“You seemed to get along back at the wedding,” Wilder nods. “And then at Friendsmas, you gave her your jersey to wear.”
I gaze around at my friends and feel a flare of irritation that they’re acting like they know so much about Sutton and me. They don’t understand what we’re trying to do. How could they? They’ve all been sucked into the illusion of love and happily-ever-afters, not realizing most of their relationships are probably ticking time bombs. Even when I glance at Jensen and Owen, hoping for some understanding given their own complex family histories, I’m just met with smiles.
Sutton and I are more practical. We know what we’re doing and we’re not letting feelings mess things up and get in the way of our goals.
It doesn’t matter that we’ve fucked and I’m wildly attracted to her. That she spent the night in my arms, and for the past week has been acting like nothing happened. Like it didn’t matter…
Shit, no! What am I thinking? I shouldn’t be bothered by that. It just shows she feels the same way as I do about our arrangement. That it’s all temporary, and when it’s done, we’ll go our separate ways. I’ll stay here in Denver, and she’ll go back to New York.
“So you’re really going to tell us there’s no feelings between you and Sutton?” Owen asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying…” My phone suddenly buzzes in my pocket, interrupting me. Thank fuck. I dig it out and see that it’s Grandfather. “Sorry, guys. I gotta take this.”
I climb out of the booth before any of the guys can say anything and hurry out of the restaurant to take the phone callon the sidewalk. I nearly slip on a patch of ice, but manage to keep my balance and huddle against the side of the building to try and stay warm and find a little privacy on the busy walkway as I answer the call.
“Hey, Grandfather,” I say when I answer. “This is a nice surprise.”
It’s not really much of a surprise. He, Dad, and Ryan have been bombarding me with phone calls and messages lately. Dad’s mostly been drilling me about how my marriage is going to help grow the company, while Grandfather’s just been gushing about how happy he is and how excited he is to meet Sutton.
“I just wanted to call and see what your upcoming game schedule looks like,” Grandfather says, his tone jovial.
“Oh, why’s that?” I usually just tell him a day or two before when a game’s happening so he can watch it on TV.
“I was thinking I should attend one in person,” he explains, surprising me.
“Really? That…that’s a good idea. I’d like that.”
“It’ll give me a chance to meet your lovely fiancee,” he goes on, and his desire to attend a game in person makes more sense now.
“Sutton would love to meet you too,” I reply, feeling a small twist in my gut at the thought that it’ll never happen. There’s no reason for her to meet my family before we end this. Not that I would want to drag anyone into that toxic mess, though if I was going to introduce her to anyone, it would be Grandfather. Hallie as well. “I’ll send you the schedule and we can make arrangements.”
“Wonderful! Well, I won’t keep you. Talk soon, my boy.”
I say goodbye, hang up the call, and stare down at my phone. The ironic part is that Grandfather really would love Sutton. She’d charm her way into his good graces with ease. She’d be abright spot in my family, which wouldn’t be hard, but she’d still be a breath of fresh air.
Damn it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Sutton won’t really be part of my family, and we’re not letting ourselves get caught up in unnecessary emotions and expectations.
That was our agreement. That was my plan.
So why is this all pissing me off so much?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: CRISIS MODE
SUTTON
I’m soglad Mom only stayed a few days. I’ve been able to throw myself into my work since she left, drowning my anxiety in preparing my presentation for Mr. Romero and sketching out plans for the performance center. I totally bury myself in it, staying up well past midnight most nights and sometimes forgetting to eat meals during the day. I’d be a totally starving mess, honestly…if it weren’t for Jayce.
He’s looking out for me. Caring for me and being so attentive it catches me by surprise, but at the same time, he’s been notably distant. Like, he’s doing everything right and treating me so well… but he’s closed off. It’s almost as if he’s acting out of some kind of obligation, and I don’t always like how that feels.
It makes his thoughtful gestures feel a little hollow.
I keep these thoughts hidden, though, even when I’m with the girls. I don’t want them to worry about me or start asking questions I’m not sure I’m ready to answer.
It’s Saturday night, and I’m hanging with the girls at Stacey’s, doing my best to put on a carefree, happy face. The guys are all at practice, and Millie is at a friend’s house. We’re gathered in the living room, and Rylee is sitting cross-legged on the couch,holding the baby, while Stacey relaxes in an armchair. I’m on the floor, resting my back against the couch, my head next to Rylee’s knee. Skyler is laying on the floor across from me, her head propped up by a Princess Elsa beanbag chair, and Grace is on the other end of the couch from Rylee, scrolling on her phone, checking her clients’ socials.
Stacey’s phone is resting on the coffee table in the middle of all of us on speaker with Hadley on the other end of the line.
“Yeah, yeah,” Hadley responds to Stacey’s probing questions. “I know it’s been way too long. Trust me, Grandpa’s been on my case to come visit again.” She laughs. “I keep telling him I’d love to, but I can’t while studying abroad.”
