CHAPTER 30 JOLENE
“I have some news,” he tells me.
God, he’s handsome when he wears a suit.
He’s handsome all the time, if I’m being honest, but there’s something about him in a suit that’s just extra delicious.
He’s taking my best friend to another event tonight, and I can’t help but wonder why I agreed to any of this. He’s here at Sam’s house waiting for her so they can leave.
He should be waiting for me so we could leave. Instead, it’s all lies, and I’m dressed in a demure and professional black dress rather than in the glittery silver gown I should be wearing as his date. Instead, Sam is wearing it. Sam will be holding his hand when they walk in. Sam will be in his arms while they dance.
And I’ll be capturing every bitter moment.
I’ve barely seen him since he’s been so wrapped up with OTAs, but we’ve texted back and forth every day, and we try to talk before bed if it works into both our schedules.
Sometimes it doesn’t, and those are the nights that feel most lonely.
Honestly it feels like he’s spent more time with Sam than me lately, and I hate the feeling of jealousy that comes along with that. This was something I agreed to even if it wasn’t my idea, and I know that in the long run, it’s for our own good.
Still, it hurts.
The boys are at their dads’ houses this weekend, and as the third week of OTAs comes to a close, the only time I’ve gotten to see him is during my media attendance at practices. It’s not exactly like we’ve had time for stolen moments for the two of us there.
But tonight, I’ll be attending the same event he and Sam are. I’m covering it since it’s an Aces function, a VIP meet and greet with some members of the coaching staff and some players—something to give loyal fans an exciting experience.
Under normal circumstances, I’d be thrilled for an experience like this.
Tonight, however, I’m dreading it.
“What is it?” I ask.
“My parents are here this weekend house hunting. They, uh, found something and their offer was already accepted. They took me by it this morning. It’s only a few minutes from my place.”
“Only a few minutes,” I echo.
“Yeah,” he murmurs.
Sam chooses that moment to emerge in that glittery gown, and I press my lips together, unable to formulate any sort of witty response as it feels like one more big thing stacked against us.
It was one thing to know they were thinking about it. It’s another to know they found a house and they’re actually going through with it.
What will it be like to have Eddie and Missy Nash in town?
Who knows, but the rare storms that haven’t let up all day seem to be some indication that even the heavens think this is a bad plan.
“Did I hear that right?” Sam asks, not bothering to wait for the compliments on how gorgeous she looks. She really does. She looks like a little pixie princess, and I’m over here trying to maintain my professionalism since I’m working the event. “Your parents are moving to town?”
“Yes,” Lincoln says, his tone more clipped with her than it was with me. “Which is why I think we need to take this to the next level.”
My brows draw together, and Sam’s jaw drops a little.
“Meaning what, exactly?” Sam asks.
“Meaning we stage a meet the parents.” He doesn’t shrug or ask it like a question. Instead, it’s a confident answer that leaves me feeling a little sick to my stomach.
“You want me to meet your parents?” she squeaks.
He presses his lips together and nods. “And I also think it would be a good idea for the two of you to have a public falling out. It’ll make this more believable to people like Rivera, who already have some inside intelligence on you.” He motions between himself and Sam with the word this, and he turns toward me at the end.
I know he’s right.
But that doesn’t mean there’s a single part of me that likes it.
“What if we have a public falling out because you two get engaged?” I ask. The words slip out as a ridiculous suggestion. A joke. A way to poke fun at this utterly ludicrous situation.
But to my complete shock, Lincoln turns slowly in my direction. He pins me to my place with his gaze for a beat, and then he says, “Now there is an idea.”
“What?” Sam gasps.
My eyes widen as I just stare at him.
“Do we want this to be believable?” he asks. “I just said I need to escalate things with Sam. That would be escalating them.”
“I was kidding!” I protest.
“I thought escalate meant, like, making more appearances together,” Sam says. “Not getting engaged. I can’t get engaged to you. What would Cade think? I feel guilty for leading him to believe we’re together in the first place.” She shakes her head. “Forget it. It’s a no from me.”
“Okay,” Lincoln says, holding up his hands. “I’ll drop it. But the offer is on the table if you change your mind.”
Maybe he’s right.
Regardless, as for my part, well…I need to have a very public fight with my best friend just to ensure nobody puts two and two together.
And after the event, I’ll go home. I’ll put on a hoodie and take Sam’s car to Lincoln’s place, where I’ll get to spend the night with him. Alone.
That part I’m looking forward to.
The rest? Not so much.
“I need to go,” I say, and I turn to leave.
Lincoln grabs my arm on the way by and somehow spins me so I fall against his chest. “Hey, Jo. We’re doing this so we can be together. Don’t forget that.”
I blink my eyes a few times to try to ward off the tears, and then I nod. He presses a soft kiss to my lips before I head out the door.
And as I make my way toward the hotel on the Strip where the event is located tonight, I can’t help but think this is all wrong.
It’s silly to hide what the two of us have. It’s putting more strain on us when we’re adults who can make these decisions for ourselves.
Maybe I should just come clean to my parents. Maybe it won’t really be so bad.
But as I navigate through the crowded streets toward my destination and walk into the event where some of the coaches, players, guests, and members of the media—including Ryan Rivera—are already starting to gather ahead of tonight’s event, the rest of the reality grips me. It’s not just the fact that our families will feel the harsh sense of betrayal.
It’s my job as a reporter representing women in a field that doesn’t have enough women in it.
It’s Lincoln’s job as a coach who’s new to this city trying to navigate his first season with the press on his side.
I’m reminded for the millionth time why we can’t be together, and I’m left with a sharp sense of despair that only worsens when the man I love walks in with his date…my best friend.