Page 24

CHAPTER NINETEEN

LENA

The click of my heeled boots echoes through the concrete hall like I’m completely alone, despite the horde of people around me.

Stiff fabric chafes my thighs. The skirt is cute, but whoever picked it out didn’t take mobility into consideration.

Maybe it’s my oversight. I grabbed the first skirt and shirt that were laid out before me after I finished my meetings today, and I changed in the back of my ride.

So here I am, sporting Kings blue, and I have to admit, I kind of love it on me.

“It’s the Truman Family Suite,” Gustav repeats.

“Yes, I remember.” We pile into an elevator, and I squish to the back. “Remind me who the Trumans are again?”

“They owned the team before the Barclays took over,” he answers.

I nod like any of this makes sense or matters to me, but all I can think about is what I’ll say to Decker’s mom and if these date treats are still as fresh as they were yesterday when Cole packed them into this pink box for me.

My phone vibrates, but my hands are full, and my skirt’s too tight to yank it out of my pocket.

I wish I’d thought about that before I put it on.

At this point, I’m a little nervous about how I’m going to sit comfortably.

I’m praying the suite isn’t entirely glass front.

There’s usually at least a counter up front, right?

It’s going to be a long night if I’m fielding both making a good impression and not flashing my team-colored bum to everyone in the stands.

The elevator doors open just in time to pour in enough cool air that the sweat threatening my hairline never fully forms.

“Will you hold this, please?” I hand Gustav the candy shop box and pull out my phone, a stupid smile spreading across my lips when I see who it’s from.

“It’s Decker,” I announce. Antonia told me to make displays public tonight, and if everyone couldn’t tell from my mile-wide smile, I want them to know that it was my (fake) boyfriend who did that.

The good thing is, in my line of work, sucking it up and faking it is truly how you make it, or at least make things easier.

My brain is already conditioned to respond that way.

What a good little actor it is. At least that’s what I tell myself.

I read the text to myself because what normal girl reads their boyfriend’s texts out loud? That would be overkill. Antonia said public , not obnoxious.

Decker

Can’t wait to see you in Kings blue later.

My belly flips, and I check around me to see if anyone’s noticed. Which is silly because how could anyone ever see the knots my guts are tying themselves in right now?

Decker

But I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen anyone look better in it than me.

There it is. My eyes roll as I continue on.

Decker

Kidding. Won’t be able to text for a while though. Mom’s name is Darlene, loves sincere compliments, eye contact, and collecting baskets. And those little date candies Cole said he gave you.

Also thought maybe we should put in some face time tonight after the game since we’ll be “official.” I’m having a few people over after. If we win, probably a few more than a few. Good luck with Darlene, Lennie-Pie.

I try to commit the list of his mom’s preferences to memory, but I can’t get over the fact that he’s right.

Tonight’s the night that we become official.

The internet won’t be buzzing with rumors anymore, it’ll be swarming with pictures and more speculations and now proof .

Proof of this carefully orchestrated lie by way of photos of me, standing in a glass box, chumming it up with his mom .

Something heavy presses down on my chest, squeezing out my air.

I’ve been through this before, so why does it feel so different now?

“If you’re gonna puke, at least miss your shoes. I know those cost you a pretty penny.” Before I turn to see her face, I already know who it is.

"Joss!” I squeal, throwing my arms around her shoulders, effectively causing a pileup of the throng of people around us with my unexpected stop. “I thought you were in New York this week.”

She knocks her head back, flopping a lock of purple hair out of her eyes. Last time I saw her it was pink. “We wrapped early, and I busted my butt to get here. Antonia told me she had an extra ticket.”

God bless Antonia for always being aware of what will keep me calm in high-stress situations and utilizing it. If I look good, she looks good, and she knows it.

“You could have texted me,” I say.

“Yeah, but this is more fun.” Joss grins, then holds up a hand to block her mouth, her blue and gold bangles jingling down her arm as she lowers her voice. “Plus, I heard you’re meeting the mom, and I love seeing you flustered.”

“Gee, thanks,” I say flatly.

She giggles. “Thought I might be able to help ya out if you try to embarrass yourself like you did with T.J. Mills’s mom freshman year of high school.”

“Really? You’re going to bring that up right now?”

“That’s what you get for forgetting to tell me you’re dating a pro athlete.”

“It’s a long story.” I check my watch, and my stomach somersaults. We’re fifteen minutes late. They’re probably waiting on me. They probably think I’m rude.

“Can’t be that long of a story. It’s barely been a couple weeks according to everyone online.”

“Maybe if you answered your phone for once, you wouldn’t have to rely on gossip to hear about your best friend’s new relationship.” I scowl.

“Hey, Miss Career, you’re the one who encouraged me to chase my dreams. There’s only so many hours in a day.” She laughs like it’s funny.

My frown doesn’t budge.

She groans. “Fine. I’ll admit it. I’ve been a crappy friend. You always make time for me, and I shoulda done the same for you. I’m sorry.” She pouts. “Forgive me?”

I roll my eyes. “Always.”

Throwing an arm over my shoulder, she pulls me in for a little squeeze, her plump lip popping back into place. Gustav slows his gait, stepping around us as we close in on our destination, and I take one leveling breath as he pushes open the door.

The luxury skybox is as luxurious as a football stadium will allow.

The lighting is warm, the accents are gold, and little pops of Kings blue are spread throughout the space.

Pillowy leather seats flank an aisle of wide stairs that lead down to a sprawling glass front.

Nothing about it screams sports stands to me.

As I perch at the top and stare out, part of me wishes I could sit in the bleachers snacking on popcorn and hot dogs with everyone else.

The catered food along the wall looks delicious, but sometimes a beer and something greasy hits the spot.

Of course, if I asked, I’d have my choice of both brews and munchies, but I’ve found people like you more when you don’t come off as demanding in any way.

When you’re content with what is offered, it gives everyone less to gossip about.

I’m not afraid to ask for what I want, but given my current circumstances and the sole reason I’m here, I’ll stick with the buffet they’ve laid out.

An elbow sinks into my ribs, and I turn to Joss who gestures towards the seats.

A woman with faded brown hair smiles up at us, and I immediately recognize the soft-angled nose.

It’s Decker’s nose. This is Darlene. I’ve never been one to be nervous to meet the parents, so why now?

Maybe because I have to full-blown lie to this poor woman’s smiling face.

The growing guilt is immediately washed away when I remember the fact that Decker is totally okay with me lying to his mom.

Something about that makes it feel even more wrong.

It makes him feel wrong. Without a second thought, I paste on a smile and start her way, the pink box clenched in my hands.

“Darlene?” I begin.

She nods, her cheeks full and pink, a glass of red wine sloshing in her hand. Pasting on my politest smile, I switch into interview mode. If I can captivate audiences, surely I can charm one person. But why are my palms sweating so much?

“So glad to finally meet you. A little birdie told me these were your favorite, so I couldn’t pass them up.”

She fumbles for a moment, trying to find a place for her wine glass until finally, I awkwardly offer to hold it as she takes the box from me and lifts the lid.

A dramatic gasp drops her jaw like she’s just cracked open some long-lost treasure chest. “Oh, Lena. You’re too sweet.

Thank you.” She wraps an arm around me, crushing the box between us as I try my best to avoid dumping her wine all over her.

I stiffen instinctively. Meeting people is always a toss up of reactions.

From tears to speechlessness to oversharing and groping, I’ve endured it all.

Typically, when people grab me this way, it’s unexpected and unwanted, and Gustav is on it, pulling them off in no time flat.

Though unexpected, there’s something warm about her, and I find myself feeling charmed by her ability to be so motherly .

Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if my mom was more mother than manager.

Forgetting about the crushed box, I lean into the hug, squeezing her right back.

“I’m so glad you could make it.” She says as she steps away, giving me a once over. “You’re even more beautiful in person. That blue suits you, Lena.”