Punching the steering wheel, I screamed. The thought of her with another man had my insides churning. Rage consumed me at the mere idea of another man even touching her.
I had ruined my one shot.
CHAPTER 29
TATUM
PRESENT
Griffin Silver’s Stunning Playoff Win—But Who’s the Mystery Woman Stealing the Spotlight?
Rookie sensation Griffin Silver is proving himself on the field, leading his team to a thrilling second playoff victory last night. But while the game should have been the biggest headline, it’s the mystery woman who clung to him after the win that has everyone talking.
A reporter grabbed him before his post-game conference where Silver was answering questions about his performance and the shocking news that the suspects from the grocery store robbery he was caught in had been released on bail. But before he could respond, a stunning fan stormed the interview, wrapping herself around his arm in front of the cameras.
Dressed in a cropped jersey with Silver’s name stretched across her back, the woman gushed about his performance, clinging to him while security scrambled to intervene. Silver, visibly caught off guard, offered only a smirk and a vague “Thanks” before she was pulled away.
But the damage was done. Social media exploded overnight with speculation.
“Is this Griffin Silver’s new girl?” One fan posted. “Because she is NOT Tatum Grace.”
For weeks, rumors have swirled about Silver’s rekindled connection with fitness influencer Tatum Grace,his childhood friend and the woman who had been by his side during the robbery. But after last night’s viral moment, some are questioning whether Tate has already been replaced.
“So much for childhood love.” Another fan wrote. “Looks like Griffin’s already moved on.”
Neither Silver nor Grace have commented on the speculation, but one thing is certain, his life off the field is starting to overshadow his performance on it. With the playoffs heating up and his name dominating headlines for more than just baseball, Griffin Silver might have more than just a championship to fight for.
I tossed my phone aside and stared at the ceiling of my bedroom. I’d read more than one article just like that one. Comments were starting to swarm all my accounts from girls in outrage and men asking for their shot. I was equally flattered and disgusted.
He had called so many times last night.Even after Millie told him to stop.And despite every bone in my body that wanted to answer that stupid call, to tell him yes, I wanted to try this whole relationship thing, to believe it was just a fan putting herself where she didn’t belong, my heart wouldn’t allow it. My heart, that had been battered and bruised so many times, wouldn’t let me answer one of his hundreds of calls or the slew of text messages that followed.
I had been so excited for him until I saw that interview. Millie and I had jumped up and down in the living room. We’d screamed. We’d celebrated the win of the boy who was told he’d never get to the major leagues. But more importantly, we celebrated me finally letting go of my fears of him hurting me again.
She reminded me all night that he couldn’t possibly be thesame as the boy who shunned me in high school. It had been almost eight years since he’d done that, and we’d all changed so much since then. I knew she was right, but then the reporter snagged him as he was on his way out. He had looked angry at first. I saw it in the way he pinched his brows and the slight frown that tugged at his lips, and I wondered what could possibly ruin a win this big.
Then the questions started, questions about the game, the robbery, and me. And instead of letting the world know I was more, he deflected any questions about me, giving vague answers that made it seem like we truly were nothing.
I tried to tell myself he was doing it on purpose. He had been told to do it by his agent, or he was trying to protect me from the reporters, but it hurt. Then the girl so perfectly pretty clung to him the way I wanted to, his number on her back, and there was no convincing my heart that it hadn’t been betrayed. Millie turned the TV off just as security pried the girl off of him, and I saw the brief glimpse of relief that passed through his features before the screen went black.
I went through the motions for the next two days. I continued to ignore his calls. I added an extra session to my workout schedule, so instead of once a day, I was there morning and night, and yesterday I stopped by Millie’s and did another hour with her. Anything I could do to fill the time and keep myself off social media and away from gossip articles.
On Friday, our beachwear campaign was launched, causing a whole new gossip thread in the media. The attention was back on us and the possibility of our relationship. This time, the tabloids tore me apart, and the cleat chasers attacked my recent posts. With every article that I devoured over breakfast, the more I feared for any upcoming campaigns. I was just waiting for the owners of Salt and Siren to call me and complain.
Griffin Silver Sizzles in New Beachwear Campaign, but Tatum Grace Gets Burned
Baseball’s hottest rookie, Griffin Silver, is making waves off the field—but not just for his playoff performance. The athlete and his rumored love interest, Tatum Grace, just debuted as the faces of Salt and Siren’s latest beachwear campaign, and let’s just say…opinions are certainly divided.
The steamy photos, released earlier today, show Silver looking every bit the sports superstar with chiseled abs, effortless charm, and the perfect golden tan. But the real question on everyone’s mind? Does Tatum Grace hold up next to him?
While the fitness influencer-turned-model certainly has her share of loyal fans, critics aren’t being so kind. From her “too muscular” arms to her “not-quite-hourglass” shape, some are questioning whether she was the right choice for a campaign meant to ooze effortless, beachside perfection.
“She’s pretty, sure, but standing next to Griffin? It just doesn’t hit.” One comment read under the brand’s Instagram post, already flooded with debate.
Another went further. “They could have picked literally ANY model, and this is who they went with? She’s cute, but not that kind of model cute.”
Yikes.
Others pointed out how the chemistry in the campaign feels…forced. While Silver shines with his signature easy confidence, Tatum looks “stiff” and “out of place” in several shots. Some fans speculate that the pressure of being linked to one of baseball’s most desirable stars is getting to her.
