Brady had to keep forcing himself to think about serious things the next day. His mind was so full of all things Hailey that he could barely remember how to do a seated row or an overhead press. She had to cuss him and tease him throughout their workout. She glowed, and they each took every opportunity to touch each other and sneak in kisses. The stalker and the press and all things serious were out beyond the walls of their home, and he didn’t want to deal with any of it.

After their workout, they’d eaten a leisurely breakfast then went swimming and sat in the hot tub until almost lunch, relaxing and just enjoying being close. Afterwards, he’d hurried through his shower so he could be with Hailey again. They still had their own rooms, but he didn’t care. It might take years before Hailey was ready for what most people would call a normal marital relationship, but she was more than worth waiting for.

His cell phone rang, and he didn’t recognize the number. He almost let it go to a message but remembered Hailey’s dad had said he’d have the security team and private investigators get in touch with him.

“Brady Giles.”

“Just the man I’m looking for.”

Brady didn’t like the greasy, overconfident voice, but he couldn’t quite place it. “Who is this?”

“William Fonnesbeck, vice president for the commissioner.”

Brady’s stomach dipped. He hated this guy for trying to force himself on Hailey. He knew he should tread carefully to avoid hurting the Titans or being suspended himself, but he had no respect for this man. “What do you want?”

“Mr. Giles, I think you should be a little more conciliatory when you speak to me.”

“What do you want?” Brady repeated.

William barked out a harsh laugh. “I just wanted to see if you’d seen the news this fine afternoon. Treven seems like a nice enough guy, kind of squirrely to be the father of Hailey’s baby, but he seems like the type she goes for.”

Father of Hailey’s baby? Brady didn’t want to rise to this guy’s bait. William was the squirrely one. “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to warn you to be very careful. She’s playing you, man. I’ll bet she’s giving you some line about how she’s never been with a man and it’s reeling you in like a fish who wants to die on the shoreline for her.”

Brady gripped the phone tighter. No. Hailey was innocent and sweet. This guy was lying.

“But you’ll figure it out soon enough. I just hope your tackling is as clean as a baby’s bottom and soft as a love tap in the fall. Suspensions and fines are going to be coming to you like Christmas presents.”

The line went dead. Brady’s stomach was churning now. He flipped on the television in his room, which was already set to ESPN and then opened Safari on his phone and typed in his and Hailey’s names. The ESPN commentator was talking about baseball, so he ignored him. Hailey’s dad had said something about more media messes last night, but Brady hadn’t wanted to deal with it. Now, it seemed he had no choice.

The top stories he found about him and Hailey on his phone were all about some Treven Underwood loser. The man was claiming to be the father of Hailey’s baby and was begging anyone close to Hailey to plead with her to give him another chance for their child and because he loved her.

Brady stared at the pictures of the guy—thin, kind of intelligent-looking with glasses and a goatee. He hated him immediately.

Soft footsteps came up the stairs. He whirled to face Hailey, not sure what he should say to her, but it was Nissa. Was the cleaning crew here today? He was too worried about this new drama to care one way or the other.

“Oh, sorry, sir. I can come back and clean your suite later.”

“No, it’s okay, Nissa. I’m just leaving.” He gave her a forced smile and said, “And it’s Brady, not sir. I mean, we grew up together.”

She smiled back at him. “Thanks, Brady,” she said softly.

He gave her another smile and treaded down the stairs. Hailey’s door was closed. He rapped on it. She opened it wide with a big grin. It slid away when she saw how serious he was.

“You okay?”

“Let’s go outside,” he said. “The cleaning ladies are here.”

“Okay.” She smiled and wrapped her hand around his. Brady stiffened then cussed himself for it. Hailey was innocent and wonderful. William and this Treven guy were lying. There was no way she’d given herself to either of them. Not Hailey.

They hurried down the stairs and out onto the back patio. Brady used the remote on the wall to turn on the fans. It wasn’t too bad in the shade. He sat on a cushioned chair. Hailey gave him a questioning glance, probably wondering why he hadn’t used the couch so they could sit side by side, but he needed a little space right now. She sat in the chair next to his, and he pulled out his phone.

“Have you seen this?” he asked.

Hailey took the phone from him and scanned the article. Her forehead wrinkled, and her lips thinned. She pushed the phone back into his hand. “You believe that crap?”

“No!” he said too quickly and forcefully.

She reared back. Staring at him for far too long, she finally folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes as if she couldn’t stand looking at him.

“Hailey?” Brady gently touched her arm. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I just wanted you to know what was going on. William called me. I’m assuming he’s spreading this to get at us again.”

She opened her beautiful blue eyes and met his gaze. “I hate him.”

Brady smiled. “Me too.” His smile slid away. He pointed at the picture of this Treven joker on his phone. “Did you date him?”

Hailey nodded tightly.

“How long ago?”

She focused on the ash trees beyond the pool and finally muttered, “The last time I went out with him was the night before I met you.”

Brady leaned back against the cushions, pushing out a long breath. “Did you care for him?”

Hailey’s eyes snapped to his, and they were a sparkling blue. “I didn’t sleep with him Brady.”

He swallowed hard. William’s accusations were pinging around in his brain. He’d believed Hailey’s story from day one about William scaring her and coming after her. What if there was more to it than he understood? What if she had been with William and this Treven guy? What if Brady was the idiot here who was being played? He focused on his beautiful wife and had no clue what to say, what questions to ask, how to get the answers he needed without hurting her.

Hailey leapt to her feet and jabbed a finger at him. “You don’t believe me.”

Brady stood slowly. He towered over her, but for some reason, the fire in her eyes intimidated him. “I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t have to say it. I can read it all in your eyes. You want to believe me, but you’re having doubts.”

He spread his hands. “Of course I want to believe you. I love you, Hailey.”

She stared him down. “But?”

Brady kind of loved that she knew him, could read him, yet it was infuriating. “But of course I have questions. I’ve only known you a few weeks.”

She studied him for far too long then she nodded. “I’ll spare you all the questions, Brady. You’re the only person I’ve ever told about Gage. I’ve never slept with anyone else. I thought I was falling in love with you until two minutes ago. If you don’t trust me, then maybe my dad is right and it’s time to be done with this farce of a marriage.”

She whirled from him and stomped into the house. Brady just stood there. He should chase her down, tell her how desperately he loved her and that he would always trust and love her, but those niggling doubts were killing him. Instead of doing what he should do, he sank onto the cushioned patio chair and read articles about Hailey, Treven, and him on his phone. An hour later, he was sick to his stomach and he had no clue what he should do. He had to make a choice—trust his wife or give up on the woman he loved.

His phone rang, and he started. It was his agent.

“Hey Claire.” He pushed out a weary breath.

“You okay?” she asked, her tone heavy with concern.

“Not really. I hate all this media garbage. Why can’t they just leave us alone?” He stood and paced the patio.

“Sorry, but you know it’s all part of the gig.”

“I know.” He appreciated her calm right now. She’d been a good friend to him. “Hey, Claire, you’re a woman.”

She gave a derisive laugh. “Nice of you to notice.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, just … I need some advice.” He shoved a hand through his hair and looked into the windows at his great room. The late afternoon sun was angling through the two-story windows. Hailey was nowhere in sight, and it was all so empty and big without her there to brighten the space.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Claire said.

“Hailey and I had a fight.” He managed to get the words out.

“That’s understandable, Brady. You two have been through a lot in the first few weeks of marriage.”

That was truer than Claire realized, and she had no clue that their marriage had started out as a farce. “I don’t know what to do. Do I chase after her or give her time to cool off?”

“That depends on what the fight was about.”

“I … I kind of acted like I didn’t trust her.”

“Whoa, Brady. That’s not cool. I know the media is throwing a lot of stuff at you, but trust is huge.”

“I know.” He blew out a breath. “I know.” He waited then said, “So I should chase her down, right?” That’s what he wanted to do. Pound down her door and apologize profusely then kiss her until she knew he was hers no matter what the media threw at them.

“Honestly, Brady, if it were me I’d want some space. She’s probably pretty offended and ticked off right now, and you’ve both been through a lot. Why don’t you give her some time, maybe sleep on it? Everything is better in the morning. You could take her breakfast in bed and do a grand apology. Flowers and jewelry always help too. I could have some delivered, and you should sneak them into your room tonight. Then when she wakes up in the morning, she’ll see them. You could come in with the breakfast and apologize. That’ll melt her heart better than anything. Women love it when men are really thoughtful.”

Brady nodded even though she couldn’t see him. There was wisdom in Claire’s words. Though he absolutely hated the idea of not being with Hailey for the rest of the afternoon and evening and not making things right, maybe they’d both be more reasonable and understanding in the morning.