Page 65 of The Fine Line
I nearly choke.
Photos of Rhett and me from this morning flash onto the screen—somehow looking even worse than I feared.
No, no, noruns on a loop in my brain, but I can’t get the words out.
Just as I open my mouth, Bryan clicks again.
Now the screen is showing a headline—plastered right across the homepage of the biggest sports news site there is:
There’s a Storm Brewing! Texas Storm’s New Captain, Rhett Sutton, Spotted with Coach Barrett’s Daughter.
I barely process it before he clicks again, showing another article.
Could the Texas Storm’s Season Already Be on Thin Ice with Things Heating Up Between Rhett Sutton and His Head Coach’s Daughter?
Click.
The NHL and Fans Questioning Rhett Sutton’s Captaincy After Romance Rumors Prove True.
Click.
The NHL’s Newest Rinkside Reporter Is Getting to Know Her Team’s Captain… Intimately.
Click.
One of the NHL’s Favorite Playboys Strikes Again! But This Time, He’s Keeping It in the Family?!
Click.
Rhett Sutton and His Most Scandalous Fling’s Relationship Timeline: Meet His New Not-So-Mystery Girl!
The clicking speeds up. Social media posts. Comments. Reactions. A flood.
I let my eyes glaze over. I’ve seen enough.
“I think we get the point,” Rhett finally says.
“Well, I sure hope so,” Linda replies coolly. “Because the two of you have created a serious problem. Not just for yourselves—but for the entire Texas Storm organization.”
“We didn’t do anything,” I manage. “I know it looks bad, but?—”
“Oh, it looks worse than bad,” Linda cuts in sharply.
“But it’s not what it looks like,” I press. “We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time?—”
“The wrong place being outside Rhett’s apartment,” she says, “and the wrong time being your walk of shame out of it?”
“Hey, you don’t talk to her like that,” Rhett says, voice low.
“Unfortunately, it’s my job to talk like this,” Linda snaps. “I handle the Storm’s public image. And you’ve both done some serious damage. People are questioning Rhett’s leadership, Caroline’s qualifications, Coach Barrett’s integrity—shall I go on?”
Silence.
I squeeze my eyes shut, take a breath, and then open them again. “Bryan… Dad… nothing happened. Nothing has ever happened between me and Rhett. This is just a huge misunderstanding. I need you to believe me.”
Silence again—until Rhett speaks.
“She’s telling the truth.”
