Page 297 of Iced Up Love: Part Two
I run my hand over my mouth, exhaling slowly.
“This is going to hit the next game,” she adds. “Media attention is going to spike. You need to be prepared for that.”
Of course it will. Everything always bleeds into hockey.
“Alright,” I mutter. “Draft something. I’ll look at it.”
“And Jackson?”
I pause.
“Be careful how you respond publicly,” she says. “This could impact more than just your personal life.”
I don’t answer straight away. Because I already know that.
“I’ll call you back,” I say finally.
Then I hang up. For a second, I just stand there, letting it settle, letting the weight of it hit properly.
This is exactly what I knew would happen. Exactly what I’d been trying to get ahead of.
And it’s still not enough.
I walk back into the kitchen. They all look at me immediately.
“What’s wrong?” she asks softly.
I drag a hand through my hair again, exhaling sharply.
“It’s blown up,” I say. “Everything. The relationship. You. The video.”
I see it hit her. Not shock. Not panic. Just… recognition.
“Well,” she mutters quietly, “shit.”
I let out a short breath that might be a laugh if it didn’t feel so tight.
“They think it’s a stunt,” I add. “That we’re doing this for publicity. That you’re promoting a book.”
Her brows pull together slightly.
“Of course they do.”
I step closer to her, my focus narrowing.
“PR wants to get ahead of it. Statement. Damage control.”
I expect her to react. To pull back. To panic. But she doesn’t. Not in the way I think she will.
“This is what I was worried about,” she says quietly.
I step closer immediately.
“Hey, it’s okay...”
“I’m not worried about me.” She cuts in.
I stop.
