Page 25 of Elite Player
“But she was right. While Jo works for me, I’m still not sure what the front office will say about all of this.”
That’s when Nico waves his hand. “I already talked to them. They’re okay with it.”
I jerk back. “You told them?”
“This morning. I know I should’ve talked to you about it, but I couldn’t wait another minute. After the accident and everything with you in the hospital, I couldn’t stand the thought ofeveryone not knowing anymore. I love you, and I want everyone to know it. I’m only sorry we weren’t honest from the beginning.”
Honest from the beginning?
He’s better at this lying game than I am. It comes so easily. Maybeheis the sociopath.
Moving his hand down to mine to lace our fingers together, Nico focuses back on Sean. “Anyway, maybe we could all grab a bite to eat or something. But right now, I promised my friends I’d officially be introducing them to my fiancée.”
Sean smiles at the both of us. “Of course. Have fun.” He glances my way. “See you in a few days.”
Then Nico tugs me to the exit, and I have nothing left to do besides go along with all of it. Him. Us.
“I cannot believe that happened,” I mumble once we’re in the parking lot.
“What?”
I fling my hand back toward the arena. “That!”
“What? Sammy? What’s wrong with him? He’s my bud?—”
I roll my eyes. “Not Sammy. Actually, yes, Sammy.” Nico exchanged a few quick words with one of the security guards, again introducing me as his fiancée. Again, reinforcing how ridiculous this all is.
Who pretends to be engaged? And proceeds to tell literally everyone we pass?
“It’s like you want to be caught,” I say with a huff, yanking my hand out of his.
“Caught?”
“In this lie.”
“I’m making it more believable.”
“You’re making us look like fools.”
“Mama.”
“Don’t call me that.”
He unlocks his car with a fob and opens the back door to toss his navy jacket on the seat. “I don’t know why you’re freakingout. We’re doing all the things two people about to be married would. We’re acting happy and telling people and making it official.”
“You don’t know what two people about to be married would do.”
He undoes his maroon tie and tugs it off. “Well, I’m doing what feels natural, which is to brag. You want your family to believe that we’re engaged, then let me do my thing, okay?”
I heave a sigh, and he shoots me ajust relaxlook over the hood of his car. Which only serves to annoy me more. “My soon-to-be husband would talk to me. Ask me what I’m comfortable with. Not walk all over my needs.”
He places his hands on the roof of the car, staring at me. Really staring. His blue eyes unblinking as they refuse to leave mine. It’s unnerving, but I’m afraid to be the first one to blink. Like it’s some sort of test.
I won’t back down from him.
My so-called fiancé.
“You’re right,” he says eventually. “I apologize.”
