Page 38 of The Worst Pucking Deal

Sawyer chuckles, his arm tightening around me. “Well, you know how it is with the paparazzi,” he replies, his tone light. “They love to speculate about everything.”

I nod in agreement, trying to keep the smile on my face despite the butterflies in my stomach. “Exactly. But the truth is, our relationship is just like any other. We’re two people who care about each other and enjoy spending time together.”

Cam leans forward, his expression curious. “But what about the rumors that your relationship is just for show? That it’s all a publicity stunt?”

I feel a surge of frustration at the question, but I force myself to remain composed. “Those rumors couldn’t be further from the truth,” I say firmly, meeting Cam’s gaze head-on. “Our relationship is genuine, and while there may be outside pressures and expectations, at the end of the day, we’re in this together.”

Cammy nods in understanding, her expression sympathetic. “It must be tough to deal with all the scrutiny and speculation,” she says, her tone empathetic. “But it seems like you two are handling it all with grace and dignity.”

Sawyer gives me a reassuring squeeze, and I smile gratefully at him. “We’re doing our best,” he says, his voice sincere.

“Well, sweet as that all sounds, we all want to know how an NHL star comes to date one of the Sabertooths’ PR account executives.”

I swallow thickly before answering. “I’m afraid it’s not that interesting, really. We started bonding last year during some away games—”

“You mean while he still slept with one… what are they called… puck bunny after the other?”

Forcing a giggle, I rest my head on Sawyer’s shoulder. “We all have a past, Cam. The good thing about Sawyer is that there are no surprises.”

“Aww,” Cammy coos, placing her hand on her heart. “That’s so sweet. So would you say you’re okay with knowing your boyfriend has a bit of an edgy reputation?”

I press my lips together and lean forward. “I’m not sure I would say I’m okay with it. But you know what it’s like. Woman to woman, it’s not fun. But I will say this, the fact that he’s so honest and upfront about it made it easier to deal with.”

“Wow,” Cam adds. “Sounds like you got lucky there, Sawyer.”

“Lucia’s an incredible woman,” he says, running his hand down my back. “I’m lucky I’ve found her.”

The hosts make more comments and gush about how cute we look as we sit here on the couch. I take that moment to scratch my cheek with my left hand, flaunting the diamond I’m wearing. “Wait, what’s that on your hand? Are you two… engaged?” Cammy asks, shock palpable in her voice.

I wink at her. “Of course not.”

Sawyer looks at my hand like it’s mortally offended him. “No,” he simply says.

Both hosts look at us with doubt written all over their faces. “Well, okay then,” Cam says, clearing his throat.

Then they play some kind of video montage on the screen behind us, it’s flicking through pictures of us from last year. Luckily, we are walking alongside each other in some of them, which I guess could look like we’re talking? I don’t know.

“Now pause it,” Cam exclaims. The video stops on a picture of Sawyer holding the door for me and Jo. His gaze is very clearly on my ass. “If that’s not a man checking out a prime piece of ass, I don’t know what to call it.”

The men in the audience all let out raucous laughs, and the women sigh in contentment. I look at Sawyer and run my hand down his cheek. “Guess we weren’t being as discreet as we hoped,” I laugh.

As the interview progresses, Cammy and Cam announce that they’ll be taking questions from the audience. A wave of anticipation ripples through the crowd as eager hands shoot up, vying for the chance to interact with us.

Cammy selects a woman from the audience, who stands up eagerly, her eyes fixed on Sawyer. “Hi, Sawyer and Lucia,” she begins, her voice tinged with excitement. “I just wanted to say that you two make such a cute couple. But I have to ask, is Sawyer definitely off the market? Because if not, I’d be more than happy to marry him!”

The audience erupts into laughter at her boldness, and I feel a surge of amusement despite the awkwardness of the situation. Sawyer flashes a charming smile, his arm tightening around me as he responds. “Well, I appreciate the offer,” he says, his tone light. “But I’m afraid I’m happily taken. Lucia and I are in a committed relationship, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

A smile tugs at the woman’s lips as she nods in understanding. “Well, I had to try!” she says with a laugh, before taking her seat amidst the applause of the audience.

As the audience settles down from the previous question, Cam scans the sea of eager faces and selects a man in the back. “You there, what’s your question?”

“Yes, hi. My question is for Lucia.”

My heart leaps to my throat.

That voice… no. It can’t be. But even as I’m thinking that, I feel a chill down my spine. My body remembers him better than I ever wanted to. Fabian. I can’t believe he’s here, that he’s found me. Panic sets in as I discreetly try to get a good look. I can’t, though. Without writhing like a circus contortionist, which definitely wouldn’t be discreet, I can’t see him.

I don’t need to see him to imagine his cruel smile, it’s forever etched into my memory. I begin to fidget, my grip on Sawyer’s hand tightening so much that my nails dig into his skin. Sawyer immediately notices my unease and squeezes my hand reassuringly, but other than that he doesn’t give anything away.

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