Page 41 of Hard to Fake

Every second she doesn’t answer and I don’t release her, the tension between us escalates.

Her lashes lower, her lips pressing together. “My mom cut me off.” Her grimace is disgusted, but under that, there’s shame. Hurt.

“Cut you off,” I echo, releasing her chin. “How much of your life was she paying for?”

Brooke inspects her nails. “A lot, apparently. That’s why I need to land this gig with Elise. And it’s down to me and Caroline, and I don’t only want it…”

“You need it,” I finish as the pieces click together. “So why don’t you ask Jay?”

“Because he could snap his fingers and put me on an allowance, which would make him think he has more of a say in how I live my life than he already does. I’m not going from one person paying my rent to someone else doing it.”

I know how much pressure there is in this world to meet expectations. Even in basketball, guys constantly have new houses, new cars, new businesses. I’m lucky as hell to be in the position where I can afford things I couldn’t dream of as a kid, but I’m not immune to it.

Between her mom’s political career and Jay’s basketball career, Brooke grew up with an audience. As much as she resents having to appear flawless, she wants to feel put together, and she wants to do it on her own.

I get it.

Her big, dark eyes find mine. “Don’t tell Jay.”

The firmness of her request has me blinking. “About getting cut off or that I’m going as your date?”

“Either.”

Fuck. I don’t like where this is going.

“He’s going to find out.” The resistance rising up has me shaking my head. “There’ll be pics from the event.”

“You said yourself the team is in flux. Just wait it out. Tell him in a few weeks.” Her expression turns pleading. “I don’t want him thinking less of me.”

I don’t like keeping secrets from my friend and teammate. Honesty is a big deal to me, especially with guys I line up shoulder to shoulder with to face the world.

But…

I want to be here for Brooke. For all the tough acts she puts on, she’s vulnerable.

I wrestle with it until the alarm on my phone goes off, reminding me I have a few minutes to get my ass in gear.

“On one condition,” I say. “If you need anything, you come to me.”

“No.” The word is out of her lips before I finish.

“I mean it. Promise me.” I stare down at her with my most serious expression.

Her full mouth purses. “Fine.”

“I lied. There are two conditions.”

She throws up her hands to protest but I grab her wrists. Her pulse kicks under my thumbs, warm and vital.

“You want to dress me up, I get to play dress up with you too, Princess.”

10

BROOKE

You are cordially invited to a Fundraiser

Hosted by Women’s Leadership Society of Colorado

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