“I hope you don’t mind.” Sophie retrieves her blanket and pillow from Skye. “I’m going to nap. I haven’t been sleeping at all these last few days.” She positions the pillow behind her head, tugging it back and forth to shimmy it into the perfect position.
Skye returns behind the curtain, and we take off. I’m left alone with my thoughts, the strongest being,What a life. I’ll do anything to get this life.
“Axl,” Sophie’s voice calls me to look back over at her. Her eyes are wide and honest as if I can see directly into her soul. “I’m sorry about that girl. She was a fool for cheating on you.” I lower my gaze, ready to give a rebuttal when she beats me to it, “I knowthis whole thing is a little weird for us both, but I’m glad you’re here.”
My heart ticks up a notch before I look up. She closes her eyes and rests her head back against her pillow again. Soon, her shoulders are rising and lowering in steady restful breaths. She looks so peaceful and beautiful. I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing down my thoughts from going any further than that. I can admire a beautiful woman, but it has to stop there.
I don’t date.
“You’ve been really quiet.” Sophie lowers her phone, staring at me from her spot in the back seat of our car. It’s not Uber, or even a cab, but a private car that picked us up right on the tarmac. That part I almost expected. But the part that made me look twice was the driver had Sophie’s iced coffee order already in her cup holder. Yes, there is an even cooler part—a bottle of my favorite electrolyte-infused water was in mine. I didn’t even know she knew what I drank, but she shrugged her shoulders and said her agent had done some internet snooping on me when she set up everything. I can’t believe people live like this.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be quiet.” I blink a couple of times. “I’m just absorbing this lifestyle of yours, and it’s hard to wrap my brain around it.”
“I can see that.” She quietly sets her phone next to her, clearing her hands. “If you would have told me even three years ago that this would be my life, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s crazy how fast you get used to it and how fast you forget to appreciate it. It took me working my butt off through all of my teens and most of my twenties to get to this point. Prior to this, I spent mytime touring radio stations for morning shows, and through all that, I always needed my parents’ support and a few waitressing jobs on the side.”
Thankful that she was opening up about her private life after everything I spilled out on the plane, I lean closer. “How did it change?”
“What do you mean?” Her brows furrow together. “How did I get my big break?”
“Yeah. For me, I have my eyes on the NHL because that means better pay, better endorsements, better interviews, etc. I’m sorry, I don’t follow pop music, so I’m not really versed on your career. Was it like one song that changed everything?”
“I wish.” A sarcastic chuckle blurts from her lips. “I got up, did the grind, and made a little bit of progress each day. Maybe I made one new fan at the radio station I was at that day, or I was able to share my music with someone I waited on at my night job. It slowly accumulated. After I had a decent number of fans, I was able to get a better production company and a better PR company. That took all my profits and more, but it kept the momentum going. When I started dating Rocco, things fell into place because I started getting free PR just by being next to him, but again, that had a downside, too. Once they are in your private life, they never leave.” She turns her head toward the window, her brows rising. “Here’s the hotel. My manager booked us rooms at the same place the dinner is at.”
My mind replays her words. She just admitted her career took off from being with Rocco, which is the exact same thing the coach set up for me. Maybe Coach is right, and this will help me to launch my career. Now that I think about it, talent might not be enough anymore. It seems like everyone needs a platform of some sort as well, and this could be the break I’ve been waiting for.
“Yeah,” she says, stealing my attention back. “We won’t have to hurry to leave, and we’ll have plenty of time to relax. My manager usually books me some time at the spa if it’s open, and I requested one for you, too.”
“Nice life.” I sigh and set my jaw while I gaze out the window, anticipation fluttering through my gut at all the lifestyle upgrades I’m getting this weekend just by being with Sophie. It’s a whole other class of treatment.
Someday.
But maybe if Coach is right, that someday will come sooner than I thought.
I haven’t worked this hard for all these years to quit now, and I’m closer to my dreams every day. If acting like I’m dating Sophie makes me more likable, and if it helps the team, I’m going to give it my best performance and treat it like it’s my one shot.
eleven
Sophie
“Are you checking into your suite, Miss Summers?” the concierge calls out as soon as Axl and I cross the threshold in the vast hotel lobby. I home in on the unusual amount of people milling around the entrance area. They part to the sides, clearing a path for us, while many take out their phones for obvious reasons and whispers buzz through the whole room.
“Yes.” I stride to the desk as Axl guides my suitcase, and onlookers aren’t shy about taking photos.
“I have two adjoining suites for your comfort,” the concierge declares, and the crowd hushes as everyone appears to be eavesdropping. “And just to confirm, your couple’s massage is in one hour in the spa.”
“Couple’s massage?” I echo, jolting my head back before catching myself. The slew of people are still hanging onto every word of this conversation. “That sounds . . .great.” I can’t even look at Axl, because if he gives me any sort of confused look, I won’t be able to keep this fake grin on my face. The thing is, mymanager, Bailey, booked my massage, and I made the point to tell her to add Axl but only as a friendly gesture. I didn’t think for a moment she’d book a couple’s massage. To ensure this weekend is a success, I haven’t told anyone but my mom that it isn't a real romantic getaway, and now I’m dealing with some of those repercussions.
Bailey thinks Axl and I are dating, and she set up our accommodations for a couple.
We take our keys and pivot together, while I make sure to walk as closely as possible to him, hoping to give off the illusion that we’re together. We’re all toothy smiles the entire way, even when we get upstairs to our hallway. I don’t trust that someone isn’t hiding in the shadows, ready to pop out to catch us out of character. I hold my breath as Axl swipes the room key, and we both enter the same room. As soon as the door clanks behind us, I let out a defeated sigh. “That was so much harder than I thought it would be. Did you see all the people staring at us?”
“I think Bill tipped off social media to where we are staying for a little extra PR, but I didn’t think it would be like that. Your fanfare is unreal.” He beams back at me, but I know the smile isn’t about me. He’s been starry eyed this whole trip as he lives my life with my private plane and crew of people who fawn over me.
“Trust me, this is unusual for me, too. Did you notice that most of the people taking photos were women? And they were clearly zoomed in on you with your week-old beard.” I smile, hoping he receives that as a compliment. His brows pin together in a serious manner, but he’s quiet. Hopefully, I didn’t offend him, and I rush to change the subject, “Hey, I do want to say, I’m sorry about the couple’s massage. I had my manager book it, but I totally forgot that she doesn’t know this is fake dating. I had no idea she’d do that. You can go, and I’ll stay here.”
“No, it’s not a big deal. You were more excited about it, and you should go.” He parks my suitcase against the wall and crosses the room to the adjoining suite door. Without even scanning the massive suite, he unlocks the door and walks through it, calling back, “You can have the main suite. I’ll stay here.”
I hadn’t for a second thought we’d share a room, but he looked almost uncomfortable even standing in my room. It was almost as if he couldn’t get away fast enough. He’s not upset about the couple’s massage, is he?
