I dread these nights when I find them on my calendar, and she couldn’t be more stoked.
The photographers and paparazzi behind me are relentlessly trying to get a shot, but I’m not worried about impressing or convincing them. We aren’t doing this for them. I just need to make sure we’re on our A-game by the time we inevitably run into Ron Morgan.
Indy puts her hand in mine, one white heel finding the ground as she glides out of the car with so much grace and polish, those previous notions and lack of concern go up in flames.
Because with how perfect she looks tonight, no one is going to believe she’s mine.
Cameras explode with light as we step onto the carpet leading to the hotel. Indy’s fingers link with mine in the most natural way, but I don’t know how the fuck to do this. I didn’t think this through. Typically, I find myself sprinting to get inside and away from the fanfare, but I can’t exactly hurry Indy along when she’s wearing those heels and commanding everyone’s attention the way she is now.
She floats along as I follow, stiff as a board and uncomfortable beyond belief. Clearly, the girl is stunning, but the perfect show she’s putting on tonight is different than the version I get at home.
I’m not sure how to take that.
“Ryan Shay, a photo!”
“Over here!”
“Ryan, over here!”
My date stops on the carpet, pulling me to a halt with her.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
She smiles at the crowd, speaking behind her teeth. “Loosen up and pose with me.”
I turn towards the collection of photographers as she puts a hand on my chest. “I don’t pose,” I say quietly enough for no one else to hear.
“You want to sell this? Well, running inside doesn’t exactly sell this.”
She’s right. Ron already thinks I’m lying. If I bring a date who I claim is my girlfriend and only show her off for a few moments in front of him, he’ll know.
Standing stiffly, I smile, allowing Indy to lean into me.
“Put your arm around me.”
“No.”
“Ryan,” she warns behind that sparkling smile. And how does she speak so clearly behind her teeth? She should be a damn ventriloquist. “You’re not going to burst into flames from touching a woman. Put your goddamn arm around me.”
Inhaling deeply, I swing my arm behind her, placing my palm at a respectful height—on her shoulder blade.
“Lower.”
Lower shoulder blade.
I can feel the annoyance flaring off her body as she reaches behind her, finding my hand and curving it around her waist. She presses her body into my chest and sells it.
How is she so fucking good at this?
“Kiss me,” she quietly mutters. “Cheek. Forehead. I don’t care.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Kiss—”
I hold my hand out to the crowd in a swift wave. “Thank you, guys. Have a great night.”
Keeping her hand in mine, I pull Indy towards the hotel, needing to get the fuck out of here.
She sighs. “We have so much work to do.”
One more hour.
Put on the bullshit Ryan Shay smile for one more hour. Be basketball’s shining golden boy for one more hour. All eyes are on me for one more hour, then I can go home and relax.
I’ve internally repeated those sentences for the last twenty minutes as Indy and I worked the room, greeting season ticket holders, upper management, and saying hello to guys I know who play for the other major league teams in the city.
Another random man pats my back as he walks by. “Great game last night, son.” I’ve seen him at events, he’s a wealthy fan, and I’m sure he paid a pretty penny to be at this one tonight.
A small tip of my head. “Thank you, sir.”
Indy turns to stand directly in front of me once he’s out of earshot. “Why are you so tense? You’re allowed to smile, you know.” She puts her hands on both shoulders, pushing them down. “Chill out and let’s have fun.” Her eyes are sparkling with excitement as she takes in the room around us.
“I don’t chill out when I’m at these kinds of things.”
“Why not?”
Because I don’t trust anyone.
But before I can answer, ironically, one of the few people I do trust catches my attention across the room, making his way to my date and me.
“Ryan Shay!” he says in excitement, putting his hand in mine and swinging his other over my shoulder. “I can’t believe I caught you at one of these things before you slipped out.”
“Good to see you, Kai.”
Kai Rhodes is a good guy and one hell of a baseball player. Starting pitcher for the Windy City Warriors, Kai signed one of the biggest contracts in MLB history last season when his free agency brought him to Chicago. We share the same agent who got him set up with an apartment in my building, and I can’t explain exactly why I like him so much, but I do.
There’s not a bad bone in his body, and I think my soft spot for him is due to the massive shift his life has taken over the last couple months and how well he’s stepped up and handled his responsibilities. The guy could be out partying every night, getting away with any and every thing, but instead, he’s at home taking care of his son as a single dad.
“And who is this?” Kai’s eyes linger on the woman at my side. Not in a creepy way, but in a respectful you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the pleasure to lay eyes on way.
I said I liked him, but if he doesn’t take his eyes off her soon, I have no issue retracting my statement.
Unfortunately, we’re close enough friends that I can’t exactly call dibs by referring to Indy as my girlfriend.
“This is my roommate, Indy.” I gesture towards her, possessively keeping a hand on the small of her back.
He takes her hand, shaking it, his eyes twinkling like he just found the future mother of his child. “I’m Kai, but you can call me Ace.”
“Ace, huh? What’s with the nickname?”
“Always been the best pitcher on the team. I’ve got good hands. The right touch. In case you were curious.”
And those good hands are still holding on to my fake girlfriend’s.
“Okay, that seems like enough of a handshake there, buddy.” I separate them, putting my body slightly in front of Indy’s and out of his eyeline.
Kai is basically a golden fucking retriever with his obvious good looks, black-rimmed glasses, and charming smiles. I don’t need him showing Indy those smiles especially when I don’t give her enough of mine.
He chuckles. “Got it.”
And it’s clear he does. What exactly, even I’m not sure, but he knows she’s off-limits.
“How long are you here?”
“Just long enough to cover my contractual obligations.” He shakes his head. “I gotta get home to release the nanny.”
“I thought you fired the last one?”
“I did. I hired another one, who I’ll probably fire soon too.”
“You have a kid?” Indy’s voice bursts with excitement.
“A son,” Kai beams. “Max. He’s eight months old.” Pulling out his phone like the proud dad he is, he scrolls through the endless pictures.