Page 18 of Fake Out

Her eyes widen slightly, and a long moment passes. “Oh.”

“Have you?”

She shrugs nonchalantly, but I can tell I’ve struck a nerve. “Once, a long time ago.” Her voice is softer now, a whisper in the quiet room.

“Didn’t end well, huh?”

She shakes her head without meeting my eyes.

I nod, realizing that we’re treading on shaky ground. Not because of the fake dating or the press dramas. But because we’re both walking around wounded when it comes to love.

Who was this guy who broke her heart? Just thinking about him, even though I don’t have a face or a name to put to him, makes my blood boil. I only just met Marissa, but already I feel an urge to protect her.

“So,” she says, breaking the silence. “Should we start with holding hands? Public displays of affection?”

I don’t want to move on to the details of our fake relationship. I want to hear more about her past, want to find out what roads she’s walked down and what’s made her the person she is today.

But this is supposed to be a professional relationship, nothing more. I don’t have the right to dig into her past, even though she’s given me a small glimpse of it.

“I suppose we could start there.” Holding her hand doesn’t sound so bad, even if it’s all pretend.

“Perfect.” She sits a little straighter. “We have to leave for the first meeting soon, but when we come back, we can arrange?—”

“A date?”

“Um. Exactly.” She looks away, and I can tell she’s flustered again.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep it professional. I’m committed. I really am.” A lump forms in my throat. “Like never before.”

Her eyes soften. “I can tell.”

“I…” I run a hand over my head. “I hate what happened. It wasn’t planned. I don’t know what I was thinking. That guy made a comment about the Thunderhawks, and I just?—”

“Hey, it’s okay.” She reaches across the table and touches my hand. “All that matters is what happens next.”

Warmth spreads through my chest. “Thank you.”

She smiles softly, her eyes dancing in the dim lighting. Suddenly, she seems to realize what she’s doing and draws back. Her warm touch leaves mine, and a second later she’s sitting prim and proper again.

The moment is over. Not that it was ever really ours to indulge in, anyway.

Marissa is right. What matters most is what happens next. I don’t have time to chase women or make excuses about why I am where I am today.

I only have time to pull my head out of my ass, put in the work, and come back stronger than ever before. And, finally, with someone like Marissa by my side, that truly looks possible.

CHAPTER 10

MARISSA

The excitement in my chest swells as the plane touches down at Atlanta’s airport. I’ve spent the whole plane ride imagining my future, a future running my own sports agency with a roster of athletes — maybe Charlie will even still be one of them.

When I look over at Charlie, though, the smile falls off my face. He’s glowering straight ahead, his brow furrowed.

“Hey.” I cock my head at him. “You okay?”

“Just a little nervous.” He scrubs his face.

“It’ll be good. Don’t worry.”

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