Page 134 of Biggest Player
So satisfying.
The dishes done, I dry my hands on a towel and, because I am a glutton for punishment, reach for my phone again.
I stare at the screen and debate long and hard before tapping open a fluff piece on a pop-culture website using Dex as its clickbait.
Is Arizona Quarterback Scoring off Field?
Rumors have been swirling for weeks about the nature of Dex Lansing’s—Arizona Sentinels’ quarterback—relationship with a mysterious woman spotted with him on numerous occasions. Today we can confirm that the woman is none other than single mom Margot Mahoney. Ms. Mahoney is an elementary school teacher.
Sources close to Dex reveal the pair have been on and off for several weeks and met on the social app Kissmet. Dex has been spotted in public with Margot’s daughter, aged 10.
However, those same sources report this romance is far from picture perfect. Just yesterday, Dex was spotted storming out of Margot’s home. Is there trouble brewing in their so-called paradise?
Only time will tell if this relationship—and his career—can withstand the pressures of the spotlight. One thing is clear: Dex Lansing is no longer the carefree bachelor. He is officially off the market. For now.
Seriously?!
“He did not storm out of my house after a fight!” I announce loudly to no one. “He wasn’t even here yesterday!”
How do they know all this? My God, talk about an invasion of privacy!
Is this how it is? Lies printed about people for clickbait?
“Yes. The answer is yes.”
Frustrated, I shut off the screen, heart practically pounding outside my chest.
I’m the first to admit the article was way less sensational than I expected it to be, but it still feels incredibly invasive. They mention my childandher age? And the fact that I’m a teacher? My relationship with Dex isn’t meant to be fodder for gossip columns. It’s private!
What if reporters show up and are standing outside school Monday morning when I arrive for work? Then what? Will I get fired for dating an athlete and putting my job in the spotlight?
Am I in jeopardy of getting fired for drawing attention to myself?
I bite my fingernail nervously.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit!
Before I can dwell on it any longer, the doorbell rings, and my pulse quickens as I walk to the door, not knowing who’s on the other side of it.
Thank God it’s you.
Dex stands there with a concerned expression.
“Dex.” I can’t keep the shock off my face. “What are you doing here?” He’s only been gone a short time. Twenty minutes maybe?
“I never actually left,” he admits, stepping back over my threshold and pulling me into a hug. “I was outside googling shit and thinking. And I texted my buddy Landon, so I didn’t get very far.” He chuckles, and I love the sound of his voice. His explanation is perfect and exactly what I need right now.
The tension seeps out of me, and I relax. “Well, now that we’re confessing things ... I hadn’t actually wanted you to leave. I’m glad you came back.”
“Did you look at your phone?” He wants to know.
“If you’re asking if I read any articles and went on the internet, the answer is yes.”
“What’d you think?”
“Er. I guess I’ve seen far shittier, more sensational articles.”
