“I can’t let you go out there with me.” Fidgeting, I run my palms down my thighs as I wait for Harold to pull out of the lineup and get us back home.
Indy’s hand settles on mine in an easy move, unthinking. As if we’ve touched and comforted one another hundreds of times in the past. “What’s wrong?”
I stare at where we’re connected, her hand small in comparison to mine. And even though she’s big and bold in spirit, she’s soft. She has feelings. A lot of them.
“You’re a normal person, Blue.”
Her lip quirks. “Very observant tonight, Shay.”
“Being normal is special. I won’t be the reason you lose your privacy. Especially over something as trivial as a fake date.”
My driver turns the wheel to get back on the main road.
“Don’t you dare drive.” Indy’s words are harsh and commanding, causing Harold’s nervous stare to meet mine in the rearview mirror.
He’s been my driver for four years and I’ve never seen him so quickly shift loyalties than in this moment as the blonde at my side shoots him commands.
She turns to me, that sinful slit inching its way over and taunting those golden legs. “I get that you want to be left alone, and you’re worried about me.” She pats my chest. “Cute, by the way, but I like people. I’m excited about this. You’re not forcing me. I want to go.”
“Indy—”
“What are you worried about? Sure, there might be a few headlines and my name might get released, but who cares? It’ll last a day, maybe two. When they deep dive into my life they’ll find out I go to trivia, I cross-stitch in my free time, and I read dirty books. No one cares about me. I’m not you, Ryan. It’s you they worship. So, please, let me go be a social butterfly because I’m starved for attention.”
Her eager brown eyes lighten with humor.
“You cross-stitch?”
“Proudly.”
“You grandma.” She smiles at that, matching the now relaxed grin on my lips. “Are you sure?”
“I didn’t shave and moisturize every inch of my body to go back home. Yes, I’m sure.”
Making eye contact once again, I offer a small nod of approval to Harold.
Once we pull up, my door on the street side is opened. I step out, rebuttoning my suit as flashes illuminate the dark sky. My name is yelled, cameras are blinding, but I stay on task. Rounding the car to Indy’s side, I stop the doorman when his hand finds the handle. “I’ve got it.”
He gives a polite nod and steps back with his hands folded behind him.
I open Indy’s door by only a fraction, giving myself a moment to check on her and make sure she’s truly okay with this before subjecting her to the entire world. She’s wearing an eager smile on those heart-shaped lips and her brown eyes are shining with excitement.
I dread these nights when I find them on my calendar, and she couldn’t be more stoked.
The photographers and paparazzi behind me are relentlessly trying to get a shot, but I’m not worried about impressing or convincing them. We aren’t doing this for them. I just need to make sure we’re on our A-game by the time we inevitably run into Ron Morgan.
Indy puts her hand in mine, one white heel finding the ground as she glides out of the car with so much grace and polish, those previous notions and lack of concern go up in flames.
Because with how perfect she looks tonight, no one is going to believe she’s mine.
Cameras explode with light as we step onto the carpet leading to the hotel. Indy’s fingers link with mine in the most natural way, but I don’t know how the fuck to do this. I didn’t think this through. Typically, I find myself sprinting to get inside and away from the fanfare, but I can’t exactly hurry Indy along when she’s wearing those heels and commanding everyone’s attention the way she is now.
She floats along as I follow, stiff as a board and uncomfortable beyond belief. Clearly, the girl is stunning, but the perfect show she’s putting on tonight is different than the version I get at home.
I’m not sure how to take that.
“Ryan Shay, a photo!”
“Over here!”
“Ryan, over here!”
My date stops on the carpet, pulling me to a halt with her.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
She smiles at the crowd, speaking behind her teeth. “Loosen up and pose with me.”
I turn towards the collection of photographers as she puts a hand on my chest. “I don’t pose,” I say quietly enough for no one else to hear.
“You want to sell this? Well, running inside doesn’t exactly sell this.”
She’s right. Ron already thinks I’m lying. If I bring a date who I claim is my girlfriend and only show her off for a few moments in front of him, he’ll know.
Standing stiffly, I smile, allowing Indy to lean into me.
“Put your arm around me.”
“No.”
“Ryan,” she warns behind that sparkling smile. And how does she speak so clearly behind her teeth? She should be a damn ventriloquist. “You’re not going to burst into flames from touching a woman. Put your goddamn arm around me.”
Inhaling deeply, I swing my arm behind her, placing my palm at a respectful height—on her shoulder blade.
“Lower.”
Lower shoulder blade.
I can feel the annoyance flaring off her body as she reaches behind her, finding my hand and curving it around her waist. She presses her body into my chest and sells it.
How is she so fucking good at this?
“Kiss me,” she quietly mutters. “Cheek. Forehead. I don’t care.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Kiss—”
I hold my hand out to the crowd in a swift wave. “Thank you, guys. Have a great night.”
Keeping her hand in mine, I pull Indy towards the hotel, needing to get the fuck out of here.
She sighs. “We have so much work to do.”
One more hour.
Put on the bullshit Ryan Shay smile for one more hour. Be basketball’s shining golden boy for one more hour. All eyes are on me for one more hour, then I can go home and relax.
I’ve internally repeated those sentences for the last twenty minutes as Indy and I worked the room, greeting season ticket holders, upper management, and saying hello to guys I know who play for the other major league teams in the city.
Another random man pats my back as he walks by. “Great game last night, son.” I’ve seen him at events, he’s a wealthy fan, and I’m sure he paid a pretty penny to be at this one tonight.
A small tip of my head. “Thank you, sir.”
Indy turns to stand directly in front of me once he’s out of earshot. “Why are you so tense? You’re allowed to smile, you know.” She puts her hands on both shoulders, pushing them down. “Chill out and let’s have fun.” Her eyes are sparkling with excitement as she takes in the room around us.
“I don’t chill out when I’m at these kinds of things.”
“Why not?”
Because I don’t trust anyone.
But before I can answer, ironically, one of the few people I do trust catches my attention across the room, making his way to my date and me.
“Ryan Shay!” he says in excitement, putting his hand in mine and swinging his other over my shoulder. “I can’t believe I caught you at one of these things before you slipped out.”