Chapter 13
-GRAYSON~
Lily stood just outside with her arms crossed and an expression that promised a long, ugly conversation.
She had clearly been in the building long enough to see Blair and all the attention she was getting.
Long enough to see the jersey. Long enough to watch every camera eat up the image of my new “wife” wearing MRS SHAW with pride.
already knew this was going to be bad.
‘Don’t,” I said as I reached her, still breathing hard from the game.
‘Don’t?” Her voice stayed low, but the anger underneath was sharp. “You’re going to stand there and tell me don’t after that?”
‘I didn’t tell her to wear it.”
‘She told a reporter you picked it out for her.” Lily’s eyes flashed. “She said, and I quote, that her husband wanted everyone to know exactly who she belonged to. Do you have any idea how that looked? How it felt watching her sit there in your number with your name on her back while I had to smile like I was fine?”
dragged a hand through my damp hair. “She’s lying. She’s been doing shit like this since the second we got married. She’s rying to get under my skin, and she’s using the public to do it.”
Then stop letting her.”
‘I’m a little busy playing professional hockey, Lily.”
‘That’s not an excuse.” She stepped closer, keeping her voice down as staff and players moved past us. “You told me this marriage meant nothing. You told me you were going to make her hate you so she’d want out. Instead she’s giving nterviews in a custom jersey with your name on it and you’re letting the entire arena believe you’re a happy couple. Do you understand how humiliating that is for me? I’m getting pity looks, Grayson. Pity looks!”
Suilt and irritation made its way into my body. “I didn’t ask her to do any of that.”
But you’re not stopping it either.” Lily’s laugh was short and bitter. “She’s walking all over you in public and you’re just aking it. Meanwhile I’m the one sitting on the sidelines looking like the pathetic ex who can’t let go.”
You’re not-”
I am, Grayson. That’s exactly what I look like right now.” Her voice cracked for half a second before the anger covered it again. “So you need to step up. Do something that actually puts her in her place. Humiliate her the way she’s humiliating ne. Or I swear you’re going to regret treating this like a joke.”
stared at her, jaw tight. Part of me understood the hurt. The rest of me was still stuck on the way Blair had smiled at me rom the stands like she knew exactly how much she was getting to me, and the way my body had reacted to that smile.
I’ll handle it,” I said finally.
Lily didn’t look convinced. “Handle it properly. I’m serious.”
She turned and walked away before I could dig myself any deeper.
watched her go, then headed for the locker room.
The second I pushed the door open, everyone was on me.
A sharp whistle cut through the air. Then another.
‘Damn, Shaw, Callum Brooks called from his stall. “Your wife looked real sweet up there tonight. Cheering like she actually likes you and everything.”
A few of the guys laughed.
‘Did you see the jersey?” Marcus Reed added, grinning as he unlaced his skates. “MRS. SHAW. Bold move. Didn’t think you were the possessive type.”
Did they really think I got that for her?
“I especially liked the little wave she gave you during warmups,” said Theo Lang, our goaltender, completely serious. “Very supportive. Almost brought a tear to my eye.”
More laughter moved through the room.
Successfully unlocked!
I dropped my stick against the wall harder than necessary and scowie at all of them. “Shut it.”
“Come on,” Callum continued, undeterred.
Chage 11
75 vounter
“You’ve been a miserable bastard for weeks and suddenly you’ve got a wife in the stands wearing your name. We’re allowed to enjoy this
“There is nothing to celebrate,” I muttered angrily. “It’s an arrangemerit. Nothing else.”
Marcus raised his eyebrows An arrangement who had half the media following her out of the family section Sure”
“I said shut it.”
Theo held up both hands in mock surrender, but the amusement didn’t leave his face. “Whatever you say, Captain. Just try not to look so pissed next time she blows you a kiss. Blow her back one instead.”
I shot him a look that would have sent rookies running.
Theo only shrugged and went back to unstrapping his chest protector.
I sat down in my stall and started pulling off my jersey, the sound of the guys‘ continued low laughter making the situation
worse.
Blair had done exactly what she set out to do. She had gotten in my head during the game, given the media a perfect story, and left me dealing with Lily’s anger and my teammates‘ bullshit in the same night.
She’d clearly won tonight.
Why was I slightly impressed? I think that’s why I was so angry.
I shoved the thought away hard, dragged my shirt over my head, and forced my focus back to the only thing that was supposed to matter.
The arrangement.
Getting through this marriage without letting Blair Monroe ruin more than she already has.
Easier said than done.
田
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Dex Morgan
Dex works to elevate each story with clean writing, emotional balance, and thoughtful flow for readers.