ex, especially when it came out about his new girl's pregnancy, and for me, it'd bring attention to the team and increase attendance."

"Kace..." he says, and he knows the fatherly warning that's sure to follow.

He nods. "It sounds terrible. I know. But then I got to know her, and I really like her. In fact, I'm pretty sure she's everything I never knew I needed. She's refreshingly honest but insecure, mixed with a genuine nature I've never found in another person. She's a confusing but captivating woman."

"That's how your mother was, too. Tough as nails but soft as butter. But you need to be careful with Bri, son."

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