Page 64 of Check & Chase
“Look, Em, I’m not trying to be an asshole here. I’m worried about you. About your career. Dating a patient, especially one with Mitchell’s history—it won’t end well.”
The irony isn’t lost on me. If only he knew the relationship wasn’t real.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m a grown woman, Jack. I can make my own decisions.”
“Fine. But we’re discussing this in person when I’m back in town next week. And tell Mitchell I’ll be watching him.” There’s a pause. “Just be careful, Em. I don’t want to see you get hurtagain.”
The reference to Tyler doesn’t need to be spoken aloud. “I know. I’ll be careful.”
After I hang up, I flop back on my bed. What have I gotten myself into? It’s been a week since Chase and I started our “relationship,” and already it’s more complicated than I anticipated. Between Halloween night and the increasingly blurry lines between fake and real, I’m starting to question my sanity.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Chase:Game day! Excited to see you there, Blondie. Wear something sexy that makes West regret all his life choices.
Me:I thought the point was to be convincing as a couple, not to antagonize Tyler.
Chase:Why not both? Two birds, one stone. Very efficient.
I laugh.
Me:Good luck for today. I’m sure sitting on the bench will be tiring.
Chase:Ouch. And I don’t need luck. Just need you in the stands wearing my number.
My cheeks heat at the possessiveness in his words. The memory of Halloween night intrudes: Chase on his knees before me, his mouth working magic between my thighs, his eyes dark with desire as he looked up at me.
We haven’t discussed what happened, maintaining our boundaries during PT sessions as agreed. But there’s a new tension between us, a current of awareness that wasn’t there before.
A knock at my bedroom door interrupts my dangerously vivid memories.
“You decent?” Maya calls. “Because we need to go shopping if you’re going to look hot for tonight’s game.”
I sigh. “Come in.”
She bursts in with her usual energy. “So, game day. What are we wearing?”
“We? You’re coming too?”
“Duh. I’m not missing your debut as WAG of the year.”
“I’m not a WAG,” I protest. “It’s just—”
“Fake, I know. But the rest of the world doesn’t know that, which means you need to look the part. So, Bears jersey or sexy casual?”
I hesitate. “Actually, I was thinking of wearing Chase’s jersey.”
Her eyes widen. “You have his jersey already?”
“No, but he mentioned it in his text. I thought maybe I could surprise him.”
“Oh my god, you are so not faking this anymore. You’re actually into him.”
“I am not,” I protest, though the heat in my cheeks betrays me. “It’s just part of the act. Tyler never let me wear his jersey when we were dating. This would really sell the relationship.”
Maya doesn’t look convinced. “There’s that sports shop at the mall that does custom jerseys in an hour. I’ll grab it for you.” She’s already pulling out her phone. “What’s his number?”
“Nine.”
