16. Chapter 16
When the shuttle finally pulls up in front of the all-inclusive resort, I sigh in relief. After being on planes for almost eight hours, followed by this two-hour shuttle ride, I desperately need to stretch my legs.
But I would go through it all again just to be with Alyssa.
She made the whole day feel like an adventure, from running to catch our connecting flight to sharing her earbuds and watching movies she’d downloaded.
But the best part of the plane ride was when she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder.
It may not seem like much, but it felt monumental.
It gave me the perfect access to the intoxicating scent of her subtle floral perfume mixed with her coconut conditioner. I never thought of myself as a coconut-and-flowers kind of guy, but I’d happily inhale that scent over and over again. As long as it’s connected to her.
When the shuttle comes to a stop, I sling my backpack over my shoulder and grab all three of our suitcases, letting Alyssa carry only her backpack.
Alyssa steps off the shuttle and turns back to me. “I can take the small one.”
“I’ve got them.” I don’t want her to have to worry about lifting a finger when I’m around. It may not exactly scream I have feelings for you, but at least it will show her how she deserves to be treated. Like a queen. To know that she should never settle for less.
I carry the luggage off the shuttle and set it under the covered portico before easily wheeling it as we head toward the entrance.
My eyes take in the beautiful scenery around us.
The resort is nestled in a cove of palm trees and lush tree-covered mountains with the beach behind it.
It’s no wonder St. Lucia is said to be a romantic Caribbean destination.
The perfect environment to spend the next few days with Alyssa.
“No,” Alyssa groans. “I thought we had more time.”
I follow her gaze and immediately see what she's talking about. Or, rather, who. Bianca and Bradley are walking toward us and holding hands. Alyssa’s cousin is in a long dress that hugs her curves, leaving little to the imagination, while Bradley is wearing pants and a suit coat with no shirt underneath.
He’s not even jacked. More like a tall, lean string bean.
“You good?” I whisper loud enough for only Alyssa to hear.
She wraps her arm around my bicep, and I flex—a man’s gotta work with the tools he’s got.
“Yep.” She pops her lips.
I wish she would tell me what she’s really thinking, because obviously she’s not good right now. But I don’t have time to reassure her before we reach them.
“Welcome,” Bianca oozes in a fake, sickly sweet tone, but Bradley balks when he sees us.
I let go of the suitcase handles and extend my hand toward him. “Great seeing you again, Brandon.” I know his name, but after Alyssa told me his parents called her the wrong one recently, I can’t help but return the gesture.
His jaw tics as he squeezes my hand a little too tight. “It’s Bradley.”
I squeeze back harder, and he lets out a small whimper before yanking his hand back. I fight a smile. “Right, sorry, man. Crazy how it’s been”—I turn to Alyssa like we’re a couple coming up with the answer together—“what, three years?”
She nods. “Sounds about right.”
Bianca purses her lips and glares at us. “Bradley and I were shocked at the game to discover you were her plus-one, since we haven’t seen pictures of you together on either of your social media pages.”
I let go of the other suitcase and place my hand on Alyssa’s waist. “That’s my fault. With being such a public figure, I just wanted to keep my girl all to myself.” I look at Bradley. “Not that you would understand, but the media can be ruthless when it comes to relationships in the public eye.”
Bradley sneers. “Guess we lost the bet about her pretending he was her boyfriend,” he mumbles to Bianca just loud enough that we can still hear. I clench my hand into a fist as Alyssa shrinks beside me. I hate that anyone makes her feel small. Like less than the beautiful, kind human she is.
Bianca’s eyes narrow on her cousin. “So, you’ve really been together this whole time?”
Alyssa squeezes my side and looks up at me with a questioning gaze. We have a silent conversation that goes something like this:
Are we really doing this?
If you want to.
You don’t mind pretending in front of my whole family and the Vanderbilts?
I’m down if you are.
I offer her a reassuring smile, and she turns back toward the couple. “Uh-huh. That’s why I love to support my Pooh Bear at all his home games.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at the ridiculous nickname.
That’s smart, though. Sticking with the truth as much as possible will help uncomplicate things.
Or, at least, help them be as uncomplicated as they can be when we’re surrounded by her family and her ex’s family and pretending we’re dating when we’re really just friends.
Although, I hope to change that by the end of the trip.
“Well, I’m sure my family will talk your ear off all week.” Bradley makes a fist and knocks it against my arm. He pulls it back and shakes it out at his side like he just punched a wall rather than my limb. I cover my laughter with a cough.
“I’m always happy to talk to fans.” I pull Alyssa closer. “As long as there’s still plenty of time to spend with my little Sugar Lips.”
The fake pet name seems fitting since she first had powdered sugar on her lips when I met her.
“Well, you should really go get ready. You know there is a dress code for our events, and it looks like you’ll need some extra time to freshen up.” Bianca sneers.
Alyssa is wearing linen wide-leg pants with a tank top tucked into them.
The jean jacket she wore on the plane is draped over her arm, no longer needed in the Caribbean heat.
The light blue silk scarf in her high pony brings the whole look together.
Even though her curls are a little frizzy from her plane nap and a full day of travel, she’s still as beautiful as ever.
She has that kind of effortless beauty most people dream about, where she looks perfect without even trying.
So the fact that Bianca has the audacity to insult Alyssa sends my blood boiling.
It takes all my willpower not to tell her where she can shove her nasty comments.
Alyssa squeezes my side like she knows I’m riled up and she’s telling me her rude cousin isn’t worth it.
She’s right…
But I know she steers clear of any conflict, and I can’t stop myself from standing up for her and messing with these horrible people. Just a little bit.
“Oh, trust me, I plan on getting her out of these clothes immediately.” I wink.
Bianca gasps in horror while Bradley just looks dumbfounded.
I grab our suitcases before moving past them, and Alyssa sticks close to my side.
Once we’re in the resort lobby, I glance back to make sure we’re alone.
“Sorry,” I breathe. “I shouldn’t have said that, but I just hate the way she talks to you. ”
Alyssa doubles over and chuckles. When she finally stops laughing, she looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “Did you see their faces? And Sugar Lips?” She wipes a rogue tear away. “That was epic.”
“She’s probably clutching her pearls as we speak,” I say, thinking back to the day we met.
Alyssa clears her throat. “I’m going to check us in.”
I stand with our luggage and check my phone as she heads to the check-in desk. I shake my head when I see I’ve been added to a new group chat titled “Single ’Stangs” and have twenty-seven unread text messages.
HAYDEN
It’s about time we had a group chat.
FLETCH
I didn’t sign up for this.
COOPER
Me neither.
HAYDEN
Come on, guys! Don’t spoil the fun. We’re the only single Mustangs on the team, so we may as well accept it.
DAWSON
But Austin may not be single for long…
HAYDEN
TRUE
COOPER
I can feel your enthusiasm through your text.
HAYDEN
Goal accomplished.
COOPER
I’m too old for this.
FLETCH
I’m too cool for this.
HAYDEN
More like too LAME for this!
DAWSON
And this is why we’re still single.
COOPER
Has anyone heard from Austin?
DAWSON
Nope.
HAYDEN
Oh no, you don’t think there’s some crazy baseball fans who are holding him for ransom, do you??
COOPER
I think he can handle himself.
HAYDEN
AUSTIN, IF YOU CAN HEAR US, BLINK ONCE
FLETCH
How did you graduate high school, man?
HAYDEN
Rude! Sorry for being the only one who cares about Austin’s well-being.
DAWSON
He probably is too busy making googly eyes at Alyssa to respond.
HAYDEN
HEY-OOO!
FLETCH
Is it too late to leave the group chat?
HAYDEN
You’re stuck with us until you find a girl you stick with for longer than a weekend.
FLETCH
Fantastic.
COOPER
Austin, will you please let us know you’re alive?
And save me from these nincompoops.
HAYDEN
HA! You said poop.
I shake my head at my teammates. They’re really more like family at this point. An extremely dysfunctional one, but what family doesn’t have at least a little dysfunction?
ME
No need to start gathering the ransom money.
HAYDEN
HE LIVES!!!
ME
No crazed fans.
And no googly eyes either.
HAYDEN
How is she supposed to know you like her if you’re not making eyes at her?
DAWSON
Are you remembering the game plan?
ME
I’ve got the screenshot saved.
It’s impossible to forget how they bombarded me in my hotel room a few nights ago and came up with said game plan.
It wasn’t necessarily in those plans to pretend that we were a couple this week, but I don’t think it’ll hurt.
If anything, it will give me more opportunities to be close to her.
Touch her. Maybe even have a repeat of our first kiss, if I’m lucky.
I tear my gaze away from my phone screen when I hear Alyssa’s tone go high-pitched, sounding stressed. I slide it back in my pocket and reach for the luggage when she turns and walks back toward me, her face flushed.
“Good news. We have a place to stay.” She presses her lips together and holds up a key card. A singular key card. “But there’s only one room.”