3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Nila
His driving is out of control.
“You’re going to give yourself a heart attack.” Cameron cackles, his hand resting casually on the steering wheel—like he wasn’t just going over a hundred miles per hour down the freeway like a lunatic.
“Just tell me when we’re there,” I say, my eyes shut.
“We’re there,” he says, taking a sharp right turn. The momentum throws me over the center console, and I slam into the big hockey player’s shoulder. Instinctually, I clench my eyelids shut and latch onto his bicep, clinging to him for dear life. Even though he’s the one with murderous driving habits.
But wow, he’s got incredible arms—and smells like a masculine ocean spray.
“Um...” His voice trails off as we’re suddenly sitting still. “You can open your eyes now. We’re here—at your hotel.”
My eyes flutter open, and I drop my hands, sitting up straight and pushing my hair out of my face. I clear my throat and avoid his amused gaze. “What’s the dress code for your party?”
“Well, it’s not really a party. It’s just a get-together.”
“Okay, so what’s the dress code?” My heart’s still racing in my chest. “My goal is to not stand out. I’m just going to be in the background.”
“You’re a redhead. You’re going to stand out.”
My mouth drops open. “Wow, and you’re a—”
“Just go change into something comfortable,” he cuts me off, leaning back against the leather seat. He looks achingly handsome with his blond hair and troubled hazel eyes. He’s the epitome of an NHL player, standing over six feet tall, his body athletic and muscular. Not to mention, the dimples on his cheeks are adorable.
But I shake off the thought as I climb out of the car. I’m well aware that pretty much everything about Cameron Hastens is a red flag. He’s a hothead with model ex-girlfriends … and he’s a crazy driver, too.
I’m here for business and business alone.
I won’t let him charm his way under my skin .
“Hurry back,” he calls after me as I shut the car door .
I roll my eyes as I head inside, my heels clicking against the pavement. This is one of the most high-profile jobs I’ve taken on, and if it goes well, I’ll have a stand-out resume.
I walk through the abstract lobby covered in strange artwork and head straight for the elevator. I smash the up button and wait.
I wonder what his friends will be like.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little intimidated about following around a person like Cameron. Up until this point, most of my clients have been CEOs or associates of large companies who struggle with creating a social media presence. They’re typically introverted and, honestly, easy. They’re desperate for my help, so they’re like moldable clay.
But Cameron?
Yeah, no. He’s like trying to mold a rock. I definitely have my work cut out for me.
I ride the elevator up to the fourth floor and then step off, making my way to room 419. It’s a long walk, but I make it quickly. The last thing I want is for Cameron to get the idea to leave me. Though I’m sure if he did, it would fall back on him … but it wouldn’t look good for me either.
Swiping my key card, I push the door handle down and enter the room. My suitcase is still lying open on the bed. I didn’t get here soon enough to get settled in, but it’ll have to wait until later. I sift through its contents and pull out my light-wash jeans and a black long-sleeved blouse. I strip down and redress, sliding on a pair of Vans platform slip-ons. They aren’t Nikes, but I’ll still be able to keep up.
I toss my dirty clothes to the side and do a quick check in the mirror. My hair is a little frizzy, but I don’t have time to mess with it. I swap to a crossbody purse and head out.
As I make my way down the hallway, the anticipation builds in my chest. I take a deep breath and clutch my necklace, running my thumb over the little silver heart pendant, feeling the cool metal beneath my fingertips. This necklace belonged to my gran, and I’ve worn it every day since she passed away. It’s my good luck charm, a reminder that she’s always looking out for me.
“Took you long enough,” Cameron says dryly as I make it back to the car. I ignore him, climbing in and reaching for my seatbelt. Lord knows I’ll need it. He grunts something under his breath—which I also ignore—and pulls out of the parking lot, taking off down the street.
I reach into my purse, fishing out my phone and looking for any missed notifications. Unsurprisingly, there are no new text messages, but I still check anyway. Then I make my way to my social media notifications. There’s a lot. Just like always.
I don’t know why I even care what strangers have to say on my posts …
But still. The loneliness drives me to read through them.
“This is just a get-together.” Cameron’s voice cuts into my thoughts. “So I don’t know what you think you’re going to do—but I can assure you, there won’t be anything interesting to take pictures of…”
“I don’t need anything interesting . I can make a walk in the park look interesting,” I tell him, locking my phone screen. “It’s not about what you do, it’s about how you do it.”
He makes a face at me. “Well, good luck. I hate taking pictures.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. My mom used to take a ton of pictures, and I guess I just don’t like it now.”
“Right.” I frown.
Must be nice to have one of those.
I chide myself for the bitter thought. It’s only coming from a place of grief. I don’t really have a mom. Well, I mean, I do, but she’s not interested in my life, usually.
“Does your phone always do that?”
I furrow my brow. “What?”
“It’s like a light show with all those notifications.”
I glance down at it, seeing the notifications for Instagram and TikTok mentions and likes lighting up my lock screen. I shrug at him. “Yeah, well, I have a lot of followers on social media. It’s part of the gig. And there’s always something going on.”
He curls his lip up in disapproval as he turns into a neighborhood, towering with modern, urban houses. “This is where Blaze lives. ”
Blaze...
Which one is he?
I created a full breakdown of all the players, complete with pictures and stats. I quickly scan through my mental database, recalling the name Blaze belonging to a hotshot right-winger who’s been on the team for nearly a decade.
“Blaze, Kade, and Dylan will be there,” Cameron continues, eyeing me. “And then some of our other friends, but those three are my closest teammates. Might as well be family to me.”
“Noted,” I say, ignoring the pang of jealousy. I have tons of friends—more than most people prefer, probably—but not a single one of them would fall under the category of family. Come to think of it, the majority of them are more like acquaintances or people I’ve met through social media.
I have more followers now than ever, yet I’ve never felt more lonely.
It wasn’t always this way, though. I used to have close friendships. And I had a best friend in Gran. But after she passed away two years ago, I became more … isolated. I guess it’s just easier to keep people at arm’s length, especially when the possibility of losing them is always looming over my head.
But I’m not here to wallow in self-pity.
I’m here to work, and that’s what I intend to do.
I do my best to brush off these feelings as Cameron parks behind a massive Jeep, lifted with gaudy tires and wheels. “Who drives that? ”
“Dylan,” Cameron answers, killing the engine and pushing open the door. “When you meet him, you’ll understand.”
“Fair enough.” I follow him out of the car and up to the front door, my heart anxiously pounding in my chest. Attending these kinds of events for work is normal, but for some reason, I’m not feeling as comfortable.
And I blame Cameron’s abrasiveness for that.
For some reason, I expect him to knock on the door or ring the doorbell, but instead, he pushes down on the door handle and steps right inside.
“Oh look who finally made it!” a deep voice calls out from the living room, which is just off the elegant entryway. “It’s about time.”
“Yeah, well, that meeting sucked,” Cameron replies, glancing back at me. He saunters off toward the group, all circled around a TV. I recognize three of the men from the team photos, and then there’s a blonde, gorgeous woman next to the guy who just spoke to Cameron.
And that’s it.
I’m one of two women at this gathering.
“Who’s that?” A dark-headed, golden-eyed guy gestures to me.
“Oh, right.” Cameron groans, stepping to the side. “This is Nila. She’s going to be stalking me for a while.” He turns to me. “Nila, these are my teammates, Kade”—the one who just spoke—“Blaze”—the older one sitting with the blonde—“and Dylan.” He points to a guy who looks like the equivalent of a playboy, just by the way he’s sitting there, his caramel hair perfectly styled. “And this is Addy.” Cameron laughs as the blonde girl raises her hand. “She’s Blaze’s best friend.”
I nod, taking them all in. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
“Nice to meet you,” Addy responds with a big grin. “So, you’re the social media specialist they hired to clean up Cam’s mess?”
“Yeah, that’s me.” I smile, watching Cameron plop down on the loveseat across from his friends. “And if it’s okay with everyone, I’d like to take a few photos. I have a lot of work to do.”
“No kidding,” Dylan mutters. “Cam is practically nonexistent on the internet.”
“That’s about to change,” I say, keeping a smile plastered on my face as I pull out my phone.
“I like her already.” Addy beams, wiggling her eyebrows at Cameron. “I think she’s going to be good for you.”
The face he makes is difficult to read, but I don’t give it much thought.
I take a seat in the armchair opposite everyone. A few moments later, they’re all chatting and talking like I’m not even there.
Perfect.
“What do you want to drink?” a voice calls as I snap a few shots of Addy and Blaze, struck by the way he puts his arm around the seat behind her. Honestly, if someone hadn’t told me they were best friends, I would’ve assumed they were dating or something. “Nila?”
I blink a couple of times, looking up from my phone to see Cameron looming over me. “Um, I’ll just have water, thanks.”
“Water? Seriously?”
“Um, is there something wrong with my choice of hydration?”
He raises a brow at me but shakes his head. “No, I just kind of pegged you as a cocktail kind of girl.”
“Well, I guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” I smirk.
He runs his tongue along his bottom lip, and my stomach does a few flips at the sight. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
With that, he disappears from the room. As he walks out, I realize everyone is staring at me.
And then they laugh.
My cheeks grow red, but I try to swallow the embarrassment by hiding behind my phone. I use it to look busy often in my personal life …
But typically when I’m working, I don’t have this level of discomfort.
“He’ll lighten up.” Addy smiles at me. “He’s just trying to give you a hard time.”
“I think you’re handling him well,” Kade says, leaning against the arm of the black leather couch .
“Thanks.” I sigh and set my phone down. “Is there anything else I should know?”
Dylan leans forward, meeting my gaze. “He hates social media, and if you haven’t already, you’re going to get a spiel about how awful it is and how it ruins everyone’s lives.”
“Ah, yes.” Blaze chuckles. “Let’s not forget just how bad technology is.”
Great. So, he’s the kind of guy who probably thinks my job is useless.
“But don’t let all that scare you.” Addy swats Blaze, shooting him a warning look that makes me smile. “Cam is a good guy and he’s loyal to a fault. I think you’ll have a lot to work with once he gets used to you.”
I nod, trying to mentally prepare myself for this endeavor.
I can already tell it’s going to be a wild ride.