45. Xander
Ilook at the group of reporters standing around me, getting ready to ask me questions during post-game press.
Except I know that none of them want to ask me about the game or how I played. They want to ask me about the sex tape.
I take a breath as nerves fire off inside me. I’m going to beat them to it though.
I glance to the back of the room, where Sophie is standing. She offers a small smile. My nerves start to calm.
When I told her what I was planning to do after tonight’s game, she offered to come to the media room to support me.
She mouths “You got this.” My heart thuds in my chest. God, she’s amazing. I still can’t believe this beautiful, brilliant, badass woman is my girlfriend.
When she’s with me, I feel like I can conquer anything.
I clear my throat and address the group of reporters. “Before you guys get started, I’d like to say a few things, if that’s alright.”
They all look at me, surprised, before nodding at me to go ahead.
I clear my throat. “I know you want to ask me about the tape.” I let out a breath. “So I’m going to address it right now. And this is the only time I’m going to talk about it.”
They don’t say anything. They stay quiet and wait for me to say more.
“That video was taken when I was nineteen. It was a consensual act with the woman I was dating at the time. Someone hacked into her phone, stole that video, and released it without our permission. That’s a crime, as I’m sure you all know, and that person’s being investigated and prosecuted for it.”
My lawyer told me that the hack was traced to a computer at the hospital where Ethan worked. It didn’t take long for them to figure out it was him who did it. Soon after that, he was fired and charges were filed against him. Good. Fuck that guy. I hate him for how he treated Sophie and for what he did to me and Makenna. But I also feel sorry for him. Because what a pathetic life he must live to even think of doing something like that.
“People keep asking me if I’m going to apologize for the video. I’m not. Because there’s nothing to apologize for. That was a private video that was never meant to be shared with anyone. The only reason the public ever saw it was because of the actions of someone else—a criminal. He’s the one who should apologize. Not me. And not Makenna.”
I look over at Sophie, that soft smile on her face as she looks at me. My nerves ease instantly when I look at her.
She’s my rock, my safe place, my love, my everything.
“And I just want to thank everyone who supported me through this whole thing,” I say. “My teammates, my friends, my family, the Bashers organization, my coaches, the fans. And most of all my girlfriend.”
I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips when I look at her. A few of the reporters notice that I’m looking at Sophie. They turn and see her standing near the back. She starts to blush that beautiful pink shade. My favorite color.
“She’s been my rock through all of this,” I say, eyes on her. “She’s incredible. Beyond incredible. And I’m the luckiest guy on the planet to call her mine.”
That rosy hue on her cheeks deepens as she flashes a flustered smile at me. A couple of the camera guys turn to film her. She does that thing she does when she’s nervous and bites her bottom lip. It’s cute as hell.
“So yeah. That’s pretty much it.” I smile. “Any questions about the game?”
The reporters ask me about my performance tonight, congratulating me on scoring three goals. Things wrap up. When I finish, instead of walking out like I normally do, I go to Sophie, wrap my arms around her, and pull her against me.
“How’d I do?” I ask.
“Amazing. I’m so proud of you,” she says. “I notice you didn’t bring my stuffed bear with you this time.”
“I didn’t need to. You were here with me.”
She flashes that smile I love so much. I lean down to kiss her, but she pulls away slightly, looking past my shoulder.
“The whole press team is looking at us,” she says softly.
I twist my head around and see the reporters gawking at us. The photographers snap photos. The camera guys are filming us too. We’ll probably end up on the highlights on ESPN and some other sports websites. Good. I want the whole world to know that I’m the lucky guy who landed Sophie Porter.
I turn back to her and smile. “I can’t blame them. We put on a pretty good show.”
She chuckles and playfully smacks my shoulder. “Don’t say it like that,” she teases. “You make it sound like we’re faking it.”
I kiss her, smiling when we break apart. “You’re right. I can’t fake anything when it comes to you, gorgeous.”