I grin in appreciation of his praise. “Cheers, man.”
He replies with a grunt while Sophie watches him with clear adoration on her face. What I wouldn’t give to have Lily look at me that way. If she truly wants to continue in her profession and take the position my sister has implied she’ll offer Lily upon her return, could I relinquish hockey to be with her? I still have to fulfill my contract with the Sun Kings, but perhaps we could maintain something long distance until then. I can’t very well ask her to make a sacrifice if I’m not willing to do the same for her.
All these thoughts swirl through my head as we walk out of the arena and into an onslaught of shouts and flashbulbs illuminating the surrounding night. A wall of reporters and cameras surge forward, their shouted questions vying for attention.
“How long have you been hiding your royal ties?”
“What does your family think about your double life?”
“Are you abdicating hockey to take up your title?”
And just like that, my secret is out.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
LILY
Instinct and training kick in as I assess the situation and determine our best exit route.
“Oh, bloody brilliant,” Payton mutters next to me as he shields his eyes against the flashes.
One journalist shoves his way from behind the rest, then lunges toward us, his phone up and recording everything. “Payton, is this your girlfriend? She’s wearing your jersey. Does your family approve of her?”
I jump in front of Payton, blocking the guy from getting any closer. “Step. Back.”
The journalist blinks at me, surprised. No doubt he didn’t expect me to be the one to stand in his way. “I?—”
“I said, back off.” I match my expression to the threatening tone of my voice.
He recoils, then looks as if he’s about to launch forward again, just like the rest, vying for Payton’s attention. To our left, the exit route to the parking lot is blocked by news vans, and all the commotion has drawn a crowd of fans to our right. That leaves only one choice—retreat into the arena.
I spin around and herd Payton toward the door we just exited. “We need to go back inside.”
He frowns at me as if he’s unsure.
“Now!”
He nods and turns around.
Faces full of shock, Sophie and Luke stare at us as if we told them the end of the world had arrived, and I have a feeling in Payton’s mind it has. But there’s no time to explain anything to them yet. I continue to push Payton until we’re well inside.
“What the hell?” Luke growls as he follows us inside.
Payton drags a hand down his face. “It’s a long story.”
I glance toward the door. “Where’s Sophie?”
Luke tips his head in that direction. “She’s trying to find out what that’s all about.”
Payton and I lock eyes, commiserating this unexpected turn of events without words.
Several of the other players walk out of the locker room, smiling and oblivious to the commotion until they see us standing there and then hear the muffled sounds from outside. Natural curiosity propels them toward the exit to find out what’s going on.
Except for Wade, who glances between Luke and Payton. “Did the party move to the hallway?”
“That’s one way of looking at it,” Luke grunts.
Clearly flustered, Sophie rushes back in and points at Ethan and Mathéo. “You two guard the door and don’t let anyone in.” Then she points at Luke. “Go get Coach Markelson.”
