Page 26 of The Player's Obsession

His blue eyes lighten. “I’ll drop it off personally.”

“You have time to drop off a jersey? Don’t you have practice?”

“Tomorrow is a light day. I’ll swing by your place in the morning.”

“Okay.” Why am I agreeing to this? He’s dangerous. I don’t belong in his world. I can’t forget the fact that we’re pretending. Besides, I can’t handle a relationship with my brother in the picture.

Oliver and I are doomed. Our timing is off. He’s stuck on his ex, and I’m treading water to survive. New Year's is a time for new beginnings. It should be a time of hope and making new resolutions. I’m starting mine with a lie and hope it will not bring me bad karma.

I’d be content ringing in the new year with Lucinda. I don’t need to attend a club or a splashy party to celebrate. I don’t know if I’m an introvert or if my parents never make a big deal over any holiday other than Christmas has something to do with my thoughts on this. Our birthdays were celebrated with a homemade cake and gifts. But were they gifts? They were items I needed, like new clothing and a cookbook I’d been eyeing. Considering I cooked a few meals for the family on a weekly basis, I would think it benefited everyone. Frivolous items, like a new bike, came at Christmas, along with a new winter coat and new snow boots.

On the other hand, I’m tired of the “just stay afloat” phase I find myself in. Treading water is getting old. I want to get a house of my own and find a man who works a regular job and has a normal life. Normal is safe. Normal is the opposite of the daily drama that seeps into my life.

“I’m surprised you aren’t fighting me on this.” He sounds amused. I love his voice. It’s as deep as a lake and as rich as our dessert. I could listen to him talk forever.

“Um, well. I’ve never had the opportunity to wear a jersey, so I’m up for a new experience. I have a bucket list, and the game has been added to it.” I flash him an approving smile.

“What else is on your bucket list?”

“I’d love to travel to Sicily. I was told my family is from there. I love Italian food. I watch the cooking channel and try to make some of their dishes. I’m sure it’s not even close to the food one would find in Italy. They make their own pasta from scratch. They use a machine to shape the noodles. I’m all thumbs when it comes to operating machinery.”

“I’m sure you could do it. How difficult can it be?”

“I have no clue.”

“You should try it out. Hand-cut some noodles from the dough. Test it.”

“Is that what you do? Test things?”

“No, I’m more of an ‘all-in’ type of guy. Why try to do something if you aren’t fully committed?”

“Then what of your fake fiancée? Are you going to be all-in on that as well?”

“Sure. It has to look real.”

“And why are you going to all this trouble? Is it a prank?”

“Maybe.”

I can’t get trip to him up on his words. Whatever his reason is for faking something as serious as a future wife must be important. He doesn’t need money, so it’s not about inheritance. Maybe it’s a joke on his teammates? But I can’t come up with a reason he’d do something like that. His teammates won’t trust him when he really becomes engaged—well, engaged again. He had a woman who left him for someone else earlier this year.

“New Year’s weekend is the wedding? That’s a long time for us to be together.”

“It will be fun, We’ll ring in the New Year together,” he replies.

“Then, let me be the first to say I hope the New Year brings you health and happiness.”

“That’s kind of you. Do you have a New Year resolution?”

“Not really.” I can’t tell him my finances are circling the drain. I don’t want him to think I’m with him for his money. I bet he can spot a money-grabbing opportunist when he sees one. The less he knows, the better.

“What makes you happy?” I ask.

“A touchdown.”

“That’s too easy,” I argue.

“You asked.” He shrugs and sends me the cutest smirk I’ve ever seen. He appears ageless when he smiles. I know he’s thirty but doesn’t look it.

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