Page 48 of Hat Trick (Titans Hockey #1)

Chapter forty-two

Emily

Carter: Shit Emily. Stay off of social media. Don't read your text messages. I don't know how this happened but we're handling it.

M y breath stops and my skin chills. Every worst-case scenario playing in my mind at once.

What could be on social media he doesn't want me to see?

Why does he think people are about to text me.

The only people who text me are the boys, Sammy and my dad, but only when he has something passive aggressive to say.

Just then a text notification from my dad comes in, covered immediately by one from Sammy. I slam my phone onto the kitchen counter, face down, and turn back to Annie.

Carter says they're handling it. I have to trust him.

Annie coos up at me happily while she shoves handfuls of soft banana and slices of peaches into her mouth. I have her shirtless so she can make as much of a mess as she wants.

As I'm wiping her hands and face after her snack, the door bursts open and all three of my guys rush in. They should still be in the gym.

"Guys? What's going on? The looks on your faces is scaring me."

Before I've even finished the sentence, Luca wraps my small body in his strong arms and pulls me against him. My nerves quickly starting to rise.

"What's happened?" I demand, pulling out of Luca's embrace. His face guts me. He looks so sad and worried and disappointed. Did I do something wrong ?

He looks to Carter for guidance. Carter and Gabe both share Luca's worrying expression.

"Guys!" I shout, finally unable to take panic any longer. Carter takes my hand and leads me to the couch while Luca picks up Annie.

"Paparazzi must have seen us come out of the hotel together in Denver.

There are several pictures of us being a little too friendly and the gossip rags are speculating wildly.

" My stomach drops. God, it's exactly what I was afraid was going to happen.

I can only imagine what they're saying about me.

In fact, not knowing is worse than knowing.

I leap off the couch and retrieve my phone from the counter. I ignore Dad's text. I know it'll be scathing. But I open Sammy's. It's simply a handful of links and four question marks.

My hands shake and it takes me a few tries to click the first link. Before it loads, Carter's hand blocks my screen.

"Seriously, baby girl. It's just better not to read them. Siobhan is handling it. We'll get them all taken down."

I swallow nervously. I knew it was all too good to be true. Gabe made us semi-public at the game the other week, but exactly how much does the press know? Exactly what are they saying?

"It's better if I know, Carter. I'm imagining the worst."

Gabe comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. "He's just trying to protect you. We all are. The press doesn't matter. The public doesn't matter. What matters is what goes on in this house, with the four of us."

I gently pull out of his arms. It's better if they don't associate with me. I can only bring gossip and speculation and drama to them. They don't need that. Not with the Stanley on the line .

Tears threaten to fall as I turn my back to my boys and walk to my bedroom.

I quietly shut the door. I need to read these articles.

And I know they're going to be awful. The press never shares the good things.

They won't talk about how much the boys have built up my self-esteem.

How they love and support me. They won't talk about how Gabe learned to trust again with me, how Luca came into the best version of himself, or how Carter learned to let people help him.

They won't talk about how happy and healthy Annie is.

They won't talk about how we all found love in our own unique way and how we all make each other better for it.

The first tear slips down my cheek and I take a deep breath in and out. I open my phone and read the article.

"Carter Rhodes' Secret Woman and Love Child Exposed!"

The picture is a shot of me, handing Annie off to Carter so he can strap her into her car seat.

Nothing scandalous, except for the fact that the public didn't know Carter had a child.

What's damning is how I'm looking up at him.

The love and adoration and affection I have for Carter clearly shining on my face.

Not so bad, so far, but the press hates a happy woman. I keep reading.

In a jaw-dropping twist that's got everyone talking, NHL's most eligible bachelor, Carter Rhodes, has been spotted cozying up with an unexpected flame.

This time, it's not a supermodel, actress, or even an Instagram influencer—no, whoever this mystery woman is, is an incredibly plain and ordinary woman who's left fans scratching their heads!

Carter Rhodes, known for his chiseled features, dazzling smile, and jaw-dropping skills on the ice, has always had a thing for the glamorous.

With a dating history that reads like a who's who of Hollywood's elite, his latest choice in a romantic partner has sent shockwaves through the celeb-obsessed world.

This mystery woman couldn't be more different from Carter's usual arm candy. What does Carter see in this woman and whose baby is it?

My stomach sours and churns. So, they're attacking my looks. It stings, and simply reinforces what I had been starting to doubt, but not the end of the world. The press will soon get bored of wondering who this plain Jane is.

I click the next article.

Mystery Woman Spotted with Not One, Not Two, but THREE Hot Hockey Players. - What Gives?

Nausea rolls through me. I rush to the bathroom just in case I do lose my lunch. I sit on the cold tile floor and open the article.

The pictures are damning. There's no spinning this. It's everything I was afraid of.

There's a similar picture of Carter, Annie and I.

Followed by a picture of Carter kissing my forehead.

The next one is me cozying up against Gabe, Gabe's arm around my shoulders as we walk around the back of the car.

The third is Luca planting a chaste kiss against my lips before I slide into the SUV.

The best night of my life, tainted by the media just the next morning.

Tears flow freely down my face now. I knew it was too good to be true.

I knew it was all too good to be true. Three gorgeous hockey players in love with me?

The idea that we could have a happily-ever-after?

The idea that even one crazy-successful, millionaire hockey player could ever want me, let alone three? What was I thinking ?

The damage has already been done. I'm not sure how I could feel worse. Masochistically, I read the article.

Hold onto your hats, folks—this is one juicy scandal you won't believe! In a twist straight out of a soap opera, the "Plain Jane" who's been spotted with NHL superstar Carter Rhodes is actually playing the field...with not one, not two, but THREE of hockey's hottest hunks!

While fans were scratching their heads over Carter Rhodes' secret woman and love child, little did they know that Carter doesn't mind sharing = with two of the league's most eligible bachelors.

What's Next for "Jane"?

Will "Jane's" love triangle (or should we say love square?) come crashing down, or will she continue to keep her trio of hockey heartthrobs all to herself?

I shift to my knees, and dry wretch into the toilet. I can't remember when I ate last, but nothing comes up. I heave twice more before the feeling wanes, and I collapse against the wall again.

My phone pings with text messages, one coming in after the other. Apparently, my masochistic streak isn't finished, because I pick it up and read every single one.

My dad's outraged, disappointed in me, railing about what his friends will think.

He calls me names no man should ever call his daughter.

It's as if I've simply confirmed everything he's ever suspected of me.

My mom left him for another man. Clearly, I'm sleeping around.

I've just given him every reason to conclude that women are whores.

It hurts, but it's not surprising. A heavy peace actually settles in my heart. He was never going to love me, or accept me for who I am, even before my unusual relationship hit the news. It feels freeing, honestly .

I read my brother's texts. He's concerned, but not angry. I'll call him once I've calmed down and explain everything. He deserves to know.

Then there's several messages from Chad. At first, they're outraged. As if my dating life has anything to do with him. But then they cycle the entire gambit of emotions.

Chad: Emily, what the hell is going on?! I just read these articles about you. Dating THREE hockey players? Are you out of your mind?

Chad: You’re making a fool out of yourself. This is embarrassing for everyone who knows you. What are you thinking?

Chad: I’m worried about you, Ems. This isn’t like you. Are you okay? Are they taking advantage of you?

Chad: I know we’ve had our differences, but I still care about you. This whole thing seems really risky. These guys could hurt you.

Chad: You know how guys like them are, right? They’ll just use you and toss you aside. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.

Chad: Just remember who was always there for you when things got tough. When they inevitably break your heart, you know I’ll be here, waiting.

I roll my eyes. The narcissism with this one.

I wipe the tears from my cheeks when another text comes in.

Ben: I just heard. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?

A sad smile crosses my face. Ben owes me nothing, and he still cares enough to reach out.

I appreciate that more than he knows. I don't have friends, besides the boys.

And they're too close to this situation to be a good sounding board.

They'll do and say anything they can think of to make me happier.

And I love them for it, but they're hardly impartial .

I go to reply, but am I okay? Yes? No? Not really? Everything I was afraid of happening when I started exploring things with the boys just happened.

I'm sad and disappointed in my father. I'm annoyed with Chad. I'm upset by the press dragging me and our relationship through the mud for sales. But I think the part that bothers me the most is how me and our relationship makes the boys look bad.

Me: Thanks for check in. I really appreciate it more than I can say. I'm alright. Upset, of course. I just don't know what this means going forward.

Ben: Try not to stress too much. Those gossip rags always spew lies. You're gorgeous and you have three men who love the shit out of you. Hell, I still have a bruise from when Gabe thought I'd made you cry.

I smile in spite of myself. He's right. Of course he's right. What matters is Annie is taken care of, and that the boys and I respect and love each other.

But maybe we need some distance. Some time to let this story grow old and die? A few weeks of not being seen together.

But will that be enough? Of course not. Every time I go to a game, or we're out together, people will talk, and this story will get dug up all over again.

People will speculate, gossip, make up stories or any explanation for why three gorgeous, wealthy hockey players would be willing to share a "plain Jane".

Does our relationship even stand a chance if we can never be seen in public together? What does that look like long-term?

And my job! I can never work at the day care center for the Titans again!

Lauren and Novy were in a relationship before he transferred to the Titans.

The rest of the staff have a strict no-fraternization policy.

And who else is going to hire a nanny that sleeps with her boss?

Only creepers who would hire me for the chance to sleep with me.

No woman is ever going to let me near her child or her husband.

My career is over. I'll still get my degree and be able to get into one of the child development fields, but will anyone hire me with this scandal in my past?

I groan before walking to my bed and flopping down on it face-first.

There's a light knock on my door. I grumble in response, and it opens.

"She's not crying, at least." Luca says in greeting. I mumble something in return, my words muffled by the duvet.

A large hand settles on my back and rubs circles soothingly on it.

"It's alright, baby girl. None of this matters. Let them gossip. We know the truth." Carter's warm voice washes over me. I roll over to look him in the eye.

"Maybe we need some distance...to not be seen together..." My brows pinch and I hate myself for saying it out loud. For letting the press and the public dictate our relationship. But I can't think of another solution.

Gabe glares are me but doesn't answer.

Carter nods. "If that's what you want."

I nod my head. I think that's what I want. What I want is for my boys to be able to concentrate on playing, me to concentrate on Annie, and the rest of the world to forget I exist.