Page 51 of Play Fake

“You planning your dream wedding again? I know it excites you to think about all the details. The caterer. The flowers. How will you choose?”

“Yeah. Well, with that attitude, you’re not getting invited.”

“Fuck off, I better be your best man. Or at least the second best after Liam.”

We both break out into laughter.

“For real though, what’s got you so happy? Finally found the girl to put in the dress?”

An image of Mac in a wedding dress flashes in my mind, and I come up short when I realize I don’t hate it. Nowhere near ready for it. But definitely don’t hate it.

“Damn bro. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack.”

“No, just fuck. This chick, man. She is in my head. Not like wedding bells in my head. But I can't stop thinking about her.”

“Oh damn. That’s a tough one. You tried fucking her out of your system yet? Usually works for me. By the fourth or fifth time I’m bored.”

I add more weight for my last round and grunt as I press my limits.

“Oh fuck. She won’t fuck you? Don’t tell me there’s a girl who won’t fall for your charming ass.”

“I’m pretty sure she’d fuck me. That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is?” Easton looks truly perplexed.

He’s a playboy who loves sex and has the money to make his life as easy as he wants it, a dad that coaches, and a half-brother already in the NFL pretty much guarantees he has better prospects than the rest of us for life. The biggest problem he has most nights is which chick he wants to take home.

“You never wish they saw you as something other than a fun time?”

Easton’s jaw clicks a little, and I feel like I might have hit a nerve.

“Maybe. But what’s the use? We’re either a hot fuck or a meal ticket when we hit the NFL. Both if they’re lucky. Trying to find one who takes you seriously beyond that, it’s like trying to fucking find the end zone on a run play when you’re backed up with 25 yards of penalties.”

I pause my lift, letting the weights fall back down, and stare at Easton for a minute. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him talk like this.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to get all philosophical. I’m just saying, don’t let 'em get in your head. We’ve got one goal right now, and we’re near the finish line. Don’t let someone fuck with your drive right now.”

“Easier said than done.”

* * *

Mac Truck:Hey. I know it’s late, but we’ll be going by your place. Want me to drop off the present?

Mac had textedme back after a bit and told me she and the girls were going out for a girls’ night. Olivia needed it, apparently. Which just made me wonder what the fuck Liam did now. Mac had promised she’d still bring the gift she’d wrapped so I could give it to my mom in the morning when she got in from the airport. I’m less worried about the present and more worried about seeing her, but sure, I’ll pretend it’s the present I need.

Me:Yeah. That works.

Mac Truck:Be there in 2 mins.

Shit. I hop out of bed and scrub a hand over my face. I’d fallen asleep early, which was good. I’d need it for the game tomorrow and whatever shenanigans my mother had planned for after. By the time I’m fully awake and slide on a pair of old sweatpants, Mac texts she’s at the door.

When I open it to reveal her, I nearly swallow my tongue in my half-awake stupor. She is dressed to kill in a short red dress with red heels that make it look like her legs go on for days. Her breasts are barely caged by the tight top, ready to spill out over it. I hate Liam a little right now because movie night getting canceled means she goes out looking like this, and I didn’t get to see it until now.

“Damn. You look gorgeous,” I mutter. I’m still trying to get my feet under me, and I don’t have better words than that.

She gives me a smile, and her eyes rake over my chest with interest. And now, even if I’m not fully awake, my dick is. Just one look at her and it wants inside. Too fucking bad. But that dress is something else. The only thing that might look better on her is nothing. Or my jersey. Which reminds me.

“Come in for a second. I’ve got something I want to give you.” I motion her in and close the door, happy to close out the chilly night air that’s been seeping in around her.