Page 66 of Pucked and Pregnant

Of course, the real test will come when I leave the hotel later today. I’m sure there will still be some reporters on my ass, but the scant number of articles gives me hope.

My stomach is a little queasy but that’s probably from dehydration. Despite that, I’m still in a good mood. Actually, this might be the best I’ve felt in a while. Perhaps all I need to solve my problems is to get fucked within an inch of my life.

Difficulties at work?

Just get laid.

Media circus turning your life upside down?

Sex can fix that too.

Dick: The problem solver for any woman’s ailment.

The thought is so comical that I actually laugh out loud.

Damn, I really am in a great mood and it feels good.

“What could you possibly be laughing about this early in the morning?” Dimitri grumbles.

“Nothing.”

“Didn’t sound like nothing.”

“I’m just feeling good. That’s all.”

He leans over and kisses my temple. “Good.”

“You think your press conference strategy worked?” Connor asks, joining us at the tiny table.

“I think so, at least a little bit. I’ve only been able to find three or four articles and a handful of posts talking about my love life.Spotlight Secretsrefuses to give up.” I roll my eyes. “They’re convinced it was a calculated point in the wrong direction so I could keep my real boyfriend a secret. The fact that people still think they’re a reputable news source after all this is beyond me.”

I can feel them staring at me.

If I refuse to look up from my phone we won’t have to have this conversation. Everything will go back to the way it was and no one’s feelings will get hurt.

If you actually think that’s what’s going to happen, you’re as delusional as the people running Spotlight Secrets.

Last night made it clear to me what I want but I know there’s no way they’d go for that again. We’re not teenagers anymore. It would be too complicated to maintain, let alone keep it a secret. The only reason I didn’t get too attached when we were younger was because there was a hard end point. What’s going to stop me this time?

I can’t afford to be distracted by any kind of romantic entanglements at this point in my career. That would go completely against the plan.

I need to keep my nose to the grindstone so I can get to where I want to be by the time I’m thirty. Then, and only then, will I start focusing on finding someone that fits into my life and makes me want to settle down.

I can’t let whatever hold they have on me derail any of that.

How do I even start that conversation?

Hey, remember when we fucked with no strings attached as teenagers? Would you be open to doing that again?

Or something like,I know you’re at the point where you’re starting to think about your future both on and off the ice. How do you feel about putting all that aside for now and setting up an exclusive booty call situation instead? Reason being, it would be too easy to fall in love with the three of you and I’m terrified of commitment. Thanks so much for understanding.

No matter how I word it, it’s still shitty and extremely unfair to them.

Connor clears his throat. “Liv, we’ve got to talk about it.”

“I know. I just don’t know where to start.”

I hate how vulnerable I sound.

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