Page 25 of Faking the Shot
I pull away, offering him a tight smile. “A heads-up that we’ll be flying next time would be nice.”
He nods, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes again like the conversation is over. Typical. But I’m too wound up to let him drift off just yet.
“Are you drunk?” I ask, crossing my arms.
He groans, tipping his head back slightly. “Not drunk. I had a few too many last night, but I’m fine this morning.”
“Really?” I arch a brow, leaning forward. “I didn’t think someone like you even drank.”
His lips twitch like he’s amused, but he doesn’t bother opening his eyes. “Let me guess. Stick-in-the-muds don’t drink?”
“Not usually. You’re a control freak. Drinking doesn’t seem very . . . you.”
His laugh is short, almost a chuff. “Fair. But I was home with two of my brothers. Even control freaks take the edge off now and then.”
I lean back, watching as he settles further into his seat, arms crossed tight over his chest like he’s guarding himself from the world—or maybe just from me. Whatever. At least he’s here, and for now, we’re both still alive.
“So did you see the news about us?” I ask before he can shut his eyes and pretend I don’t exist.
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll discuss it when we arrive at my parents’.”
So, he did see that everyone thinks we’re a couple. That’s a relief. At least I won’t have to awkwardly show him the headlines on my phone, complete with the mortifying photos.
“I just . . .” I hesitate, trying to gather my thoughts. “This isn’t what I wanted. To be plastered all over social media. I wanted something natural, slow, organic—with a few pictures, maybe. But not this.”
Kaden huffs, his mouth pressing into a hard line. “I suppose fifteen minutes of fame would appeal to just about anyone.”
My jaw drops. The snide remark lands like a slap, and I instinctively pull back, fighting the urge to smack the smug look off his face. Usually, I let his attitude roll off me, but this? This eats at me.
“You think I care about getting my face in the paper?” I snap, sitting up straighter, my pulse pounding in my ears. “I chose a career in public relations so I could keep my face out of the news. This is the last thing I want. You think I’m looking forward to people digging through my past and personal details? I had a very messy divorce—not exactly headline material you want tied to your ‘girlfriend.’”
That shuts him up. The anger drains from his face, replaced by something closer to surprise. He leans forward slightly, his brows furrowed. “You’re divorced?”
“Yes,” I say, my tone clipped.
“How old are you?” he asks, his voice quieter now.
“Thirty-one,” I reply, folding my arms across my chest. “College sweetheart. I thought he was my forever. Turns out he’s found several forevers since me—younger, of course. He has a type. Girls in their early twenties.”
Kaden’s expression shifts again, the hard edges softening into something almost . . . kind. “I’m sorry,” he says, his voice lower but more sincere now. “For what it’s worth, he’s a fucking idiot. You’re definitely a catch.”
I blink, caught off guard by the sudden shift. “This ‘catch,’ as you put it, had her husband say, ‘It’s definitely you. I’m falling for someone else, and before I cheat on you, we’d better go our separate ways.’” My voice cracks slightly at the end, but I force a smile, determined to keep my composure.
Kaden lets out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “He’s still an idiot. If he couldn’t see what he had in front of him, that’s on him. You deserve better than that.”
The words catch me off guard, and for a moment, I can’t think of a response. His gaze holds mine just a beat too long before he leans back again, slipping his sunglasses on like he hasn’t just peeled back another layer of my carefully guarded walls.
And just like that, the grumpy asshole has me questioning who he really is.
Chapter Twelve
Valentina
It’s Time to Play By Her Rules
The helicopter lands smoothly on the helipad, and I let out a shaky breath, my fingers still gripping the armrests like they’re the only thing keeping me alive. My nerves are still frayed, but I force myself to square my shoulders and unbuckle. This isn’t the time to show weakness.
Kaden moves to help me down, extending a hand as the wind from the rotors kicks up around us. I hesitate for half a second before grabbing it, and the next thing I know, I’m stumbling slightly on the last step. His hands catch me by the waist, steadying me as I half-fall into him.
