Page 59 of The Publicity Stunt

"That was a good night," Brett says with a smirk.

Kace looks at him and takes a step back. This only proves that both of his supposed friends betrayed him for absolutely no good reason. And he wants to swing his fists for it.

Rudy hangs up the phone. "Kace, man... I don't know what to say."

"Oh, you've said plenty. I watched everything you said in that fucking interview. You both have said too much," he growls.

"Kace, listen, this was all a big misunderstanding. We can talk about it, throw a few more punches, and we'll be good as new," Brett says.

Kace shakes his head. "You don't get it. It's not just me you two hurt. Bri was innocent in all of this. You just didn't fuck me over, you fucked her over, too. Don't you get that?"

"Wait, you're mad that the fake relationship is over because she's hurt?" Rudy asks.

"It wasn't fake!" he shouts and takes another step back as his hands shake at his sides. "It started out as a stunt, but it was real. It was the most real relationship I've ever had, and now you've fucked it all up. You fucked it up because you believed I cheated on my ex with your ex. Which you should have known isn't my style."

"Rudy can go back and say it was all a misunderstanding. That he was jealous of the attention you got, and he realizes now how stupid it was," Brett says. "He owes you that much."

"I don't think I can," Rudy says and looks at his phone.

Brett pushes him. "Eat some crow, Rudy. You fucked him over with two girls."

"No, that's not what I mean," he says and plays a video on his phone.

"A statement released from Bri Waters' rep states, 'The relationship between Bri Waters and Kace Lyons started as a publicity stunt to control and take back the narrative after the Easton Duffy scandal. As the two got to know each other, the relationship grew into something real, and Bri fell for Kace. The interview from his teammate was a slap in the face, and it's clear to her now that Kace Lyons never felt the same way as she did. The relationship in all facets has been terminated, and we ask everyone to respect Bri's privacy as she deals with this devastating humiliation.

"I think it's safe to say Bri Waters has the worst taste in men, and Kace Lyons is nothing more than a dog for doing something this terrible to her. All the fans the Moose Jaw Bootleggers gained because of Bri Waters have now turned into angry mobs wishing for Kace's head on a stick. Good job, Mr. Lyons."

Kace stares at the phone, and Rudy just shakes his head. "I'm sorry, man. I'm so sorry."

"You should have just come to me and asked me. We could have put this whole thing to rest a year ago. I'm also guessing this little piece of information played a hand in Sasha sleeping with you for six months before ending it with me."

"Kace-"

"We're done, Rudy. And based on this publicity, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach benches me because this type of publicity isn't what the team needs. Which actually works because I don't ever want to step out on that ice with you again. Unless I'm against you, and you better pray this anger subsides by then."

Taking a deep breath, Brett looks between them. "Kace, I know you're pissed, and you have every right to be. But let's be reasonable here."

"Reasonable? You're even more at fault in this that he is. I get why Rudy may have wanted to do this, as stupid and fucked up as his thinking was, but you? You know her, Brett. The person she is, and how genuinely amazing and kind that woman's soul is. Part of you had to know this was a possibility, even drunk, and you still did something to hurt her. I don't give a shit about me. My career is probably over now, but she didn't deserve any of this."

"You care about her," Rudy says.

"I love her," Kace says. "Not that I owe you any explanations, but it wasn't fake. Not after the first dinner we had together. She doesn't trust many people, and she believes I proved her right because you two are fucking assholes. Fuck you both."

"How can we fix this?" Brett asks.

"You can't."

Rudy looks at Brett. "We'll find a way, Kace. We'll find a way to make this better, and we'll make it up to you."

"Don't bother. Don't call, don't text, don't visit. I hope I never see either of you again."

"Kace, we're on the same team."

"Well, Bri's head of security threatened to take me out at the knees if I ever hurt her, and the only reason I'm still standing is because he didn't have a bat handy. Maybe I should give Bobby a heads up and show back up to let him make good on the threats. None of us will ever play together again."

"Wait, you're not serious," Brett says. "You wouldn't actually end your career over this."

He shrugs. "What career do I have anyway? You heard the interview. Everyone wants my head on a stick, and I expect Coach benches me for the rest of the season. Or maybe Louis will release me, and no team will pick me up with the negative press. You win, Rudy. Congratulations. You win a game I was never playing. I hope you finally feel like the man you've been trying to be for so long now."

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