Page 148 of Rookie Attraction

Chapter Twenty-Six

SELWIN

My rideshare’s stuck in traffic, so I finally get a chance to respond to the numerous texts I’ve received from my family. I give my mom and my brothers the gist of what happened and what Donaldson said to me. They’re relieved to know I’m okay, but also worried, and then they ask how Finn’s doing. My brothers vow to kick Donaldson’s ass into oblivion but my mother wants the first shot. Damien texted too, anxious about me and Finn, but I assured him we were okay and would call him this week.

I’m still typing when the car stops, and Taylor slips in to join me.

“Sorry, I’ve got messages I have to send asap,” I announce.

Taylor nods, pulling out his phone and doing his own thing.

We continue heading north until we reach our destination. The largest library in New York is hosting tonight’s fashion event, invite only for the who’s who of celebrities, athletes, and performers. I couldn’t care less and admit I’m not up for making conversation with Taylor or anyone else for that matter, but I’m not going to be asshole about it. Much.

“So, we need to play this one a bit differently.” Taylor finally breaks the silence. “Hugo discussed it with my PR team, and they agreed we should we hype things up and act more… intimate.”

“Excuse me?” I reply and shove my phone in my pocket.

“You know, hold each other’s hand throughout the event, not only for the press gallery. Kiss if we’re inclined, to make things look solid.”

I shake my head and sigh.

“Taylor, you know I wasn’t into this PR relationship stuff to begin with. And I don’t care what Hugo wants. I’m grateful for the positive press coverage with you, but I think we’ve done what we needed to do and we’re good now.”

Taylor smiles and nods.

“That’s what I figured you’d say, and probably the reason Hugo texted me about it. Honestly, I agree with you, even though I don’t want to piss off my media team. I guess since we’re both high-profile athletes, being queer is acceptable as long as we’re in a relationship with each other.” He rolls his eyes. “It sucks, but it’s true.”

“I know.”

This is the last date and it’s only a couple of hours. I bite my lower lip, forgetting about my cut. The twinge of pain is a good reminder.

“Okay,” I reply. “I can do it. The hand holding for the entire night. And a kiss on the cheek because my lip hurts like hell.”

It’s not that sore, but the only mouth I’m kissing is Finn’s.

“That works.” Taylor nods. “But the PDA might make the press hungrier for more.”

“How about we tell them that going forward, we’re taking this private for a while due to our hectic schedules? Then, in a month, we say it didn’t work out.”

“Sounds legit.”

“What about your PR team?”

Taylor shrugs.

“I think you’re right. We’ve done enough. It’s been great meeting you, and I hope we can still hang, but we both came out to live our authentic lives, not lie, right?”

Right. Only I’m still not living it.

I nod but say nothing.

“By the way.” Taylor pats my leg. “Nice job with the concealer, but it doesn’t match your skin tone.”

I offer him my middle finger.

“Ha ha. It could’ve been worse, like a bruised eye. Or two of them. I’d need a professional artist for that for sure.”

When we arrive at the event, the steps leading up to the building are crawling with journalists and photographers.