Page 27 of The Right Move

I can’t even use the excuse of taking my sister instead of my nonexistent girlfriend because the fall banquet is a fundraiser hosted by the four major sports teams in Chicago where Stevie will be in attendance with Zanders.

A flash of blonde hair and lavender fabric catches my attention as Indy stands where I left her, lightly swaying her hips and bobbing her head as she scrolls on her phone.

My face screws up with regret. This is a terrible idea, but fuck it, I’m in it already. “Or you could meet her right now?” I motion to Indy as she entertains herself, completely oblivious to the colossal lie I’m creating about her.

“That’s her? Well, introduce me, Shay.”

I clear my throat. “Indy,” I call out, waving her over. “Will you come here for a second?”

She heads towards us with a bit of a skip in her step and I hope she can see the apology in my forced smile.

“Indy, this is the General Manager of the Devils, Ron Morgan.”

“Nice to meet you,” she says with a bright beaming smile because of course she has no problem meeting strangers.

I place my hand on her lower back. It’s the first time I’ve really touched her, and she instantly stiffens from the contact. “Mr. Morgan, this is Indy…my girlfriend.”

My roommate’s smile instantly drops.

“So wonderful to meet the woman who finally caught the attention of our Ryan Shay.” He studies her and though Indy might not be able to tell through his tone, I know he’s trying to figure this out. He’s trying to catch me.

Please go with it, Blue, I beg through my eyes.

She stays silent in shock.

“I’m sure she’s happy to meet you too,” I quickly interrupt the stretched silence. “But she’s heading out right now.” Using my hand on her lower back, I turn her towards the exit.

“Oh, already?” Ron asks. “What a shame.”

“Yep. She’s got to go.” I push against Indy’s back, needing her to get a pep in her step and get the fuck out of here.

“Not so fast, honey bun.” She snaps out of her trance, stopping me as she wraps both arms around my waist. “How am I supposed to be without you for two days? We’ve never been apart, cupcake. I’m going to miss you so much.”

She nuzzles her head on my un-iced shoulder, looking up at me with a wink.

I’m going to kill her.

“Well, aren’t you two the sweetest,” Ron laughs.

“Oh, it’s all him. Sweetest man I’ve ever met. And emotional! Did you know he was so emotional?”

“I had no idea. Shay is always so composed around here.”

“Oh, he’s emotional all right! Huge crier too. He sobbed the first time we made lo—”

I slap a palm over her mouth. “We’ve got to go. See you on the plane, Mr. Morgan.”

I don’t let go of Indy as I turn us around and march towards the exit.

“I look forward to seeing you again at the fall banquet next week, Indy!”

Indy waves at Ron over her shoulder like a woman gone mad, but she can’t respond because I refuse to uncover her mouth until we are away from my colleagues.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap once we’re alone in the empty hall outside of the gym. “And what the fuck is with the food nicknames?”

“What am I doing? What the hell are you doing? Your girlfriend?”

“Fuck,” I exhale, pacing the small hallway. “I panicked.”