Page 71 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

“Thanks, man,” I push out through a tight throat. “I appreciate that.”

He slaps my shoulder. We stand up, along with everyone else, as the team exits the plane.

“Hey,” Josh shouts, making every head spin in our direction, throwing his thumb over his shoulder. “Adam married my sister and didn’t tell anyone. Apparently, he’s now my brother-in-law.”

Heat slowly creeps up my face as every pair of eyes whip toward me and Josh. Their expressions range from humor and curiosity to outright confusion. Josh, who is wearing a mischievous grin, winks at me.

I narrow my eyes at him and grimace. “Well played. Well played.”

By the time I reach my car, I am grateful to be alone. Getting grilled by the entire team, a few of the coaches, and some others isn’t as awful as one would think it would be—it’s worse.

I throw my duffel bag in the back and slide into the front seat, blowing out a huge breath. I fire up the engine and start the drive home.

My phone vibrates, and I see Susie’s name.

“I could get used to you calling me handsome,” I say by way of a greeting.

“I’m fairly certain I won’t get tired of saying it.” A leisurely grin crawls across my face at her answer. “Are you home yet?”

“Almost; I’m just getting off the highway and heading into Pleasant Hollow.” I turn off the exit ramp and onto Main Street. “I’ll probably get to the house in about five minutes. Will you be there?”

“I think I’m gonna stay at my parents’ place tonight.” Disappointment floods me. “I was getting ready to head out when Brie called. We just got off the phone.”

“Did she watch the press conference?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“No. She’s shutting everything and anything that has to do with Josh or the kiss out right now. In fact, when we were chatting, she kept changing the topic, even if I tried to bring him up.” She sighs. “Josh will have to be the one to talk to her. Hopefully, she’s open to listening.”

“The truth will come out one way or another,” I say. “If you weren’t talking about Josh, what were you talking about?”

“My new story—”

“You finished?” Excitement flows through me. “Can I read it?”

“So you’re one of those persistent people, huh?” She needles me.

“You don’t get to be a professional athlete if you aren’t…” I respond like everyone in the world knows this.

“Do you want to know what else we talked about?” She asks, cleverly shifting the conversation.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” I back off. Reminding myself of what she said about people reading her book. “What else did you and Brie talk about?”

“You.” My heart leaps in my chest, and that goofy grin is back on my face.

“Me?” I ask sheepishly.

“Yup. Turns out I can’t stop talking about you now that everyone knows we’re married.” She chuckles. Warmth wraps around me like a blanket sitting in front of a warm fire. “I’m disappointed I won’t see you tonight, though.”

“I’m disappointed too,” I mumble. “Guess I’ll have to wait till tomorrow to feel your lips against mine.”

“Adam,” she mutters softly. “That’s not fair.”

“Yeah, well so is making me wait another day before I can see you,” I grumble.

“Oh, look at you getting cranky.” She chuckles. “It’s adorbs.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I growl. “I should be finished with practice tomorrow around three. Will you be at one of your work locations?”

“No writing for me while my manuscript is with my editor.”

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