The viral article spawned more articles, more speculation, more invasion of privacy that felt relentless and suffocating.
By Monday morning, their relationship had become a case study in sports blogs, relationship forums, even academic circles discussing the intersection of athletics and personal life.
Dante's phone didn't stop buzzing with interview requests, comment requests, speculation he was supposed to validate or deny.
His basketball coach called him in again on Tuesday.
Dante went to the meeting alone, returning an hour later with a suggestion that made Adrian's stomach drop.
"He wants me to do a press conference," Dante said, sitting on Adrian's bed and staring at his hands. "Says I need to 'control the narrative' before it controls me. That the speculation will continue until I address it directly."
"You don't have to do that," Adrian said immediately. "You don't owe anyone an explanation about your personal life."
