Page 24 of Hard to Fake

Take me to Vail. Pretend you’re obsessed with me.

She could bring any guy she wanted. No need for pretending.

So, why the hell did she ask me?

Jay follows my gaze, misreading. "I think one of the guys has a thing for her.”

“Really.” I try not to sound too interested.

"We're already down a man with Atlas out. Don't need to be down two unless there’s a solid reason.”

If one of the guys on our team hit on our point guard’s sister, it would be a problem. Most of the guys aren’t looking for serious relationships, and blowing off steam with another player’s family is bad form.

Still…“You’re that worried?” I ask.

“She’s my baby sister. I always worry. Thought it might stop when she was in college, but nope.”

She acts like she’s got it all together, confident and secure, but tonight, I saw the smallest crack.

“I’ll take care of it.” I head for the bar to collect a drink for him and one for me, and for an excuse to see Brooke on the way past.

But when I start back toward Jay, there's no sign of Brooke. Or my dog.

Nova's dancing with Clay, and Sierra's talking with one of the guys from the bench.

“There you are!” Aliya gushes. Her perfume hits me like a brick wall.

“Hey.”

Somehow, she’s attached to me, her front glued to mine. “Want to get out of here?” she calls over the music.

It’s all honeyed sweetness to me, but even I couldn’t miss the way she acted with Brooke. It rubbed me the wrong way.

People show you their true selves when they don’t want something from you.

“Barely got here and it’s Jay’s party.” The guy is our captain and my friend, and I genuinely want to spend a rare night off with these guys. “You’re the one who asked to come,” I remind her.

I spot Brooke on the balcony. My dog is still at her feet, but it's her other company that has me taking note.

Rookie.

He’s leaning in close, laughing at whatever she said.

Maybe Jay’s onto something.

Aliya’s hand trails over my shoulder. “How do you like my outfit?”

Rookie’s a kid. Barely knows which end of the court to shoot at.

He wouldn’t know how to treat her, how to look out for her, how to make her laugh.

“It’s nice.”

“It’ll look even better on your floor.”

I frown. “I should stick around for the younger guys for a bit. Set a good example.”

“You’re a world champion. You should do whatever you want.” She shifts closer, her lips getting near my ear. “You can do whatever you want to me.”

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