Page 28 of Not Just a Trick Play

“You sound almost disappointed. Would you have preferred if I had a few adult film credits to my name? Feel free to fantasize all you want,sweets.”

There’s a beat where the world pauses. Did he just give me a pet name? Why my heart flip-flops at the notion makes no sense whatsoever, neither does the smile threatening my lips.

“And you’re responsible for my presence here?”

He nods.

“I didn’t think you were serious about helping with work…” My voice trails off.

“Serious as a sugar crash.” Jake smirks, then his expression turns thoughtful. “Maybe I should rethink the whole Mary Poppins image you have going on. Seems like you have the makings of a klepto.” He tips his chin at the tin of Twizzlers before shaking his head in feigned despair.

“I’m not a klepto. Even if I were, it’s a step up from getting yourself locked up. You’re lucky I said nothing to your family.”

“Well, about that…” He runs his hand through damp hair. A flashback hits—of that same hand, warm and firm, cradling my foot last night, sending a ripple of shivers that starts at the tips of my toes. “They know.”

I blink. “Wait, youtoldthem?” I knew the man was cocky, but this takes pure stupid stones.

“There was a photo.” His expression tightens.

My jaw drops. “A photo?”

“Oh yeah. Stella took one of me that night. Before you showed up. She posted it online.” Bitterness laces his tone.

Things click. “People saw it?” I ask, my voice small.

“It went viral. Everyone saw it.”

Now I bite my lip and eye Jake in concern. “Your family, too?”

“Yep.”

I grimace. “I can’t imagine what they must have said. How horrid.”

Jake releases a tight breath then dons a wry smile. “Nah. Just the usual shit—that if I was with someone for real, this kind of thing wouldn’t keep happening.”

How often does he end up in these predicaments? Gran would have exiled me for less. “I’m sorry it happened. You must try so hard to make them proud of you.”

He waggles his brows and gestures at himself. “Come on, I don’t have to try that hard. They adore me—they can’t help themselves.”

Envy hits me. “Your family is lovely.”

“Thank you.”

A silence settles over us for a moment. I shake my head to return to the business at hand. “So you engineered a…job?”

“Interview,” he corrects. “I got you an interview. All you need to do now is wow Jessica.”

“By dazzling her with my extensive grasp of American football?” I lean forward as if to impart a secret. “That knowledge wouldn’t be very impressive.”

Jake’s frown is quick to appear. “You be yourself. Sweets, you’re plenty impressive.” His words wrap around me like a warm blanket. Impressive’s not a word I’ve ever been tagged with.

“But football?” A wave of apprehension washes over me.

“You did say you’d take anything,” he reminds me, leaning in. I catch a whiff of sweat mixed with his usual scent of cedar and musk. The combination should be unappealing, but for some reason, it’s not.

Jake’s right. I do need this job, and I’d be a fool to muck it up.

“Incoming,” he whispers, moving to stand by my side. “Hey Jess,” he calls.

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