Page 42 of The Fake Play

“I appreciate you, Keke. You're not like anyone else I've ever known.”

His words linger between us, but I quickly push them aside. I have to or they might mean something. “Okay, we have a plan. Let's get started.”

As we walk through the halls together, players call out to Luke, teasing and joking. Immediately, Jason’s smirking face comes to mind, but I squash it. I can’t allow myself to get swept up in useless memories.

This is a family that Luke has built, and I mean for him to keep it.

As we reach the exit, I pick up my pace, ready to dive head first into the planning. “Let's hit the ground running. I'll start with the shelter and gather ideas. We need to make this event as appealing as possible.”

“Thank you. Really. It means a lot.”

I wave it off, trying to dismiss the flutter of emotion in my chest. “Don't mention it. This is about you and your future.” Easier to think of it that way than the multitude of ways that are bubbling up in my head. This is all about my client, it has nothing to do with me. Or so I keep telling myself.

As I head for my car, I can’t shake the feeling this is something more than just a mission to save his career. It’s also an opportunity to prove to myself that I can trust someone again.It’s a strange feeling to want to put your faith into someone else, someone who is still more or less a stranger. Doing so has always bitten me in the ass in the past.

And Luke's past tells me that it will happen again. But I still want to try. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment.

Regardless of what I am, I have to focus. This is a chance to change the narrative. To prove that he’s more than just a party boy. I will do everything in my power to protect Luke and his future.

This is not about our screw ups or our dramas. Not about my past, or his past. We dictate our own future.

Chapter 17

Luke

The sounds of the arena echo around me as I sit on the bench, watching practice. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and a mix of excitement and anxiety. Between the trades and the bachelor auction, everyone is feeling the pressure. I put the trades out of mind; as Keke said, I have no control over that, so I should focus on the auction instead.

I still don’t know what to think of that.

On the one hand, I know it’s good for us. Raising money for the animal shelter is a no- brainer. I love that she’s spearheading this event, putting her heart and soul into making it a success. But the idea of being auctioned off like some prized piece of meat leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I have always preferred being on the ice, letting my hard work speak for itself.

In a few days, I’ll be up on that stage, everyone looking at me. It will be my childhood all over again.

As the event approached, I volunteered for the role of Master of Ceremonies. That way, I could avoid the auction block altogether. It felt like the best of both worlds—I could help raise awareness and funds for the shelter without putting myself on display for the world to judge. I could still be there for Keke to support her efforts while remaining on the sidelines.

I've been watching her work tirelessly over the past few weeks, and I am genuinely astounded by everything she’s done. She was in her element, managing every detail of the event with a passion that made me question if I had misunderstood her.

At first, I thought I was jumping the gun by having those feelings for her. Falling in love too easily has been a habit of mine.

But as I’ve watched her navigate this event, I’ve felt that familiar sinking sensation in my gut every time she walked into the room. It was intoxicating. Her fire ignited something in me that I haven't felt in a very long time. I want to support her dreams as fiercely as she chasing them.

She has a way of pulling out the best in people, even when they don’t realize it. I first saw it with her suggestions about Lucas. I had initially bristled at her advice, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Lucas had come to the team with a chip on his shoulder, trying to prove something to everyone. Mostly to himself, or maybe to Coach, I wasn’t sure.

But the kid needs guidance. He’s still young, and I see glimpses of myself in him. If I can make him see that we are all in this together, it might just help him—and me—navigate the pressures of the league. It’d certainly take the pressure off.

Management has been tight-lipped about the potential trades, and the possibility of being uprooted haunts me. I love Atlanta, the team, and the community that embraced me. The thought of leaving it all behind is like cutting off an arm. Atlanta is a part of me, and now I need to prove that I’m a part of her.

In the midst of my worries, I can’t help but think about Keke and her unwavering determination. I marvel at how she takes every challenge head on. It makes me question whether I’m being weak for feeling so anxious about my future. She charges ahead with the same passion she shows for everything else. My career is in good hands.

“Hey, Luke, you got a minute?”

I’m pulled from my thoughts by Marco, one of my teammates. He strolls into the office with a grin plastered on his face. “Sure, what's up?”

“I heard about the auction. You're going to be the MC, right?”

“Yeah, just trying to do my part to help out.”

“Are you ready for it? You know, they'll probably throw some tough questions your way,” he jokes.

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