Page 18 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

“I’d love a Dr. Pepper.” Brie hands him a five dollar bill. “Thank you.”

“Can you grab me a hot dog and a Root Beer?” He nods and holds out his hand to me. I clench my teeth together to keep my mouth from falling open and put a ten in his hand before grinding out. “Thanks.”

When he’s on his way down the stairs, I turn back to Brie. Her eyes are dancing, and she’s biting down on her lips to keep from laughing.

“Don’t say it.” I shake my head and chuckle at her. “I should’ve canceled.”

“That would’ve been smart.” She sits back in her seat and looks around the crowds. “Have you talked to Adam recently?”

Brie was the first person I called after my mind-blowing conversation with him. I can’t explain it, but I felt like he was someone I’ve known forever.

“A little bit of small talk here and there, but nothing else, really.” I sit next to her and sigh. “Pretty sure Josh had a ‘conversation’ with him.”

Brie rolls her eyes. “He’s so bad with that. Why not just let you pick who you want to date?”

“I know, right?!” I scoff. “It would make my life so much easier.”

“Or not.” Brie shrugs as she lifts her hands. “Maybe he’s doing you a favor, but we just don’t know it yet.”

“My brother?” I look at her with raised eyebrows. “You think he would do me any favors?”

Brie grins and shakes her head. I slide my phone out to see if Chase has commented about the game.

“Still talking to that annoying guy on that football app?” Brie nudges me with her elbow. A small grin slides across my lips. “Wait? Do you like him now? I thought you said he was annoying.”

“He was.” I lift a shoulder, my grin growing bigger as I type a quick message. “But he’s gone from annoying to…intriguing.”

I glance toward Brie and burst out laughing at how wide her eyes are. “I know, I know. What can I say?”

“Maybe Josh isn’t wrong for issuing a bro-code.”

“What about Josh?” Brian says, as he hands Brie her drink and me a tray.

“Thank you,” Brie says just as I say. “That we hope he steps up for the second half of the game. He’s disappointing fantasy managers all over the world.”

“You ain’t kidding.” Brian says, sitting down and starting to talk about his fantasy team and what he needs to win today's matchup.

I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing at Brie’s expression. My best friend isnotinto guys who like sports, and Brian is her worst nightmare.

Chapter Eight

Adam

Running off the fieldinto the tunnel with my new teammates, the hum of adrenaline buzzing through my body and the fans' roar echoing throughout the stadium is unlike anything I’ve experienced outside of playing football. It’s one of the many reasons I love the sport so much.

A small tightness grips my chest, wishing Steve was here to join in on my celebration, but not enough to dim the elation that comes from winning a hard fought competition withmyteammates. That’s exactly what this group of men are now.

My team.

Amelia’s prediction pops into my head, and my smile widens. She was right. I made the right side of the Mavericks offensive line stronger. No one got anywhere near Michaels today. That will be how things go for the rest of the season if I have anything to say about it.

I’m not going to hate telling her she was right, even if it does feel a bit like bragging.

Today’s game was a battle, and winning by three in the final seconds is a testament to that. But a win is a win—it doesn’t matter what it looks like.

Despite the win, our star wide receiver was definitely off his game. He was frustrated the entire time. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I know that’s not the Josh Owens my brother has studied obsessively anytime the Jags and Mavs would play.

“Great job, Daniels!” Darius slaps me on the shoulder with his grin a few watts brighter than normal. A win has the same effect on all of us. “You made that right side look invincible.”

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