Page 97 of Not Just a Trick Play

There I am, naked, handcuffed to the headboard, looking dazed and bored with that stupid bear emoji overlaid on my cock again, the only thing keeping things this side of decency.

But the video itself doesn’t send a wave of nausea crashing through me; it’s the dawning realization that the timestamp in the corner reads 2 a.m.—hours after I was first chained up.

There’s no audio, but I see myself suddenly jerk to attention. Then, a sheet flies over me, replacing the bear.A second later, a woman enters the frame. Not Stella. Amelia.

I watch our mouths move in silent conversation before she climbs onto the bed, straddling me as she reaches for the handcuffs.

The video cuts off at the most incriminating moment, Amelia atop me—and we’re smiling at each other, making the shot look intimate, consensual, playful, even. Far from the shitshow it was.

“This footage makes us seem like liars, Jake. Because I put out a statement months ago saying you were a victim of a prank and that we didn’t condone people taking advantage of our players, big and tough as they are.” Jessica’s voice is chilly. “This appears as if you were in on it.”

Fuck.

I clench my jaw. “It wasn’t like that.”

“I know that.”

But it doesn’t stop there. She leans forward and flicks at the screen, scrolling to the next picture.

Amelia, looking like a goddess in her green gala gown. The captions are a one-two punch: she’s the mastermind behind my supposed dive into the world of BDSM. “Tied-Down Titan Shows Town What He’s Made Of: The Naked Truth.”

“That’s just bullshit,” I snap, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

Jessica swipes again. A photo of the Nurture NYC suite, me smiling in the background. In the foreground, Amelia is on a knee handing out a Teddy the Titan bears to a blurred figure, unmistakably a child. A bear that looks alarmingly similar to the one featured on my dick.

Jessica raises her eyes at me and flicks the screen one more time. That’s the real sucker punch.

All three images are juxtaposed, the headline under them: “Getting Them Started Young: From Playful to Predatory.”

My head pounds. “How?”

“CCTV in the Airbnb.” Jessica’s tone is matter-of-fact. “Illegal, yes, but right now, it’s the narrative that’s spiraling.”

“But it’s not how it went down.”

She sighs. “At this point, it’s about damage control. The legality of the video serves as leverage. The bears and children aren’t great, especially after that scandal where that fashion brand had the kids in holding toys in bondage gear.”

“Why’s this only coming out now?”

“Stella. Extreme Exposé fired her—likely because of the settlement they had to pay out. She probably also wanted to capitalize on the publicity around the gala.”

“But this is revenge porn.”

“It is. But more difficult to prove. Different actors, overlapping stories.”

“What the hell will this mean for Amelia?” I mumble.

Jessica’s expression softens slightly. “This time, we’re suing. No more holding back. Don’t even think of trying to talk me out of it. I’ll handle the press. For now, all practices are closed off. Your focus needs to be on the playoffs.” I see her preparing for battle.

“This is going to be a shitshow,” I spit out.

“Yes.” She pauses, ensuring she has my full attention. “And no matter what, your response is no comment.”

Right, no comment. The shield and sword for the modern gladiator. Jessica will take care of me. The Titans. That’s her job. But Amelia’s out there, unaware of the storm headed her way.

“You need to warn her.” The words echo my own dread.

“Yeah, tell her to get ready for her close-up, courtesy of yours truly,” I mutter, the sarcasm a weak defense against the sinking in my gut.

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