Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
The next afternoon, Reese sat in the viewing room, watching film of the San Francisco Wolves.
“Still crazy that they beat the Rattlers.”
Reese turned to watch Joel Callan, the Kings offensive coordinator, walk into the viewing room. He sat next to Reese, wincing at the particularly tough hit on the Rattlers running back on the screen.
“They have an amazing team this year,” Reese commented. “Their defense has kept most teams to less than twenty points per game. It’s going to be an uphill battle.”
“It’s a good thing we have a killer team, too,” Joel said.
A short laugh came from Reese. “We do. But they do too.”
“I would tell you not to worry, but I can’t say that it doesn’t make me worry a little bit, too,” Joel replied, leaning back in his chair. “But I know we’ll give it our all.”
“True,” Reese replied.
They went quiet, and Reese jotted down some notes as he watched, his mind soon wandering to other things.
Sutton had stayed to celebrate the championship with them, the celebration lasting well into the late hours.
When the party finally wound down, he took her home. She fell asleep on his shoulder as he drove, and when they arrived at her apartment, he waited until she woke up to let her know.
When she questioned why, he told her he wanted to let her sleep.
The sleepy smile she gave him almost broke his control, but he managed to hold on as she got out and disappeared into her building.
He shifted as discreetly as possible into the chair at the memory and snuck a peek at Joel, whose attention was on the phone in his hand.
“Hey,” he said, holding it out to Reese, “isn’t this the foundation where Sutton works?”
“It is,” Reese replied, taking in the social media post. “It’s a charity ball?”
Joel nodded. “Looks like it’s next Thursday.” He looked up at Reese. “Did she tell you about this?”
Reese shook his head. “She didn’t. With the kids’ event Wednesday, I’d imagine she’s a bit busy.”
Reese was surprised by how quickly it had all come together.
Tito had called him on Friday afternoon to let him know it was all set up, and they would shoot the event with the families who were chosen from the foundation.
Reboot loved the idea of the community aspect, and since the Kings were now the champions bound for the big game, they were eager to do the event.
Reese was relatively certain they had a commercial slot, so this would get a lot of eyes on their new shoe line, making the company look good in the process.
She was busy with this charity ball, then I added the kids’ event to her plate.
He sighed, upset with himself.
“What’s the matter?”
He looked back at Joel. “I was so focused on getting this sponsorship that I didn’t even think about how it would affect her. She was busy with things and when I asked for her help, she didn’t even hesitate to say yes.”
Well, there was some hesitation, but in the end, it all worked out.
He couldn’t help feeling bad, though.
“Will you share it?” Reese asked. Joel shrugged with a nod. “Sure. Where to?”
“To your stories is fine. Make sure you tag the foundation, though.” Reese tugged his phone from his pocket and pulled up Instagram.
He searched for the foundation and pulled up the post. Clicking the share button, he posted it to his stories and tagged the foundation and Sutton’s personal account, having followed both of them after they set up their arrangement.
Looking at the post once more, he tucked his phone back into his pocket and went back to watching.
They were quiet for a few minutes before Joel asked, “Do you think she will invite you to it?”
Reese shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s a work thing, so she might not want me there.”
Joel gave him a look. “Why wouldn’t she want you there?”
Because our relationship is a sham.
“It’s a work thing, and not to toot my own horn or anything, but I am a little bit famous. I don’t want anything to take away from her night.”
Joel’s laugh filled the room. “What a humble man you are.”
“It’s true, though. I have celebrities that follow me,” Reese replied, tugging his phone from his pocket. He held it up. “Jace Austin, the country star, follows me.”
Joel rolled his eyes. “Get back to me when it’s a movie star or something.”
“That was cold, dude,” Reese said, looking back down at his phone.
One of Sutton’s photos from her personal account appeared as he scrolled, her blue eyes gazing back at him through the screen.
It was a simple picture—just one of her in a light-pink sweater and jeans—but it was beautiful.
Damn.
He knew it would be hard to pretend to be dating her, but he didn’t know it would be this hard. She was a pretty amazing woman.
Joel drew his attention back to the film when he shouted a curse. Reese looked back in time to see a referee get tackled accidentally.
“Sutton!”
She looked up as Carrie rushed into her office.
“What’s the matter?”
Carrie set her phone down in front of Sutton, and her eyes widened.
“Is that the foundation’s Instagram page?”
Carrie nodded, an errant red curl falling from her bun.
“Nine thousand followers? We only had seventy-five hundred this morning,” Sutton said, looking back down. “Did you ask Mirabel about it?”
“She hasn’t answered yet.” Carrie looked down at her phone, then back at Sutton. “Do you think your new boyfriend had anything to do with this?”
“I doubt one man could have that much of an impact,” Sutton said, leaning back in her chair to cross her arms.
“You know y’all are all over the news right now, right?” Carrie asked, pulling up an article from People Magazine.
“Hot and heavy in Knoxville? Please,” Sutton said. “It was just a kiss. I don’t know why it was such a big deal.”
Carrie pinned her with a stare. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Sutton replied, shuffling some papers on her desk.
“It’s a huge deal. He got hurt, and the first thing he looked for after was you.” Carrie let out a dreamy sigh. “It was so romantic.”
If only she knew.
She was, of course, genuinely worried about him when he got hit. She had seen enough hits on vulnerable players that caused permanent damage, then they ended up retiring much earlier than expected.
An email popped up on Carrie’s phone, and she dragged the notification down to open it.
“Most of the Kings football players have shared the charity ball post to their stories, and the followers are from them sharing it. It started with Joel Callan and Reese Vaughn, apparently.”
“So, it didn’t start with Reese; instead, it was Joel. Reese probably saw it after Joel shared it and shared it, too.”
Carrie gave her a peculiar look. “Does it matter that Reese wasn’t the first to share it?”
Sutton’s eyes widened, realizing she might have given away her feelings.
“It doesn’t,” she said, turning away from Carrie’s phone and back to her work.
“You’re a terrible liar,” Carrie whispered as she picked up her phone. “It does matter, but I can’t figure out why you’re trying to hide how you feel when he’s supposed to be your boyfriend.”
“Carrie, it’s a new relationship,” Sutton said, her head starting to hurt. “I’m trying not to overdo it. But it’s hard because I do kind of like him.”
Sutton had a feeling she was in trouble.
This fake relationship isn’t feeling so fake anymore.
“Oh my God!” Carrie exclaimed, pressing a hand to her heart.
“What now?” Sutton asked, laughing as Carrie let out a squeal.
“Jace Austin just shared the post!”
“Jace Austin the country singer?”
Carrie deflated, and she gave Sutton an irritated look. “Yes, of course.”
Sutton laughed, and Carrie scowled. “You’re awful sometimes, you know that?”
“I know.” Sutton tucked her hands under her chin. “But you like me anyways.”
Carrie muttered something about needing this job, but her scowl turned into a smile. “Do you think Jace will come to the charity ball? Imagine him coming? I’d seriously have to up my outfit game.”
“If Jace is there, he will tell you how gorgeous you look, I know it,” Sutton said, her smile turning into a grin.
“You think so?”
Sutton nodded. “Absolutely.”
She sighed, dropping into the chair across from Sutton, then pinned her with a glance. “Did you finish your speech yet?”
Sutton pursed her lips together. “Yes.”
“You’re still a terrible liar, you know,” Carrie pointed out. “How much have you gotten done?”
“I think about half,” Sutton replied, digging through the paperwork on her desk. “Here it is.”
She read through it, cringing as she did. “I hate it.”
Carrie stood and plucked it from her hands, scanning what she had before she looked back at her. “May I?”
Sutton motioned for her to go ahead, and her assistant left her office and headed for her desk.
“Thank you, Carrie!”
A wave was all she got in reply, and Sutton laughed as she turned back to her work at hand.
Reese sat on his couch later that evening, downing the takeout he’d ordered as his cheat meal for the week when his phone went off.
Sutton
Hi.
Reese
Hi. How are you?
Sutton
Good. How was your day today?
Reese
It was good. I watched some film with Joel to get ready for the big game, then did a quick workout. Now I’m chilling at home with some Chinese.
Sutton
That sounds delicious.
Reese
It is. How was your day?
Sutton
It was good. The foundation got over 1500 followers today, which I have the entire Kings football team to thank for. Would you tell Joel thank you for sharing it so everyone could see it?
“Way to take the credit, Callan,” he muttered with a laugh. He was willing to let him have it this time.
Reese
Sure. I’ll let him know for you.
That’s awesome that you guys got so many followers. Are you excited about the charity ball?
The little dots popped up, then disappeared, then popped up again.
Sutton
I am, a little. It’s been a lot of work to pull it together, but I think it’s all ready to go. I have to thank y’all for all the donations, too. That was a cool surprise to find out before I left for the day.
Reese’s eyes rounded.
Donations?
He pulled up Instagram and went to the shared post, actually reading it this time.
There was a site for people to donate, so he went and made a small donation anonymously.
Reese
I’m glad to hear it. The guys are always down to help with donations if they can.
Sutton
Well, it’s much appreciated.
Reese
Do you have an outfit picked out?
He waited for her response as he downed the rest of his Chinese, looking down at his phone when it went off again.
Jace Austin
Hey Reese! How are you?
Reese
Hey! I’m good. You?
Jace
Hanging out, doing well. I wanted to ask you something.
Reese
Sure, what’s up?
Jace
I saw that charity ball for Somebody’s Child, and I was wondering if you were going. If you are, I was hoping I could get an invite. Especially since Callie is supposed to be there, too.
Reese’s eyes rounded. Callie McCoy was another country artist who was on the path to stardom, often compared to famous faces like Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert.
Sounds like someone has a crush on Callie.
Reese
I’m sure they would love to have you there. Let me get back to you.
Jace
Thanks, brother. Let me know, and I’ll talk to my team.
Reese
Will do.
He shut the text thread and opened the one with Sutton as her text appeared.
Sutton
I had a dress picked out, but I just got word from our representative at the Knoxville Convention Center that we’ve had a lot of interest from influential people about attending the event. So, I went ahead and changed the dress code to formal. I don’t think I have anything that will work for that.
Reese
I have a friend who has a boutique we could check out. Would you be interested in looking? I also had another question.
Sutton
I’d like that. What’s the question?
He took a deep breath, wondering what her response would be, especially since it was after the kids’ event, so they no longer had to play the part of being together.
Reese
I wanted to know if you wanted me to come with you.
He waited for a response, but when it didn’t come, he tossed his phone back onto the coffee table.
It vibrated a few minutes later, and he picked it up.
Sutton
I would like that.
He smiled to the empty room, a mix of emotions coming over him.
Reese
Great. I’m excited. Are you free tomorrow?
Sutton
I am, yes. Why?
Reese
We could go to the boutique tomorrow afternoon and look for a dress.
Sutton
Oh, sounds good.
Reese
I’m sorry, I actually have one more question for you.
Sutton
Oh?
Reese
Could Jace Austin get an invitation? He wants to go, apparently.
His eyes rounded as she replied simply with the rolling on the floor laughing emoji a bunch of times.
Reese
What?