Page 313 of Iced Up Love: Part Two
Controlled.
Measured.
Holding himself in a way that isn’t natural to him, but he’s doing it anyway because he knows what this moment is.
“a lot of attention tonight surrounding your relationship,” the reporter is saying. “Can you clarify what exactly is going on?”
I feel Lia shift slightly under my hand.
Jackson doesn’t hesitate.
“We’re in a committed relationship.”
Straight. Clean.
The reporter presses.
“So Liana Waverly is with all three of you?”
“Yes.”
The answer lands. Final. Unapologetic.
I feel something settle in my chest at that. He’s not backing down.
Good.
“And the speculation that this is a publicity stunt, given Ms. Waverly’s career...”
My grip tightens slightly at the back of her neck.
Jackson’s expression shifts just enough that I catch it.
“That’s not what this is,” he says, his voice harder now. “This is my private life.”
“And the incident at the gala, are those events connected?”
There it is. The angle. The attempt to pull everything into one narrative.
I feel Lia go still.
Jackson doesn’t rise, doesn’t snap, doesn’t give them anything.
“I’m not commenting on the gala,” he says flatly. “Speak to the authorities. We were in attendance. That’s it.”
A beat.
“I’m here to talk about hockey. Hockey is hockey. My private life is my private life.”
And just like that, he shuts it down.
My gaze lingers on the screen for a second longer before dropping to her.
She’s steady.
Still processing.
Still holding herself together in a way that tells me she’s feeling everything and not letting it take her under.
