Page 70 of Provoking the Punter

“That might be picked up by the media,” Caitlin finished.

“There is nothing else, and it’s too new to…” To be exposed to the hungry teeth and claws of the media. He wasn’t ready for that. Chester didn’t want that.

“You’ve got to give them something else to talk about. That’s the only way through this.”

No, the other way was for Harrison to come out and say it didn’t involve him. He doubted Harrison would do that. He might even blame Garrett. Either way, Garrett had no doubt Harrison’s job was on the line.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

Chester sipped his second coffee, surrounded by his messed-up bed sheets, and opened Preston’s message.

You were snapped last night.

He often ended up in photos from hens’ nights and parties in the restaurant, and even at the fundraising dinners. It was hardly worth a text, but he opened the link, anyway.

It was not that kind of photo.

Someone had photographed them leaving Bathtubs. He had Garrett up against the door, and they were clearly not chatting. It was a good thing the photographer couldn’t see Chester’s other hand because it was probably on Garrett’s dick. Garrett’s hand was on Chester’s ass and holding him close.

Garrett was not going to be happy about the photo.

He read the message beneath the photo.

Punter Gary Stevens getting friendly with well-known gay bar owner Chester Monroe.

Chester read the rest of Preston’s messages.

So your secret celeb is a football player?

He’s out now.

Well?

Of course, Preston wanted to know what was going on. How long until the rest of his friends saw it and made a comment? No one had commented when he’d been dating Michael. He responded, buying himself more time.

Give me a chance to read the article.

Preston replied straight away.

So that’s the guy you were talking about?

No, he went around kissing random celebrities all the time.

Of course, that’s him. Now let me read the article.

I hope he likes you enough to get through this.

It wasn’t like. It was love.

They both knew Garrett couldn’t stay out of sight forever, and they’d discussed dating when the season ended. No big announcement, just let it happen. They’d made plans, and it was all going to be fine, and now… now what would happen?

Then he made the mistake of reading the comments. They ran the gambit from “Oh my God, they’re too cute” to the kind of thing he expected from homophobic football fans. Then there was a comment with a link to another article: Is this why he was traded?

Chester couldn’t resist. He clicked the link. For several heartbeats, all he did was stare at the screen. Somehow, in one night, he’d become linked to Garrett and linked to the Harrison scandal.

He couldn’t breathe.

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