Page 27 of Taming Drew

Alex laughs. “You don’t sugarcoat things. I like that about you. You don’t play games, and you’re right, we need to clean up everyone’s image, and that includes the team. We’ve had some issues recently.” He purses his lips and looks like he’s listing those issues in his brain. “Unfortunately. this scandal is highlighting some of your teammate’s prior issues.”

Lily gives me a knowing look.She’ll explain what he’s talking about later.I nod at Alex. He’s a good owner. He owns controlling interest of the team and was appointed president last year.

The other women in the room banter options and argue amongst themselves about the best approach. I feel like a spectator at a pickle ball match. Lily smirks and rolls her eyes as Alex raises his voice. “Enough.” He stares at me in my chair. He’s used to being the big man in the room, and he’s comfortable dictating. “You will marry her. It doesn’t have to be permanent, and you don’t have to declare paternity or anything. You’ll look like a good guy for stepping up to save her reputation while you save your own.”

Lily argues, and I stand, putting my hand forward as he meets mine to shake. “Fine. Lily and I will determine the best approach to handling the specifics.”

“That’s fine. But you need to be married by the end of Sunday. That gives you four days, and we need photos of the celebration.”

I move to Lily, slipping my hand around her back and leading her from the conference room. I can tell she’s pissed. We get to the elevator, and she’s seething. I whisper. “Just wait until we get into your SUV.”

We step out of the stadium and climb into the back of her Land Rover. She flicks her head to her driver, and the partition glass slides up behind the front seats. She turns to me. “Have you lost your mind?”

“If Chloe weren’t your friend and employee, you’d be all for this.”

She blows out her breath. “That isn’t the point.”

I interrupt. “What did you mean when you said I was helping the team?”

“A Mustang player has been accused of domestic violence. I’m not sure about the validity of the accusations, but it looks and sounds bad. Mr. Brennan believes your joyous news will take off some of the negative publicity off the team. I understand why this proposal seems like a good idea, but I warn you, it could backfire.” She purses her lips. “And I have no idea how you are going to convince Chloe to do this.”

My smile rises from the corner of my mouth. “We like each other.”

She jerks her head around to me. “Is this serious?”

“We’ve been seeing each other since the weekend she brought me home from the hospital. I want it to be. It’s new, but I’m hopeful for the first time since my mom died.”

Lily pulls out her phone and clicks away. “You will be good to Chloe, or I really will have the Campbells take you out in the desert and bury you.”

I chuckle, but a part of me knows she means it. “Last time you said they’d just lose me.”

She rolls her eyes and scrutinizes her phone. “You’re really going to marry Chloe?”

“I am. It’s funny, but when Brennan said the words, something clicked. I want to marry her. I’ve spent most every evening and weekend since that Friday with Chloe and now Freya. That little girl is special. She matters to me, and I want to build a life with her and Chloe.”

Lily studies me. “I think I believe you.”

“I’m serious. They are now mine, and I don’t need you to remind me that the Campbell cousins will kill me if I do.”

CHAPTERTEN

CHLOE

“Mommy, can I have the fruity kind of cereal?”

We’re strolling through the neighborhood grocery store on Wednesday afternoon. I grab the box of whole grain cereal and smile at Freya. “We’ll get both.”I have a hard time denying her things she asks for.She drops in the box. “Thoughts on dinner?”

“Spaghetti? We could do meatballs, too.”

“That’s a great idea. Broccoli or a salad for our side?”

“Ew. I don’t like broccoli.” My beautiful daughter chews her bottom lip, and I see a light bulb. “We could do salad with that Caesar dressing you make.”

I smile. “Sounds good.” I turn my head and notice patrons keep staring at me and Freya. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take it out. That eerie feeling you get when you’re being watched creeps up my spine.Why the hell is everyone staring?My phone rings and I glance down. “Hello?”It’s Drew.

“Chloe, honey? Where are you?”

“What? I’m at the store with Freya. Why? What’s wrong?”

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