Page 26 of One Goal in Mind

“Thank you, truly.” We say goodbye and hang up. I feel lighter than I have all day, with a renewed sense of purpose. I text Will, thanking him for connecting me with Elle, then shoot off a message to Elle with my email.

I check the time, and there’s still several hours before group therapy. Coach told me to stay put, but there’s no harm in taking a quick walk down the street to my favourite sushi restaurant. I call and place a to-go order, then make my way outside. The moment the door swings open to the crisp air, I’m blinded by camera flashes.

“Is Scarlett North your girlfriend?”

“Are you dating your coach’s sister?”

“Is your girlfriend pregnant?”

I shield my eyes from the bright lights and duck back inside my building without answering their questions. If the press thinks Scarlett’s my girlfriend, it’s only a matter of time before Coach finds out. I rush into my apartment and type out a quick message to Scarlett.

There was paparazzi outside of my apartment asking about you.

There are dancing bubbles for a moment, but then her name appears as an incoming call. I can’t answer fast enough. “Hey, Red.”

“Hi, um, why were they asking about me?”

“One asked if you were my girlfriend, another asked if you were knocked up.”

“What?” she squeaks.

“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck and wince. “I didn’t tell them anything.”

“Oh.” The simple word is laced with disappointment.

“I’m used to sports reporters asking about my dating life during post-game interviews, but these guys seemed more like the assholes you see chasing after celebrities. Our relationship is none of their business.”

“And if it was a sports reporter? What would you have told them?”

“The truth. I know we didn’t talk about what the rest of the season is going to look like, but I’m not sliding backward. I want to tell Coach about us. Hell, I’d scream it to the world from the rooftops that you’re my girl. But I won’t if you’re not one hundred percent okay with going public.”

Scarlett huffs a small laugh. “You really want to tell everyone we’re dating?”

“Why not? It isn’t as if we’re casually dating, Red. I’ve never been a fan of labels. We’re not just dating, we’re not friends with benefits, you’re mine. There’s no one else and hasn’t been since we met.”

“So… I’m your girlfriend?”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “You’re my girlfriend.”

She takes a deep breath. “We’re really doing this?”

“It’ll be hard, but yes. I’ll have flexibility with my schedule since I can’t play. We’ll make it work.”

“Okay. Oh, shit, I’m sorry, I have to run. But if you want me to tell my brother, I will. Though, I suspect he already knows if there’s rumours circulating.”

“Whatever you want.”

“I love you, bestie.” The song in her voice returns, and I can’t help my smile.

“Love you too.”

We hang up, and I book the first flight to Québec City. I’ll be travelling all day, but I don’t want to spend another night without her in my arms.

CHAPTER 11

SCARLETT

THREE MONTHS LATER

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