Page 163 of The Wrong Play

“I’m fine,” I promised, even as my stomach twisted. “I’ll explain everything later.”

He didn’t look convinced.

But there was no time to argue.

“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll go back out there.”

Relief flickered in my chest…until he smirked.

“But first,” he said, grabbing my hand. “I have a plan.”

Before I could argue, before I could ask what the hell that meant, he was already moving, dragging me through the concourse, past the sea of fans swarming the hallways, past the flashing screens and the beer carts and the murmur of conversations that barely registered in my buzzing brain.

I wiped my face, trying to erase any evidence of my tears as he led me to the suite level, past a security guard who didn’t even blink at our entrance.

“Jace,” I hissed, tugging at his grip. “Where are we?—”

He stopped in front of a door, knocked once, then pushed it open.

And suddenly, I was staring at two people I’d never seen before in my life.

A man stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands tucked in the pockets of his jacket, his frame broad and sturdy, like Jace’s but older. His hair was dark brown, peppered with gray at the temples, his jaw strong, his nose slightly crooked like it had been broken once, maybe twice. His eyes were those same striking brown eyes I’d fallen for, and they locked onto me with curiosity, the corners crinkling as he smiled.

Sitting beside him, a woman in a wheelchair turned slightly, her blonde hair falling over one shoulder in thick waves, one of her legs in a bulky, blue cast. She had warm green eyes, andher hands, delicate and graceful, rested in her lap, her fingers adorned with simple silver rings.

They both looked at me.

Then at Jace.

Then back at me.

The woman arched a brow. “Jace…honey, what exactly is going on? Why aren’t you out on the field right now?”

Jace grinned, totally unfazed. “Pops, Mom—meet Riley. She’s the love of my life. My heart. My everything.”

My breath caught. Oh my gosh. What a freaking day to meet his parents. I whipped my head toward him, eyes wide, heart slamming against my ribs. “Jace?—”

He ignored me, turning his attention back to his parents.

“I gotta get back out there, but I need you to take care of her while I do. Make sure she’s okay, make sure she’s safe, make sure she doesn’t freak out and try to bolt.” His eyes flicked back to mine, lips quirking. “Because she will. She’s kind of like a jumpy little bunny.”

His mom blinked, clearly trying to catch up. “Honey?”

“I’m serious,” he said, all traces of humor gone. “She means everything to me. Just…please. Make sure she’s okay.”

His dad stepped forward, still looking very concerned as he clapped a hand on Jace’s shoulder. “Of course, son.”

His mom softened, her eyes moving to me, studying me closer now that she knew I was something to her son. “It’s nice to meet you, Riley.”

I opened my mouth, then shut it again, frantically wiping at my face, trying to make myself look at least halfway presentable.

Jace smirked. “She’s really cute when she’s flustered.”

“Jace,” I hissed.

He just laughed, kissed my forehead, then turned and jogged out of the suite, leaving me standing there, still half-wrecked,staring at his worried looking parents while my brain tried to reboot.

They both stared after their son for a moment before his mom finally forced a smile, her fingers anxiously adjusting the blanket in her lap. “Would you like to sit down, sweetheart? I would come and hug you, but as you can see, trying to paint my master bedroom did not go well for me,” she said, pointing to her cast.

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