Page 35 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“You can believe in it because I’m not going anywhere. You’d have to get rid of me first – but don’t, okay? My heart couldn’t take it,” he chuckled, closing his eyes and offering up a silent prayer of thanks.

They left an hour later,stopped by Becca’s apartment, and Travis gave a brief statement while she made a run for the front door. She was right. This was getting pretty ridiculous. If it was just him, he could deal with that – but harassing Becca was another matter completely.

One he did not appreciate in the slightest.

“Hello, everyone,” Travis began and silently had his agent’s voice echoing in his head what to say – and what not to say. “I really appreciate all of my fans and the care that everyone has shown in my recovery. I hope that the myths are right – that a little scar will make me look even tougher on the ice, eh?” He flashed them a smile, trying not to wince as it pulled on his lip, before speaking again.

“Now, I’d be happy to answer a few questions, so long as you give my girlfriend a break. She’s not used to you guys following her to work and the grocery, and if I catch you continuing to do it – then all these spontaneous interviews might come to a stop. And why would we want that to happen, eh, fellas?”

“So Travis, you are confirming that you and Rebecca Baird are dating?”

“Today’s a date, and we are currently riding together in the car – yes,” he chuckled, knowing he was twisting their words playfully. “Next question?”

“It’s early in the morning, were you together all evening? We didn’t see her car leave your subdivision.”

“Ohhh, straight for the jugular, eh, Wilson?” Travis chuckled, playing it off. “I didn’t want to snitch on you fellas sleeping in your van by the guard shack outside of my house.”

“So Miss Baird was at your house?”

“Of course she was. We watched a few movies and had dinner – just like normal people.”

“Is it serious for you two?”

“Aren’t all relationships supposed to be serious?”

“So you are confirming that you two are in a relationship?”

“Technically, since I know about half of this group and we’re having an easy discussion between acquaintances, I suppose you could say that we sort of have a relationship, too. I mean, that would put me talking with four or five people at once – which would tarnish my golden boy image. Are you guys trying to get me in trouble?” he teased almost flirtatiously with a mock-gasp. “You wouldn’t be doing that, would you?”

“Are you and Miss Baird going on another date soon?”

“Today is another date on the calendar,” he said evasively, arching an eyebrow and chuckling. “Do you want to know the more personal aspects of my life, too? Do I chew with my mouth open, burp, what color is my underwear, boxers or briefs? Where’s the ‘line’ at, boys?”

“Are they boxers or briefs, Travis?”

“I was joking, sir. They are present – and that is all anyone needs to know.”

“And for Becca to find out?” one reporter asked, causing several others to chuckle as Travis frowned. This one guy was twisting things, and he was going to put a kibosh on it quickly – or end the interview.

“I don’t like your implication. What’s your name?”

“Robert.”

“Well, Robert – I won’t be answering any more questions for you if you continue along that line. I don’t need to discuss my personal life with a gossip columnist under the guise of a sports reporter. That was a joke made in poor taste by me, hoping you would leave us alone –not double down on harassing me or my girlfriend. It also had nothing to do with hockey. While I answer personal questions like this occasionally, it’s for my fans and because it’s usually an innocent question or a joke – but your obvious innuendo was neither of those things.”

“But you aren’t denying it either,” Robert pressed, and Travis was done. He looked away, facing some of the other reporters.

“I’ve made a mess of my past and learned from my mistakes – because I value my life and the blessing that I’ve been given, allowing me to play a sport that I enjoy as a career. I’ve always tried to keep work and personal separate. I know that the questions are out there and lingering – so as a courtesy to my fans, I’ll answer that question once for you –and that’s it,”Travis said simply and knew he was precariously close to losing his temper like Theo on the ice. He wasn’t going to have Becca’s name trashed in the media, especially before they took off to meet her family.

“I believe in the sanctity of marriage, and while some of my actions in the past might not conform to that statement, I also believe that meeting the right person can change a man. No one will know if it’s boxers, briefs, or what color my underwear is – including Becca. That is personal, just like religion and relationships. The only person who needs to know anything about either is myself and my God – and none of you fit the bill. If I marry someday, I guarantee that not even my wife would ask such a crass thing. That question from Robert was designed simply to make a scene or get attention – and I won’t have it. Is that clear? Does anyone else have any more questions pertaining to hockey?”

Silence surrounded him for a few moments before someone piped up.

“Mr. Giroux, is it true you are going to be wearing a different helmet at practice now because of your injury?”

“That’s the best question I’ve had in a week,” Travis praised and chuckled. “And to answer it – Yes! That is a huge affirmative, and the equipment coach already has one waiting in my locker for the next practice. Now, if you will excuse me and give us a bit of privacy, I will be happy to answer any more questions before Wednesday’s game,” he said congenially and then frowned, singling out the obnoxious report and making an example out of him.

“Except for you, Robert – you should go talk to your boss because by harassing me and my girlfriend, I’m done with you. In fact, one word, and I guarantee several of my teammates would be done doing candid interviews like this, too.”

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