Chapter 35
FLIP
Iput my phone on speaker as I hit dial. After I dropped off the coffees, I went on a little shopping spree for my girlfriend. I want to surprise Tally with something nice and I’m hoping to get some help from her roommate.
Lexi answers on the second ring. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I assure her.
“Fee said you picked up Tally last night. There’s a viral video floating around and it looked like utter madness.” The worry in her tone hits me hard.
“The girls are okay. They got out safely. How’s Vander Zee?” I ask.
“Worried. We all are. What the hell are media doing at a university campus? Where was security?” Lexi asks.
“I’m looking to get some answers this morning. I just dropped Tally off at her dance studio.”
“She’s okay?”
“She’s rattled. It’s a lot of stress, but she’s safe and that’s what’s important. I want to surprise Tally with something nice, and I wondered if I could get Fee’s number from you.” I explain that I’m hoping to bring it up to her apartment so it’s there when she gets home.
“Of course. That’s sweet of you, Flip.”
“Just trying to be a good boyfriend.”
“The media sure don’t make it easy for you.”
“No, they do not,” I agree.
Lexi sends me Fee’s contact, and I call her as I approach the university campus.
“Flip? What’s going on? Why are you calling me? Is Tally okay?”
“Tally’s fine. She’s at the dance studio with Charles and Arya.”
“Okay. Good. That’s a relief. What’s up?”
“Are you at the apartment?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I have some stuff for Tally. I’m almost at the university. Do you think you could let me in so I can bring it up?”
“Totally. Of course.”
“I’ll be there in a few.”
“I’ll meet you at the front doors.”
Like magic, one of the ten-minute spots is open as I pull up in front of her building. I barely have the car in park before the fucking reporters are on me.
I dial Hemi.
It doesn’t even finish ringing once. “What’s going on?”
“I know you’ve scheduled an interview for later today, but I’m out front of Tally’s building and I’m about to be swarmed.”
“Is Tally with you?”
“No. She’s at her dance studio. I’m dropping something off for her and I’m going to confront these assholes. I just wanted to prepare you since I’m sure it will cause you some headaches.”
She’s quiet a moment. “Keep the focus on Tally’s safety, but you have my blessing.”
“That was my plan. I appreciate it.”
“Flip.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re really kicking ass at this boyfriend business.”
I smile faintly. “Thanks, Hemi. That means a lot.” I end the call, summon some fucking calm, and open the door.
“Has Tally gone into hiding?”
“Have you and Tally broken up?”
“Is it true that Vander Zee is planning to trade you at the end of the season?”
“Is Tally moving in with you?”
I round the car and pop the trunk.
Students notice and start to flock toward us. I address their questions, pointing to each reporter. “No, no, no, and that’s actually none of your business, is it?”
“Why is Tally the first woman you’ve dated since you joined the Terror?”
“Have you and Tally been secretly dating for years?”
“For the love of.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Why is my love life so intriguing? Why are you following my girlfriend around her university campus? Do you have any idea how terrifying it was for her yesterday when you bombarded her after class? And for what? So you can ask her personal questions about our relationship that neither of us will answer?”
“Why are you so secretive about your relationship with Tally?”
“Because she’s my girlfriend and it’s my job to protect her. If she was your sister or your daughter or your best friend, would you not be disgusted by all of this?” They fire more questions at me.
Campus security arrives and I hold up a hand.
“Look, my relationship with Tally is not for public consumption. She and I have been friends for a long time. She is very aware of my history, just like you are. Unlike you, she’s willing to leave my past where it belongs. I care very deeply for Tally. She is my top priority.”
“Is she more important to you than your hockey career?”
“My hockey career has a limit. My feelings for Tally do not.” I pin the reporter with a glare.
“I am asking you, respectfully, to back off. You want access to me, here I am. But you are scaring my girlfriend and you are turning her campus into a circus and unsafe place. Leave Tally alone, or my next step will be hiring her a personal bodyguard. If you have further questions, you can contact my agent or Hemi Bright, the head of Terror PR, and believe me, she’s just as protective of Tally as I am, and she will not be nearly as kind with you.
” I grab the bags from the trunk, use my elbow to close it, and head for her building as security moves in to clear the media.
Fee is standing at the doors with Cammie and the two of them are flanked by Mac, Chase, and Brody.
Fee makes a heart with her hands. “That was amazing.”
“Thanks. They probably ruined my fucking surprise, though.”
“Worth it for the high-level protective alpha boyfriend vibe, though,” Cammie says.
The guys lead, clearing the way to the elevator, which is open and waiting for us.
We get on as a group and no one tries to join us. Once the elevator doors slide closed, I release a tense breath.
“You okay, man?” Brody asks.
“Yeah. I just need them to back off my girl.” I sigh. “Thanks again for getting her out of that situation safely. I owe all of you.”
“We take care of ours,” Brody says and the rest of them echo the sentiment.
Once we reach the apartment, they follow me down the hall to Tally’s bedroom.
I push the door open, step inside and freeze.
“Oh shit,” Fee says from behind me.
“Dude. That is epic,” Brody says.
“I need one of those,” Chase says, I’m assuming to his girlfriend. “But of you, not Madden.”
“Your birthday is coming up,” Cammie replies.
Fee pushes her way through the throng of hockey boys and jumps in front of me, blocking my view of the body pillow in my likeness. “Your face tells me you didn’t know that existed.”
“I do now.”
“I bought it for her,” Cammie chirps from behind me.
“Recently?”
“Yup.”
I glance over my shoulder at Cammie who stops making wild hand gestures and smiles manically. I decide to leave it alone. “Tally’s secret is safe with me.” For now.
“Oh thank god, she would die of embarrassment.” Fee’s shoulders come down from her ears. “I’ll just put it away for her.” She rushes across the room and shoves my pillow likeness into Tally’s closet.
Her friends help me set up the surprise for my girlfriend.
“I’m seriously taking notes here, man,” Brody mumbles.
“You think she’ll like it?” I ask.
“It’s literally all her favorite things. She’ll love it,” Fee assures me.
Her bathroom has been transformed into a mini-spa, and her fridge is stocked with all her favorite treats, including dinner and dessert for her and her friends.
“Good. I want to be worth the headaches I’m causing.” And I’ll start by taking care of her any way she’ll let me.