Page 20 of False Start
“Touchdown!!” The cry was echoed by half the room as people slapped each other on the back and cheered like they’d been the ones who scored.
“That was… exciting,” I said, covering my pounding heart as a new player ran onto the field to join the line up of players that felt close enough to touch. On the Chicago side line, I caught a glimpse of Weston’s face, pulled into a scowl of concentration that made him look sexy and foreign all at once.He pulled his helmet off, running his fingers through sweat soaked hair, and I felt a pulse of heat run through me.
“I think I like football,” I murmured to myself, causing Ridley to laugh again as the ball was snapped and kicked through the goal post. Another cheer rolled around the stadium as red and gold flags waved in the crowd.
The game was thrilling to watch, with the Wolves meeting every touchdown from Chicago with one of their own. Camiand the girls tried to explain the rules as we watched, patiently talking through the nuances of the offensive vs. defensive side, and the skill Christian demonstrated leading the offense.
Not once did they make me feel stupid for my questions, and by the end of the fourth quarter, I felt like I’d found a place where I fit. The Engines won the game, a field goal pushing them into the lead with only minutes left in the game, and Ridley invited me down to the locker rooms with them.
“Weston will want to see you, and we’re heading down there anyway.”
We fought through the crowds, winding our way through the bowels of the stadium until we reached security personnel outside a set of double doors. Cami approached them with confidence, and after a short exchange, we were waved through.
“In here,” Cami’s niece, Zara announced, darting through a side door with Amber hot on her heels.
“This is the family and friends room,” Marina explained, waving me inside. “There’s always fresh snacks.” Sure enough, the two girls had already retrieved a can of soda each and commandeered a plate of cookies.
“Zara, if you put yourself in a sugar coma, your dad is going to lose his mind. Take one and put the rest back. Amber, you’ve had enough, too.”
Marina’s mom voice was a little scary.
The girls returned the plate they’d stolen and sat in one of the plush sofas that filled the room.
“The guys will shower and anyone who doesn’t have to speak to the press can come in and visit once they’re ready,” Cami said, finding her own seat.
A pang of disappointment hit me. Weston had looked so fierce and rugged all covered in sweat and dirt. It seemed a shame to wash it all away.
Don’t forget, this whole thing is fake. Dirty men don’t play into the pretty relationship picture.
I needed to keep my eye on the prize. Lydia hadn’t heard back aboutShifting Sandsyet, and if I didn’t get the role, relationship or no, my next step would be moving back to Texas.
Living under the same roof as my mother again was not an option.
A loud bang shook me from my miserable thoughts. In the wide-open doorway stood Weston. Sweat glistened on his forehead, his blond hair a riotous mess around his face and neck. His knees were stained with dirt and grass, and his smile was the kind of bright that destroyed a woman’s panties right along with her logical mind. Without a thought for appearances, or the lecture I’d just given myself, I took three running steps and jumped into his arms. The adrenaline of the game, the rugged beauty of his appearance, and the feeling of belonging all crawled beneath my skin in a symphony of excitement that I couldn’t contain.
“Hey—” I cut him off with my lips and tried to pour all my appreciation and gratitude into the action. Wolf whistles and catcalls rose from the group of women behind us, and I grinned against his mouth as he squeezed me tighter.
“Get a room,” Cami called as Amber and Zara broke into fits of giggles.
His lips tasted of salt, the ghost of a beard rough against my cheek, and I didn’t want it to end. But the reminder of an audience was enough to make me pull back.
“Hi,” I said, squirming in a bid to get him to let me down. He did, though one hand stayed wrapped in my hair while the other rested on my hip.
“Did you enjoy the game?” he asked.
I nodded, licking my lips as my eyes dropped to his mouth again. It was the closest we’d been since the night we spenttogether. Technically, I’d broken the rules of our deal, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. Especially as my libido tried to convince me we should do a repeat on the whole experience.
“Princess…”
I glanced up at him as his words died out. Hunger. Everything I felt was right there, reflected in his eyes, and I wondered how much of this arrangement was actually fake.
“Okay, we got some good shots of the two of you. Mr. Naylor, are you doing the press conference?” A man in jeans and button up shirt broke in on the moment with an old school camera looped around his neck.
I took a step back and wrapped my arms around my middle as he stole Weston’s attention. Had I unknowingly played into a publicity stunt? Of course I had. Weston had made it clear that he would help out with the fake relationship, but that he didn’t want anything more.
I hadn’t even realized the guy was in the room.
With a deep breath, I pulled on my acting skills and projected the persona of a confident girlfriend to the people gathered in the room.
