Page 44 of Winning Play

“Youcouldn’t have told him ‘No’ more clearly.Puthim in your rearview mirror,Kim, and we’ll keep him there.”

Kimcracked a small smile. “We?”

Spence’sturn to shrug. “I’myour boyfriend, remember.”Hislips quirked. “Lethim think that.Tellyour parents.Maybethey’ll cut the strings that pull him into their orbit.Getrid of him once and for all.”

“Yousure you want to do this?”Kimlooked directly into his eyes. “Idon’t want to mess with your social life—Iknow a few hundred girls have their eyes on you.”

Spencehuffed a laugh. “You’dbe doing me a favor.Idon’t have time to date.NotifIwant to achieve my goals this year.I’mon a self-imposed no-distraction regime.”

“Youmean winning theNationalChampionship?”

“Yes, and staying on track to graduate.”Heflashed his trademark smile. “Whatdo you think,Popcorn?Youin?”

“Ifyou’re sure.We’regoing to pretend we’re… dating?”

“Yes, in a relationship.Youand me, the dream team.”

“Asfriends,”Kimclarified.

Spencestood and leaned over the table to press his lips against her forehead. “Bestfriends helping each other out.Deal?”

“Deal.”

Spencehated seeingKimdejected, and he fought the urge to seek out her deadbeat ex-boyfriend.Ifhe’s smart, he’s on his way back toVancouver.Hismind flashed onHendricks’ threat of assault charges.What’swith that?Kimavoided my question about her ex getting physical when they argued.Notready to talk about that?Asurge of anger pulsed through him, along with a vow to protect her.Hewouldn’t push her for details but stay alert for any sign ofHendricks.Andspend as much time as possible introducingKimas my girlfriend.

Whenthey met between afternoon classes,Spencesuggested, “Let’sgo to dinner after the tournament committee meets today.”

Heread the surprise in her expression. “Nopractice or scheduled workouts?”

“Nope.Wedid the early practice this morning, andI’mtired of the food court.There’sa restaurant not too far from here thatIthink you’ll like.”Hesmiled when he sensedKim’shesitation. “Hey,Iwant to take my girlfriend on a date.Don’tshoot me down; humiliate me.”

“Youdon’t need to do this,Spence.”

“Iknow that.Butif we act like a couple, word will spread—we want to be convincing, right?”

“Yes, but how do we let people know we’re ‘dating?’”Kimshifted her backpack to her other shoulder.

“Postsome pictures onInstagram?Opena jointTikTokaccount?”Heallowed a smirk to cross his face. “Thenext best thing is to show everyone we’re together.”Hetook her bag, slung it over his shoulder, then grasped her hand. “How’sthis for a start?”

Kimtried to suppress a giggle. “I’mnot complaining,Spence.Butcarrying my books?”

“Iwant to.Givesme an excuse to walk you to your next class.”

HesawKimside-eye him. “Youwalk with me almost every day.”

“Butthis is the first time as your boyfriend.”Spencedropped her hand, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her against his side.

Noone expressed surprise whenKimandSpence’srelationship shifted from friends to a couple.Spenceplayed the role of attentive boyfriend so convincingly thatKimrelaxed and decided to enjoy the moment—the affectionate gestures, looping his arm around her shoulders as they walked across campus, resting his hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the crowded student center, making eye contact before infield warm-ups during practices and inter-squad games.Maybeshe enjoyed this more than she should.Afterall, they werefakedating.

Betweenclasses and tournament meetings,Kimhad little free time.WhenDaveandLaurenreturned from their trip and picked up the car, they invitedKimandSpenceto dinner—whenever their schedules matched.

“Areyou planning to tellDavethat the cheating scumbag showed up on campus?”Spenceasked when she mentioned the invitation.

Kimlaughed a little, then sighed. “Iguess so?Notthat it matters, now.He’smost likely back inVancouver.”Shelooked atSpence. “NotmuchDavecan do if he leftTampa.Whatdo you think?”

Heraised one shoulder. “Justkeep him in the loop, maybe?”

“I’llmention it to him next timeIsee him.Nosense disrupting their ‘Zencalm’ before then.”Asmile crossed her face. “Areyou ready for the inquisition if we tell him we’re together?”

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