Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
SUTTON
The following two weeks raced by. Between working with the trainees, getting in some gym time, and making sure Jayden wasn’t overdoing it, it had been both full-on and just what I needed.
Being so busy and being surrounded by a decent group of guys was exactly what I needed to help clear my head. I was also spending more time with Pearce, who I hadn’t really made an effort to get to know so much before now.
He was a good guy and was easy to talk to openly and honestly. Except for the white lie of me and Jayden being a thing since last year, and that he was my fiancé.
Admittedly that was a not-so-great secret to be holding on to, but I justified it to myself with increasing ease.
Jayden and I most definitely were a couple, for a start.
Our label remained unknown, but thank the basketball gods, he was running out of possible names for us to try out.
Plus, my relationship really was no one else’s business, nor was it hurting anyone.
While we’d started out with a small lie, intended for good reasons, in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t really matter.
Not anymore.
That didn’t mean we’d be sharing our origin story. What would be the point?
“What time will Jayden be finished?” Pearce caught the ball I passed him in the triple shot position. He jab stepped, shifted position as I made to defend, dribbled, then executed a jump shot.
The ball passed through the hoop effortlessly.
I snagged the ball and got back into position as we continued to run a couple of basic drills.
“He should be done by five.” He was having his official one-on-one meeting with Mark.
There’d been some discussion about how appropriate that was, but since it was Jayden at the center of that discussion, of course he’d have his say and get what he wanted.
The man always did. The sexy jerk could convince a straight man he just might like it up the ass, after all.
Pearce followed the same training pattern, faking impressively.
“What about you?” I asked. “Still feeling good about your session a couple of days ago?”
A grin appeared and he bobbed his head. “It felt good. More official somehow, even though I know it was all in confidence.” He shrugged. “Mark said he’ll meet with me again and offered to be there when I call Monty and my agent. It feels good, though.”
I caught the ball after it slid once more through the hoop. “I’m pleased for you, man. Must be a weight off your shoulders.”
“It was. Not as much as the relief I felt at the news of your engagement blowing up the internet.”
My gut tightened, but I forced a smile.
“I’m sure that’s a shitty thing, you know, all of the comments, the backlash and bullshit, how people react. I’m dreading it.”
I passed him the ball. “There are fewer assholes than I expected,” I answered.
“Honestly, Jay and I didn’t spend time looking at the hate.
It was easier to block it out.” I didn’t add that we hadn’t really invested time looking through the positive comments too much either.
The support had been incredible but had added to the layer of guilt that had pressed heavily on my chest.
It was easier now, though. Easier to swallow and handle. Easier to accept the smiles we sometimes received when Jay and I were having a PDA moment or reading the occasional comment or message when we ventured onto social media.
“People are crazy vocal,” I added. “Everyone has an opinion. I expected it but still struggle to believe it’s happening. Like, why on earth would we be making a headline, just for being together?” I shook my head, despite knowing the reason why.
All too well I understood there was a fascination with professional athletes, including their private lives.
It didn’t mean I was comfortable with my personal business being speculated on.
I’d suck it up, though. It was part of the package of going pro, being in the public eye.
Fans and non-fans all wanted a piece of you and had vocal opinions to share as well.
“You’ll be fine. You’ll breeze through. You know the team is great, and while our fans may be curious, they’re more interested in us winning.”
Pearce bobbed his head. “You’re right. Maybe—”
“Sutton.”
The sound of Eddie’s tight voice made us pause. Immediately, my thoughts went to Jayden, my heart tripping over itself. “What’s wrong?”
Mouth tight and brows knotted, Eddie looked serious. Hell, expressions like that usually came with bad news. His gaze flicked to Pearce before traveling back to me. “You mind if we talk in private?”
My brows shot up, pulse quickening. Pearce shifted his feet and glanced at me, a silent question in his eyes. I nodded.
“I’ll go to the locker room. I’ll catch up with you later.”
As soon as he was out of earshot, I asked, “What is it?” Worry threaded my tone.
Pulling out his phone, Eddie hesitated a beat.
It took all my patience to not demand he hurry the hell up.
But pulling out the phone meant Jayden was okay, right?
His concussion seemed to be finally behaving itself.
With fewer and fewer migraines, he was getting back in shape and really giving the young guys a run for their money.
“I just needed to show you this before you overheard anything. I have no idea how accurate it is, but I didn’t want either of you caught out and taken by surprise, or at least with an audience.”
He keyed a few buttons on his phone and then passed it. I frowned, trying to prepare myself. Not quite sure what to expect, I simply stared at the screen.
“You need to click on the top left image for it to play.”
Recognizing it was TikTok, I did as he said. The video clip opened. Loud music erupted from the phone, along with laughter and catcalls. The video was dark, and the occasional strobe lighting and flash of colors drew some people into the spotlight.
And then it registered what I was seeing.
Jayden was on the dance floor, kissing a woman. They weren’t exactly discreet or even dancing. There was the occasional movement of his feet, small tilts of his body. It was all I could focus on, not wanting to watch Jayden making out with anyone. Well, anyone but me.
I exhaled, my brain ticking over. The video stopped, and it moved to the next. I clicked on the video to pause it and handed the cell over with a shrug. “I don’t get it. So Jayden was with a woman. Everyone knows he used to date and hook up.”
Eddie pinched his lips together. “There’s a statement in the comments indicating this video was from four months ago.”
I froze. Four months ago I was being an asshat and pretty much avoiding Jayden.
But as far as everyone else was concerned, we were already fully invested in a committed relationship.
I rolled my eyes, saying, “Well, clearly it’s bullshit.
That could have easily been from eighteen months ago or even four years ago. ”
This right here was the problem. The only way to deal with this was to deny, speak to Jayden, and, if necessary, come out with the truth. The thought of the deception made my stomach knot. It didn’t make it any easier that this was all my fault.
Sympathy filled Eddie’s expression. “I thought that too, but in the video is Paul Steinburg.” The defenseman who’d been traded to the Eagles six months ago. Fuck.
I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. “I’m not worried.” He searched my gaze, and I offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll speak to Jay. Give him the heads-up.”
Eddie nodded, not looking especially confident. “Sure thing.”
I grabbed my towel and turned to leave before focusing back on Eddie. “Listen, man, if this starts doing the rounds here, can you do me a favor and try to squash any bullshit? We’re here to play ball, not talk about my relationship.”
“Of course.”
“Can you also send me the link?”
“Yeah, sure.”
With one last smile, I turned and headed straight to find Jayden. At least I knew where he was.
Relieved I didn’t pass anyone en route, I huffed out a fortifying breath before knocking on the meeting room door.
Hearing Mark’s invite in, I pushed the door open and peered inside.
Jayden swung a look in my direction, a smile immediately appearing.
Not even a second later, it dropped, and he stood.
“What’s wrong?”
I flicked my gaze at Mark. A frown pulled his brows low. I offered him a nod, saying, “You mind if I talk to Jay a minute? It’s important.”
As he stood, Mark bobbed his head. “How about I just give you the room?”
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
Before Mark left, he glanced back at us. “I won’t be far if you need me.” His genuine smile was the last thing he offered before he left us alone. I winced, wondering if he’d be quite as helpful if he knew my and Jayden’s relationship had started on a lie, one we’d never cleared up.
“You’re freakin’ me out, Gale.”
Our gazes connected, and I pinched my lips together, feeling all levels of weird about this whole thing. I tugged out my phone, finding the link Eddie sent me. Once I opened it, I handed it over. “Best take a look at this.”
Loud music erupted from my cell, along with conversation I couldn’t quite make out, plus laughter and hollers. Watching intently, Jayden stared at the screen with a pinched expression. It was apparent when he spotted himself, his brows shooting high, color dotting his cheeks.
He flashed a look my way before returning his attention to the video. The repeat kicked in on auto. The same sounds spilled from my cell.
“Who put this on?” he finally said, gaze still on the device.
“Not sure. But there’s a statement saying the video was from four months ago.”
That got his attention. Wide-eyed, he stared at me. “Four months?” He shook his head. “You sure?”
“That’s just what the comment says. Paul Steinburg’s in the video too.” I could see Jayden’s brain ticking over, making the same links and no doubt drawing the same conclusions as me.