Page 102 of Playing the Field

A few heads turn, reporters exchanging glances at the boldness of his statement.

But Graham doesn’t flinch.

The question we’ve all been waiting for.

“Graham, earlier today, a press briefing was sent out from the Tigers’ PR department confirming your relationship with team doctor Anastasia Bellows. Can you comment on that?”

Silence.

The air shifts.

Every camera in the room zooms in.

Brooke tenses slightly, but she doesn’t move.

She’s letting him handle this.

Graham’s fingers flex against the table, but when he finally speaks, his voice is calm, even.

“Yes,” he says simply. “The statement is true.”

The room erupts.

More questions fire in rapid succession.

“How long have you two been involved?”

“Were there concerns about favoritism in her contract negotiations?”

“Was the team ownership aware of this before her position was made permanent?”

Graham doesn’t let them rattle him.

He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table.

“Anastasia and I met in Cape Town before I ever took ownership of this team. We reconnected in Toronto before either of us knew we’d be working together. We kept things private for as long as we could, but with my position, that became increasingly difficult.”

He pauses, then adds, “Anastasia earned her position with the Tigers through her own work. Not because of me. She is the best person for the job, and anyone questioning that should take a look at the work she’s done since stepping in.”

The room quiets slightly.

That wasn’t a prepared PR answer.

That was him.

Owning the truth.

Standing by me.

Another reporter leans in. “So you’re officially confirming that the two of you are in a relationship?”

Graham’s lips twitch slightly.

“Yes.”

And just like that⁠—

The story isn’t a rumor anymore.