Page 84 of Heartless As Puck

I swallowed, unable to speak past the boulder in my throat.

Delia smiled softly. “Don’t worry, honey. If you’re with Jane, then you have us instead. We know how families ought to behave.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded and hoped she could read the gratitude in my expression.

Jane caught my eye and arched her brow as if to ask, “You are with me, right?”

My stomach flipped over. Perhaps it wasn’t the most selfless decision, but there was only one I could make. I tilted my head in acknowledgment and prayed to God she believed me.

“So.” Hazel clapped to get everyone’s attention. “What’s the plan for handling this shitshow?”

TWENTY-FOUR

JANE

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Mom asked as we pulled up outside the Chicago Ice Center before the Chaos’s game against the Dragons on Saturday.

I gripped the inside door handle and stared out through the window. The parking lot was beginning to get crowded even though the game wasn’t due to start for over an hour, and a line stretched out the door. There were so many people, and once I stepped outside the vehicle, they might all stop and stare at me.

“I can do this,” I said, as much for my benefit as hers.

The truth was, I was terrified.

I’d remained hidden safely inside Austin’s house for the past three days, working with Gus’s team to send out takedown orders to media outlets and report any social media accounts that shared the image.

The online buzz was already dying down, but it would be a long time before I released the fear that this debacle had obliterated my career prospects. I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to until I’d secured a job as a speech therapist. Until then, I’d have to live with the worry and uncertainty.

“We’re here for you,” Mom reminded me. “And we can leave immediately if you need to.”

This would be my first time venturing out in public since the photo had been published online. Not only that, but I’d be meeting Austin and a reporter for an interview ahead of the game.

I didn’t want to do it.

I hated the thought of losing my words or stammering as badly as I used to if they asked anything that made me uncomfortable.

The thought of everyone’s eyes crawling all over me and of them whispering behind my back made me feel ill, but the more time that passed without a public statement directly from Austin and me, the harder it would be.

“Let’s go,” I said, shoving the door open. The sooner we got started, the faster it would be over, right?

Mom, Dad, and Hazel all got out of the car with me. I wound a scarf around my neck and pulled it up to cover the lower part of my face, hoping to avoid detection until we were inside.

We skirted around the edge of the line and entered through the side door. I glanced over at the area where the partners and families of the players usually sat. A few of them were already there.

Normally, I would meet their eyes and smile, but today, I hurried to the media room without acknowledging them because any distractions might make me think twice about this interview.

A young woman I didn’t recognize was hovering outside the door. She brightened as I approached, but her eyes widened as she noticed my entourage.

“Uh… they’re only expecting you,” she said to me apologetically.

“Do you mind waiting out here?” I asked the others.

Mom squeezed my hand. “Whatever you need.”

Hazel hugged me. “You’ve got this.”

Dad kissed the top of my head. “Want me to come? I’d be a hell of a distraction.”

My lips quirked, but I shook my head. It was bad enough that Gus had drafted us a statement that included references to my family as part of the effort to get us out of hot water. There was no avoiding the reminder that they’d initially wanted to use me because of my family connections.