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I can’t speak because of the tightness in my throat. Trevor doesn’t seem to notice how his nearness affects me, and I don’t think I affect him at all.
He moves his hand away from mine, and I stare at my twitching fingers for a moment as heat rushes to the back of my neck. My mind races with different thoughts, and I finally come up with something.
“I think we should maintain our act for now. If anything, we should make it seem more real and get the media to stop raving about this in a few days. Think about it, Trevor. There’s no proof that you lied, and if we keep on acting like we’re in love, then we might be able to sell it to the media and get them to discard whatever rumors are circulating.”
Trevor seems thoughtful for a moment, and I get on my feet and close the distance between us. “I said I would help you, Trevor, and I still have the chance to do that. It’s not all over yet.”
“Why?” he asks a moment later in a shaky voice that shocks me. “Why do you want to help me, Gracie? I can’t … I don’t get it.”
“I don’t get it either,” I whisper as my heart melts. Without thinking, I touch his arm, and he glances down to stare at my fingers wrapped around his biceps. “But somehow basketball seems to have your heart in a way nothing else ever has. You love basketball, and I’m going to help make sure that you keep playing for your dream team.”
For a second, while he stares at me, it feels like he was going to say something, but instead, he wraps his arms around me and brings me close for a hug.
I stiffen at first, unable to move as I’m pressed against his chest. Trevor smooths a hand down my back, then over my hair, and presses me close to him for a long time. He shocks me when he gently kisses my forehead, and his lips linger for longer than a moment.
The insanely tender gesture leaves me with a flutter of hope in my heart. A part of me wants to believe that all of this means he has feelings for me. Six years ago, I believed he did. But I was wrong.
Being in his arms now makes me hope that it’s different this time, and I cling to that tiny shred of optimism, even thoughthere is a great chance that Trevor will never care for me as much as I care for him.
***
A week later, we’re at another interview with a popular sports media outlet, and Trevor is the life of the show. The audience applauds when he demonstrates his signature move.
We spent the past week doing everything publicly possible to thwart the rumors about our fake marriage, and this is the third interview Trevor agreed to this week.
We attended games together, and Zane made sure to tip the paparazzi each time we went out for a date or drive through town. Regardless of the chaos of the past week, I was having the time of my life with Trevor.
I can’t hold back the chuckle that rushes out of me as I admire him. Trevor’s laughing, too, and he takes a moment to wink at me when he glances my way.
The crowd quiets again, and he doesn’t look away from me until the interviewer, Jeff Spooks, continues speaking. “Before we wrap it up for the day, I’d like to ask the both of you a brief question about the recent rumors surrounding your relationship. I mean, we all have to admit it was quite sudden, and it took the media through an uproar.
“One minute, you were America’s playboy, known for your lavish parties and extravagant dates with almost every beautiful woman out there. Next thing we know, you’re married to the gorgeous Gracie Holt, and we had never heard of her before now.”
“It’s been quite a frenzy in the media since you two announced your marriage, and I guess what I’m wondering here today is—How exactly did you two keep your dating history a secret, and why did you decide to make your relationship public now?”
Trevor’s smile widens before he reaches for my hand and links our fingers tight. I try ignoring the fire that lights up inside me and focus on the interviewer.
“Gracie and I have been in love for as long as I can remember,” Trevor says, and I feel his eyes on me even before I turn to look at him. “She’s always had my heart, and it took a lot of convincing to get her to accept my life here in New York, but I’ve always known she’s the one for me, no questions asked.”
“Yeah,” I whisper and gently smile. “I’ve been in love with him for as long as I can recall. It’s almost as if it was meant to be.”
The crowd cheers for us, and my heart leaps.
“We’ll call it a wrap for today, guys,” Jeff announces as the show comes to an end, and the crowd explodes in cheers that make the moment even more magical while we’re lost in each other’s eyes.
The crowd starts chanting, “Kiss, kiss!” and I know there’s no avoiding the moment.
Trevor leans close to me and presses a kiss to my lips for the cameras. The thud in my pulse doubles and the echoes around us fade into the distance, so it’s just the two of us existing in that moment.
Chapter 14
Trevor
Some days later, the media frenzy subsides, and it’s easier to get around my activities without the rush of the paparazzi every time I step outside of my Manhattan Penthouse.
I haven’t heard from Billy since the news broke, and it’s my first time at practice since then. A few of my teammates whisper amongst themselves when we take a three-minute break, and I spot Billy with a few other guys across the court.
Joe, another team player, walks over to me and nudges me in the shoulder a little. “You okay, man?” he asks, eyeing me casually before gulping from his water bottle.