Page 68 of One Pucking Secret
“But what can we do?” I ask, feeling the weight of defeat.
She meets my gaze, her eyes steady. “Trust me. I have a plan.”
Her voice holds a confidence, a promise of a strategy already forming. With her beside me, I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, we can turn this game around.
Chapter 25
Chloe
“Ready?” Lainey’s voice cutsthrough the rooftop bar’s lively noise, sharp yet steady with support.
“Ready,” I reply, feeling my pulse pick up in sync with the rhythm of anticipation.
I’m perched on a metal chair, Lainey across from me, her blond hair catching the last rays of daylight like spun gold. The bar is alive with the hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the energy of a Friday night.
Jasper is spending the weekend with my parents, giving Wyatt and me the freedom to carry out our plan. For Jasper. For our family.
Alec is exactly where Lainey said he’d be tonight. Her search through his socials—and a few recent tags—revealed this bar as one of his regular spots, so it wasn’t hard to pinpoint him. Sure enough, there he is, weaving through the crowd with his usual swagger, his dark hair andfaint mustache catching the light as he claims a seat at the bar.
With a quick nod to Lainey, I rise, making my way over to the bar under the guise of ordering a drink. My nerves steady as I fall into the role, each step calculated, each breath grounding me.
As I reach the bar, I let my gaze sweep casually over the menu, waiting for Alec to notice me. Sure enough, I feel his eyes on me, and I turn, feigning surprise.
“Chloe?” he says, recognition flickering across his face.
I widen my eyes, giving him a small, hesitant smile. “Alec? Alec Harding from the LA Knights, is that you?”
A smug grin stretches across his face, the kind worn by someone used to being recognized. “Yeah, that’s me.”
I let out a small laugh, glancing away as if embarrassed. “Didn’t expect to run into anyone I knew here. Just came up here to take a breather…” I trail off, letting my voice falter as if unsure.
He raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Bad day? Need someone to talk to?”
“Oh, geez, not with you,” I say quickly, lowering my gaze as though caught. “I mean, you’re close to Wyatt.”
He chuckles, leaning in a little closer, his tone smooth and easy. “I’m a great listener, and I promise I won’t say a word.”
I let out a soft sigh, as if debating with myself, then slide onto the stool beside him. “Okay. I’m trusting you.”
Alec’s gaze sharpens, his curiosity clear as he gives me his full attention, his ego clearly relishing this unexpected moment.
“It’s just… Wyatt acts like this devoted father, but he knew about Jasper all along.” I roll my eyes, letting bitterness slip through my tone. “He didn’t want anything to do with us until it was convenient for his image, you know? Now he gets to look like the doting father in public.”
I pause, glancing down as if conflicted before adding, “Is it terrible for me to say thank God someone exposed it all? I mean, if someone hadn’t beaten me to it, I might’ve done it myself.”
Alec’s eyebrows lift, and a flicker of satisfaction plays at his mouth. “Sounds like you’ve had enough of his act.”
“More than enough.” I exhale, letting frustration settle into my expression. “And theworst part? This whole mess could cost me my job.”
Alec’s eyebrows lift, surprise flickering across his face. “Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah,” I reply, glancing away as if embarrassed. “I mean, who’s going to trust me to represent anyone if they think I’m tangled up in all this drama?”
He chuckles, his tone softening as he leans in. “Well, look on the bright side—you’re not repping him anymore.”
I let out a rueful laugh. “That’s true. If I’d known what it would turn into, I’d have handled things differently.”
He nods slowly, almost conspiratorially. “If I’d known it would touch you and Jasper like this… well, I’d have done things differently, too.”
