Page 80 of Test the Ice
“Just because you’re going out for the evening doesn’t mean you’re turning into Mom.”
I wince because I hate when she brings her up.
“I know that,” I say, nodding.
Deep down, it’s the truth. My mother left us alone with our alcoholic father more times than I can count just so she could escape a life she hated. Never once were my sister and I a priority or even a thought in her head.
The last thing I would ever want for Charleigh is for her to think that there is anything more important to me than she is.
“Then go have fun.” My sister twists me around and shoves me out her bedroom door. “Hook up with your fiancé while you’re at it. Maybe getting laid would help ease all that stress you’re carrying around.”
“Zoe!” I hiss.
Her laughter follows me all the way down the hallway.
Twenty-Seven
MALAKI
It’sstrange to have a woman hanging off my arm for an event like this. Showing up at award ceremonies, charity functions, or galas without a date is usually frowned upon, but I’m not necessarily huge on following social norms.
I’m not going to just go out and find some random woman and use her like arm candy for the media. I’m an athlete, not Hugh Hefner.
Most of the women I’ve come in contact with over the last couple of years are as shallow as a kiddie pool. There’s no real depth to them, and we typically have nothing in common. Most of them don’t even laugh at my jokes, either too incompetent to understand them or too afraid they’ll get a laugh line or two.
Reese, though? She’s not afraid of getting a laugh line or anything of that nature. In fact, she just admitted that she’s afraid of makingmelook bad. What an absurd thought.
“What if I trip? Or say the wrong thing?” She tugs on the sexy opening of her dress in the front seat of my car. “What if they ask me a question about you, and I don’t know how to answer?”
I try to hide my amusement. It’s sort of adorable that she's so worked up over being my date. “Will you relax?”
“Relax?” There’s fire in her voice. “How do I relax? I’m supposed to be your fiancée, and I don’t even know your hockey stats!”
“My hockey stats?” I laugh loudly while I drive toward the valet.
I get a quick glimpse of Reese, and her angry glare only eggs me on further. I reach over and place my hand on her thigh that’s been calling my name since the moment she sat in my car. Her dress fell open, and I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything but that.
“Listen, I will handle it if someone asks you about how talented your future husband is.” I give her leg a squeeze.
Reese exhales loudly, unbothered that we’re skin on skin. “I want a detailed report on all things Malaki Young by tomorrow evening. I don’t like to be unprepared.”
“You know what I think you need?” I ask.
“A lawyer?” she exclaims. “I know! I’ve already thought about that. The moment Benedict threw the word custody around, it was my first thought.”
I trace the outside of her thigh with the pad of my thumb. “No…”
I bought a pack of Skittles at the gas station earlier simply because she was on my mind, but now that I’m looking at her like this, I’m wondering if she’d be better off with an orgasm.
That’s sure to relax her a little, take her mind off things.
But what do I know? I’m just her fake fiancé.
I put the car in park. “Look in the backseat.”
“Did you get me Skittles?!”
I grin, and her eyes brighten. She smiles fleetingly at me and reaches in the back for the candy.
