Page 61 of Icing the Enemy

“I know, but Corbin has everything.”

“Girl, he doesn’t have this. Open this when you get home, then model it for him. You’ll be irresistible.” She wiggles her eyebrows, suggestively.

You’d be surprised.

“Thank you.”

Rodney is talking to Corbin and his family while Sonny takes advantage of the situation and pulls me into a corner. “I thought we were getting back together.” His face is mere inches from mine, and I’m not scared, but I’m claustrophobic, and my body feels uncomfortable.

“Scoot back. I don’t know what gave you that idea.”

“This doesn’t pass the smell test. Why would you choose someone you barely know over someone you know loves you? All of you?”

Well, there’s the trust fund but even if there wasn’t, I wouldn’t get back with Sonny. He’s a known cheater, and cheaters cheat. Instead, I respond by saying, “Corbin and I just fit. He’s the most caring guy I know.”

I slip from the corner and see my father talking to the other owner and general manager. I don’t know why I didn’t expect to see him, since he’s a partial owner. Is he going to acknowledge publicly that I’m his daughter, or is he here for Corbin’s benefit?

My heart races, and my palms get sweaty and the first person I look to is my husband, for his strength and calm. Left to my own devices, I probably can’t rein in my anger over his blatant disregard for me. He knows who I am and for at least for two weeks, he’s been aware of Corbin and me dating and getting married at his teammate’s house. The videos went viral. Corbin was called into the management’s office. All he said to me is, “They’re glad I found someone to make me happy.” I asked if my dad was in the meeting, and he said, “No.”

Corbin must see my father too, and immediately walks over to me with all his swagger and golden-boy charm. “How’s my little thief?” He glares at Sonny before sliding on a fake smile. “Sonny, glad you could make it, but I need to steal my wife.” His choice of words isn’t lost on me.

“My father’s here,” I say through closed teeth.

“Let’s get this over with.” We walk hand in hand to where my dad is holding a drink and laughing with his friends.

Despite the celebration around me, I’m filled with dread and anxiety. I grab a glass of champagne off the table with a sparkling goldMr. & Mrs. centerpiece. The bubbles dance on my tongue before filling me with warmth and courage. Corbin pumps my hand a couple of times, and I know he’s got my back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

corbin

My wife,whether it’s a marriage of convenience or not, is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. The cream-colored strapless dress hits her mid-thigh, showing off her body and her legs in those heels—Jesus, I almost had a coronary when she came down the stairs.

“Jim, Clay, Robert. I think you’ve met my wife once before. Oakley Shearer.”

“Congratulations, Oakley. You’ve married a good man. Almost too good,” Clay says, clearly amused.

“Yeah, yeah. I was just waiting on the right woman at the right time. I had been determined to wait to marry until my playing career was over, but she shot me in the heart with those blue eyes, and I fell.”

Jim offers his congratulations, kissing Oakley on the cheek. “We’ll leave you with Robert. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.”

Oakley squeezes my hand, so I pull her closer and wrap my hand around her waist. “Thanks for coming, Robert. I want you to know how much I enjoy your daughter’s company. I’ll take care of her.”

For the record, I mean every word coming from my mouth.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Oakley looks up at me, “Really? One, he doesn't deserve to know anything about me. Two, if he doesn’t care enough to have wanted to take care of me for the past twenty-one years, then he doesn’t deserve to know who takes care of me. Third, I can take care of it myself. I don’t need fancy clothes and shoes. I don’t need a wedding that costs tens of thousands of dollars. All I’ve ever wanted is to be loved. Have a good day, Mr. Beech.” She shrugs and walks away.

“Oakley,” he says, seemingly demoralized.

As I glance between her and her dad, I realize if we’re married, truly married, she doesn’t need her dad’s money. “Robert, I’ve always liked you. But for the life of me I don’t understand how you could disown her. Wait, that’s not the word I’m looking for. How you didn’t and won’t accept this wonderfully complex person into your life is beyond me. All she wants is a father. Well, don’t worry. She has a family—mine,” I grumble, feeling a pang of protectiveness rising within me. The longer I talk, the angrier I become.

“Corbin, my wife doesn’t know about her.”

“Well, if you're worth the dust you're made of, you’ll tell her. And take a chance that she’ll understand. Besides, the team knows, and it will eventually come out. Until you accept Oakley into your life, I won’t be in the same room with you after today. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to celebrate with my wife.”

I had no idea when I entered into the marriage of convenience that it would be so emotionally taxing. My body feels like it’s running on empty, and it needs to be filled, and I know just the woman to make it happen.

Oakley and I float around the room but every time we get separated, I find her with Becca. Maybe she’s winning her over.

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