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Emma peered over the top of her notepad with that too-sweet smile plastered on her face as she adjusted her mic before speaking.

“So, Dalton. How are you feeling going into this season? Do you think the team is ready to support you in the way you deserve as a star player?”

I held back a wince at her voice.

Ariella’s hand found mine under the table. Now she was the one giving me the encouraging squeeze. Or maybe she was so pissed she needed something to hold on to because her grip didn’t let up.

“Oh, but the no ex-relationships rule doesn’t apply to this?” she muttered under her breath. I coughed to cover up my laugh, shaking my head at the smirk on Ari’s face, pleased that neither of us was giving Emma the reaction she was so clearly looking for.

I schooled my features before answering, the years of media training my father put me through kicking in. I was going to treat Emma like any other reporter and be professional.

“Every win and loss is earned as a team. We’re there for each other, especially when someone’s having an off game, including me.” I meant it. My teammates meant everything to me, especially Jimenez, who’d always had my back. I might play well, but I wasn’t anything without the rest of them.

“Sure,” she said, her tone dripping with feigned innocence, “but last season, you didn’t seem to have as many ‘off nights’ as your teammates. You’re always on top of your game. It’s impressive.” She leaned forward a little, looking at me with a flirtatious smile, laying it on thick.

What the hell?

“Like I said, we’re only as strong as we are together,” I replied firmly. “That’s the beauty of this team. We lift each other up. It’s what gives us our edge.”

“Of course.” My stomach turned at the smile that spread across Emma’s face as she shifted her attention to Ari. “This question is for Ms. Contreras. As the new strength and conditioning head coach, what do you think you bring to a team of this caliber? Are you truly qualified for this role? What if the team suffers because of your...inadequacies?” Her lips twisted slightly as she pressed on, barely hiding her disdain.

My grip tightened around the mic, words ready to fire, and I could sense my teammates around me preparing to leap into this attack, too.

“Hey—”

Ari cut in over at least four male voices, her tone icy enough to freeze over the rink.

“I find it disappointing that a fellow woman would choose to tear another down rather than uplift.” Her voice was calm, and the room went still. Emma’s smug expression faltered slightly at the call out. “If I’m not mistaken, your question implies doubt in my qualifications because I’m not a man, which is an irrelevant qualification for this position. So, let me clarify what experience I have that actually matters. I graduated at the top of my class, summa cum laude, as a first-generation Mexican-American college graduate. I bring years of expertise in high-intensity training, strength conditioning, and injury prevention. I’ve dedicated my career thus far to building resilience in athletes, on and off the ice. And I know exactly what this team needs to reach peak performance because I know my players. Any other questions?” Pride burned in my chest.

Gracie stood, glaring at Emma in a way that scared even me before turning to her cousin. “Ms. Contreras, as a leader and role model in a traditionally male-dominated space, what’s your message to women wanting to break into this field?” She paused, smile widening. “Besides not to be an asshole to fellow women.”

Monroe made a noise that sounded oddly like a laugh but also like he might be choking to death.

Ari smirked before answering. “I’d say, push boundaries. Don’t let stereotypes define you. Cultural, gender-based, or anything in between. Find allies who support your vision, and don’t let fear keep you out of spaces you’re more than capable of being in. That you belong in. Take up space because you deserve to.”

Gracie broke into applause, smacking nearby reporters on the shoulder if they didn’t join in quickly enough for her liking, and I could tell that Ari’s cousin and I were going to get along just fine.

Meanwhile, Ari’s cheeks matched her suit, and she shot daggers at Gracie for causing a scene.

I leaned over, my voice low in her ear. “You deserve every bit of this. You’re amazing.”

She glanced over, and our eyes locked, caught in a moment that felt like it was just for us despite the crowd watching. If we weren’t in front of a room full of people, I’d have kissed her right then.

The lines between real and pretend weren’t blurred—they’d disappeared completely. I wasn’t sure they’d ever been there for me.

I was all in, and I wanted her for as long as she’d have me.

That last thought hit me like a punch in the gut. How long would that be? The question lingered, pulling at something raw and vulnerable inside me.

But before I could dwell on it too long, Emma stood again, barely contained smugness plastered on her face. She held up her tablet, displaying a photo of Ari and me at In-N-Out.

“But isn’t it convenient that she landed her position shortly after you began seeing each other?” Her tone was loaded, and she didn’t even try to hide the implication. “Are you really saying her hiring had nothing to do with your relationship?”

What was her problem? We hadn’t had any communication in months—not a text, a phone call, a fucking postcard—and now she was drowning me in compliments at the expense of my teammates and questioning Ariella’s employment?

Ari’s eyes narrowed, but this time, I did step in.

“Let me make this clear.” I held Emma’s gaze. “Ariella Contreras was hired by this organization solely because of her skills, experience, and the respect she’s earned in this industry. She’s one of the best at what she does, and every member of this team has already benefited from her approach and dedication.” I worked hard to keep my anger in check, but I couldn’t hide how I white-knuckled the mic. “My relationship with her has zero impact on her role here. And frankly, it’s insulting to her to suggest otherwise. She didn’t just ‘land’ her position. She earned it. So, to answer your question, no, our relationship had nothing to do with it.”