Page 34 of The Pilot & the Athlete

“I know. You’re a legend.” She shook his hand. “Please call me Shay.”

“Shay, you are a smart lady,” Aiden said. “Iama legend, but more importantly, Autumn tells me you’ve blasted your way into my favorite pilot’s generous heart. You couldn’t have picked a better man.”

Paul stiffened beside her. Shay didn’t know what to say. What had Paul told Autumn? He’d said they talked often. Did they email every day like he had with Carrie?

“Aiden,” Paul said, and his voice held a warning.

Aiden’s brows arched.

“All’s not well,” Autumn muttered, exchanging a look with Aiden. “Let’s get you changed,” she said brightly to Shay, pressing the garment bag into her hands. “I love this sundress on you, but we need to look a bit more professional.”

“Thank you.” Shay walked away from Paul. She felt unsteady. She had to focus on testifying at Big T’s criminal trial.That was terrifying. If only Paul could be by her side, but she and Paul felt further apart than ever.

She said a prayer and hoped it would be all right. The trial and her and Paul and Darian. Too much. It was overwhelming. The only thing she was grateful for at the moment was that she had powerful and confident people like Paul, Autumn, and Aiden Porter on her side. And she was grateful she hadn’t eaten anything. She was low-key going to lose it.

Chapter

Fourteen

A police carescorted Aiden’s Escalade through the mayhem outside the courthouse. Shay fidgeted with her hands and stared. None of them knew the swimmer Shay Cannon was the key witness, but they would.

A large hand rested on top of hers. She jolted but settled quickly at the warm pressure of Paul’s palm and fingers. “We’ll be right by your side,” he said softly.

“Thank you.” She pushed the future worries away. Paul was here for her, and she knew how tough and brave he was. Nobody would hurt her with him by her side. She turned her hand over and their palms aligned. A smile flickered across Paul’s handsome face as he threaded their fingers together. She returned the smile and kept clinging to Paul’s hand as they sat in the backseat staring at reporters and protestors and bystanders.

“What are they protesting?” she asked.

“They don’t want Big T to get off on a technicality again,”Aiden explained, pulling into a parking spot in the almost full lot.

“No cap,” she muttered.

Aiden raised a brow.

“It means no lie,” Paul said, winking at her.

She automatically grinned at him. Paul got her and he liked her teenage lingo. He lit her up with one touch and his magnetism and heroism was irresistible. Why did the nightmare of her brother’s past tragedy have to be like a rock formation between them?

Her smile slid away as Paul released her hand. Aiden, Autumn, and Paul all climbed out of the SUV. Aiden got her door and Paul hurried around. He slid his arm around her waist as if they were together.

She wasn’t about to complain. She needed his strength and his confidence. She leaned into him, and his grip tightened.

Autumn and Aiden led the way. Aiden shook reporters’ hands and answered the questions fired at him, acting like he was ‘running for mayor’ as her dad would say.

Aiden gave Paul a head nod and Paul and Autumn walked her through the front door while Aiden stayed behind to glaze the media.

“Paul,” she whispered, “I need to use the restroom.” The nerves weren’t helping her bladder.

“Of course.”

He and Autumn escorted her down the wide, beautiful courthouse hallway to a short side hall that led to the bathrooms. She waited with Paul’s arm supporting her while Autumn did a sweep of the women’s bathroom. Paul’s touch distracted her from her fears, giving her the chance to focus on theircompelling connection instead. Autumn came back out and gestured her in.

She hated walking away from Paul, but she hurried in and used the bathroom. As she washed her hands, nerves twisted her stomach.

“You’re going to do great,” Autumn told her. “You just tell them the truth. We’ll meet with the prosecutor and she’ll go through the questions with you and give you some tips for how to deal with the defendant’s questions. Big T’s lawyer will try to trip you up, but you’re too smart for the likes of that loser.”

“Thanks.” The lawyer had sent her questions to go through when she was in Arizona. Turner had practiced them with her. Meacham and Turner. No one had seen either of them for five days. What a nightmare.

She looked at herself in the mirror. The suit and skirt fit nicely, and her hair and makeup were simple and understated. She’d walked out in front of fans, TV cameras, critics, and opponents in a swimsuit. She’d stood on blocks, alone, faced down every challenge, and achieved great things. She was ready to face this and put it behind her. Justice needed to be served for that lady Big T had murdered, and for Meacham, Turner, and so many others.

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