Page 44 of Winning Match
“I know you and Ale are a new couple, but the way the media is hyping you guys up is bananas,” Bianca continues.
I hate that Ale and I are lying to literally everyone we know to pull this off, but we have a lot riding on it. The less people who know the truth, the better. And right now, that means no one can know.
“Tell me about it,” I agree.
“The guys have a captain’s practice today ahead of training camp. I’m sure Ale will message you at some point, but I won’t hear from my brother today.” She flips her chin toward the kitchen counter. “And I have some interviews lined up this week. Want to grab brunch and do some shopping?”
I tilt my head. “I thought you were low on funds?”
She shrugs and holds up two credit cards. “Alejandro passed by early this morning with these. My brother sent one for me and Ale sent one for you.” She bites her bottom lip, fanning the cards and lifting her eyebrows.
“What?” I gasp, snatching the note she holds out to me.
Marli—whatever you need, whatever you want, buy it. A
I take the thin plastic card from B and shake my head. “This is too much.”
“He’s wild about you,” Bianca amends, standing from the table. “Come on. Let’s go out for a bit! They wouldn’t have left us credit cards if they didn’t want us to enjoy them.”
I laugh but hesitate.
“Trust me, they want us to have some fun.”
I consider this, pursing my lips. If I was really Ale’s new girlfriend, I would be enjoying the perks of that title without harboring guilt. If I’m to play the role correctly, I need to embrace it for all it entails.
“Fine,” I agree, grinning. “Let me get dressed and we’ll go.”
“Yes! We’re going to be wonderful roommates, Marlowe Claire.”
12
Ale
Shopping bags rest on the edge of the console table when I enter my apartment.
My body aches, my muscles simultaneously stiff and tender. Today was grueling, but I knew it would be. The first captain’s practice before training camp is always a bitch, no matter how hard I condition in the off-season. But that’s the point. It’s supposed to snap us back into a routine, into reality, before training camp begins.
“What’s this?” I mutter to no one, even though my housekeeper, Sandra, messaged that I had a delivery.
I glance through the bags and note the designer shirts and pair of sneakers tucked inside. Then, sticking out of one corner, a note.
If I’m to have your credit card, I’ll put it to good use. And be a doting girlfriend as well. Thanks for entertaining B’s messages today. Hope your first day back was great! x, M.
A wave of surprise rolls through me but I can’t fight the smile that cuts my face. I figured Bianca would convince Marlowe to go out and shop with my card. In fact, I was counting on it when I suggested to Luca that we leave the girls cards linked to our accounts. What I didn’t anticipate? Her thoughtfulness in purchasing items for me.
Although, now that the bags are before me, I’m not surprised. Mainly, because Bianca messaged to confirm shops that kept her brother’s sizes and address on file for delivery. Now, I know that helped her and Marlowe narrow down stores that likely had my sizes and address on file too.
I shake my head. Marlowe Claire Prescott is the biggest sweetheart I’ve ever met. Another reason she has no business being my girlfriend.
And yet, I’m enjoying this ruse between us more than I should. I want to claim Marlowe as mine. In under a week, she managed to improve my standing with my team owner and senior management, ease some of the tension between my father and me, and make Mamá and Abuela beam at the prospect of having her join us for Sunday paella.
For the first time in weeks, I’m not dreading the start of the season. Instead, I’m anxious for it to begin, especially knowing that my personal life won’t be circulating in the tabloids, rife with scandal, betrayal, and heartache.
I rummage through the shopping bags and pull out two knit shirts from Purificacion García and a pair of OG Trophy Room Nikes. “Damn.” I whistle. My girl’s got good taste. And her shopping a Spanish designer like Purificacion García will only add to our current sparkle in the media.
Marlowe is smart and savvy. While I’ll never truly have a relationship with a woman like her, I’m grateful that she’s my friend. Now, we need to get through a Sunday paella lunch with my family and the next nine weeks will be smooth sailing. If Mamá and Abuela embrace Marlowe, they’ll keep my papá in check, and I won’t have any distractions or temptations. I’ll be able to focus purely on my game, my team, my passion.
Pulling out my phone, I text Marlowe a quick thank you.
