Page 154 of Studs Up
“More like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Alex muttered. Both Nolan and I stared at him.
“What?” Alex asked.
“I don’t believe it,” Cruz gave us a critical eye. “Like how?”
“I’ve seen it,” Alex admitted. “It’s fucking weird, but we better get on board because that is not going to end any time soon.” He jerked a thumb at us.
“Is there a protocol for this?” Quinn asked.
Coach Santos cleared his throat. “No, but we’re gonna have to come up with one.”
The doors opened again, and a stream of people I had totally forgotten about, but probably shouldn’t have, stormed in.
A woman in a Guardian jersey tucked into a deep blue pencil skirt and stilettos took command.
“Media out,” she announced and pointed to the door. My stomach plunged. Reporters had been in her the whole time? “And if I see a fucking word about this online before I give you the okay, I will string your balls up with barbed wire.”
“That’s Alice,” Nolan whispered to me. “You owe her a fruit basket.”
I think I owe Nolan one because that woman was formidable as fuck, and if she had the guts to scream at Nolan, none of us had a chance.
About ten people scurried through the teams and out the door. Jesus, the press had heard and seen everything.
Behind her was Frank, and behind them were Benedict Goldstone and Sebastian Caldwell, one of the Guardian owners.
“What the fuck is going on?” Goldstone growled. Nolan let go of my hand to cross his arms and stare down the owner of the Rovers. I loved him so much. He was fearless and strong and everything I needed him to be at this moment.
An awkward silence fell. No one seemed to want to be the one to tell them. So, I took a breath and did it myself.
“Long story short, I’m in a relationship with Nolan.”
Sebastian's mouth dropped, and Goldstone clenched his hands. Alice didn’t look shocked at all.
“And,” I continued before Goldstone could pop a vein. “Marcel has been blackmailing me. He’s the one that released the picture.”
“My god,” Sebastian gaped at us.
Goldstone threw an angry finger at Nolan. “He’s the one you said wasn’t going to be a fucking problem.”
“Um…” Yeah, I did say that. Shit.
“This is a fucking problem,” Goldstone seethed. “This ends right fucking now, or I will cut your contract so fast it will slap you in the face.”
I straightened and didn’t hesitate. It was the easiest thing in the world.
“Then cut it,” I said. “But you’re going to have to be the one to explain to everyone why.”
“I own this fucking team, and I will do whatever I want. You’re done, Monroe,” he snapped.
“I don’t think cutting the hero of your team right before the final is going to go over well with your fan base.” That came from Quinn Taylor. Everyone turned to him. The last person anyone thought to speak up on my behalf was the captain of the Guardians.
Goldstone glared at Quinn before turning that glare back on me.
“Get your shit and get out,” he snarled. Then he turned and marched out. Frank was pinching the bridge of his nose.
“He goes, I go,” Nolan looked Sebastian dead in the eyes.
“Nolan,” I said, shocked. He looked at me.
