year.”
“And what about Patrick Benne? That kid is going to be someone to keep an eye on this season.”
“No doubt about it, Jim. There’s a reason he was pulled in the first round. Although the Arrows haven’t shown any substance for the past two years, if they utilize Benne, they’ll be moving in the right direction. But I want to take a minute to talk about Kingston Rush. I’m not sure he’s played a better game in … in forever.”
“Completely agree. He was smoking out there tonight. He seemed to anticipate every single move. Quite impressive. Hopefully that’s a sneak peek at things to come. And the big news of the night is what they confirmed in the locker room after the game. He might not be aware of it, but before the game started, Kingston Rush lit up Twitter with his response to the woman we’re now learning to be his girlfriend.”
“That did get some attention, I agree.”
“For any single ladies who were seeking the man’s attention, it looks as though Mount Rushmore is officially off the market. And he’s settling down with Kaufman’s sister, of all people. Maybe love has him working a little harder.”
“That’s a big leap from where he was at the end of last season. The allegations brought against him…”
“It’s important to call out that those allegations were later recanted.”
“True, Ed.”
“And how about Chicago tonight…”
12
Kingston
Although it appears I might’ve earned a few brownie points with Bianca by getting her a few more Twitter followers, I certainly didn’t intend for things to go quite like this.
Yes, it’s my fault. I never thought for a second that when I replied to Ellie’s tweet that the reporters would pick up on it. And then, when one of them mentioned it, for some insane reason, I opted to confirm my relationship with Ellie during my after-game interview. From that point, the shit hit the fan. The few reporters who were standing there waiting to talk to me actually turned tail and left, leaving me to finish the interview as fast as I could. I knew where they were headed, and I’d wanted to get to Ellie before they did.
Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
As for how things turned out afterward … I didn’t quite expect the reporters to go after her so quickly. I should’ve known that the little morsel of gossip I gave them would induce a feeding frenzy and make them hungry for more.
“I should have you drop me off at the bar,” Ellie notes when I turn down her street.
“Probably not a good idea tonight.” No doubt about it, Ellie is going to be a hot topic for at least a couple of days, and since the Penalty Box is the known hangout for the team when we win a home game, there will be reporters lurking.
“You think the reporters are going to confront me after tonight?” she asks, frowning.
“It’s a good probability.”
I pull my truck into her driveway, shut off the engine, and hop out quickly so I can help both of them out. I manage to reach the passenger door to open it before Ellie gets out, but Bianca is too fast for me, darting out of the backseat like her ass is on fire.
“What about my car?” Ellie questions as she unlocks the front door.
“I’ll get Spencer to run me up there, and I’ll drive it back for you.”
Ellie nods just as Bianca squeals. “Thirteen more followers! Ohemgee! This is freaking awesome.”
I watch as Ellie’s daughter bounds up the stairs toward her bedroom.
“Want a drink?” Ellie offers.
“Water’s good.”
“I was thinking something stronger,” she says with a weak smile.
“This will blow over,” I assure her, stopping her before she can pass by me.
I gently hold her shoulders and peer down at her, studying her beautiful face. I can’t resist tipping her head up with my finger, forcing her to look at me. I feel like an ass for what I did, and I need to know she doesn’t hold it against me.
God, I want to kiss this woman so badly I can practically taste her. The way she’s looking at me says she won’t be completely opposed to the idea, but I know better than to push it right now. There will be plenty of time for that. Later.
Much later.
As in, definitely not tonight.
“I’m just a little surprised by it, I guess.” Ellie breaks free of my hold and heads for the kitchen. “I get it. You’re famous. People love you. They want to know