Page 24 of Playmaker

She looked down at her clothes and then back up at me. “Is there anything I need to fix? I have to comb my hair. Should I change to that dress?”

A chivalrous instinct hit me to assure her she was fine. That had been ingrained in me. Be polite, be charming, make the other person feel good. But she didn’t want that. She wasn’t arrogant, but she had some kind of inner strength that could take the truth and not flinch. “Your hair is a mess. And your face is flushed.”

“I can fix the hair. I have makeup in my bag. If I take care of that and put on the dress, will that be enough?”

I picked up the bags with the mostly unused clubs. “Dress would be better than what you’re wearing. Men don’t usually change, but the women do. There are locker rooms just inside. Let’s go.”

* * *

I putour clubs in a locker, greeting some more people we met on the way. I could see speculation about the woman with me, but I didn’t pause for chitchat. I steered Callie toward the women’s section and promised to meet her outside when she was ready.

I took a quick trip to the men’s myself, checking that I was still looking good. Since the most effort I’d exerted had been to refrain from laughing at Callie, I was fine. I waited in the hallway, not sure how long she would take. Some of the women I’d been with invested a lot of time in their appearance. I pulled out my phone, in case something had come up while we were out shooting balls.

There was a message for me in the family wedding chat. I didn’t want to look at it, but if I didn’t respond, my sister or mother was likely to call.

We’re planning the bachelor party for the weekend before the wedding.

It was my brother. Of course his primary involvement was in the bachelor party. Something I really wanted to miss. He continued.

You don’t have anything to do till after, so you can help with that.

My family chose to believe that my career involved nothing but showing up at the rink for three hours on game days. After all, I played hockey. And right now it was the offseason, so I wasn’t even doing that.

I’ll check my schedule.

I didn’t want to commit to anything before I had a chance to get out of it.

What schedule?

Dealing with my brother was enough to ruin my day, but I knew how to do the same to him.

I may be doing another photo shoot.

Nothing bothered my family more than the underwear campaigns I’d done. I used to keep a map, pinpointing the places my family would be exposed to those. I got to be pettyandmake a shitload of money, so it was a win-win for me. It was also something that would shut my brother up, at least temporarily. I didn’t have anything scheduled with them this summer, but I did have commitments to other sponsors and I needed to check those dates.

You still trying to get attention by posing naked for everyone to see?

I don’t try. I do.

You’re a spoiled brat.

No, I wasn’t spoiled. At least, only by money. I turned the phone off before my mood tanked. I’d find something to keep me busy until I had to go back for the wedding. I should just tell him to fuck off. I’d do my duty, but the less time I spent with my brother, the better.

Just in time, Callie came out. I shouldn’t be surprised that she was quick, but she was also startlingly efficient. She was wearing one of the dresses I’d asked for and had brushed her hair. For the first time, I saw it down. The color was still bright orangey-red, but it was thick and wavy, resting just below her shoulders, softening her face and bringing attention to her hazel eyes. Her makeup was discreet and minimal, but effective. Plus, the dress was absolutely the right color and fit and made her look good. Really good.

She met my eyes, brows raised. “Will this pass?”

It was exactly the way she’d asked about her golf swing. She didn’t want a compliment, just reassurance. “More than pass. You look like you belong here.”

And she smiled. Hell, when she smiled like that, it packed a wallop.

* * *

Callie

“More than pass.You look like you belong here.”

I grinned, enjoying his praise. Till he spoke again.

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