Page 156 of Silver Fox Puck

The shouting voices morph into static.

Grant’s hand is warm at my waist, grounding me, anchoring me in place, but my heart pounds like it’s about to detonate inside my chest.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to happen.

I knew, deep down, that we wouldn’t be able to keep this secret forever, but I thought we’d at least get to choose how it happened.

Now?

It’s out. Completely, irrevocably out.

“Back up,” Grant’s voice is sharp, commanding, cutting through the chaos.

The reporters don’t listen.

“Grant, is this why you chose Nashville in the first place?”

“Did the team know about this relationship?”

“Kenzie, how long have you been sneaking around with the coach?”

That one hits me hard.

Because that’s exactly how this will be spun.

The sneaky, forbidden, unprofessional affair.

Grant must feel the shift in my body, because his hold on me tightens, protective. His other hand lifts like a human shield as he moves us toward the hallway door.

Jake appears out of nowhere.

“Are you serious?” His voice is low, sharp, but his glare is all for Grant.

Oh, God. Not now.

“Jake—” I start, but I barely get a word out before we’re flanked by security.

A team rep shuts down the questions, pushing reporters back as Grant steers me down the hallway.

Jake follows.

I can feel the fury radiating off of him.

He waits until we’ve rounded the corner, away from the cameras, before he explodes.

“I can’t believe those reporters.” His voice echoes. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Kenzie? Out of all the guys you could be dating…”

“Jake—you promised you’d be supportive.”

“That was before it was just outed by the press that you’re with him!”

I swallow hard. “Calm down.”

His jaw locks. “You’ve got to stop this fling.”

“Jake, you stop,” I snap. “This isn’t some fling. It’s not—”

“Then what is it, Kenzie?” His voice softens, but it’s somehow worse that way. “Because you can’t tell me you actually think this ends well.”

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