Page 55

W ith her glossed lips trapped between her teeth, she silently reads the group chat messages, angling the phone my way, her gaze briefly flitting to mine.

Paige: A FAKE RELATIONSHIP?! Yes!

Amelia: That could work. Side note: Luke’s trying to look over my shoulder but I won’t let him see what we’re discussing

Paige: Shit. Were we not supposed to tell the guys? Easton says hi. He loves the idea. But mainly because it takes the spotlight away from him

Keeley: Paige, tell that brother of mine to grow up. He’s a damn football player. He’ll always be in the spotlight

Paige: Laughing emoji. Well, grumpy Easton’s back. Thanks, Keeley. He wants the discussion to revert to Reed

I shake my head as a smile tugs at my lips. But it’s fleeting. They want me to fake a relationship? As if. I’m not going along with something taken straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. What do they think is going to happen? That Bria will see me dating and suddenly fall to her knees, begging me to break it off because she’s always loved me.

I’m ninety nine percent sure she already knows how I feel and it’s fucking with my head. She’s fucking with my head. And it’s about time I did something to change that. But that something isn’t this.

“You need to shut it down. Now,” I beg, running my hands down my face as I force a laugh. “I wish I’d never said anything to Luke. He’s taken my words way out of context.”

Unfortunately, it’s no secret that I have a thing for my best friend, Bria. I wouldn’t say I’m in love with her, like my friends so happily like to point out, but there are definitely feelings there beyond that of a traditional friendship.

I’ve known Bria since college. We attended the University of California together in Los Angeles and when I was drafted to San Francisco, she followed me here, taking on a graduate position at a local accountancy firm. She’s since worked her way up the ranks with a goal to be the youngest partner in the company by the time she turns thirty. And I couldn’t be prouder.

But, in order to attain that type of goal, she’s always put her career first. As have I. And because of that. I never told her how I felt. It was never the right time.

Not that she’s oblivious. She knows. We’ve just never discussed it. Or let ourselves cross that line.

Except once.

And it didn’t end well.

Cut to last week when I decided to get drunk and open my mouth to the one guy who has trouble keeping his shut—my teammate, Luke Bennett, star tight end, reformed playboy, and one of my closest friends on the team.

Also known as a loud mouth.

I may as well have shouted it from the center of the stadium during the Super Bowl halftime show. Because it turns out, that man can gossip.

Now, his wife, Amelia—as much as I love her—has started a group chat about it with some of the girlfriends…wives…sisters…and even goddamn friends of the players on my team and there’s no way back.

“According to Amelia, you told Luke ‘your love life was fucked and that you needed to fix it.’”

Jesus, I’m a dick. While I have no recollection of that happening, it definitely sounds like me. Not that I’m going to admit that right now. I’m already in too deep. “So what you’re saying is that everyone’s taking Luke’s word for it, because I was too drunk to remember?”

“Yep.”

“Meaning…you’re not shutting it down?”

“Nope.” Hayley's radiant smile lights up her face as she brushes a few wayward hairs away from her eyes, pinning me with her stare.

I met Hayley last year at a Thanksgiving—Christmas get together with my team, hosted by our reluctant coach. We’d been there to fake it for a film crew—for a TV series about the Storm team—and she happened to be the director’s best friend. The director who’s now married to the infamous Luke with the two ex-enemies having a baby together. The beautiful Juliet. The reason for my crazy “my love life sucks” chat. I want that. Not the accidental pregnancy and subsequent heart ache my friends went through, but the end game. I want a wife, I want kids.

I wanted Bria.

But now I'm not so sure.

When I don’t respond, Hayley raises an eyebrow in challenge and an idea hits me. After Hayley and I first met, we ran into each other a few times, but in the last couple of months, our relationship has morphed from being a friend's friend, to a friend, to close friends, to now speaking every day. Much to Bria’s annoyance.

Hayley could be exactly what I need to show Bria what she’s missing.

I try to hide my responding smile, but this is too good to suppress and Hayley notices instantly. “What’s that look about?”

“I’ve come up with a plan.”

“Oh yeah?” Her nose scrunches at the thought and I laugh out loud. While I wouldn’t say my plans are as daring as Hayley’s usually are, I have been known to have good ideas occasionally.

“Instead of this fake dating nonsense, I’m going to tell Bria I have a thing for you and see how she reacts.”

Hayley bursts out laughing. “Oh Reed.” She pats my leg condescendingly but does it with an innocent smile. “If only it was that easy. It won’t work unless she believes she’s going to lose you.”

“It’s worth a shot though, right?” I comically cringe and Hayley shakes her head as she bites back a giddy smile.

“Wrong.” She waves off my thoughts. “Lucky for you, now I have an idea.”

Uh, shit. Hayley and her ideas. While I generally love the way her mind works and all the wild adventures she takes me on, I have a feeling I’m not going to like this. Especially when she adds, “You’re going to love it.”

I force a smile in anticipation and she snort laughs before sitting tall and proud.

“I’m going to be your fake girlfriend.”

“You’re what now?” My eyes widen as I double take. I did not see that coming.

“I’m volunteering,” she continues as though I was genuinely confused. “I’m an actress, it makes sense to be me.”

“Ahh no. That’s insane and you know it. Plus—”

“I disagree,” she cuts me off, excitement in her tone. “It makes perfect sense. I’m single. You’re single. I’m hot. You’re insanely gorgeous and you can’t deny we’d make a stunning couple.” She winks while I roll my eyes jokingly. “It’s a no brainer, Reed. We get along. We have fun. Give me one good reason why it shouldn’t be me?”

“Maybe because I don’t think it’s a good idea to begin with. Fake dating is crazy. Come on, Hayls. Think about it.”

“Reed.” She hits me with her arresting gaze, her look telling me she think I’m crazy. But I’m not. I’m being sensible.

“Hayley.” I stare back at her, mimicking her stance when she crosses her arms over her chest and pouts.

“Are you saying I couldn’t pull it off?”

What? Dammit . She’s good. Now I feel bad.

“Hayley Jackman from down under. You know I think you’re brilliant. And while I’m sure this could be the acting role of your life, you’re forgetting one major plot hole.” Hayley’s smile returns but it won’t last long. I’m about to prove to her why this is a terrible idea. “I can’t act.”

She opens her mouth to speak but I cut her off. "Or lie."

“There are ways around that, Reed. Trust me, I’ve worked on some pretty amateur productions and people still loved them.”

I fall quiet, acutely aware that she may not give up on this. Once Hayley has an idea in her head, it’s not easy to get her past it. And I’m usually the one going along for the ride.

“For someone that thought I was insane, you’re sure taking a long time to say no.”

“I didn’t say you were insane, Hayls. The idea is just…” God, I don’t even know. I release an over exaggerated sigh knowing she’s about to sass me and beat her to the punch. “It’s not the craziest idea I’ve heard come out of your mouth. But I’m going to need to think about it. I’m still not convinced.”

Her eyes light up in victory, reinforcing the fact that I couldn’t say no. Even though I absolutely should have.

“I’ll take it,” she says, squeezing my leg and she bounces on the couch. “Because I have no doubt that I’m going to change your mind.”