Page 81 of Puck Me Secretly

“How do you know?”

He shrugged. “Why do you think anyone believes that shit?”

“I heard two women talking about it in the washroom and trust me, they believe what they are reading!”

“Fuck em.”

I swallowed. Thinking.

“I mean it. You’re tough-as-nails-Rory-Ashford. You’re not going to let a tweet take you down.”

I squinted up at him. “We both know I’m not tough.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You’ve seen me at my worst.”

“And that’s how I know you’re tough.”

I took a long-winded sigh. “Thanks.”

“No one believes that shit.”

I knew he was lying to make me feel better, but knowing he didn’t believe those lies, made all the difference.

“Okay.”

He studied me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I guess I should get back to the table. In case my date shows up.”

He snorted. “You do that.”

Without turning back, I walked away from Max, but I felt strong. He was right. There was no reason for me to get wound up about lies that were being posted on social media.

When I returned to the table, Calder and Katrina had yet to return. Dad was off to the side, talking to someone and Mom sat by herself.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Darling,” she smiled up at me. “I saw you dancing and might I say that you were gorgeous out there.”

“Thanks.”

“Come,” she stood up. “Time to do the rounds.”

I protested. “Mom.”

“Rory, when you host a gala, you need to be a gracious hostess.”

I groaned.

The next two hours, I worked the crowd with Mom. She knew everyone. She said hello to various players and their significant others. She talked to the coaching staff and their wives. She tried to speak to everyone. I admired how she seemed to have a personal connection with everyone, but it was exhausting following in her wake.

I stiffened when we approached Baxter’s table.

“Helene!” Baxter’s face was red, compliments of the amber liquor in the glass he clutched.

“Hello Baxter and Carly,” she bent down to kiss a woman who wore a sour expression. “You look lovely tonight.”

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