Page 35 of Pump Fake

“Do you mind walking?” he asked.

“No, it’s fine.” We were only a few blocks from the bar, and the heels I’d chosen were my most comfortable pair. “If you don’t mind, I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

“Okay, why does your coach want you to have a girlfriend? Does that make you seem less like a party risk?” It had to be about the sex tape. I couldn’t imagine any other reason.

“It started with the video that was leaked, yeah. The university wasn’t happy about it, and it could change the way some scouts look at me. They don’t want an out-of-control rookie causing problems for their PR and legal teams. At least, that’s what Coach said.”

“So, stop making videos.” It seemed simple enough. I felt his tension before I glanced up to meet his narrowed eyes.Oops. Hit a nerve.

“I didn’t make the goddammed tape. The girl did. Without my permission.”

My mouth formed an O. I had nothing. No wonder he was so touchy about it. Because it hadn’t been about his performance—that, he’d knocked out of the park. And I swear he was better in person than in the video.

Things realigned in my mind, the self-centered assumption I’d first had that reminded me too much of my dad crashed and burned. Honestly, the more I’d gotten to know Ares, I couldn’t see him in that mold. He was kind, thoughtful, and family oriented and had only treated me well.

“The main reason is just to get Coach on my side again. The combine is in a few months, and as it is, I’m not super high on his list right now. I need to be when he talks to NFL scouts and coaches.”

“Okay, I get it. So, how will this dating thing impact me differently than what we’re doing now?”

“Just a few things, like going out after games and maybe being seen around campus together. We’ll have to look at our schedules and figure that part out. And of course, that wedding of yours.” He winked.

I frowned. “Yeah, there’s that.” Hell, really, pure torture. I didn’t think I could go through with attending it, Mom’s theatrics if I didn’t aside. As of right then, I was pretty sure I would send Samantha an I’m-sorry-I-can’t-make-it message. I highly doubted she would care. But it would be nice to be recognized as his girlfriend if we ran into any of them while we were faking things.

Entering the bar, we fell into a crowd of people who congratulated Ares when the guys in front of us noticed him—it was hard not to. He was a head and shoulders above most of the people there, not to mention stacked with muscle. His roommates were, too, and I thought maybe a good portion of the other starters were as well. He pulled me against his side as hechatted with the crowd. As soon as we were inside, he steered me toward a back corner, where Kylian, Aurora, and Liam stood with their teammates and some girls.

Ares leaned down so I could hear him better. “What do you want to drink?”

“Cabernet.” I’d had it there before, and their house brand was pretty good.

Ares leaned between Liam and another guy I didn’t recognize to place the order, and Aurora gave me a little wave, moving closer.

“Hey, Brielle. I’m glad you came out tonight. I wasn’t sure you would because Ares hasn’t been out after the games all that much.”

I grinned back at her. “I thought it was Kylian who didn’t like going.”

“True. This isn’t his scene anymore, but I wanted to go when Ares and Liam said they were. We don’t have a lot of these nights left.”

“I get that. It’s going so fast. I can’t believe it’s already the end of September.”

“So”—Aurora shifted closer—“see that girl trying to close in on Ares?”

“Hmm.” Jealousy ripped through me when I saw Denise Williams’s hand rest on Ares’s bicep. “Yep, I see her, and I know her from a class we’re in together. I don’t think she’s passing it, though. She spends most of her time chatting.”

I’d had a project with her, and it’d been a nightmare. I’d ended up doing the whole thing myself, as she’d been worthless with a hangover from the night before. It had been the only day I could get her to commit to. I didn’t give her a good review when I had to turn in the peer evaluation to the teacher.

“She’s looking for more than a hookup. She wants an NFL-bound athlete, if you catch my drift.”

“That’s a big problem for the guys?” My gaze slid to Liam,who leaned an elbow against the bar and chatted with a pretty brunette and her friend.

Aurora shrugged. “Most of them are good with the opportunities their godlike status on campus provides, just not everyone. I’m told it gets old fast.”

“Is it old for Ares?” The words were out before I could take them back, and Aurora’s smile was completely understanding.

“Yeah—last spring break aside. He doesn’t let many people get too close, and he’s had a lot on his plate.” In other words, she wouldn’t go into personal details about her fiancé’s best friend with a girl who’d only been around for a couple of weeks.

Like a magnet, I sought Ares out with my eyes once more. Relief slid through me when he turned his back on Denise, and her hand fell away.

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