Chapter 37
thirty-seven
SEBASTIAN
“What the fuck?” I growl as I force myself to read the shit people are saying about the love of my life online.
They’re assholes. I want to hunt every single one of them down and force them to apologize to Indie. She doesn’t deserve any of the vitriol being aimed her way.
Sure, there are people who have nice things to say. People who love her hair, her tattoos, her style. People who think she’s beautiful. Some that feel sorry for the way she’s been treated by the press and the public because of who her parents are.
But the internet is a cesspool of unwashed assholes with opinions, and it’s the comments by men making me rage. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with us?
They’re making comments about her weight, about how she’s not pretty enough for me, about how I could do better. Bullshit. It’s all bullshit. Unfortunately, none of it is surprising, but that doesn’t make any of this easier to accept.
I have to get in touch with my agent, but first I open my group text with the guys. They need to know what’s going on so they can tell people to fuck off if they ask for comments about our relationship. Also, so I can ask them to have the ladies look out for Indie and Lola while we’re on the road.
This is the worst possible timing. We’ll be in Canada for several days, which means I won’t even be in the same country. How can I protect her like I promised?
Me
IDK if you guys have seen anything, but someone posted a photo of Indie and me out to dinner with my parents last night. They figured out who she is, and it’s getting a lot of attention online.
It takes mere moments for my phone to light up with texts.
Maddox
Is she okay?
Griffin
Shit, man. I know she doesn’t like the attention. I’d ask if people are being gross, but I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
Me
Seems like it’s still pretty contained to local gossip, but I don’t trust it to stay that way. And yeah, you know people are being assholes.
Me
And if she’s okay, I don’t know, man. She apologized to me for dragging me into her parents’ mess.
Ryder
Why the hell would she apologize for that? It’s not her fault anymore than it was Lexi’s fault when her dad said that shit and shoved me.
Me
I know, but that’s just Indie. She’s not used to people sticking up for her.
Logan
Are she and Lola safe? They can stay with Blair and Reed while we’re traveling. Security won’t let anyone bother them.
Griffin
Same here. They’re welcome to the guest room.
Maddox
The offer stands with Isla and me too.
Ryder
Ditto.
Me
I know. Thanks, guys. I need to check with Lola, but it doesn’t sound like anyone has shown up to their rental. But maybe the ladies could reach out and let them know they can hole up with any of them while I’m gone?
Maddox
Of course.
Me
I hate that she’s going through this shit again. She doesn’t deserve this.
Ryder
We know. Indie’s cool as hell. I don’t understand why people seem to have it out for her.
Me
I wish I knew. It’s always been like this because of who her parents are.
Logan
We have her back. Lola’s too.
Me
Thanks, guys. I knew you would. I’m going to connect with my agent. See if we can get ahead of this.
Ryder
Let me know if you need the number for a private security firm.
Me
Hopefully that won’t be necessary, but I appreciate it. I’m going to give her a key to my place too.
I sigh, already exhausted by all of this, and I’m not na?ve enough to think this is as bad as it will get. I can hope, but I need to be prepared for all of this to turn into a circus.
By myself, I’m not interesting enough for this to get national attention. But with Indie in the mix and her parents going through a very public divorce with a sex tape scandal in the mix?
I’m afraid this will be front-page news.
I check in with Lola to make sure she’s safe and that no one is camped outside of their rental. When I’m satisfied that she’s okay, I call my agent and give her the rundown. We discuss our options, and she promises she’ll work with her PR firm to get a plan in place.
When Indie wanders out of the shower, her expression is tight and she has her arms wrapped around herself like she’s trying to physically hold it all together. It makes my chest ache. I just promised I’d protect her, and I’m already failing.
“Come here, baby.” I sigh with relief when she immediately steps into my open arms. “It’s all going to be okay. Whatever happens, I’ve got you.”
“I know.” She presses her face into my chest. “And I know I shouldn’t care what people think, but it’s so invasive.”
“It is. I’m really sorry.” Holding her tight, I kiss the crown of her head.
“Listen, Lola said everything’s quiet at your rental, but all the ladies have said you two can come stay with them if that changes while I’m traveling.
The buildings they live in all have security. Do you have their numbers?”
She nods against my bare chest.
“Good. I also have my agent working with her PR firm to create a plan in case we need one. Hopefully, we don’t, but I’d rather be prepared.”
“Thanks.”
I hate how defeated she sounds.
“Fuck. I wish I didn’t have to leave in an hour. This is the worst timing.”
“I know. It’s okay. I’m used to this kind of thing.”
“You shouldn’t have to be used to this.”
“Comes with the territory when your parents are movie stars.” The humorless little laugh that forces its way out of her throat has me tightening my arms around her even more.
If she’s going to break, I’ll hold her pieces together. Always. I couldn’t for the last ten years, but we’re together again. I won’t let her down.
“I’m going to make us some breakfast and coffee. This will all feel less overwhelming on a full stomach.”
Indie sighs when I press a kiss to her temple and let her go. I immediately feel cold and have to fight the urge to pull her back against me. But I don’t have much time before I need to get to the airfield, and I need to make sure she’s fed.
“Eggs and bacon okay?”
She nods.
“Good. Come on, sweetheart. You make the coffee, I’ll make the food.”
My head is with Indie as I gear up for the game. I need to focus on my mental prep for tonight, but in the time it took us to fly from Minneapolis to Edmonton, things have blown up even more. It’s no longer contained to a local story. My relationship with Indie has become national news.
“You good, man?” Maddox sits next to me, his brown eyes focused on me, his features tight.
“I don’t know.”
He nods. None of my teammates have completely escaped public scrutiny of their relationships, but only Ryder and Lexi had to endure this level, since their story became national news because of Lexi’s dad.
He was our head coach, and when he found out his daughter was dating Ryder, he flew off the handle in a very public way, which led to him losing his job mid-season.
“I know it feels counterintuitive, but the best thing you can do right now is focus on winning the game. If you’re distracted, they’re going to blame her. It’s bullshit, and we all know it, but it’s the truth. And you don’t want that for her.”
I shake my head. “Of course, I don’t.”
He’s right. If I fuck up tonight and I’m not in perfect control, the commentary about her will turn vicious all too quickly.
These are the conference finals. The last series before the Cup.
We’re too close for me to lose my head now, and not only will I let myself and my team down if I do, but I’ll let Indie down too.
“I’ll be okay. I know what I need to do.”
“I know you do.” Maddox lays a hand on my shoulder and squeezes tight. “Let’s win this. For her. For all of us. And then if someone tries to call your relationship into question, we can tell them to shut the fuck up.”
I nod. With Maddox’s hand still squeezing my shoulder, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, holding it for a count of ten before slowly releasing it. After a few repetitions, my heart rate slows and I don’t feel like I’m about to erupt from my skin.
I’m in control. I’m focused. I won’t let anyone I love down.
“Let’s do this.”