Page 6

CHAPTER 6

Rafferty

W atching video in the team meeting room isn’t my favorite thing to do, but it is an absolute necessity. Maybe not as important as our training, but we can’t beat teams without it. Tomorrow we play the New York Phantoms and although we beat the Boston Eagles yesterday, it was too close for comfort. It was only a goal from Penn Navarro in the last twenty seconds of the game that gave us the lead and prevented overtime that could have gone either way.

While my mind is fully on the video, taking notes and asking questions, the minute Coach shuts it off and packs away his tablet—our work done for the day and the rest of our time free—I focus on something else that’s pretty important.

The ruse.

The fake girlfriend.

Operation Get Tansy to Leave Me the Hell Alone.

Prior to the meeting, I had asked Foster, King, North and Atlas to hang behind. North knows what’s going on, but the other three look at me curiously as I stand from my chair and turn to face them. We all sat in the fourth row together, the meeting room fashioned like a small auditorium with rows of stadium seating.

“So, what’s up, dude?” Foster asks with a smirk. “Got some secret game plan that beats the expertise of Coach West?”

I roll my neck to loosen the tension, feeling the weight of the situation. “No, nothing like that. I’m in a bit of a mess and could use your help.”

They all stare at me, except for North. He already knows the deal as I filled him in on my extended arrangement with Tempe. My gaze flicks among all of them. “Most of you know about my hookup with Tansy Carmichael and the fact she’s still stalking me.” My attention shifts to Foster. “Except you. You weren’t sitting with us at Mario’s about three weeks back when she came in looking for me.”

That was but one of a handful of times she’s sought me out and Foster didn’t witness my utter failure in dissuading her.

Foster shakes his head. “No, but I heard about it. She’s still after you? Like in a creepy, leave a rabbit boiling on your stove kind of way?”

“Not quite that dire, but she won’t let up, and worse… she’s threatening to go to Brienne and concoct some story about how I used her. But I swear, dude, that was a consensual hookup and I wasn’t interested in anything past that.”

Foster holds up his hand. “You don’t have to justify anything to me, Rafferty. I know you wouldn’t pull any crap like what she’s claiming.”

The rest of the guys nod their agreement and I’m relieved. Because what I’m getting ready to ask of them is beyond crazy.

“So, you’ve been dodging Tansy like slap shots,” King says with a smirk. “Doesn’t seem to be working.”

“Not working,” I agree with a sigh. “She surprised me in the grocery store last week, and well, I thought I had a way to make her back off.” I launch into the story of how I kissed Tempe, how she went right along with the ruse. Their mouths all drop, except for North’s. I explain that Tansy isn’t buying it, even after Tempe came to the photo shoot day before yesterday. “But North and I thought maybe if I continued the ruse over the next few weeks, that would deter Tansy from following through on her threat to go to Brienne and finally get her to give up. So I talked to Tempe and she’s willing to do it.”

I’m met with utter silence. North cups his hand over his mouth to contain his laugh.

“So you have… a fake girlfriend?” Atlas asks, his lips quivering in a valiant attempt not to crack up. It doesn’t work though, and he issues a hoarse bark of mirth, head tipped back. “Only you could end up in a sitcom scenario!”

“And this random girl, Tempe… she agreed to do this?” Foster asks.

“She’s… she’s not just some random girl.” I find myself defending Tempe more vehemently than I expected. “She’s smart, funny and she’s got her own stuff going on. It’s not like I’m using her—she’s getting something out of this too.”

“Let me guess—this involves the wedding, doesn’t it?” Foster asks, already piecing it together.

“Yeah, I need you guys to back me up at Stone and Harlow’s wedding. Play along that Tempe and I have been seeing each other for a while, especially to Tansy when she comes around, and I know she will. If I can convince her it’s legit at the wedding, then that would be great.”

Although, admittedly, that would mean I wouldn’t see Tempe anymore and that’s not a pleasant feeling.

King shakes his head, chuckling. “This is insane, Raff. But you know we’ve got your back. What about the other guys?”

“We keep it tight. Only we know it’s a ruse. To everyone else, Tempe’s just someone I’ve kept low key,” I explain, hoping my plan holds water.

“Shouldn’t we meet her before the wedding?” Atlas suggests, ever the strategist. “Get our stories straight and all.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” I have no clue if Tempe’s available, but the thought of seeing her today is way too appealing. Even if it’s just in the furtherance of our caper. “Actually, why not now? I’ll give her a call, see if she’s up for meeting you guys. Unless maybe you want to grab dinner tonight?”

Foster and King immediately shake their heads. “Got plans tonight,” King says.

“Going to dinner with Mazzy’s parents,” Foster adds.

“It’s now or never,” Atlas says, and Foster, North and King agree.

Whipping out my phone, I dial Tempe, heart kicking against my ribs as I wait for her to pick up.

“Hello,” she says, almost tentatively, but she has my number programmed in her phone. She knows it’s me. I guess she’s shocked I would call as we already have our plans set for me to pick her up Thursday evening for the wedding.

“Hey, Tempe, it’s Rafferty. Any chance you’d be up for some visitors?”

“Visitors?”

“I’m sitting here with my best guys, all successfully recruited to perpetuate our lie at Stone’s wedding.” I glance over and they’re nodding in encouragement. “And they thought maybe they should get to know you a bit so it’s more authentic.”

There’s silence as she considers, then she says, “If we put on a really good act at the wedding, especially your cohorts adding said authenticity, it could drive Tansy away forever.”

“And you’d be free of me,” I say, ignoring the feeling of disappointment at the prospect.

“Well, that would be the downside,” she quips, and that disappointment turns to a fuzzy warmth in my chest.

“Want to meet us for some lunch and a beer?”

“Oh, I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of installing mobility rails for my mom. Dinner instead?”

“Not everyone can do dinner tonight.” The disappointment swamps me again, but an idea strikes. “Actually… how about we come over and install the rails for you? We can talk while we work.”

“Oh…” She breathes into the phone. “Um… I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered. Just shoot me your address and we’ll head over.” More silence and she doesn’t readily accept, which has me frowning. “Is something wrong?”

“What?” she exclaims. “No. Nothing’s wrong. I’m just calculating the rest of my day. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that I was going to take a nap after I put up these rails. I’m doing third shift at the grocery store tonight to get some overtime hours, and well… I just got off shift and I need to sleep.”

There’s a twisting sensation in my chest and I hate how hard Tempe has to work to help support her family right now. “I’ll give you the five thousand now.”

“No, not until I complete the job for you.” There it is… confirmation that this is indeed just a job. “But it’s fine. Come on over, you can hang for a bit, but I’ll have to kick you out sooner rather than later.”

I don’t think to try to convince her to take the money. That’s better done in person. “Okay… send me your address.”

When I disconnect, all the guys are watching me. Atlas asks, “Five thousand? You’re paying her?”

Heat prickles at the back of my neck. “It’s not like she’s a prostitute. I’m paying her for a job. To be my fake girlfriend.”

Atlas’s eyes are round with shock and then once again, he bursts out laughing. “Oh my God… this is just too funny. Abrams has to pay a girl to be his girlfriend, he’s that fucking lame.”

“Bite me,” I grouse, but I’m not bothered by his ribbing. That’s all it is.

“But seriously,” Atlas asks, wiping his eyes as his laughs die down. “What are we installing?”

“Mobility rails for her mother. She was in a horrible car accident and just got out of a rehab hospital. Not sure her exact injuries, but Tempe had to drop out of her last year of college to take care of her mom. She has a younger brother at home too.”

Foster whistles low. “Oh man… that sucks.”

“Yeah, so I don’t mind paying her five grand. What she’s doing for me is worth it.”

“You’re getting something too,” North says. I glance at him as he’s remained fairly quiet. “That was some kiss you two shared at the photo shoot.”

At North’s comment, the room erupts into raucous laughter. King throws his head back, his hearty guffaws bouncing off the concrete walls, while Atlas snorts before doubling over as he slaps his leg. Foster’s whistle pierces through the noise, adding a playful lilt to the chorus of jeering but teasing laughter. The air buzzes with their mirth, and I’m pelted with friendly heckles and shouts that echo around the room, each teasing remark another volley in their banter.

Foster leans forward, grinning widely. “Man, Rafferty paying for kisses. Wait till the press gets a hold of this one!”

North joins in, laughing as he shakes his head in disbelief. “Imagine the headlines: ‘Titans Star Pays for Love!’ You sure you’re not setting a new trend for us single guys?”

King chuckles and nudges me with his elbow. “Gotta admit, dude, that’s one hell of a strategy. Outsourcing your love life!”

Atlas is still nearly doubled over, holding his stomach as he tries to catch his breath. “Oh, come on, Raff, you gotta see the humor in this. You, of all people, running a romance scam on yourself!”

Their laughter is contagious, and despite the initial sting of their jests, I can’t help but join them. It’s clear they’re all in, ready to back up my crazy plan. As the chuckles subside, the camaraderie among us solidifies, turning from teasing to a supportive ribbing that reassures me I’ve got the best teammates anyone could ask for.

But we have work to do and I eventually get them to focus. “Okay, let’s head over to Tempe’s. Who has easy access to power tools?”

Atlas rises from his seat. “I’ve got it covered. Got a fully stocked box in my truck.”

“Let’s do it then,” I say, excited at the prospect of not just seeing Tempe but actually helping to alleviate some of her burden.

And that desire alone tells me that this fake girlfriend thing might not be as fake as I planned it to be.