I’ve never had a problem following my rule, and I’ve met quite a few athletes, many lauded as absolute catches, due to my job. But two seconds in Keaton’s presence had me wishing it could be different. That I could. That he could.
Lost in painful memories and useless wishes, it takes me a while to realize Keaton has finished his call and started another. “Yes, sir.” Glancing at him, he mouths, ‘my boss.’
Oh. I slowly try to back away, then stop and attempt to remove the ring that doesn’t belong to me. Why does that reminder hurt so much?
Football player, Lily. Probably with an emphasis on player.
When I’d tried the ring on at May’s insistence during her appointment, it came off easily, now it’s as if my finger has decided not to relinquish it.My preciousruns through my head, my numerous Lord of the Rings binges not allowing me to pass up the chance to use it. “Shoot,” I whisper so as not to alert Keaton to my issue as I try again, in vain, to remove it.
“I would never renege on my word, sir. Beck,” he corrects. “I’m aware of what’s at stake were I to break my promise.” What promise? “Yes, I know the clause is ironclad.”
Keaton is staring at me, concern in his eyes, resignation in his shoulders. When he hangs up, I shift toward him. “That didn’t sound like a good exchange.”
He sighs, our height difference causing his breath to ruffle my hair, and asks, “Can you keep a secret?”
“Yes,” I don’t hesitate to vow.
“I’m not sure if you heard everything Martin said.”
“You play for the Mavericks.” He nods in confirmation. “He believes we’re engaged.” Another affirmative. “He was alluding to something regarding the media.”
“Every person employed by All Decked Out,” I’m familiar with that company and the brothers who own it and three of the city’s sports teams, so I indicate for him to continue, “has a non-negotiable clause in their employment agreement regarding how they’ll conduct themselves. Failure to uphold it can result in termination and a possible lawsuit for breach of contract. We can’t do or be connected to anything that could tarnish all the Deckers have worked for. They don’t expect us to be perfect, but they do ask that we behave responsibly. To conduct ourselves with integrity, loyalty, and honor.” My breath catches. The three things I just mentally thought that my father is lacking in, Keaton has to exemplify or risk losing his job and who knows how other teams would view him for his inability to fulfill the terms set by the Deckers. That’s not even factoring in the monetary consequences he could be slapped with.
“And your boss saw Martin’s announcement.” I don’t need to phrase that as a question. No doubt the Deckers hire people to look for things that could implicate their employees in any way. Martin probably could wait to start sharing the news. “I can gowith you to explain what occurred. They can’t be mad at you for that. It’d be unfair to punish you for it.”
“Had I merely helped you, then corrected Martin’s error, yes. I’d be fine with recounting the timeline of events and there’d be no repercussions.”
“But….”
“I’m sure Martin’s segment, along with pictures of our embrace, have been shared many times over. News stations and magazines are more than likely calling my agent, Trent Walters, asking for details, requesting interviews, and offering to pay extremely well for exclusives to the behind the scenes planning of our wedding.”
“If I hadn’t kissed you—” I don’t have to complete that statement nor does he have to confirm that I’m right. With no kiss, and therefore no evidence of it, it could’ve been written off as a misunderstanding and eventually another story would’ve taken its place. Removing the spotlight from us.
“It’ll be okay,” Keaton says, trying to comfort me when he has every right to blame me for his predicament.
And still, “Is it wrong that I don’t regret the kiss, even knowing what it will stir up?”
“I don’t either,” he admits.
“What if…?” Am I really going to suggest this? He’s an athlete women the world over want. He travels for games and I’d have to trust him not to stray. It would be fake, I remind myself, not that I’m listening. “Could we pretend for a certain length of time, then quietly break up?”
“Honestly?”
“Always,” I answer. “I need the absolute truth, even if it hurts.” I’ve had enough lies destroy my life. I can’t tolerate being subjected to more.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go, fy seren.”
“I don’t think I’ll want you to,” I admit. That is not what I planned to say, but I don’t retract it. I can’t.
After all, I hate lies.
Chapter Two
Keaton
A day later...
Me: Good morning, fiancée.
