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I blink at my best friend. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're the new PR hire for the Blades, and now the star player's personal life is blowing up. You're going to have to deal with it somehow," she explains.
I inhale deeply, wondering how I'll handle the media attention that will surely come our way. But then a determination sets in.
This is my chance to make a name for myself in the sports industry, and I won't let anyone, especially him, take that away from me.
"I'll take care of it," I say firmly, my voice surprising even me.
Lexi grins at me. "That's the spirit."
"Sure is. Now, can you see if you can find me some 'spirit' in a size eight dress with a stretchy waist for tomorrow's event?"
"Tomorrow's event?" She frowns before realization dawns on her face. "Oh, right, the Blades' charity dinner. You mentioned it." She pauses. "Please tell me that Mr. Can't-Keep-It-In-His-Pants isn't going to be there."
"Unfortunately, he is. But I knew the score when I signed on for this job. I can handle him."
Lexi gives me a pointed look. "Just make sure he doesn't handle you." She looks at my growing baby bump. "We already saw where that got you last time."
"Please, Lex. That ship has sailed, crashed, and sunk to the bottom of the ocean," I retort, heading back to the dressing room. "Besides, this position is just a stepping stone. The next stone is VP of Communications for the entire League."
Lexi follows me, chuckling. "Ambitious much?"
"Hey, aim high. And if I can survive working with the Blades, I can handle anything. I’m actually heading over to the office in a few hours to move in a few of my things.”
"Good," Lexi yells over the divider as I duck behind it. "Because I have too much faith in you to let some jerk ruin your chance at success."
I plaster on a smile, glancing in the mirror and straightening my blazer.
Swiping my hand under my eye to fix my mascara, I take a deep breath and remind myself that keeping the secret about my baby's father is the only way to protect myself and my child.
As far as I'm concerned, Jacob Walker is nothing but a footnote in my life. He may be one of the star players of the Blades, but to me, he's just another name on a list of mistakes.
A mistake I plan on never repeating again.
Chapter 2
Jacob
Iskate off the ice, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through my veins from the game. Entering the locker room, I begin the ritual of shedding my game-day gear. The room is buzzing with the usual post-win energy, but there's an edgier vibe tonight. I can feel eyes on me before I even hear the commotion.
"Hey Walker, off the ice and onto the headlines, huh?" shouts Halstead, one of our defensemen, with a smirk plastered across his face.
"Yeah, what'll it be next time—a senator's daughter?" pipes up Manning, our backup goalie, laughing as he peels off his pads.
I roll my eyes, tossing my gloves into my locker. "You guys are hilarious, really. Maybe you all missed your calling as stand-up comedians."
It doesn't take long for Gio to stride over, towel slung around his neck and his brow furrowed. "You're giving the real celebrities a run for their money in the gossip columns, Jake. Keep your jersey on for once, will you?"
I level him with a stare. Gio has been my best friend since we could barely skate, and he’s always known how to call me out. But this isn't one of those moments when I need it.
“Nothing happened, Gio,” I explain, removing my skates. “She was upset. I offered her a shoulder to cry on. That’s it. No secret rendezvous, no sneaking around. Just two people talking.”
The guys are exchanging looks, whispering like a bunch of high schoolers. I rub my temples, trying to stave off a growing headache.
“Look," I keep going, "the team owner’s wife was having a rough time. I was being a decent human being. Since when did that become a crime?”
"Since your idea of being a 'decent human being' usually ends up with someone sharing your bed," Gio retorts, a mischievous glint in his eye. The guys erupt into a chorus of oohs and laughter, feeding off the banter.
