Page 138 of Biggest Player
My mouth falls open. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
This is the perfect occasion for cursing, don’t you think?
Dex, for his part, barely flinches at my harsh tone or my harsh words.
“I’m just telling you what he said! Don’t shoot the messenger.”
Oh. I want to do so much more than shoot him right now—is he fucking kidding me? I narrow my eyes in his direction, steam practically pouring out my ears and nose.
“You know Iamlooking for a long-term relationship,” I say. “Someone who wants to have afamily, who wants to spend time not only with me but with my daughter. I have a kid, Dex—this isn’t a joke to me.”
I feel my nostrils flaring in the most unflattering way.
His hands smack his knees, and he blows out a puff of air. “I can’t help it if this is my reality.”
Yes. Yes he can.
“Are you listening to yourself?” I practically shout. “Relationships are supposed to be about feelings—not strategic career moves.” I pause only for a second. “The one and only reason you met my daughter the first time is because it was anaccident. I never in a million years would have allowed her to meet you this soon.” Ever.
Dickhead.
Dex stares, looking perplexed. “Why? I’m a decent dude.”
“Decent dude?!” My voice has risen a billion octaves. “Oh my God, you’re fake dating to make yourself look good! They write romance novels about this, it’s not real!”
And yet.
It is.
It’s happening and it’s happening to me.
It cannot be normal to be sitting around, thinking about your personal life as a potential career move, but this is why he’s him and I’m me and it was never going to work.
My heart races, anger and disbelief forming a boiling rage in my chest. I cannot freaking believe I let myself get caught up in this charade! Dex’s eyes soften, but I refuse to be swayed by this asshole who pulled the wool over my damn eyes. I’m too furious to be drawn in by his good looks and unrelenting charm.
“This was supposed to be different.” My voice is cracking. “I thoughtyouwere different. I thought you gave a shit. Yes, you’re a big kid, but I’m the idiot who thought our differences would be a good thing.”
Dex moves from the bed so he’s standing, hands immediately reaching for me. “I never meant for it to get this complicated—I didn’t think this would be a big deal. I really do care about you, Margot. I care about Wyatt.”
“Oh my God, stop talking,” I snap, shaking my head. “You care? Ha! You’ve allowed your agent to manipulate you for your own gain, and the only thing he cares about is making money off you.”
How can he be this naive?
I turn on my heel, storming out of the room, my mind racing with the implications of what just happened. How could I have been so blind? So stupid. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks: I need to protect my daughter from this mess.
“Why am I the one leaving?” He’s the one who needs to get out of my house!
I stalk back to my bedroom. Dex is standing in the same spot I left him in.
“You can’t just decide to date me because it might be good for your image,” I spit out. “It’s not fair to any of us, and I cannot for the life of me believe you thought this would end well. Or didn’t you care about that?”
“Margot, I’m just telling you what Trent and I discussed, that’s all. I’m not saying he meddles in my business, but he likes to meddle in mybusiness.” He attempts to make a joke, the cheeky grin never making it to his eyes.
“Isit his job?” Why am I allowing him to keep talking?
Dex nods. “Kind of, yes. The more money I make, the more money he makes. The more popular I am in the news, the more my stock goes up for the team I play for, the more money I make.”
“Wow. That’s ... sad.” I pat him on the arm sympathetically. Sarcastically. “Listen. I’m so sorry you’re in this position, but there is not a chance in hell I’m going to pretend to date anyone. It’s insulting.”
