Page 35 of False Play
Fuck. Is that how I looked when I was pissed?Yikes.
“What the fuck?” I growled and snapped my head up to look at Hayes.
“It’s all over social media and the only thing people have been talking about this morning,” Hayes commented.
Kennedy strode over to me in a few quick steps and snatched the phone from my hands. She scrolled down quickly then started to read aloud. “Notorious bad boy, Henry Anderson, was seen in public looking a bit too cozy with one of the senior PR specialists of the Strikers, Kennedy Jones. Considering what has recently transpired between the star center forward of the Strikers and the NY Jaguars’ newly appointed captain and star center forward Jack Holt, many fans are wondering if this is a desperate PR move from the Strikers organization. A way to possibly soften the player’s image after getting ejected at their season opener game.” Kennedy gripped my phone tightly as she shook her head in disbelief. “The source who took this photo stated they had been acting quite cozy since they arrived at the store, and they were then seen leaving together in his car.”
“Oh, fuck,” I whispered. My eyes widened as I tried to process the words.
Kennedy’s phone pinged with a new text, and she swiftlygrabbed it from her pocket. “It’s Anthony.” She sighed. “He wants to see us.”
“I’ll drive,” I said quickly and grabbed my car keys. The apartment keys I had taken from Hayes the day before were right next to them, so I grabbed and threw them at him. “Give Sush some food and then lock up.”
What normally wasa ten-minute drive to the arena took me less than five minutes after breaking my fair share of traffic laws.
I quickly found a spot in the players’ parking lot, but before I could get out of the truck, I muttered, “Stay right there.” I unbuckled my seatbelt, got out, and walked around to open Kennedy’s door, but she beat me to it.
“Are youcrazy?” she snapped. “The last thing I need is you opening the door for me and giving people the wrong impression. I don’t even know why I came here with you. I should have driven my own car!”
I groaned with exasperation. “Kennedy, it’s just a door. What’s the big deal?”
She shut the door as her finger pointed back and forth between us. “People already think we’re together. We’re going to get in so much shit because of this.”
“The organization doesn’t have any rules against relationships,” I countered in an attempt to ease the tension radiating off her.
She tilted her head back with a disbelieving laugh. “You don’t think I know that?”
“Kennedy, this is not a big deal.” I frowned. “Believe me, I’ve been through worse. We’ll explain what really happened, and they’ll understand.”
“How do you think it will look for me when we go in there and tell them we aren’t dating?” She started pacing back and forth. “I’m doing everything I can to show Brad and the organization I’m worthy of the director position, and here I am, causing them a scandal instead, which is quiteliterallythe opposite of my job description. I’m supposed to maintain a positive image for the organization, but instead, I’m part of the problem. You’ll be fine, because you’re Henry fucking Anderson and you’re untouchable. But me?” She jabbed a finger into her chest with a clipped shake of her head. “This isn’t good. Not for me.” Her voice was shaky, and tears threatened to escape her brown eyes that carried so much fear and uncertainty.
The raw vulnerability was something I hadn’t witnessed firsthand before, and without thinking, I gripped her arms and brought her in for a hug. When I wrapped my arms around her, she tensed beneath my touch, but I didn’t let go. I rested my chin on top of her head and hugged her a bit tighter. We remained silent, and after a few minutes, she relaxed in my hold and rested her head against my chest. It took everything in me not to inhale a sharp breath, not wanting to scare her off. I wasn’t expecting her to return my hug. I’d only done it because something told me she needed this for more than one reason.
I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t think of anything to say that would make the situation better.
The truth was, I didn’t even think about the ramifications this article could cause. But shewasright. If they found out we weren’t dating, how were we going to explain those pictures? We were standing pretty close. The only reason we were in this situation was because when I saw how distraught she was after he left, something called to me, just like it had now, and I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to touch her. Be near her in caseshe needed me. I exposed her to this stupid risk because I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.
Me? I could take the hit from the media. It was what I’d been doing for most of my career. I wouldn’t necessarily say my problems went away easily, but my namedidcarry some weight.
Andfuck. This could affect her career. The way the media would drag her if they found out the truth? It wasn’t right. Bringing a scandal to the organization, especially after what I did, is the last thing they needed. How could they trust her to do her job if they found out?
“What if it’s not an issue?” The words blurted out of my mouth before I could stop and think what the hell I was doing.
She reared back, meeting my gaze. “How would it not be an issue?”
“We tell them we’re dating.”
She took a few steps back, getting out of my hold. My fingers itched to bring her in for another hug, because it hadn’t been long enough. “Excuse me?”
“Think about it. The media thinks it’s a PR relationship, so let’s take advantage of it. We’ll make everyone believe this is the real deal. That way the media won’t drag you?—”
“And we can clean your image in the process,” she whispered to herself.
My brows etched together, and I frowned. I was about to protest, but I stopped myself. Instead, I quickly recovered and blurted, “Exactly.” I wasn’t even thinking about me, but if this was where her mind was at, I was willing to go with the flow. “I need to soften my image. What better way than being in a serious relationship?” Eagerness took over me as the puzzle pieces continued to connect inside my head.
She remained quiet for a full minute, like she was contemplating it, but then she shook her head. “How are theysupposed to believe we’re in a relationship? Everyone in the organization knew I was engaged. Add the fact that I don’t exactly like you.”
“Damn.” I took a step back with a scoff. “I mean, I kind of knew already, but could you soften the truth next time?”
