Page 19 of Faking it with the Billionaire
I agreed to pay her one hundred thousand dollars per month during the ordeal and with the remainder paid in a lump sum if completed sooner.
It’ll give her an incentive to play my games. And if we go over the course of a year—which I don’t think is even a realistic possibility with us pretending to be an item—then we’ll renegotiate a new contract.
I won’t let that happen.
She’s not getting any more of my money. She may be good with Bristol, but paying her seven figures as a glorified babysitter is insane. Yes, she’s a bodyguard, but she’s being adequately compensated by her employer.
And I’m letting her double dip. She gets paid by both Eagle Tactical and me. And yes, the Eagle Tactical team will be made aware of the arrangement because I don’t want them firing her ass or kicking me to the curb as a client.
“This better be good,” I say, answering my phone. I’m showered and dressed before the sun comes up. It’s a practice day, and I’ve got to assemble for training. Which at least means I’ll get out early today.
“Why? Did I interrupt you banging the hot bodyguard?” Jasper asks with a laugh. “There’s no way you hired her for her skillset. Tell me, how many times a week are you putting it to her?”
I growl at his insinuation. “Do you want to lose a few teeth?”
“I didn’t call to talk hockey,” Jasper says, and I swear he’s probably wearing the biggest smile on his face. He knows how to get under my skin. “Do you need me to bring anything to the party?”
“That’s tonight?” I repeat, already having forgotten about the backyard barbeque and get-together I had planned. Which was really my younger brother suggesting we all get together at my place to hang out for drinks and to chill out because his place was too small and embarrassing to host a party.
I’ve been playing in the league for four years. It might be Jasper’s first year, but he’s known the guys since my first year of playing. I’ve made sure to include him whenever I host any gatherings with the team.
He was a bit starstruck in the beginning, but now they’re like family to him, and he’s ecstatic that he’s part of the team. We’re lucky he didn’t get drafted to a different city.
“Yes, the party you’re hosting is tonight,” he says. “Do you need me to bring anything?”
“You’re not old enough for beer,” I mock, and I swear I hear him growl back at me.
“I can bring it if you’re so desperate to get laid by the bodyguard.”
“She’s the nanny,” I say, correcting him, reminding him that’s what he’s supposed to be referring to her as—until I make it public that she’s not the nanny and she’s my girlfriend. The last thing I need is him tripping up in front of his niece.
“Right.” Jasper laughs. “I can’t keep your fake shit straight. Are you sure you’re not banging it out with her? Because if you’re not, I’d love my shot at the cute little—”
“You’re an asshole.” He’s lucky that he’s not within my vicinity, or I’d be taking a swing at him.
“An asshole that you love, other than your own.” Jasper chuckles. “I’ll see you at practice. I’ll bring chips and dip tonight.”
Why the hell couldn’t he have waited until we got to practice to mention the party? Probably because he knew, with the stick up my ass that I’ve had all week, that I’d blocked out the invitation to the guys.
Mostly, that stick was caused by the one and only Emerson Ryan.
She’d managed to turn me into more of an asshole than I’m used to being lately, which was another reason to convince her to be my pretend girlfriend. She no doubt could play the part and put up with my shit better than anyone else. She isn’t starstruck like most of the girls I run into.
I shove my phone into my pocket and head out of my bedroom. Bristol is still sound asleep, but Emerson opens her bedroom door as I head into the hallway.
“You’re up early,” I say, glancing her over.
I don’t usually see her before practice.
“I was going to go for a run on your treadmill. I hope that’s all right.”
I have a decent-sized home gym that I’ve created, not that I use it all that much. Most of my work is done with the team, but it’s nice in the evening, if I want to clear my head, to do some weights, or go for a run indoors.
That’s not to say that I don’t love running outside. I prefer it, but Bristol can’t keep up with my pace, and I can’t ask my cousin or my brother to come and help with my daughter every time I want to leave the house. Which meant a home gym made the most sense. It was practical, even if I don’t take advantage of it as much as I should.
“Sure.”
“Have you had a chance to pull out some resumes for nannies?” Emerson asks.
