I stared at the photo of Kellon and me leaving Brittani’s studio yesterday morning after our date. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we slid into the back of the black SUV. It was definitely giving a couple.

“There’s another one.” Kellon swiped over on his phone to another picture of us, and my mouth dropped open at the image of me sitting on top of Kellon’s lap mid orgasm.

@hollywoodtearoom: Attendees, this tea is hot! Earlier, we posted that Super Bowl MVP Kellon Barnes was spotted with a mystery woman. Well, is this him and a mystery woman on what looks like a rooftop date? It seems pretty steamy. Attendees, tell me what you think they’re doing?

“Oh my God.” My hand flew to my mouth. “Has anybody recognized me?”

I wasn’t famous, but I had a small following online. If nobody had recognized me yet, it was only a matter of time before they did. Kellon tapped the post and scrolled through the comments.

“Looks like some people do,” he said.

@babigirl121: Is that @Phileighthebarber.

@Ladyrain445: BBW’s just upped the score!

@Shelashay: probably just cut his hair. She too fat to be his type.

@Gegege: I see you @Phileighthebarber

@tytybaby: Not golden boy having sex in public.

I swallowed hard as Kellon’s jaw clenched, and he pulled the phone away.

“Shit,” he muttered, grabbing my hand and leading me out the doctor’s office. “We need to get ahead of this shit before the media has a field day.”

“What do we need to do?”

“First, I gotta call my mom.” He shook his head as Monte opened the door and we climbed into the back of the SUV.

Chapter 18

I couldn’t fucking sit still. This shit didn’t look too bad to some, but I knew the media. I knew how they could spin shit and turn a beautiful moment into something ugly. It was what they did.

“You have to chill out.” Phileigh tried grabbing my arm. I’d paced my damn living room so many times since we got back, I was surprised I hadn’t walked a hole in the floor.

“I can’t chill right now. We’re plastered all over the damn internet.”

“It’s just a few pictures.”

“All the internet knows is drama, scandal, and the opportunity to stir shit.”

“Are you ashamed of being seen with me or something?” Her words stopped me dead in my tracks. Was that the vibe I was giving off?

“What? Hell naw.”

I moved to where she was sitting on the sofa. Her head was down like she was ashamed or some shit. “That’s not what I’m tripping about. I don’t give a damn who knows about us or sees us together.” I lifted her chin so she could see the sincerity in my eyes.

“I just… We don’t have to go public or anything. I know⁠—”