Page 277 of Sin Bin

“Great! Glad to hear it.” Dirk’s relief was palpable, and she could almost hear him grinning. “You know, all couples argue. It doesn’t have to spell the end of your relationship. You and Logan are obviously crazy about each other, so I’m sure you can work everything out.”

Meadow frowned, struck by the realization that her boss was afraid of her and Logan breaking up. He shouldn’t be so invested in her personal relationship. It was highly unnerving.

“There’s probably gonna be some reporters hanging around the office this week,” he said. “I don’t want them bombarding you with questions, so why don’t you work from home for a few days? Just until the buzz dies down a little.”

Meadow’s stomach knotted tighter. “If you think that’s best—”

“Absolutely. Can’t have the paparazzi harassing you.” Dirk laughed. “Do you realize how much publicity you’ve just generated for the company? Your name is trending on social media, which means people will be Googling where you work. Which means they’ll learn about Gamenetic. Definitely not a bad deal.”

Meadow felt sick to her stomach.

Logan walked back into the living room, took one look at her face and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Dirk heard his voice and got excited. “Is that Logan?”

“Yes. I’m at his place.”

“Tell him I said congratulations on the game. That was a sweet goal.”

“I’ll tell him,” she said as Logan plopped down beside her. “Thanks for calling, Dirk. I’ll check in with you in the morning.”

“Sounds good.” His idiotic grin came through the phone. “You and Logan enjoy the rest of your Sunday.”

“Thanks. You, too.” She ended the call and rolled her eyes.

Logan looked amused. “What was that about?”

“My boss is infatuated with you, and it’s seriously creeping me out. Anyway, what did your publicist say? How bad is the damage?”

He shrugged. “It’s nothing she can’t handle. She’ll put together a statement and issue it tomorrow.”

Meadow’s chest tightened as guilt bubbled up inside her. “I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble, Logan. If I hadn’t been at the club last night, you wouldn’t have beaten up those guys.”

He scowled. “Those assholes got what they deserved, especially the one who wouldn’t take his fucking hands off you. As far as I’m concerned, he got off way too easy.”

“But now you’re in trouble,” she fretted. “You could get fined or suspended—”

“Don’t worry about that, Jupiter. You’re all that matters to me.” He gathered her in his arms, protectively tucking her head against his shoulder.

She clung to him, needing his strength and his love, thankful he had both in spades.

Chapter Forty

MEADOW

Logan learned his fate the next morning when his agent called. The NHL was suspending him for one game and fining him $40,000 for “unacceptable off-ice conduct.”

After the punishment was announced, his publicist released a statement: “Mr. Brassard regrets that his conduct adversely affected the Denver Rebels organization, his teammates and his fans. He takes full responsibility for his behavior and accepts the league’s disciplinary actions. But to be clear: He makes no apologies for coming to the defense of Miss Ryan, a woman he has loved since they were children in foster care. Protecting her is second nature to him, and that’s just the way it is.”

The publicist’s strategy played especially well to women, who swooned at the romantic notion of a man chivalrously defending his woman’s honor. The viral fight video was remixed with a bunch of songs ranging from Enrique Iglesias’s “Hero” to Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.”

A popular black female YouTuber made a video in which she declared: “Yes, black girls can be damsels in distress, too! We deserve knights in shining armor just like everybody else!”

Meadow learned about the social media reaction from Jess, who called her right after Logan left for practice.

“I was so freaking jealous when I saw your man going apeshit on those losers. He was so terrifying and sexy! And then when he picked you up and carried you away?” Jess’s dreamy sigh floated through the line. “No wonder the video already has millions of views on YouTube. Have you watched it yet?”

“No. I really don’t need to see it. I lived it.” Meadow paused. “Plus I’m trying to stay focused and get some work done.”

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