Page 69 of Ice Rebel

“Ouch. I can understand why, but they’re not all like that. Honestly.”

“I’ll take your word for it. I also found out my brother is currently playing on the same team as Cole and get this. They’re now roommates. That piece of information caught me by surprise. I try very hard to keep from learning anything about hockey. Hockey players. Hockey teams. It’s not hard since I’m not interested in many sports.”

Now her face pinched. “Wow.”

“That’s what I said. Wow. How much deeper is the cow poop?”

“Don’t let Cole or my brothers fool you. They egg the press on whenever they get a chance. They are masters of manipulation when they want to be.”

The way she was shifting from Instagram to Facebook, TikTok to Threads created additional lumps in my stomach. “What are you looking for?”

Now she sucked in her breath. “Shit.”

“Don’t say shit.”

“There’s this asshole reporter who I’ve already had run-ins with at the paper. He is a sniveling, lying sack of shit who will use his own mother dead in her grave to get a story.”

“What does that mean?”

“Now I can see why those girls think Cole is off the market. That’s what Grant ‘slimebag’ Michaels told them. The two of you are all over the internet. People are crazy. One picture and you’re married.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yeah. ‘Is the Most Eligible Bachelor in Seattle off the Market? Is Cole ‘the Rebel’ Kendrick Engaged?’” She showed me the headline while her mouth twisted. “According to Seattle Wild’s star defenseman, he finally found his passion in one woman he trusts and who knows him better than anyone. If the latest practice is any indication, wedding bells are in order.”

“Engaged,” I repeated, the knots now ticking time bombs. I was going to spew vomit all over the table. “Did he mention my name?”

“No, but with a few pictures circulating, it’s only a matter of time.”

“What do I do?”

“Nothing. Other than be prepared to tell people you’re just friends. Eventually, the story will die off.”

I tossed back another gulp while she chuckled. “Social media can be a nightmare, make it or break it for anyone in any industry. You don’t know how crazy it gets with hockey. Didn’t you notice the posters at the game when you were there?”

“Trust me. I was trying to avoid passing out since someone convinced me to sing, which isn’t my forte.”

“Oh, you did great. Although… They’ll figure out you were the singer at the game, which means another connection with Cole.” She tapped her finger against her chin. “If you go to another game, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Let me see how deep this goes.”

“How does any celebrity deal with this shit?”

“My brothers do much better than I would, even if Cole has a lot of pent-up anger.”

While she searched, I thought about how bad this might get. Maybe she was right and that it would blow over.

“Well, the pictures someone managed to snap are creative. Nice maneuvers on the pool table.” While her voice held the same teasing tone, I was slip-sliding into thorough embarrassment.

“Pictures. As in plural. You’re kidding me.” I jerked the phone from her hand, groaning as soon as I scrolled through a couple of photographs. While some were grainy, someone had managed to snap the perfect, vividly detailed photo of Cole grinding himself against my butt as we both leaned over the table. “It was just a game.”

“Melito’s is usually a safe zone. His happy place. If he took you there, you’re very special to him.”

“Do not go there!” The rapid pulse was ticking in my eardrums. I searched through a few additional photographs before I couldn’t take it any longer. “They figured out I sang the national anthem.” My fingers were clutching the phone with such force, I was fearful I’d need to purchase her a new one.

“Absolutely and reporters like to make up shit, like Grant did. He just wants his fifteen minutes of fame. I know that all too well. Did you tell me you didn’t share anything personal about yourselves?”

“Honestly? I set up these crazy rules we both had to follow, which was why I told him my name was Clementine and he was Roy. I know what he prefers on his pizza if that counts as something personal.”

“Oh, no.”