Fake Fiancée

As if his words had electrified her, she straightened up from where she’d been leaning against her car. She pointed her finger at him, frustration and hurt mingling on her face. “You think you can do whatever you want just because you wear a jersey and I care about you,” she said. “But I’m done letting you get away with treating me like dirt. It’s over.” Her voice broke and she swiped at a tear that slid down her cheek.

Her eyes landed on me. “Even you,” she whispered.

She opened her car door and with a peel of her tires, she flew out of the lot.

For the first time since we’d broken up, two things became very clear.

First of all, I’d never cared for Bianca the way I should have. She was too unstable and flighty for the long term. Had she just been the best fuck I’d had in college at the time? Maybe. Nothing I felt for her even came close to Sunny.

And second, I’d never cheated on her, but I hadn’t given her the attention she needed. I hadn’t spent the time with her she’d wanted because I hadn’t been ready to commit. Not really. Football had always been first. It still was.

At the same time, I wasn’t going to let Felix push her around either. She was a human being for fuck’s sake, and if he’d been pushing her around . . . my fists clenched.

Felix started to walk away toward his vehicle, and I grabbed his arm and flipped him around. Ryn got between us. “Whoa, guys. We don’t need another fight between you two.”

I bit my words out slowly, making sure he saw the promise in my eyes. “If you ever hit her, I’ll break your arm. You’ll never throw another pass again.”

An ugly snarl crossed his face. “You’re too scared of ruining your career to back that up. Fuck off.”

Then he popped away from us and jogged to his car.

We watched him speed off. “Dude, he looked scary,” Ryn said. “Should we be worried about her?”

“I don’t know.” I rubbed my temple.

Ryn exhaled. “Do you mind if we just drive by Bianca’s and make sure he doesn’t go over there? I know she’s not your favorite person, but . . .”

Yeah. I saw where he was coming from. I nodded.

Sunny

MAX WAS HALF AN HOUR late, and I assumed the line at Woo’s to get our take-out was longer than he’d expected. I’d sent him a text earlier to check, but he hadn’t responded.

I poured myself a cup of hot chocolate and hugged it as I took it to the couch in the den. I flipped on the television, curled a furry blanket around my feet, and waited.

And waited.

My stomach growled, reminding me I was starved. I’d zipped home from Mimi’s, taken a long hot shower, and then straightened up the house for Max after I’d gotten his text. Now, I was done. Pretending today at the bridal shop had exhausted me. I took another sip of cocoa and rubbed my chest.

A knock came at the door.

I flew up off the couch, ran to the door, and flung it open.

Isabella and Ash stood there. I hid my disappointment by smiling. “Hi there!”

“Did you even look before opening the door? What if I’d been the Daisy Man!” she exclaimed dramatically. She jiggled a six-pack of Corona while Ash showed me his stack of pizza boxes.

I grinned. “Beer and pizza. Come on in, my friends.”

Ash chuckled, his big shoulders gliding effortlessly in a tight black shirt. “Sorry to intrude. I’m not sure who this Daisy Man is, but Isabella insisted you needed company.” He shot a glance at her. “We were all set to hang out at my place, and she insisted on coming here.”

I sent her a look that said, Afraid to be alone and get cozy with Ash?

She glared. Yes, bitch. Now shut up.

My eyes said, Only because you have food and I’m hungry.

“And who is this Daisy Man you guys are talking about?” Ash asked.

“Some weirdo left her a daisy on the back porch weeks ago. Scared the bejesus out of her,” Isabella said, getting down some plates for us.

His eyes focused on me, a worried wrinkle on his brow, and I remembered something I’d been meaning to ask him. With classes, work, and getting over to check on Mimi, I’d missed a few study sessions at the library. This was the first time I’d seen him in a while. “The night I got locked in the library, did you see anyone using the stairwell at the back of the building—the one for maintenance?” My shoulders slumped. “Apparently, the police can’t find any evidence.”

He shook his head. “No. Isabella’s already grilled me on the details of that night. I didn’t see anyone near the stairwell.”

I grimaced. “Did you see anything odd that night?”

He mulled it over. “Not weird, really, but I saw Felix leaving the library with a girl that wasn’t Bianca. I just assumed he was an asshole who cheated on his girlfriend. You think it’s important?”

No, but I pressed him. “Who was it?”

He shrugged. “Some redhead. Beats me what her name is. I’m new in town.”

“The police aren’t really concerned about it and are taking it as more of a joke,” I said. “Maybe they’re right.”

Isabella sent me an expectant look. “Where’s Max? We brought plenty for him too.” I’d texted her earlier that he was coming over but hadn’t mentioned the sushi. “I assumed he’d already be here.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” I helped myself to a slice of pepperoni, thanking them again for stopping by to have dinner and check on me.

A knock came half an hour later while we were watching Dirty Dancing.

Relief mingled with annoyance when I saw it was Max. At the door, I took in his low-waisted jeans and the soft knit of his cobalt blue sweater. “You’re late.”

His hand rested on the doorjamb as his eyes met mine. “And I didn’t pick up dinner. I’m sorry.”

My face stayed impassive. “It’s good. I ate already.”

“Yeah?” His eyes went to the commotion behind me, watching Isabella and Ash in their sock feet, sliding around on the hardwood in my den, attempting to dance like they knew what they were doing. I smiled at their antics. Isabella was convinced Ash looked like Patrick Swayze, hence the movie selection.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re reenacting a scene from Dirty Dancing.” At Max’s questioning eyebrow, I elaborated. “Ash lost a bet, so she’s making him pay.”

“Ah.” He raked a hand through his dark hair. “Anyway, I’m sorry. I should have texted, but my phone died.”

“There’s a charger in your car.”

“I wasn’t paying attention.” He grimaced. “I can explain though.”

Whatever. I crossed my arms.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his gaze soft, lingering on the bare-shoulder blouse I wore. His eyes landed on my lips. “Even when you’re ornery.”

My body leaned into his as if it had a mind of its own. “Do—do you want to come in?”

He nodded and trailed after me to the kitchen. “I saw Bianca tonight. She and Felix had a blow-up when she met the bus at the field house. I followed her home and found her crying in her car outside her apartment. We talked . . .” his voice stopped. “You okay?”

His words hit me like a sledgehammer. “I’m fine.” I held it together by looking sightlessly into the fridge, forgetting why I’d even opened the door.