I like talking to him.
I like that he lets me see hidden sides to him.
I loved sleeping with him, and I like the confidence he gives me.
Though, at this moment, as we pull up in front of endless flashing cameras, thanks to the mob of reporters trying to get a taste of every big athlete in Chicago attending Maddison’s fundraiser, the confidence is replaced with nerves.
“You’re good, Vee,” Ryan quietly says, reassuring me before his door opens.
As my brother steps out of the car and onto the red carpet, flashes illuminate the night sky so brightly you’d assume it was mid-afternoon instead of eight in the evening. The shouts and cheers for my twin’s attention cause my throat to dry up, knowing I’m about to step out next to him.
I hate this.
Maybe our driver can pull around back and drop me off there instead.
I’m about two seconds from asking him when my brother reaches back into the car, holding his hand out for me to grab.
Shit.
Swallowing hard, I place my hand in his, allowing him to help me out of the car. Ryan shields me as much as possible as I keep my head low, but I can’t really hide. There are too many people.
My heart races the further I get down the carpet, but at the same time, I know the only way to get away from this attention is to reach the entryway door in front of me. So, I keep moving.
“Ryan Shay!” reporters call out, wanting to get my brother’s attention.
“Ryan Shay, are you on a date?”
“Who is your date?”
I get that my brother is never pictured with women because he doesn’t date, but gross.
The doorman opens the main entrance, and Ryan ushers me inside before turning back to the mob that itches for his attention. “I’m here with my twin sister, so you can all relax,” he laughs. “Let’s have a good night for a good cause. Thank you.”
Always diplomatic, he offers the crowd a wave and a kind smile before following me inside.
“You okay?” My protective brother leads me to the coat check.
Nodding in agreement, I shrug off my winter coat, checking it in as Ryan does the same.
Thankfully, he cleared up who I was, so here’s hoping that keeps my picture off the internet tomorrow. I can barely handle the judgment from my own mother, let alone thousands of savage internet trolls.
As soon as we’re led into the main ballroom, my eyes widen in shock. The lighting, the music, the crowd—it’s all so beautiful and overwhelming to see this many people support Maddison’s charity foundation.
“Shay!” a few of Ryan’s teammates call out, urging us over to the small high-top table they’re standing around.
“Little Shay.” Dom, Ryan’s teammate, looks me up and down as I approach. “You look smoking hot tonight. Very bangable.”
“Watch it,” my brother warns.
“For someone else,” Dom corrects. “Someone who is not your twin brother’s teammate, and maybe someone who is cool with having their dick cut off.”
“Good to see you, Dom.” Laughing, I hug the big man. My brother’s pro teammates are all pretty awesome, which is vastly contradictory to how I feel about his college ones.
One college one.
One college one who is going to be here tonight.
“Am I allowed to give your baby sister a glass of champagne? Or is that grounds for getting my ass beat too?”
“I’m no one’s baby sister. Hotshot over here”—I motion towards my twin—“is only three minutes older.”
Ryan drapes an arm over my shoulders. “You’re still my baby sister, but Stevie is more of a beer girl. I’m gonna go grab us a round.”
Ryan takes off, leaving me with his teammates. As I said, they’re cool, but I have absolutely nothing to contribute to their conversation about last night’s double-overtime loss. So as the giant basketball players tower over me, rehashing their failed game, I allow my eyes to wander the room.
The space is stunning, with soft lighting, low music, and a wall full of auction items. Art, game tickets, and memorabilia, all donated to raise money for Maddison’s charity.
The guests are stunning, dressed to impress. Gorgeous women in extravagant gowns drape the arms of Chicago’s most prominent athletes. Tall, built men overtake the room, all wearing their best tuxedos. Everyone is just so…beautiful.
Working my gaze around the room, a sudden magnetic pull brings my attention to the space between two of my brother’s teammates. There in the distance, across the room, a pair of hazel eyes watch me.