Page 38 of Penalty Kill

He sighed, dropping his shoulders. “I hope so.”

Well that was ominous. “Anything I should know about?”

It wasn’t my place or my business to pry, but I couldn’t help it. His body language screamed that something was off.

“There have been pictures of you and the boys from the game going around the internet.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Why?”

His eyes met mine. “There are rumors that you’re my new girlfriend.”

My heart should not have skipped at the idea of that being true.

I’d convinced myself that no one but the people right around us at the game ever even noticed me. I was wrong, apparently.

“Did you set them straight?”

He nodded. “Chloe’s been working on it.” He hesitated. “That’s not all of it.”

“Okay? What else?” He was opening up to me, which was great. I wanted to relieve any of the burden I could. Anything to take the strain away.

“Chloe stopped me after practice today. The rumors have gotten out of control. The worst case scenario we came up with a few days ago has come true. Tabloids are saying I had an affair with you, and that’s what broke up my marriage.”

I didn’t know if I should laugh or scream. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been here for a few weeks.”

“I know.” He sighed.

“I mean, in Utah.” I let out a humorless laugh. “There’s plenty of proof of that. I don’t have any social media accounts, but my friends in Denver did. They could tell anyone who asked that I was there.”

“Chloe’s already working on that, too. I’m sure she’ll get it all shut down soon, but I just wanted to let you know.”

This was why he looked like there was a two ton boulder on his shoulders. Me. It wasn’t my fault, I knew that, but I still felt bad.

“I’m so sorry, Brandon.”

His eyes flashed to mine. “Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. You’ve been nothing but amazing.”

He paused and took a half step closer to me. I scanned his face, pausing at his lips. He was close enough. If either of us moved…

“I’ll do everything I can to get this under control quickly, but just be aware that there's a chance the press might be interested in you.”

That got my attention, and I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”

“If they get a hold of your phone number somehow, they’ll call. Hopefully they don’t come here for pictures, but it’s a possibility.”

I nearly choked. I was a nobody from central Pennsylvania. I was a nanny, not some celebrity.

“Should I be nervous?”

He shook his head. “No. Maybe just hang out at home tomorrow with the boys after school.”

“Got it.”

“Thanks, Sydney.” He reached out and squeezed my wrist.

There it was. He made the move. Closed the gap. I tilted my head up, and we locked eyes. The energy between us changed. He lowered his head as I sucked in a breath.

“Daddy! Come see!” Milo yelled as he ran toward us.