Page 81 of Love on the Line

Chapter 28

Gripping the phone,Wyatt’s fingers turned white as he checked the picture message from John.

This is fucked, but thought you should know. He’d attached a press link with an image of Anne, head burrowed into Blackwood’s chest, his arm around her. The caption read, “Pearson’s girlfriend has a new hero.”

A red haze blurred Wyatt’s vision. He’d always been the strong one. The one no one could take down. The one who ran twenty yards after the catch, dragging three defensive players with him.

“What is it?” Anne leaned closer, her face pale.

He held the phone out, and she gasped. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. The press took all these pictures when Devon brought me here. I forgot about them because I was so worried about you.”

Wyatt’s ego took a hard hit, rattling his brain. He’d just had a taste of what she must have felt like with the “Jane Doe” social media blowup. This time, he was on the receiving end, and it sucked. And as much as Anne hated the attention, she’d endured the paparazzi to be with him.

She shook her head and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Those vultures are horrible. They have no idea what you went through in that alley. Don’t believe a word of this garbage.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m so sorry if I’ve embarrassed you. I just wanted to see you as soon as possible, so I didn’t even think about what I was wearing. I’m not used to being chased by the press.”

What the hell was he doing? He knew better than to let the media get to him. He’d spent the last night frantic, fearing the worst. Now Anne had a bandaged head, a concussion, and pictures of her splashed across the press wearing God-awful clothes because she’d rushed to his bedside. She must have been out of her mind with worry for him. Meanwhile, he was thinking like a jealous asshole. He didn’t know how to deal with jealousy, because he’d never been in love before.

Bam.

A high-speed pass whacked him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. In love? Yeah. He loved her. Until they’d met, his life had been a series of plays and players. Growing up, his whole life had been sports. Travel teams, competitions, skills training, cheerleaders. Fun at the time, but he never knew what he was missing—a deep connection with someone real who wore her heart on her sleeve and gave to everyone she touched.

He and Anne took walks in the rain because she liked the sound drumming on the umbrella, with her nestled against his body. She brought homemade dog treats to dense-and-dumb Goober, giving him belly rubs even when he was wet and covered in mud. And Wyatt didn’t have sex with Anne, they made love. Huge difference.

Before he’d blacked out in the alley, his last thought was he might never see her again. It had paralyzed him, shredding his heart. He swore if they got through the night, he’d never let her go.

He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “None of this is your fault. You don’t ever embarrass me.”

She pressed her lips together and gave a quick nod.

He squeezed her hand. “We’ll get through this. Just like we have before. But if it’s too much for you, I understand.”

Her eyes softened, and she bent down and kissed him. “I can handle anything with you by my side. You’re worth it.”

His heart rolled in his chest, and his body relaxed for the first time since the fight in the alley. “Goober will be happy to see you again.”

Anne jerked. “Oh my God, Goober. I almost forgot all about him.” She grabbed her phone. “Poor thing has to be starving. I’ll get a ride so I can go feed him.”

“He’s fine.”

“But no, he needs—”

“Nothing. He’s taken care of. I called the dog walker.”

“Phew, Okay.” Anne let out a breath.

“Thanks for caring.” Wyatt squeezed her hand. “About him and about me.” He shut his eyes and frowned. “I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you.”

“Stop it. You had no chance.” She rubbed his arm. “It happened so fast, and there were four of them.”

Yeah, well, that hadn’t stopped Blackwood. Wyatt tamped down the irritation because he should be grateful.

“Please, let it go. All that matters is that we’ll be okay.” She lowered the bedrail, sat in a chair, and rested her head against his shoulder.

He stroked her hair and held her hand. Yeah, he loved her. Warmth spread in his chest as nerves tensed his shoulders. What the hell was he going to do about USC and the Ravens?

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