Page 86 of Heartless As Puck

“We’ve heard reports that Pete and Alec Wright have been spotted in town,” Cindy said, subtly angling herself toward Austin, since he was the one who was supposed to answer. “Are the Wrights supporting you through this trying time?”

Austin opened his mouth and then closed it. He looked at me, and his expression softened. Keeping his gaze on me, he replied, “The Wrights have been fantastic. They’ve shown more care for my state of mind since they’ve arrived than my own parents ever have.” He turned to Cindy. “I’m supposed to talk to you about how empowering it is to be part of the Wright dynasty and how clean their reputations have always been, so that fans are reassured that the release of the photo doesn’t mean I’ve lost my way or that I’m a poor representative for the Chaos.”

Cindy cocked her head, her mouth hitching up one side. “But it sounds like you’d prefer to say something else.”

He nodded. “Yes.”

I bumped him with my leg and murmured, “What are you doing?”

If he went off on a tangent and it landed poorly, Gus was going to have his head. Trent would probably tear the captaincy from him, and Coach Dunn might bench him as punishment.

“Trust me,” he whispered back, then flashed a smile at the camera that made his electric blue eyes twinkle and raised his voice. “Most people probably don’t know this, but I didn’t have the best upbringing. I won’t go into details, but while I wasn’t physically abused, and my physical needs were provided for, I didn’t get the emotional support I needed. No one ever hugged me or told me they loved me just for existing.”

Oh God. I tried to control my reaction, but I could hardly believe he was talking about this on TV. To a reporter.

Reaching between us, I laced my fingers with his and squeezed gently.

“Then Jane came into my life, and she’s one of the most competent, efficient people I know, but she never made me feel like I wasn’t enough.” His throat bobbled as he swallowed and he shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve always worried that I wouldn’t be a good boyfriend, but when I’m with her, I don’t have to stress about that. I can just be me, and that’s okay. She’s quiet but so strong, and she’s my safe place. That’s what matters, not who her family is or what some photographer posts online.”

My heart danced a tango in my chest. Holy crap. He’d thrown away Gus’s speech and focused on me rather than my family. He was trying, in his own way, to reassure me that I was who he wanted.

The back of my throat was tight, and my eyes burned. I wished I could wrap myself around him and hug him, but if I did, I might lose my grasp on the frayed strings that were keeping me together.

Cindy sat back, smiling at him with a hint of fondness. “You’re right. It is. Sometimes, as people, we need that reminder.”

The interview continued, and I was relieved that few of the remaining questions were for me because I could hardly get my thoughts together enough to give a meaningful reply. I just wanted to pull Austin aside and ask if he really meant it.

When at last it was over, I thanked Cindy and tugged Austin out of the room. Unfortunately, before I could question him, Mom, Dad, and Hazel descended on us.

“How did it go?” Mom asked.

“Uh…”

“Surprisingly good,” Austin said when my hesitation dragged on.

“Thank God for that.”

Austin glanced along the corridor toward where his team was no doubt preparing to play. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Will you be okay until after the game?”

I released a breath. “I’ll be fine.”

I’d have to wait until later to speak with him.

“We’ll stay with her,” Hazel assured him.

He flashed her a smile. “Thanks, Haze.”

“Go on.” I waved him off. “Go beat my brother.”

Grinning, he strode away.

We followed behind. As we approached the other players’ families, Maribel scooched Luis, her son, aside and rushed over to pull me into a hug.

“I’m so sorry about what happened!” She squeezed me tighter, and I breathed in the scent of her expensive perfume. She drew back and studied me. “Are you okay, darling?”

“I’ve been better,” I replied honestly. “But I’ll be all right.”

Especially if Austin cared for me as deeply as I was starting to think he might. Even recalling the way he’d called me strong and voiced what I meant to him brought a smile to my face.