Chapter 46
FORTY-SIX
“No way you’re leaving,” one of Jaxon’s teammates says, hooking an arm around his neck and dragging him away from me.
I don’t know the guy’s name, but his eyes are already glossy—the first signs of being three sheets to the wind.
Jaxon and I hold each other’s gaze, full of longing. My body’s still cooling off from our make-out session.
I’ll be back, he mouths.
But I doubt it. He disappears with his teammate into the crowd and doesn’t look back.
I feel stripped bare, my want for Jaxon slathered all over me. Everyone can see it, and what makes me feel so exposed is that I’ve lost the upper hand. What we just did wasn’t fake. Not even a little. My heart might actually be on the line now.
Slowly, I turn my attention to the room. Nearly everyone’s watching me. Some are smiling—happy, it seems, to see the “TV couple” looking legit. Others look surprised, maybe even skeptical, their expressions sharp with gossip.
I am an actress. I like attention.
But not all attention is wanted.
Seeking refuge from the curious, whispering onlookers, I lower my head and make my way to the food table. At the very least, I can get another lobster dog—the most addictive thing I’ve ever eaten.
As I take a few blissful bites in peace, planning to work the room again and get to know more of the ladies, a woman I haven’t seen before steps up beside me—way too close. She stares at the spread like she’s on a mission to find something specific.
“I suggest one of these,” I offer, holding up my lobster dog.
“Oh no,” she says, smiling. “Those’ll have you up in the middle of the night fiending.”
We both laugh.
“By the way, I’m Lindsay. Everybody calls me Linds. Jake Ruff’s wife. He’s a linebacker.”
I extend a hand. “Zara Morgan.”
“I know who you are,” she says, shaking my hand. “And congrats on taming the dog.”
Mid-bite, I freeze. “Huh?”
“Jaxon’s been… the ladies’ man.” She says it in a faux-announcer voice, clearly for effect.
My eyes narrow slightly. I think she’s trying to rattle me.
“Haven’t they all?” I reply coolly.
She doesn’t like that. Her tiny face scrunches into a sour expression.
“Not my husband,” she says, patting her chest, clearly offended.
Okay. So she’s one of those.
I’m not used to this kind of nonsense in real life—people walking up to me, starting petty drama like it’s their full-time job.
Then she leans in closer, glancing over both shoulders.
“Anyway,” she says, lowering her voice, “I thought you and Jaxon weren’t really a thing.”
My eyes widen slightly. I don’t even know how to respond without losing my cool.
“But if it is…” She raises her hands, bracelets and rings clinking. “My bad. I just thought… you did something to him a while back.”
My chin lifts. “I did what?”
“At a party when he was a rookie. Blew him off or something. He told Jake he’d never forgive you for that.”
I open my mouth, stunned. I had never seen Jaxon before I stepped out of that limo. What is this girl even talking about?
And why now? Why bring this up after the perfect moment we just shared?
“Is there anything else you want to get off your chest?” I ask, voice calm but laced with steel.
She blinks, then closes her eyes and exhales, almost repentantly. “Sorry, I just heard myself.” She steps closer. “If I were you, I’d want to know all of it. I’ve seen so many girls get hurt by these guys. They’ve got options—and a lot of them don’t know how to say no.
“I don’t know what changed between Jaxon claiming he couldn’t stand you until now, but… just be careful.” Then, breezily she adds, “And you know what? I think I will have the lobster dog.”
She plucks one from the platter and takes a bite, like she didn’t just drop a verbal bomb.
I’m momentarily paralyzed, sorting through it all.
“You’re right,” I finally say. “I would want to know.”
“Good,” she replies, already walking off.