“He didn’t. They always meet Darlene at the games. In the box.” He must realize what he’s said because he immediately starts to backpedal. Maybe if his feet weren’t so big, he’d be able to keep them out of his mouth. “But she’s going to love you. I have a feeling. Just wait.”
He holds up a finger before darting away just in time to miss me deflate. I remind myself it’s a good thing Decker’s going through his typical relationship motions by having me meet his mom in the suite without him present. If he did it differently this time, people would get suspicious. I brush a piece of hair from my eyes, and my mind can’t help but to wander to earlier today. When I was on his lap, and he was bold enough to clear my vision himself. Before Callum walked in and wrecked my life again.
“Here.” Cole returns from the storefront with a pink box in hand, a golden ribbon tied tightly around it.
I take it from him as a knock resonates from the back door. My chest tightens.
Cole checks through the peephole. “There’s a big dude out here. Sunglasses. Shaved head. Tight shirt.”
“Gustav,” I say, relieved.
He arches a brow.
“My security detail.”
Cole nods and pops open the door as I push to my feet to leave. He greets Gustav before turning to me one last time. “Chocolate-covered dates with sea salt sprinkled on top. They’re Darlene’s favorite. She’s the only reason my mom orders them.”
I take the box as Gustav leads me out. “Thanks for everything, Cole, and good luck tomorrow.”
Cole fills the doorway, his white teeth blinding in the bright sun. “Same to you.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LENA
The clickof my heeled boots echoes through the concrete hall like I’m completely alone, despite the horde of people around me. Stiff fabric chafes my thighs. The skirt is cute, but whoever picked it out didn’t take mobility into consideration. Maybe it’s my oversight. I grabbed the first skirt and shirt that were laid out before me after I finished my meetings today, and I changed in the back of my ride. So here I am, sporting Kings blue, and I have to admit, I kind of love it on me.
“It’s the Truman Family Suite,” Gustav repeats.
“Yes, I remember.” We pile into an elevator, and I squish to the back. “Remind me who the Trumans are again?”
“They owned the team before the Barclays took over,” he answers.
I nod like any of this makes sense or matters to me, but all I can think about is what I’ll say to Decker’s mom and if these date treats are still as fresh as they were yesterday when Cole packed them into this pink box for me. My phone vibrates, but my hands are full, and my skirt’s too tight to yank it out of my pocket. I wish I’d thought about that before I put it on. At this point, I’m a little nervous about how I’m going to sit comfortably. I’m praying the suite isn’t entirely glass front. There’s usuallyat least a counter up front, right? It’s going to be a long night if I’m fielding both making a good impression and not flashing my team-colored bum to everyone in the stands. The elevator doors open just in time to pour in enough cool air that the sweat threatening my hairline never fully forms.
“Will you hold this, please?” I hand Gustav the candy shop box and pull out my phone, a stupid smile spreading across my lips when I see who it’s from. “It’s Decker,” I announce. Antonia told me to make displays public tonight, and if everyone couldn’t tell from my mile-wide smile, I want them to know that it was my (fake) boyfriend who did that. The good thing is, in my line of work, sucking it up and faking it is truly how you make it, or at least make things easier. My brain is already conditioned to respond that way. What a good little actor it is. At least that’s what I tell myself.
I read the text to myself because what normal girl reads their boyfriend’s texts out loud? That would be overkill. Antonia saidpublic, not obnoxious.
Decker
Can’t wait to see you in Kings blue later.
My belly flips, and I check around me to see if anyone’s noticed. Which is silly because how could anyone ever see the knots my guts are tying themselves in right now?
Decker
But I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen anyone look better in it than me.
There it is. My eyes roll as I continue on.
Decker
Kidding. Won’t be able to text for a while though. Mom’s name is Darlene, loves sincere compliments, eye contact, and collecting baskets. And those little date candies Cole said he gave you.
Also thought maybe we should put in some face time tonight after the game since we’ll be “official.” I’m having a few people over after. If we win, probably a few more than a few. Good luck with Darlene, Lennie-Pie.
I try to commit the list of his mom’s preferences to memory, but I can’t get over the fact that he’s right. Tonight’s the night that we becomeofficial.The internet won’t be buzzing with rumors anymore, it’ll be swarming with pictures and more speculations and nowproof. Proof of this carefully orchestrated lie by way of photos of me, standing in a glass box, chumming it up withhis mom. Something heavy presses down on my chest, squeezing out my air. I’ve been through this before, so why does it feel so different now?
