Page 42 of Rule 3: Never Fake Marry the Coach's Son

How can I fake a marriage when I’ve never even had a boyfriend? How do I act like a husband with the world watching and Dmitri’s future hanging on every gesture?

My heart shudders inside my chest.

Dmitri leans toward me, and for a wild moment I think he’s going to kiss me, like he did in Vegas.

Instead, he leans closer to me, and I inhale his scent, more masculine and sweat-scented than in Vegas. “See you later, babe.”

And then he does kiss me.

On the cheek.

It’s a peck, but it still causes my heart to somersault.

I nod, probably too many times. “Yeah, see you later...honey.”

He winks at me, then saunters away, moving in his customary swagger like everything is okay, and hopefully it will be.

My eyes flutter shut, but Dmitri’s face still looms in my mind.

“This is such a bad idea,” Daniela says, interrupting my reverie.

“We’re in lo—”

She shakes her head, and I hate it.

Because of course Dmitri would never be in love with someone like me.

The day drags. Papers blur together. I can’t focus, my thoughts circling back to Dmitri.

God, Dmitri is totally going to discover that I have a crush on him. How can I hide that when we’re sharing the same space?

DMITRI

I return to the locker room to find everyone staring. I don’t blame them. Guess it’s not every day a player gets punched in the face by his coach.

“What was that about?” Troy asks.

“Family squabble. No big deal.”

“Are you hurt?” Noah frowns at my jaw.

“Is fine.”

It does hurt, but God, I deserve it. I clench and unclench my fists.

“So you’re really married to Oskar?” Finn asks.

“Yes.”

Finn and Noah exchange glances.

“Was this a too much alcohol situation?” Troy asks.

“Of course not. Oskar and I flew to Vegas yesterday morning.”

“Vegas?” Finn’s eyebrows climb.

I nod. “Is good place to marry. You got married there.”