Page 25 of Drop Shot
This might be fake, but I do know she has my back, and that counts for something.
CHAPTER 7
WHIMSY
My eventpass smacks against my chest as I speed walk toward the stadium. I didn’t expect Jackson to corner me the second I arrived at the venue. He was literally waiting on the curb, watching for me to get dropped off.
It’s Elias’s first game for the Miami Open and Jackson wants this to be our big coming out moment versus being photographed out and about somewhere.
The goal?
Elias wins to advance to the next round and rushes over to kiss me.
I’m trying really hard not to think about kissing him for the first time in front of not just a stadium of people, but numerous eyes watching from home.
I’m glad the heels I chose to match my dress are kitten heels or else I’d have hell to pay later for the speed in which I hurry through the crowd of people gathered around.
I wish Jackson hadn’t been so long-winded in his explanation.
By some miracle, I make it to the players box where Elias’s parents and Ebba already wait.
“Sorry, I’m late,” I tell them, smoothing the back of my dress before I plop into my seat.
Ebba’s brows knit, face crumpled with confusion. “You’re never late.”
Damn you, Jackson!
“My period,” I lie under my breath to my friend. “It’s really bad.”
It’s not a total lie. I do have really bad periods, but I’m still a week away from starting. But there’s no chance Ebba pays enough attention to my cycle to know I’m lying.
“Oh.” Her face falls into a frown. “I’m sorry. Do you need to go to the guest area and rest? I’m sure Elias would understand.”
I shake my head rapidly. “No, no. I’ll be fine. I can’t miss my first game as his … girlfriend.”
The word feels weird coming out of my mouth.
Ebba reaches over and gives my hand a quick squeeze. “I have Advil if you need it.”
“Thanks.”
I open my purse and fish out my favorite lip oil, swiping the pink-tinted liquid onto my lips.
“Do you think he’s prepared?”
“Huh?” I turn wide-eyed to Ebba on my left.
“Elias—how’s he feeling about this match?”
Oh. Right.
She’s asking me because he’s my boyfriend and I should know these things. In reality, Elias and I have barely spoken over the past two weeks while he’s been practicing pretty much non-stop. I’ve only gotten a few random texts from him here and there, mostly asking me for photos of Craig and I’ve checked in with him a few times to make sure he doesn’t need anything to which he always replies, “No, Whim. You’re not my assistant anymore.”
I can’t help it if I find it incredibly boring having so much time on my hands.
If it weren’t for the fact that I wouldn’t be able to travel with him, I would legitimately consider getting a job just to have something to do.
I’m not very good at being a (fake) trophy girlfriend.
