Page 48 of Seal the Deal
“Yeah, that’s what she has, but I usually just ignore this phone until whoever needs me calls Amanda or my publicist.”
“The point of a phone is to be reachable.”
“No, I pay other people to be reachable for me.”
“You can’t pay people to do everything for you.”
“You can if you have enough money.” Nicki continues to scroll through his phone. “There, my personal number is here now. Outside of needing to arrange our past rage room date, I don’t check my business phone, so you should have this one. Use it when you need me.”
“I won’t need you,” Andrew insists, taking his phone back.
“Fine, when you want me.”
“I don’t want you.”
“Yet you were calling and texting me.”
“Yes, well—shut up.”
“You’re cute when you’re flustered,” Nicki smirks. “I should go though. If I’m late, the coach will have my ass. Are you gonna watch my game tonight?”
“No,” Andrew lies, having already set an alarm on his phone so he doesn’t forget to stream it. Though he’s been working for the league for months, it wasn’t until his first date—fake date—with Nicki that he watched Nicki play. He doesn’t understand the rules, or really anything that’s going on, but he understands Nicki is good. Really fucking good.
“I bet you will. I bet you even have my jersey.”
“I do not own your fucking jersey,” Andrew snorts. “Nothing in the world could make me wear your jersey.”
“Not even being my boyfriend?” Nicki arches one eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. It highlights exactly how well fitting his suit is. It’s either incredibly expensive or incredibly well-tailored. Knowing Nicki, probably both.
“Not even that,” Andrew insists. “Go play your little game and hit your little pucks.”
“Fuck off,” Nicki laughs. “And make sure and watch me play!”
“In your dreams,” Andrew yells, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling as Nicki walks away.
It’s not until the elevator doors shut that Andrew realizes two things. One Nicki called him cute, and two, Nicki never explained why he showed up here.
* * *
Travel tumblerof coffee in one hand and keys in the other, Andrew makes his way to the elevator in his apartment building,fumbling his car keys into his other hand to grab his phone buzzing in his pocket.
Even without checking, he can guarantee it’s one of his brothers calling this early. Sure enough, Alec’s name flashes on his lock screen as the incoming call. He jabs at the elevator call button before answering.
“Good morning, Alec.”
“Oh, thank god, you answered.”
“I always answer,” Andrew points out. “What’s wrong?”
“How do you know something is wrong?” Alec asks. “You know what, dumb question. You always know everything. Listen, I was wondering if you had time to look over something for me this morning.”
“Something like what?”
“The venue for the wedding sent over our final contract.”
“I’m not a lawyer,” Andrew reminds him.
“I know that, but?—”
