Chapter 10 #3
Coach scrubbed his black beard with flecks of gray. “You have to understand I know my players well and I can tell when something’s off.”
“It’s not a publicity stunt,” I gritted out. Annoyance slowly crept in. I was getting tired of their questionnaire. “I respect the hell out of you both, but I suggest you choose your next words carefully, because when it comes to Kennedy, I’m not in the mood to play games.”
An overwhelming instinct stirred inside me. One that made me want to shield Kennedy from everything and everyone. It didn’t make a damn lick of sense. A strong woman like her didn’t need a protector. But damn it all, I was still going to do it even if it was the last thing I did.
Coach Sloane was stunned. He looked almost…proud? But he schooled his face quickly.
Anthony thinned his lips, and something like amusement passed over his eyes. But he concealed it just as quickly. “I believe you. And I’m happy for you. You need a woman like Kennedy in your life.”
“A woman who can put you in your place,” Coach commented, amusement dripping from his tone. “And we all know how much she loves to do that.”
I stifled a laugh, because yeah, they weren’t wrong.
“You’re dismissed,” Anthony said.
I quickly nodded and mumbled, “Thanks.”
As soon as I stepped out of the office, I exhaled the biggest sigh of relief known to man.
Later that day, I was at the players’ gym with Hayes getting some weightlifting done.
Just because I was going to start missing training some weekends, didn’t mean I couldn’t fit in some workouts during our days off.
Hayes was even more obsessed with the gym than I was, so it was easy to convince my best friend to tag along with me.
“Can you spot me?” I asked Hayes as I set up the bench press. “I’m trying to see if I can bench over 300 pounds today.”
Hayes dragged his cropped workout shirt across his forehead to clean his sweat then nodded. “Fucking hell, dude. Are you trying to break a record or something?”
“I never stop training, not even during the off-season. You know that.”
Laying off training during the off-season was difficult for me. Many praised my dedication, while others thought I was too self-centered and wanted to stay on top of my physique for, hell…I didn’t know. People would twist shit until it didn’t make sense.
The reality, however, was much darker.
Overworking myself was engraved in my psyche the same way permanent ink made its way into one’s skin when getting a tattoo.
The way my father taught me discipline wasn’t kind, to say the least. From the ages of four until fourteen, underneath my father’s thumb, his voice seeped in and took residency inside my head.
By the time my mother walked away, it was too late to shut his voice out. And believe me…I tried.
You have a name to live up to. You’re an Anderson. Being a failure isn’t in our vocabulary.
You’re a disgrace. You’ll never make it to the big leagues.
It was funny in a ha-ha-here-go-my-daddy-issues-showing-up-once-again type of way. I’d fought my whole life to become the opposite of what my father was, but there I was—nothing to show for it.
I couldn’t lie to myself either. Training at the gym, doing drills until I couldn’t feel my legs anymore, tamed the unwelcome beast that resided in me. When my blood pumped with anger, when anxiety flickered through me with unpleasant thoughts, my discipline was there to center me.
He laughed. “Right.” He stood before me and darted his hands out while I started my warm-up reps. “What happened with Anthony today? Did he chew you up because of the pictures?”
“One sec.” I gritted out and counted the last five reps then placed the barbell back where it belonged. I huffed a breath as I sat up, grabbed my water bottle, and took a sip. “They think we’re dating.”
His gaze snapped to mine in shock. “What?”
I leaned forward on the bench and rested my elbows above my knees with a weary sigh. There was no point in hiding the truth from Hayes. Or any of the guys, for that matter. They knew me too well.
I reluctantly began explaining everything, including the fact that this whole situation had been my idea.
Once I was done, a silence so heavy you could hear a pin drop settled between us for a good fifteen seconds until Hayes started laughing hysterically.
His face was red from his hearty laughs as his shoulders shook uncontrollably and he struggled to catch his breath.
“Why the fuck are you laughing?”
“God, you are so pathetic.” He snorted another loud laugh. “You’re so down bad for this woman, you somehow convinced her to fake date you?”
“Are you not listening to me?” I threw the bottle of water at him, but the fucker quickly snatched it with his quick reflexes. “I’m doing this for her. I don’t want her to get in trouble.”
The asshole fell onto the floor and held his belly as he kept laughing. “Who knew you were so fucking dense?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Can you stop insulting me?”
He sat and crisscrossed his legs as he took a deep breath, finally calming himself down. “Anderson, Kennedy is a big girl. She would have been fine.”
“I wasn’t willing to take the risk, okay?” I groaned. “Forget I told you anything. Let it go.”
“Accept you like her, and I’ll gladly let it go.”
“I. Don’t. Like. Her.” I enunciated every word through clenched teeth. Sometimes I wanted to smack Hayes’s head against the wall, because fuck, was he annoying.
He was right, but still annoying.
He scoffed and stared at me in disbelief. “I’m your best friend. You can admit it to me.”
I closed my eyes and cracked my neck to let go of some of the tension that was creeping up my shoulders from this conversation. “Okay,” I relented. “I have the tiniest crush on her. Always have,” I mumbled.
“I mean, yeah, all of us know that already. You’re not slick, you know?” Hayes raised an eyebrow. “But dude…fake dating? Seriously?”
“I came up with this idea to help her.”
I didn’t know what I could have said to make him believe me, but it was the truth.
I’d witnessed Kennedy work her ass off since she stepped foot into this place.
If anyone deserved the promotion, it was her.
She didn’t deserve to lose a huge opportunity because of a picture that was taken out of context.
“Fair. I believe you. I know the world thinks you’re a dick, but you’re a decent man. You saw the love of your life—”
I cut him off. “I don’t love her. I just can’t get her out of my head, and I wouldn’t mind if we, I don’t know…” I shrugged. “Slept together once, so I can finally get her off my system.”
He gave me a sly smile. “You wanna be her rebound?”
Her rebound, of course. How hadn’t I thought about it before? It was the perfect solution to this little dilemma.
Except, she didn’t like me. So, how exactly was I going to convince her to sleep with me?
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I wouldn’t mind being her boy toy until she gets over her shitty ex.”
“Those are big shoes to fill. She was engaged, right?”
“For three years,” I murmured. “I can’t believe she was going to marry that asshole.”
“Jealous much?” He mocked.
“Shut the fuck up,” I said.
I had no reason to be jealous of him. He was the epitome of a finance bro.
With his blond hair and perfect white teeth.
The guy hadn’t done a hard day of work—a total trust fund kid if I’d ever seen one.
I pictured Kennedy with someone who could match her challenging energy, but also someone who could lift her and be her number one supporter.
And let’s just say Joe-the-Ken-Doll gave the most misogynistic vibes.
I could tell by looking at him that he was a total piece of shit.
Hayes clasped his hands and stood to grab his phone from the sound system. His eyes sparkled, and knowing Wesley fucking Hayes, when those green eyes danced with mirth, I had to start coming up with different scenarios on how to dig myself out of whatever hole he was about to drag me into.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Time to summon the Ka-Chow Kings,” he exclaimed eagerly.
“No,” I growled and stood from the bench, almost tripping onto the mat as I tried to reach for his phone. I was a second too late, because my phone pinged with a text.
With a defeated sigh, I brought my phone out of my pocket as text notifications started filtering in.
KA-CHOW KINGS
Wesley Hayes added Nicolas Owens to the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
Hayes
Gentlemen, we have been summoned.
Owens
Nope.
Nicolas Owens left the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
Hayes
Donovan, do something. This is IMPORTANT!
Liam Donovan added Nicolas Owens to the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
Donovan
Owens, stay. Captain orders.
Owens
Fine. But this better be worth it. I can’t stand looking at this chat’s name any longer.
Me
Guys, this is NOT important. Do not listen to Hayes.
Donovan
I’ll be the judge.
Hayes
Okay, okay. Before I proceed, did everyone see the article about Anderson and Kenny this morning?
Donovan
Yes.
Donovan
Parker, stop lurking. You do know we can see who reads these messages, right?
Parker
Yes.
Morgan
Yup.
Owens
If I say no, can I leave this chat?
Donovan
Nope.
Owens
Worth a fucking try.
Hayes
Wellllllll, it turns out our boy here has decided to play the hero and FAKE date Kenny to “save” her job. Though if you ask me, it sounds like he’s in love.
Donovan
Sounds like Anderson pulled a page right out of the romance books my wife loves to read.
Owens
This is painful. Someone kill me now.
Parker
Oh, Donovan, can you tell Aurora to send me a few recs?
Donovan
The fuck you need recs for?
Parker
Those authors know what they’re doing. I can always learn a thing or two.
Morgan
You don’t need any recs, Parker. You’re enough of a liability as it is.
Parker
Are you slut shaming me?
Morgan
Yes. But we still love you, Parker. Slut and all.
Hayes
Can we get back to the topic?
Me
Actually, can we not?
Hayes
We need a plan to make Kennedy fall in love with Anderson.
Me
No, we don’t. Hayes, this is ridiculous. I’m literally going to kill you. Like, kill you dead. Write your will and say your goodbyes. Maybe have one last good fuck, because you’re done walking this Earth.
Owens
Are there other ways of killing someone that don’t end in…death? I’m confused.
Donovan
I have an idea. I’m going to ask Aurora for the best fake dating books and have Anderson read them.
Hayes
Oooooohh.
Parker
Smart.
Morgan
*spitting drink and laughing GIF*
Me
Not happening.
Hayes
Okay. We won’t force you to read, I guess. So what can we do?
Me
How about, uhm…I don’t know, STOP MEDDLING IN MY LIFE. HAS THAT THOUGHT EVER CROSSED YOUR MIND?
Morgan
Donovan, you can ask Aurora what those fictional guys do in those fake dating books so Anderson can do them. Kind of like tips and tricks he can use.
Owens
Morgan, I thought you were the sensible one in this group? That is a terrible idea.
Morgan
Oh, I know it is, but sometimes I need some entertainment. You know?
Morgan
*evil laughter GIF*
Donovan
One sec. Asking.
Hayes
OMG, why am I kind of nervous?
Owens
Because you’re an idiot.
Me
I’m done with this.
Henry Anderson left the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
Liam Donovan added Henry Anderson to the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
Donovan
Okay. I got the information. And you better fucking use it because she hit me in the head with her book for interrupting her. The enemies were about to become lovers, whatever the hell that means.
Hayes
I’m on the edge of my seat.
Me
You’re literally standing up right now????
Hayes
Figure of speech! Ever heard of it?
Donovan
She said the things these books have in common are some sort of contract, or rules, or whatever.
Also, fake dates. And during these dates, while she thinks they’re fake, for you, it’s an opportunity to show her your real self or something.
She needs to see that you’re a sensible guy.
Bonus points if you are some troubled, broody guy with a dark past. Oh, and be overprotective, but don’t be an alpha male asshole.
Apparently, there is a fine line between the two.
Donovan
I don’t understand half of the things she’s saying, btw. I’m only the messenger.
Hayes
This is gold. Kiss Aurora and thank her for me. And tell her I miss her. She hasn’t been to a game in a while.
Donovan
She said that if you miss her so much then you should give her your mom’s potato salad recipe.
Hayes
Okay, I love your wife, but I don’t love her that much. That’s not happening.
Donovan
Worth a try, I guess.
Donovan
She’s also forcing me to tell you all that fiction and the real world are completely different…and that we’re all idiots.
Owens
Are we done?
Donovan
Yup.
Owens
Thank fuck.
Nicolas Owens left the KA-CHOW KINGS chat
“That went well.” Hayes grinned.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “God, give me strength,” I murmured to myself. “Don’t you think you’re taking this prank a little too far?”
“I’m quite offended you think this is a prank. I’m doing this for you. You want to be her little boy toy, right?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Well, call me your god fairy, because I’m going to make all of your dreams come true.”
Convincing Hayes to let this go was going to be as futile as trying to get past a rock-solid defense on a 5-on-3 penalty kill. So I had no other option but to let it go and hope he got distracted with something else. As he normally would.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m done with this conversation. I have to finish training.”
He gave me a knowing look but nodded, and we both got back to our training. But all I could think about was how risky this situation was already becoming. An idiotic part of me wondered, would it be a bad idea to listen to the guys?
What was the worst that could happen?
She would either kick me in the balls and say no, or…it could end up becoming something fun.
It was a dangerous thought. One I shouldn’t have been entertaining.
But at this point, I knew I was going to make yet another drastic decision.
And hope with all my being it would pay off.