Page 21 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

Does she want him?

I should’ve asked more questions. Because I don’t know what’s going to happen next with Nadia, but I do know I must remain calm.

There’s an eerie silence taking over the room as everyone waits for my response.

“Ignore it,” Connor whispers as people hush behind their hands.

I feel my heart has stopped.

I glance ahead, my eyes locking with the reporter, who is holding a magazine article in the air. My gaze shifts to the front page of the magazine. My heart sinking when I recognize the perfect face of actor Dominic Logan staring back at me. Despite Connor’s whispered instruction to ignore it, I find myself unable to tear my eyes away from the image, feeling a surge of emotions that I cannot quite put into words.

As the bright flash of a camera illuminates the room, I realize that the situation between Nadia and Dominic has thrust my life into the limelight. The media frenzy surrounding me is palpable.

The weight of the world is heavy on my shoulders. All I want right now is the safety and privacy of my home.

As I stand silently, my coach takes the microphone and addresses the journalists. His voice resonating through the room.

At the exit doors, I turn as the coach speaks.

“This press conference is over. I am sick of my players’ personal lives being a major topic of conversation. We have press conferences to talk about the game, not the players’ personal lives, and certainly not to stir up shit. Thank you for coming. Hopefully next time you’ll find your manners.”

As he finishes his speech, I turn to leave, my coach giving me a nod of approval before I make my way out of the conference center.

Chapter 8

Nadia

As my cell chimes, I immediately recognize the distinct sound I assigned to my mom’s messages. My grandpa has already been released from the hospital, but a wave of anxiety washes over me at the mere thought of him being readmitted.

I quickly reach for my cell phone and eagerly open the text message.

I stand there, my mouth hanging open in shock as I read her message.

Mom: Dominic has called here.

I quickly call her. “What did he say?”

“He said he’s been trying to contact you, but you’re not answering.”

“Because we are over. I don’t need to talk to him,” I say, exasperation in my tone.

Mom sighs. “Have you seen the newsstands? He’s telling the world how much he loves you.”

“What?” Why the hell would he do that when we’ve broken up? “He kept me a secret for two years, and then he cheated on me. Why would I even consider taking him back?”

Oscar strides toward me, his eyes focused. A somber look spreads across his face as he gets closer, evidently having caught wind of my conversation with Mom.

His jaw clenches tightly, his eyes narrow in concentration.

“Everything okay?” he asks, though we both know the answer.

I exhale heavily, running a hand through my hair. “Dominic! Apparently, he’s been trying to reach me and is now taking his pleas public by blabbing to the press about how much he ‘loves’ me.” I use air quotes derisively.

Oscar frowns. “That jerk who cheated on you? Why would he do something like that?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” I mutter. “We’ve been over for months after his infidelity. I don’t owe him anything, least of all a response to whatever pathetic public displays he’s pulling.”

Mom’s voice comes through the phone again. “Sweetheart, I know you’re upset. You need to respond to the article, otherwise it’ll fester.”

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