Page 47 of The Right Move

In my periphery, I watch Stevie’s attention bounce from her brother to me and back again.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

I turn to face her. “What do you mean?”

“Faking it while also living together. It seems messy.”

“Well, we both know how much Ryan hates a mess,” I tease.

Stevie turns back to face the bar and I join her.

“To answer your question,” she continues. “He’s not uptight per se, but he is aware of the countless eyes watching him, waiting for him to mess up. Ryan doesn’t show his emotions very often because it’s safe for him. It’s safe for his brand.”

I can’t imagine that, altering your life, holding back to appease everyone around you. Not too enthused, but not too solemn either. Not too stoic, but not too animated. What a terrible way to go through life.

Maybe tone it down tonight, Indy. These guys, they don’t like loud women.

These are my coworkers, so sit back and let me do the talking.

You look gorgeous, Indy. All you need to be tonight is pretty.

Alex’s previous words ring in my mind, so maybe I can imagine that.

The bartender interrupts us with a fresh beer in his hand, sliding it across the counter. “This one is on me,” he says to Stevie, with a grin that can only be described as “panty-melting.”

A tattooed hand slides around Stevie’s waist from behind. “Absolutely not.” Zanders’ venomous glare is focused on the soon-to-be dead bartender. “Abso-fucking-lutely not.”

The bartender’s face pales. “Sorry, man.” He holds up his hands in surrender before taking off to serve another patron.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Zanders keeps his attention on his back before leaning down and dotting kisses down Stevie’s neck. “I can’t take you anywhere,” he murmurs against her skin.

“Ind, you look great.” Zanders turns my way. “This is fun, having you at events with us and not just on the airplane.”

“Well, take a good look. It might be your one and only shot.”

“No way. Your pretend relationship is already on the rocks?” Zanders’ phone dings and he pulls it out while continuing our conversation.

The statement catches me slightly off guard. Of course, Stevie told Zanders that her brother and I are faking it, but I hope it’s not much more than our small circle who knows. The less people who are aware, the safer our lie is.

“Your guy has practically ignored me since we talked to his boss. I could make another one of these athletes my real boyfriend and I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t even notice.”

“I’m pretty sure he’d notice.” Zanders’ chest bubbles with an arrogant laugh while holding his phone out to me.

Ryan

Keep an eye on Indy for me. She has no clue that these guys are eye-fucking the hell out of her in that goddamn dress.

Finding him again, his back is to me as he chats with more fans, and I wouldn’t believe he sent that text unless I saw it with my own two eyes.

“Indigo!” Rio exclaims, holding me out at arm’s length. “You look so…”

I don’t fill in the blank for him. Instead, I give him a moment to choose his descriptive word. Rio is lovable, excitable, and young, but he needs a little coaching when it comes to his approach with women, and we’ve been working on it.

“Bang…” He catches Zanders’ raised brow. “eautiful.”

“Bangeutiful?” I ask.

“Beautiful. You look beautiful, Indy.” He turns towards my friend. “Now, Stevie, you look smoking hot. I’m talking drop-dead gorgeous. Every guy in here is probably thinking about—”

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