Page 187 of Over the Line

“I think he understands.” I smoothed Liam’s hair. “He told me when you laid it all out for him, it made him realize it wasn’t as big as he’d made it in his head. Not big enough that he wanted anyone’s career getting altered or ended because of it. I think that’s what made him stop and think about the big picture.”

“Maybe. I just hope⁠—”

I kissed him lightly. “You’re good. Trust me. He and I talked things through, too. He was just pissed that he found out the way he did.”

Liam scowled. “Trust Jack Arlen to fuck things up.”

“I know, right? Is anything going to happen to him because of this?”

“It better,” he growled. “I will personally go to his stepdad and lose my shit if Arlen still has press credentials after this.”

“Good. Fuck that guy.”

“No kidding.” He exhaled and rolled his shoulders. “I’ll deal with that tomorrow, though.” A smile started to come to life as he slid his hands up my chest. “Maybe we take today and this evening to just decompress? Catch our breath?”

“Sounds perfect to me.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and drew him closer. “I’m kind of tempted to say we can go out, since, you know, we don’t have to hide anymore. But I think I’m good with keeping a low profile, too.”

“Yeah, same. At least until the media loses interest in us.”

“You think they will?”

He shrugged. “They’ll get distracted sooner or later by something scandalous. And we’ll probably still have to contend with people taking photos and posting on social media if they spot us in the wild. But they probably won’t bother us much.”

“Good to know. In the meantime, I’m happy to just stay in and relax. I’ve been on the public’s radar for less than forty-eight hours and…” I grimaced.

Liam frowned. “That won’t go away entirely, you know. Even when they have bigger fish to fry, they’ll still notice us.”

“I know.” I smiled and leaned in closer. “I can live with that if it means I get to be with you.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh.” I dusted my lips across his. “And tonight I want to have you all to myself.”

“Mmm, I can live with that.” He carded his fingers through my hair. “What do you say we order some food and find another series to binge?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

He smiled, and then he pulled me into another kiss.

We’d have a spotlight on us going forward, even if its brightness varied depending on what else was pulling the media’s focus. I was intimidated by that, and a bit nervous about it, but it came with the territory of being with Liam.

My biggest fear about us had come and gone. Chris knew about us. Things had been dicey for a brief period, but now they were settled.

Nothing left to do but enjoy being with the man I loved.

CHAPTER 45

LIAM

As much as I wanted to spend a lazy morning curled up beside Garrett, hockey was a demanding mistress, and my alarm went off at too-damn-early-thirty. I grudgingly freed myself from his arms, biting back a curse as various aches and pains lit up all over my body. Some were from last night. Others… well… hockey, demanding mistress, etc.

As I stood, I paused to just stare at Garrett for a moment. He was sound asleep, daylight sliding over him as he snored softly into the pillow. He was so gorgeous. And he was here. He’d slept beside me last night, and he’d be here after tonight’s game.

Trying not to be too loud about it, I exhaled hard. I couldn’t believe this was real. Somehow, I’d held on to my career and the man I loved. Today at practice and tonight in the arena, Chris and I would continue playing side by side. Despite the best efforts of a clout-chasing asshole, despite the mistakes Garrett and I had made… everything had worked out.

I left Garrett to continue sleeping while I went in to take a shower. That part always felt good, especially when I was sore. Which… I mean, I was always sore. This morning, I let the hot water beat on my aching shoulder. I’d slept close to Garrett last night, and apparently not in the most ergonomic position. Now my gimpy-ass shoulder was in no hurry to let me forget it.

I closed my eyes and grimaced as I stretched my neck and carefully moved my arm, trying to work out the stiffness without pissing off the joint too much. It wasn’t so bad it would keep me from practicing, but the more I could loosen it up now, the better.