Play Along(9)

Travis: How long will you be?

Me: I’m not coming back.

Cody: Shut the fuck up.

Me: See you boys at the airport tomorrow.

Cody: I feel like I’m living in an alternate reality. This can’t be real.

Travis: Isaiah motherfucking Rhodes. What happened to the guys’ night you were so adamant about?

Me: Fate happened.





Chapter 2


Kennedy


If you would have told me a year ago that Isaiah Rhodes, of all people, would be walking down the Vegas strip by my side, I would’ve assumed you were out of your mind.

And if you would’ve told me the reason I’m in Vegas to begin with is that I’m attending my stepsister’s bachelorette party, I would’ve laughed in your face.

And if you would’ve told me that the man she’s marrying is my ex-fiancé, I would’ve looked into having you committed.

Because for my entire adult life, Connor Danforth and I knew we were marrying each other.

And my stepsister and I have never been close enough to invite the other to our personal events.

And I can’t stand Isaiah Rhodes most of the time.

But here I am, all three of those things being my current reality.

Isaiah closes the back door to the club as we step outside, the pounding music dulling to a low vibration and easing the panic I was experiencing in there.

What the hell was I doing agreeing to leave with him? I was desperate to get out of there, that’s what. And though I’ll never admit it aloud, there’s an understanding between Isaiah and me that no one else knows about.

But the man is carefree, cocky, even downright childish at times and it drives me insane. I’m far too type A for him and when the brisk Nevada air hits me in the face, it clears my brain fog and reminds me of just that.

“I’m staying two hotels over. I’m going to call it a night.” I raise my hand to hail the closest cab, but just as quickly, Isaiah pulls it down.

“One drink, Ken.”

“No.”

He tosses his head from side to side. “Let’s try that answer again. I liked it a whole lot better when you gave me those doe eyes inside and whispered ‘please.’ ”

“Fine. Please stop talking. You’re annoying.”

A grin tilts. “Stop flirting with me, Kenny.”

“I’m going back to my hotel.” I start in that direction, but between the heels and my much shorter legs, Isaiah catches up to me, strutting backward so I have to face him as I walk.

As much as I hate to admit it, Isaiah Rhodes is kind of hot. I noticed it on the first day I started working for the Windy City Warriors, back when I thought he was a charming stranger willing to talk me through my employment problems and not one of the players on the team.

He’s in all black tonight, all the way down to his shoes. It’s strange. I’m used to seeing him in all different colors, and they typically don’t coordinate.

Tonight, his light brown hair seems perfectly styled, but I’m certain he simply ran his fingers through it and got it to stay that way. The guy’s got good hair.

Pretty face and stunning body too, and boy, does he know it.

“So, what’s up with you and your stepsister?” he asks.

“I’m far too sober to talk about that right now.”

He smirks, that little birthmark under his right eye drawing my attention to the mischief sparkling in them. “That can be fixed.”

I stop walking, right there on the Vegas strip. “Isaiah, I’m cold and my feet hurt. This weekend sucked. All I want to do is crawl into bed and fly home to Chicago tomorrow.”

“One drink, Kennedy. I’ve got you outside of work for the first time ever. One drink and I promise I’ll get you back to your hotel.”

I’ve never had a drink with one of the players. Never even been outside of work with one of them besides the innocent sleepover I had at Isaiah’s brother’s house last year because I drank too much with Kai’s girlfriend and couldn’t drive home.

Isaiah has asked me to join countless times and I’ve always turned him down. But tonight . . . tonight I’m feeling desperate and uneasy. Tonight, I’m feeling reckless for the first time in my life.

I shouldn’t even be in this city, shouldn’t have had to attend the bachelorette party of the woman who is marrying my ex-fiancé, so fuck it. One drink won’t hurt anything.

“You’re buying.”

That devilish smile is back. “With pleasure. But first . . .” He scans the area. “Come with me.”

Isaiah extends his elbow out for me to grab, but instead, I cross my arms over my chest to keep the warmth in. He huffs a laugh, tucks his hands in his pockets, and gestures for me to follow him.

“Did you forget about that whole part about my feet hurting? I’m wearing four-inch heels, Rhodes.”

“I know. You’re almost eye to eye with my chest now.”

“Funny,” I deadpan, speed walking to try to match his single stride with two of mine as we cross the street. “And my hotel is that way. Don’t you think we should at least start in that direction? Grab one quick drink on the way?”

Isaiah stops in the middle of the street and I almost smack into the back of him before he turns to face me, uncaring that the light just turned green and cars are waiting for us to move.