Page 66 of The Forever Game

His eyebrows flicker with some kind of emotion. I don’t know what it is, but it feels negative, and I want to go back to Nolan so fucking badly right now.

“Hey, sexy lady,” Axel sings as he flounces over to me, laughing in triumph. “Fuck, girl. You look hot.”

My insides writhe as I cross my arms, forcing a smile and reminding myself that I’m contractually obligated to be here.

“What do you need me to do?” I try to put on my best professional voice, but I’m sounding small and mousy, which is so not me.

I might be Ethan’s lil’ mouse, but I am not mousy. I’m strong and can speak my mind. I don’t kowtow to assholes. That’s one of the things Ethan loves about me.

But I’ve been giving in left and right, dropping everything to be here for these douchebags!

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Okay.” Axel grabs my hands, holding my arms wide and checking me out. His smirk makes my skin crawl. “You are so fine. We’re gonna look great together.” He gives my hand a little squeeze, then notices my wedding and engagement rings. “What are these?” He frowns. “Don’t need those for the photo shoot.” He pulls them off before I can stop him.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I snap, trying to grab them back.

He winces and glances over his shoulder at the curious crowd impatiently waiting for us. “Shhh. Chill. I’ll give them back after we’re done.”

Gliding his hand around my waist, he steers me toward the cameras.

I tense, resisting him. “What are you doing?”

“I thought we could get some photos together.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you beside me. You look so fucking hot, seriously. This is going to be epic. It’ll boost my social media. I’ve already talked to the sponsors, and they’re all over it. You’ll help my image.”

I wiggle out of his embrace. “I’m not your girlfriend. I’m married.” I hold out my hand. “Now give me back my rings.”

“He will.” Ryan rolls his eyes, flicking his fingers. “Here, give them to me. I’ll look after them, you’ll take some pics, and then we’re done.”

Axel plops the rings into Ryan’s palm with a huff, then gives me a pointed look. “It’s in the contract, sweets. I want to be photographed with my agent.”

“I’m not your agent.” I rest my fist on my hip. “Ryan’s your agent. I’m just his assistant. If you two want to get photos together, then you go ahead. I’m still trying to work out why the fuck I’m here.”

“Because it’s in the contract.” Ryan glares at me, his eyes bright with warning as he obviously tries to keep his temper in check. “This will be a boost for the agency, seeing how great we are with our athletes, how we’re willing to do anything to assist their careers.”

“How is standing in a photo shoot assisting his career?”

“It gets him noticed, makes him popular with the public. You two look adorable together. It benefits everyone.”

“Not me!” I yell, my voice ringing out. Cameras spin to face us, and I don’t even care.

Axel looks over his shoulder and puts on a cheesy smile. “Can you guys give us a minute?”

“We’ve been waiting for hours! Can we get this done already!” someone complains from the back.

“One second.” Ryan holds up his finger, looking just as cheesy as his prized athlete.

They both turn back to me with impatient scowls.

I glare right back. “You changed the contract without my knowledge and then signed it. I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”

Ryan huffs. “You get your ass up there and smile for the cameras. We’ll deal with this later.”

“Yeah, come on.” Axel steps into my space again, gliding his hand around me and pulling me close.

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