Page 35 of Make the Play

“Ah, so youhavebeen paying attention.”

I open my mouth to reply, but legal cuts in.

“If he did, it’d have to be someone believable. Not just any woman.”

John nods in agreement. “Yes, someone who already has a connection to him would be good. Otherwise, it'll look fake.”

Chase hums. “Guess I should start swiping right, then.”

John shakes his head, not even looking at him. “You need a relationship, not a felony charge.”

“Oh, come on,” he laughs as chuckles ripple around the table, “I can be very charming.”

“Charming?” I repeat, genuinely in disbelief we’re having this conversation.

“You wound me, Carlson.”

“Someone should,” I mutter under my breath.

He grins. One of the legal reps snorts.

John sighs. “Alright, let’s focus. Chase, if we position you in a stable relationship, it steers the conversation away from… well.” He gestures at the muted video still on the screen.

“My spectacular ass?”

Coach kicks him under the table. “For the love of—can you take this seriously?”

“Oh, I am,” Chase says, his smirk widening. “Deeply. I’m very committed to my public image.”

I exhale sharply, gritting my teeth. “Yes, we can see how much it means to you, given the parade of regret we’re currently witnessing.”

Another choked laugh, this time from marketing.

Chase just shrugs. “At least I’m consistent.”

“That’s one word for it.”

“You’re always so supportive.”

“Call it a reality check,” I shoot back, pressing my fingers to my temples.

The GM chuckles and waves his hand between me and Chase. “Actually, you two already spend time together, don’t you? You’re in the same social circle outside of work?”

No.

No, no, no.

I open my mouth to protest, but before I can, Chase leans forward with a shit-eating grin. “We’re practically inseparable,” he says, voice dripping with fake sincerity. “Right, Zo?”

I want to murder him. Here. Now. In front of everyone. But instead, I force a tight smile. “Right. Like a bad rash.”

Chase’s smile only widens as the room erupts in quiet laughter, and I catch one of the Storm execs smiling, clearly entertained by our back-and-forth. I can feel my face flush, but I refuse to back down. Chase lives for this—pushing my buttons just enough to make me snap, then playing it off like it’s all fun and games.

John cuts through the chuckles. “Actually, that’s an interesting point.”

I glance at him, suddenly on alert. “What is?”

“The fact that you two already have this connection.” He says it carefully, as though testing the waters. “It would make any public narrative about you seem more believable.”

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