Page 18 of Faking the Shot (Love Always #1)

Wild

Wild: You still awake?

Charlie's jaw is clenched, and he won't stop pacing. And his eyes are pinched closed to keep his temper in check. But since that's near his default setting, I'm not too worried. I shift in the cane chair out on Charlie's porch. My fingers count a beat on my thigh as I wait for Evie to respond.

I'm not comfortable with our fight. Without knowing what precisely I'm apologizing for, I need to apologize. If Evie wants a whole country between us outside the fake, then fine. The ring. Fine. Okay. I can stop fussing with the ring. I check my messages. Nothing. Maybe she's drifted off.

Wild: Good night.

"Dude," Charlie calls as he takes the opposite chair.

"Hmmm." My eyes flit between the top of the screen, the 'online' neatly spelled out, and my greenish blue marked messages. I shift in my seat. Should I go over to her place?

"Are you chatting with my sister right now?"

"Yes, but she's not responding."

"Maybe because she's also chatting with my wife."

Growling in exasperation, I call out. "Kristyn! Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"You're very laid back for someone with lots of explaining to do,” Charlie grumbles.

His word choice reminds me of the night of Scrabble and K-drama I enjoyed with Evie, and I grin. Charlie frowns at my grin, and my smile widens. Charlie matches my smile with a proportionate frown of his own. Evie was so happy that day. We had fun.

And she's not responding. I sigh and hit the messages again. Nothing.

I give Charlie my full attention. "I'm ready to talk."

Elbows balanced on his knees, my best friend leans forward to pierce me with his eyes. I've never been on the receiving end of that look. I'm used to being at his side, ready to provide backup while he nails others who dare to come too close to Evie. After tonight, I deserve it.

So, I bear his scrutiny in silence for a long minute.

Charlie pulls back first, shaking his head. "I don't understand you."

Me neither. Not entirely.

"I get that you want to protect her, but a fake relationship? Isn't that going too far? Especially given how she's always felt about you?"

Evie's anger and exasperation return to bite me. "I'm not sure she still feels the same way about me."

And the realization leaves me achingly empty like I lost something I've never had.

"Then that's a maturity that took a long time coming for her," Charlie declares.

I scowl. "And good for you, too,” I mutter.

"It was annoying for me watching her act like you ’ re all that. It's high time it stopped, which brings me back to the question of this fake relationship. I don't care about Mrs. Langford. I don't want you hurting Evie."

First my own family and now my best friend? “You really think I will hurt her?"

"Not intentionally. But you will."

I run a restless hand over my scalp. There's so much I should worry about now, but only one takes precedence. "You don't have anything to—"

My phone pings with a text notification, and I jerk to my feet.

Evie: Can't sleep. I'm sorry about earlier.

She shouldn't be apologizing.

Wild: No, I'm sorry. I was insensitive.

Evie: Where are you?

Wild: Was summoned by your brother.

Evie: Good luck.

Wild: Sleep.

Evie: Good night.

Wild: Night.

I'm on the bottom stair heading towards home, eyes on her text when I remember I was supposed to be talking with Charlie. I take the stairs back in one leap and find Charlie in the same position I left him, wearing the same expression: annoyed.

"You don't even seem like yourself, and you promise you won't hurt her?"

Lila has been ramping up her PR game these past few weeks, and it's all coming together. My camp and the club haven't made any official announcement, seeing as neither Coach Billy nor the GM has said a word to me since the charity dinner. Still, my social media has been more active than usual. My brothers—who have proven to be much smarter than me—quickly put two and two together.

"How exactly does a fake relationship work?" Rhys pushes his hat to the back of his head and leans forward. All I can see is his nose, which is as big as the mountains in the background. What a view.

I miss Charity.

"You should have seen them,” Ro whisper-shouts. "They held each other tightly, held hands, and smiled a lot."

"Shut up," I whisper, trying and failing to scrub away my blush.

"They were so good they almost had us fooled."

"Would have loved to see that," Jax adds his first words to the conversation.

Calling them is a bad idea, but I need their help to regain Mom ’ s favor. "Don't worry, I will be sure to send a video next time.” I snark.

Cold, unapproachable, Rhys nods in agreement. "It must be like watching a romance movie in real time."

Ro drops her phone. Jax fumbles with his. Me? I feel like I've been punched. I'm dazed and reeling. Only Asa and Sisi, the two resident aliens, remain calm. But I'm gratified to see the shock in their eyes.

"Have you been holding out on us, brother?" I ask, not expecting an answer.

Sure enough, Rhys grunts and squints at me. He must be out on the ranch. "Just remember Evie's too good for you."

"She softens you," Jax adds.

He sounds like he’s not sure it’s a good thing.

They are not wrong about Evie being too good for me, so I don't bother arguing. Evie is considerate, appreciative, and kind. It takes a lot to push Evie to lose her temper like she did yesterday.

"Before I leave for training, you all should know Ro is planning to kill her coach.”

“All because he wants you to be careful with your ACL?” Sisi scoffs. “Next time I’m in town, you must introduce us.”

Then, I leave Ro to their mercy.

I check my phone. There's an invitation for a workout from Isaiah, an ex-teammate. Nothing from Coach Billy. Nothing from Evie. Yet.

Wild: Good morning. Sleep well?

Evie: How are you up early on a weekend? Training? Work out?

Wild: Both.

"Is that Evie?" Ro asks.

As their teasing ratchets up, I hurry to end the video call.

But Jax calls back almost immediately. My first thought is of Diana. My eyes skip the paint streaks on his shirt and the burn on his face to his eyes. He looks a lot more serious than usual.

"You good?" I ask.

He gives me a look that asks why he wouldn't be good. "You and Evie?"

It's nothing. The words are on my tongue, but I can't say them. I hold my silence.

"I know you said it's fake." Jax frowns, thinking over his next words. He may lack Asa's precision, but he's thoughtful. Gentle. "If it becomes more, I want you to be careful."

And he may still be disillusioned by Diana's mother running out on him and Diana. "I will."

"I don't want you to hurt her," he says slowly, "but I don't want you hurt either."

We don't make small talk. Of all my brothers, Asa is the only one I will expect small talk from just out of proper politeness. Jax and Rhys don't have time for that. He has said what he wanted to say, and off he goes. When I catch my reflection through the computer screen, grinning at nothing, I must admit Charlie's right.

I'm not myself.

Richard calls an emergency meeting to discuss Coach Billy. He wants to move my old coach to make a decision, but I know the man well. No amount of pressure from fans or even the owners will force his hand into getting a player he doesn't want.

I have my scheduled workout with Isaiah at the North Cats training facility. My reading of the game is sharper than ever. Physically, I feel great. With the off-season winding down, I must decide soon: wait on the North Cats or shop for another club.

Sweat pours down my face as I pound up and down the court. I block Isaiah at the rim twice, hit twelve points in less than three minutes, and will my side to a win.

When the whistle blows, I plant my hands on my knees to catch my breath. Isaiah hits the ball in front of my face and nods to the side. "Isn't that the girl that pops up on your IG? Introduce us," he orders without taking his eyes off Evie.

I know that look in his eyes. I've seen it aimed at groupies and faceless girlfriends. "You better stop looking at her like that, or we'll have a problem.” I grit out.

Isaiah's one of many former teammates I've gathered over the years of club hopping. He's a notorious playboy and a good man, but I want to hit him right now.

Isaiah gives a start, eyebrows raised in surprise. "This has to be the first time you've been serious about a woman—"

"She's wearing my ring.”The three words scream back off or else.

"There's a long way between being engaged and actually walking the aisle."Isaiah doesn't take his eyes off Evie, eyes glittering against his dark complexion. "Believe me, I'm an expert."

The man has three failed engagements under his belt. It's not an idle threat.

I growl.

"Cool it,"Isaiah says, bouncing in place. "I'm joking."

"I'm not,"I say in a chilly, unrecognizable tone.

Evie starts walking towards us. She's dressed 'Evie casual'in dress pants and a white shirt that brings out the diamonds on her brown skin.

"Yo,"Isaiah says, "she brought food for you? Where can I get me a woman like her?"He waggles his eyebrows. "Maybe when—"

"Don't even think about it," I warn. When Evie's close enough, I haul her to my side, not losing my scowl. "She's mine.”

"Considering you used to have a picture of her, her brother, and your family in your locker, she's definitely yours."Coach Billy gives Isaiah that look every player knows not to disobey.

The picture he's talking about is one we took during a camping trip thousands of years ago. Evie was ten, braids streaming down her back, andlaughing as she hung from Charlie's shoulders.

Now, she's frozen solid against me, eyes wide with shock and wonder. I drop my eyes from hers, but my hand remains clamped around her waist.

Coach Billy checks her bag and sniffs. "Is that food?"

Evie looks at me.

Coach Billy looks at me. They are both expectant, but I swear I haven't done anything wrong. "What?"

"You might want to release her, son." Coach's voice is ripe with amusement. "So we can look at what's inside that bag."

Oh. The workout has nothing to do with the reddish tint on my cheeks. Evie is still staring like I've sprouted an extra head. And no wonder. The last time we saw each other, we were sniping at each other and getting our lines crossed. Now, I can't seem to take my hands off her. I avoid her eyes as I remove my hands from around her waist.

I've never dated a woman long enough to find out if I'm the jealous type. For the past years, I've been very focused on basketball. I don't do commitment. I hate the feeling of being responsible for anyone.

Who is not Evie.

The realization creates a white noise in my ears. The picture Coach was talking about pops into my head. Evie, ten years old, shrieks with laughter as Charlie toys with her.

And now I'm acting like the jealous boyfriend.

Coach Billy leads the way. Instead of going straight to his office from the court, he takes us under the club banners.

Evie's silence sounds like thunder. Our last 'fight' is hanging over us in an unfamiliar way. And whatever I've piled on us with my jealousy back there.

We walk side by side.I'mtrying to use my height advantage to read Evie's expression from above. Our fingers brush. It's just the back of our fingers, but it gets my heart racing like the workout never did.

I take her hand.

Evie whips her head around, fierce and something else I can't identify. "There's no one else here."

I nod towards one of the assistant coaches bent over his clipboard in the corner.

We duck under the banners to the inner sanctum. Here, we have massive posters of the club's biggest moments.

Coach Billy walking us under the banners is no coincidence. I'm seething by the time we approach the end, and my poster from my rookie year. I know what he's trying to do, but he should let me sign a contract before persecuting me.

Evie stops before a poster. Man, I look so young here. Memories tease me. The sweat, the heightened senses as the clock winds down, and the euphoria from winning. The overwhelming jubilation of the fans. Then, the complete collapse when we lost. And the fans turned on us.

The ugliest side of sports.

Evie tips her head back. "You're sure you want to return?"

I nod, an aching sweetness rolling through me at her understanding.

"It's okay to admit you can't handle the fans,"she whispers. "Nothing has been decided; you can still change your mind."

Her eyes are clear, and each word comes out wrapped in comfort and understanding. I don't need to put on a front with her. "I followed your advice and talked to Richard. There's a plan for the fans and security. I won't need to handle them."

Her eyes hold mine for a long minute. Then, "Let's go,"she says.

Coach Billy is waiting. His desk has been emptied of clipboards, random notes, and team sheets. He's watching us expectantly. I plop the bag on the table. Evie unpacks peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, and fruits.

He grunts his approval. "A sensible woman. I like her."

We eat together. After the first few nervous glances, I see when Evie gives an internal shrug and relaxes. With a muttered apology, she digs a hair band from her bag. But she doesn't get all her hair. I catch her eye, lean forward, and help her gather the rest.

Her hair is soft under my hand, even with the curls. And it smells so good. I sit back and turn to find Coach Billy watching me.

"How's your grandson?"

"Daniel is fine. How's your trophy cabinet?"

"Empty,"I retort without regret. I hold up my ring finger. "Got something different."

"Ohhhh, look who's bragging."Coach nods at Evie. "You let him run his mouth like this at home?"

"Hardly,"she says with a twinkle in her eye. "He's usually too busy with the gardening, fixing my cabinets...and losing at Scrabble."

"I get it now."I wipe my hands on a serviette. "I got suspicious when you invited us into your office. You want to rinse me? Hit me."

And they do.

Thirty minutes later, I'm slumped in my chair. Evie has her legs curled under her, and Coach Billy is on the phone. Is she sleeping? I give her the lightest kick ever.

She growls. "I'm going to cut those long legs if you don't stop."

I do it again.

"Wild, leave me to my food coma. Please."

"Food coma from sandwiches and fruit? Sweetheart, shame on you."

The endearment slips from my mouth and sends an electric shock through my whole body.

Evie is a block of ice on the couch.

She turns her head to slice me off with a stare.

I dig a hole in my seat and crawl under it.

She opens her mouth, and I run. "We're leaving, Coach."

"Got a hot date?"he asks, throwing his phone on the table.

"Yeah," I answer.

"Enjoy."

"Thank you, Sir."