Page 68 of Play Your Part

“That sounds like Gemma, aggravatingly vague.”

“Maybe she wanted us to find out for ourselves.”

I thought back to what Alexei told me about his last relationship, how he stayed long past its expiration and understood his point. “What? We’re both damaged in the same way.”

His gaze fell on me again, dark and serious, whooshing the air straight out of my lungs. “That we’re the same. We will do anything to make things work, even when we know they won’t. Even if it hurts us.”

I snorted. “So we’re both idiots.”

“When we’re with the wrong people. Sacrificing for someone who takes and takes burns us out. But for another person like us, there would be balance. Reciprocation.”

“Nice theory,” I said, deflecting the weight of his statement with the expert shield I’d learned to wield over the last year. “But Gemma’s matchmaking is almost always focused on proximity. I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

A couple of raps on my window from Triple-A helped me escape the conversation. He told us he would pull us back onto the road with his tow truck.

Soon, we would arrive at my father’s party, hand-in-hand, beaming smiles on our faces, as if we were smitten with each other.

Pretending it was true no longer felt like the most difficult part.

28

ALEXEI

Somuchhadchangedsince the last time I stood in front of Cale Cole’s house. But there was one constant—staying on my game and convincing the people at this party I deserved to be here, that the team made the right choice in giving me a chance.

“You did all this?” I asked as we walked into the foyer.

Deandra hadn’t oversold Kennedy’s abilities if she helped pull this event together. Throngs of people filled the house—all elegantly dressed—as servers moved through the crowd, carrying drinks and food, pausing every so often. Soft classical music played below the din of conversation. Fairy lights hung from the walls, making the rooms dim and cozy. And beside us, near the front door, sat a large poster board showing the progress in raising funds for this year’s chosen charity, an organization that supported underprivileged kids in playing sports.

“It’s a party. Don’t sound so awed,” Kennedy said, though I watched as she surveyed the room with pride. She leaned into me. “I think we should start with my dad.”

“Lead the way.” I reached for her hand.

It didn’t take long to spot Cale Cole near the bar, surrounded by several men in suits. He waved us over, drawing interested glances from his companions who began whispering to each other. Kennedy squeezed my hand tighter as we approached.

“Kenny,” Cale said, stepping forward to wrap his arms around her.

“Hey, Dad,” she said into his shoulder.

He pulled back from the hug, his gaze roaming over her face, as if he needed the reminder she was okay. Knowing he lost his wife not that long ago, it broke my heart. “Deandra informed me you had a large hand in pulling this event off. It’s incredible. Thank you.”

Kennedy beamed under his praise. “Dad, you remember Alexei Volkov, right?”

He barked out a laugh, the kind that lingered for a beat too long. His companions tittered at the cheesiness of the joke.

“I guess that date went well after all,” he said to Kennedy, forcing a blush to creep into her cheeks.

I sucked in a breath as Cale’s attention fell on me. The last time I talked to him had been in this house when he told me to show everyone why they made the right decision in signing me. He told me to lead this team and to avoid drama.

Not to get photographed with his daughter, and certainly not to date her.

And yet, I detected no anger in his expression as he stuck his hand out to me. “Always good to see you, Alexei. Even if you’re accompanying my pride and joy.”

There it is.The subtle warning didn’t take long.

Kennedy hissed, “Dad.”

I relaxed my features, my breathing, wanting to appear at ease in front of the father of my fake girlfriend, the man who also happened to write my paychecks. As if I had done nothing wrong.

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