Page 17 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

Brian.

Brian doesn’t have brown eyes; his are blue. I think. He’s just a random guy I met at a sports bar while watching Thursday night’s football game.

Another flavor of the week, as Josh likes to tease.

He’s cute. We had fun watching the game, and I asked if he wanted to come to the Mavericks game with me. He doesn’t know I’m Josh Owens' sister. I don’t tell anyone when I first meet them. Usually, the moment they find out, they become completely enamored with my brother, and I’m forgotten.

Today is a test. If he passes, Brian and I might get to know each other better.

Devious? Probably. But I’m a sports junkie, and I want a partner who loves sports too. Is it too much to want them to love memorethan they love my big brother?

Sadly, my expectations for Brian are low. Our few conversations consisted of him talking about how amazing Josh is and how he’s number one in his fantasy league because of him.

Canceling today would’ve been smarter than putting myself through this torture. But what can I say? I’m a sucker for love. I live and breathe love, and I want to find love for myself.

Chase pops into my head. He’s not gah-gah over Josh but recognizes talent when he sees it. I shake the thought off and open the front door.

Brian is standing on the stoop wearing a Derek Michaels jersey, and I groan inwardly. In my experience, when someone wears the quarterback's jersey, it’s because they don’t really know the game, just the star players.

I totally should’ve canceled.

“Hi,” I force my brightest smile just as my stomach clenches, dreading the next five hours.

“Hi.” He looks down at the number on my jersey. His forehead pulls as he tries to figure out whose jersey it is, and I grimace. Strike one.

“Darius Brown.” I lock the door and close it behind me, then start down the porch steps. When Brian doesn’t say anything. I tell him who Darius is. “The Mavs starting safety.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Brian gives me a shaky smile. “I’m not a big defense type of guy.”

“Most fantasy players aren’t.” I throw out the jab and walk down the steps past him. I’m not giving him a chance and that’s not fair of me. I give him an apologetic grin as he unlocks the car door but doesn’t open it for me. Strike two.

“We’re picking up your friend Brie, right?” Brian asks as he slides into the driver's seat and starts the engine.

“Yeah.” I buckle my seatbelt. “She’s only a few minutes away.”

Before I know it, we pull up in front of Brie’s house. She’s wearing Johnson’s jersey, the Mavericks’ kicker, and I chuckle. Josh is going to flip when he sees her wearing that.

“Did I miss something?” I look at Brian’s smile, and the corners of my lips lift in return.

“Just Brie’s jersey choice. She likes to wear the obscure players. Today, it’s Johnson’s.”

“Ahh,” Brian says, but I know he’s trying to figure out which Johnson.

“Hey Suse, Brian.” Brie says, getting in the backseat. She reaches her hand over to Brian, who takes it and flashes Brie a smile. “Thanks so much for driving today. Susie’s told me a lot about you.”

She’s just as bad as Josh with the teasing.

I glare at the side of her face as she closes the door before turning her smile back to Brian. “Do you know how to get to the stadium?”

“It’s in my GPS.” His grin is stretched from ear to ear, and again, I feel a bit bad for bringing him. He’s a nice guy. I’m just not into him.

But who am I into? The possibly fake man from online or the off-limits professional football player who has kept his distance from me after Josh interrupted our conversation at Thanks-A-Latte?

It’s half-time, and thegame has been neck and neck the entire time. It will most likely come down to a field goal in the end. Which means Brie will be rubbing it in Josh’s face later.

As predicted, Daniels has been the perfect addition to the right side of the Mavericks line, but Josh could have a better game. He took an ugly hit, and since then, he hasn’t been able to catch anything.

“I’m gonna grab something to eat,” Brian throws over his shoulder as he heads toward the stairs. “Do either of you want anything?”

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