Page 59 of Playmaker

My co-model, Monique, chatted with me as we waited to be positioned, lighted, touched up and posed.

She leaned a hip against the couch. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’m a big fan.”

I stood beside her. We didn’t risk wrinkling our clothing by sitting down. “I’m a big fan of yours as well.” I’d looked up some of her portfolio when this was all set up. She photographed well, and had a reputation for being easy to work with.

Full red lips tipped into a smile. Green eyes peered up at me through dark lashes, and her long, almost black hair moved around her shoulders as she shifted a little closer. “I’m a bigger fan of the billboards than your sport, if I’m being honest.”

“It’s easier work than hockey. Fewer bruises.”

She pouted. “Ever thought of hanging up the skates to do this full-time?”

I barely repressed a shudder.Neverwas the answer, but that wasn’t the game we were playing. “I’m only here because of hockey. I’m the ‘playmaker.’”

“I’d love to play with you.”

I sighed. I knew the moves, but I couldn’t be bothered today. Fortunately, we were called to the piano then. Monique was helped onto the baby grand that this expensive suite came with, and once she was carefully draped over the lid, I sat on the piano bench and let them pose me.

I was supposed to look off camera, lost in my own importance and playmaking, while Monique gazed at me with longing.Buy this watch, and you too will have gorgeous models pining for you.It was a silly concept, but it worked.

The day dragged tediously. I was uncomfortable, unsettled. I blamed it on Winthrop, and the need to dredge up my past. Normally I’d enjoy flirting with Monique to pass the time, and after, I’d have invited her for dinner and whatever might follow.

Maybe it was the Cup loss, not only Winthrop, because when Monique suggested just that, I declined politely, blaming my grueling training sessions. She looked disappointed but shrugged. She didn’t know me, except as an image on the billboard. She’d have liked it if we’d hooked up, to have the story, another name she’d been with.

The thought of Callie popped into my head again, I forced it back. Callie, thanks to that story from high school, knew a part of me that wasn’t successful and rich and popular. She saw the real me. But she didn’t want anything more, so why was that thought even in my head?

Damn it, I needed to get back on my game. Be the playmaker they paid me for.

* * *

Callie

I wassurprised when Cooper mentioned his friend Seb Hunter was joining us at Briarwood. Except for meeting some of his teammates at the driving range, and Darcy hanging out with us sometimes, it had always been just the two of us. Cooper said it would be good to have some additional eyes on how I was doing. Golf-playing eyes. Between the driving range and his friend today, I would be familiar with guys I didn’t know watching me. That should help for the tournament.

Seb was a patient teacher, focused more on the mechanics of golf than the behavior of people golfing. Between him and Cooper, I got a lesson that covered all the aspects of the game that I needed to know. The two men were greeted by a lot of the other golfers on the course, mostly other men, and I was happy to stay back and observe. Blending in was a vital skill, and I worked hard at it.

When we finished our round, I started to head almost automatically to the clubhouse.

“We’ve been invited to Seb and Faith’s for dinner.”

I jerked my head around. “What?”

Seb frowned at his friend. “You didn’t ask her?”

“I wanted her to meet you first. Otherwise, she would have made an excuse.”

My cheeks heated up. Damn, the man knew me too well.

Seb shook his head. “It’s not fair, dropping this on her. Callie, don’t worry about coming if it makes you uncomfortable.”

I smiled weakly at Seb. There was no easy way to get out of this.

“Consider this another lesson,” Cooper said, and if my glare could cut, he’d have been bleeding. “This time a wedding lesson.”

I crossed my arms and frowned.

“My family will be nosy, just like Seb and Faith. But they’ll be more insidious about it. Right, Hunts?”

Seb grimaced. “Yeah, they’re not the easiest people.”

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