“I make money from that account,” he says. “I’ve been saving it for my parents. I wanna pay off their house for them. They spent so much money on me over the years, paying for all my hockey stuff. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for them. I want to do something for them.”
Warmth swoops through my chest. “Blake, that’s amazing. Also, wow. You must be making a lot of money.”
He blushes as he smiles. “Yeah, I get a lot of brand deals. I’m kind of surprised at how much money people are willing to pay a shirtless guy with muscles to pose with their stuff.”
He clears his throat, and he’s serious again. “I’ve had that account for so long. I’ve managed to keep it separate from my real life. So when I saw that you, someone close to me, had found me, I freaked out. I wondered if other people in my life would find it and recognize me. I started panicking.”
“But why? Blake, there’s nothing wrong with you having a private, anonymous account like this.”
He shakes his head. “If the school found out, I could get expelled. I’m pretty sure having a sexy account on social media violates their student code of conduct.”
“Oh. I didn’t even think about that.”
“That’s why I left so abruptly. I was panicking. My brain was thinking of every worst-case scenario, and I needed to be alone to process it. What if someone recognized me and reported me? I’d get kicked out of school. I’d get kicked off the hockey team. I’d lose my spot on the Nashville Wolves. That would be it. I’d lose everything.”
His face goes pale. He looks off to the side.
“I spent the next few days going over all my posts and videos, making sure there wasn’t anything in them that could identify me. When I wasn’t in class or at practice or traveling for our away game, I was alone, poring over my social media account. I was going crazy.”
My chest aches. Poor Blake. That’s why he was so cold to me when I texted him. He was spiraling.
“When I finally calmed down and could start to think clearly again, I realized what a jerk I was to you.” He grabs my hand again and looks down at our laced fingers for a long moment. “And I’m sorry I left you the morning after your nightmare. I had an early practice, and I didn’t want to wake you up. You were so stressed, and I just wanted you to rest.”
He looks down at our joined hands and shakes his head, his brow furrowed, regret flashing in his eyes. “When I texted you to check on you, and you didn’t answer, I was so worried. I figured you were mad at me for how I acted, and you didn’t want to see me anymore. But I wanted to apologize to you. In person, not over text. You deserved a face-to-face conversation. But then you didn’t reply to any of my other texts, and…I was going crazy. I needed to see you, to talk to you. And then I saw you at the bar with that guy trying to do a body shot on you, and I just snapped. I…” He yanks a hand through his hair and huffs out a breath. “I’m so sorry.”
I spend the next few moments quietly processing everything he’s told me. Yeah, the way he handled it was confusing and hurtful, but I understand how he was feeling now that he’s explained it to me. He said he’s sorry, and I believe he means it. I can tell how upset he is.
I look up at him. “It’s okay. I understand why you reacted the way you did.”
He blinks, and the worry in his gaze starts to fade.
“We’re good, Blake.”
“Really?”
I nod and give his hand a soft squeeze. “I won’t tell anyone about your account. Your secret is safe with me. I promise.”
A warm smile pulls at his lips. “I know you won’t.”
I hesitate for a second. “You’re really not weirded out by the fact that I’ve been unknowingly lusting after you all this time?”
His smile grows. “No. I think it’s hot.” Heat flickers in his gaze. The air between us sparks.
“I was scared you’d be freaked out.” I let out a shy laugh.
“I’m relieved, honestly.”
I tilt my head honestly. “Why?”
“Because knowing that you like my sexy account makes me feel better about having a crush on you.”
I blink at him. “You have a crush on me?”
“Since the moment I met you in freshman year of high school.”
My mouth falls open. “You’re kidding.”
He rubs the back of his neck, his face turning red, his smile turning flustered. “I’m serious, Briar. I’ve always liked you.”
