Page 46 of Check & Chase
“Play your cards right, Mitchell, and maybe I’ll share some.” Maya shoots me one last meaningful look before disappearing down the hall.
“Your friend seems nice,” Chase comments, maneuvering into the room and settling into the chair Maya just vacated.
“She’s a menace,” I correct. “And you’re early for your session. We’re not scheduled until two.”
“I know.” He adjusts his position, stretching his injured leg out in front of him. “I wanted to talk to you. About last night.”
“Speaking of that, I wanted to thank you,” I begin, surprising both of us. “For the rescue from Tyler.Again.”
His expression softens. “Anytime, Blondie. Though at this rate, I might need to start charging a damsel-in-distress fee.”
“I am not a damsel in distress.”
“Obviously. That’s why you were backed against the bar looking like you wanted the floor to swallow you whole.”
I open my mouth to argue, then close it again. He’s not entirely wrong. “Fine. I appreciate the assist. But I can’t keep relying on you to run interference every time Tyler decides to be an asshole.”
“Why not?” He leans forward, his blue eyes intent on mine. “Seems like a good arrangement to me.”
“Because it’s not your problem. And because people are already talking.”
“Let them talk.”
“Easy for you to say. Maya heard about last night from someone at work, whose husband works security at the hotel. If it’s already made it to the hospital grapevine, you can bet the entire Bears organization is gossiping too.”
He shrugs, unbothered. “So what? We let them gossip. Could be useful, actually.”
“Useful?” I repeat, confused. “How is team gossip about us ‘useful’?”
“Think about it.” He leans forward, excitement lighting his features. “What’s the one thing guaranteed to make Tyler back off?”
I frown, not following. “I don’t know. Common decency? Basic respect?”
“The belief that you’ve moved on. With me.”
The implication hits me, and I stare at him. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m completely serious.” Chase’s expression is earnest, no trace of his usual teasing. “Look, Tyler’s clearly still trying to mess with you. The flowers, the comments at the gala. He thinks he still has a claim on you.”
“He doesn’t,” I say firmly.
“I know that. You know that. But Tyler’s ego won’t let him accept it.” He gestures between us. “But if you were dating someone else, someone he already sees as a rival, he’d have to back off.”
“You’re suggesting we pretend to date.” The words feel ridiculous coming out of my mouth. “That’s insane.”
“Is it? It seemed to work pretty well last night.”
I shake my head, trying to process the absurdity of his proposal. “Chase, I’m your physical therapist. There are ethical boundaries. Professional standards.”
“We keep the professional stuff professional,” he counters. “PT sessions are still just PT sessions. But outside of that? We let people think we’re together. Go on a few public dates. Make sure Tyler sees. He’ll get the message and leave you alone.”
“And what do you get out of this arrangement?” I ask suspiciously.
Chase’s expression shifts slightly, something I can’t quite read flickering in his eyes. “Carina.”
“What about her?”
“She’s been trying to get back together since she and Tyler hit a rough patch. Sending texts, showing up at my place uninvited.” He runs a hand through his hair. “If she thinks I’m with you, maybe she’ll finally get the hint.”
