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"I guess they found out that her dad used to be your coach and that he died recently."
My heart sinks.
"If it helps any, they're being respectful," she says. "They figure you rigged the contest for her to win, but no one is angry about it. They think it's cute. They're speculating that the two of you are in love. How do you want me to handle it, Wes?"
I stare at her blankly.
"If we don't say anything, they'll keep prying," she says. "If we make a statement, we can get in front of it, give them a few crumbs and make it clear that you aren't going to be talking about her."
"She's not answering her phone," I mutter, my heart still sitting like a lead weight in my stomach. This is how Hurst knew about her. This is why she isn't answering the phone. She asked for baby steps. Now her whole damn life story is in the news. And I can't even go check on her because I'm in Miami.
Kelsey flinches.
"Fuck," I growl, leaning my head back against the wall and bouncing it several times. The motion doesn't help me thinkthrough the gnawing pit of worry in my guts. My girl needs me and I'm not there. I should have made her get on the plane with me today.
She's mine. It's my job to protect her.
I whip my head around to look at Coach. "I'm leaving after the game," I warn him before looking at Kelsey. "I'm not doing press or any of that bullshit. I'm going to get my girl."
"Okay, son," Coach says, not gainsaying me.
"Okay," Kelsey agrees.
Chapter Nine
Laney
"Please find Kelsey Laneand tell her that Laney Briggs needs to speak with her," I growl at the security guard blocking me from entering the locker room area. We're at the front of the arena, not even close to the stands. I can hear everyone going crazy, though.
"Ma'am, you can't go back there," he says, staring over my head. He's a freaking giant.
"I'm not asking to go back there. I'm asking for you to go find Kelsey Lane. She's the publicist for the Predators. Tell her that Laney Briggs needs to see her," I say again, trying not to lose my patience with this man. Fans probably try to sneak into the locker rooms all the time. He thinks I'm another in a long line. But I'm not trying to sneak in. I'm not even asking him to let mein. I just need him to find Kelsey so I can let someone know I'm here.
I tried to call Weston when my plane landed, but he was already on the ice. He called me like eight times today. I didn't get any of them. I couldn't get a nonstop flight, so I had to change plans in Jackson. And then we got delayed on the tarmac. The game is almost over now, and Weston has no clue I'm here. I sent him a text, but he might not get it for hours.
"Ma'am, I need you to step away from the doors."
"Are you freaking kidding me right now?" I stomp my foot which, admittedly, is not my best moment. But jeez. He didn't listen to anything I said.
"Hey! That's Laney Briggs!"
I whip around to see a woman pointing at me.
"Laney!" someone else shouts.
A second later, an entire mob of people descend on me, all talking at once. Camera flashes go off in my face, blinding me. Someone shoves a microphone in my face.
"Is it true that you and Weston Davies are dating?" the first woman asks.
"Um…" I blink, trying to clear the spots from my field of vision.
"Did you spend the night with him last night?"
"What's it like, dating one of People's Sexiest Men Alive?"
"Did your dad approve of Weston?"
What is happening right now?
