Page 133 of The Fake Out Flex

"So it worked?"

"It did. Dawn had Oakey in private, and Clayton lapped up the attention and used that one appearance as a launching pad to becoming America's favorite reality TV villain."

"I see."

Clayton Rademacher has definitely got the bad boy image down pat. His shenanigans have been hard to miss, and I don't even watch reality TV.

"Is he really that awful?" I ask.

"Honestly, no. It's mainly for show, and again, it keeps all the publicity on him, which has allowed the rest of us, except for Mom, of course, to fade into the background."

"I'd hardly say you fade into the background, Fraser. You're one of the biggest names in pro hockey."

"I try to maintain as low a profile as possible." He angles his head. "With one exception."

My heart flutters. "Oh yeah? And has it been worth it? Making an exception?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

Fraser slides closer to me, and I lean into his warm body. He wraps an arm around me, and I watch Dawn with Oakey, playing mental catch up with everything Fraser has revealed. All the pieces are finally falling into place.

Why his family canceled the show midseason.

Why he left so abruptly the following day.

Why he couldn't say anything about what happened to anyone, for all these years.

Why he continues to be wary of the media.

It even explains why his brother is the way he is…

Everything makes sense.

But still, the reporter in me has questions.

Two, specifically. One silly one, one serious one.

I opt for the silly question first.

"Follow-up about Clayton."

"Go ahead."

"He's the subject of a lot of rumors, most of which I assume are false."

"You assume correctly."

"But is it true he's a ladies' man?"

Fraser's body stiffens. "Before I answer that, why do you want to know?"

The possessive rasp in his voice is unmissable.

I laugh. "Not for me. For Harper."

He relaxes, letting out a chuckle. "Don't tell me your sister has a crush on my brother?"

"Fine. I won't say that, but what I will say is that it's not a coincidence that she's watched every single reality TV show he's ever been on."

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