“Good to see you, Kai.”
Kai Rhodes is a good guy and one hell of a baseball player. Starting pitcher for the Windy City Warriors, Kai signed one of the biggest contracts in MLB history last season when his free agency brought him to Chicago. We share the same agent who got him set up with an apartment in my building, and I can’t explain exactly why I like him so much, but I do.
There’s not a bad bone in his body, and I think my soft spot for him is due to the massive shift his life has taken over the last couple months and how well he’s stepped up and handled his responsibilities. The guy could be out partying every night, getting away with any and every thing, but instead, he’s at home taking care of his son as a single dad.
“And who is this?” Kai’s eyes linger on the woman at my side. Not in a creepy way, but in a respectful you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the pleasure to lay eyes on way.
I said I liked him, but if he doesn’t take his eyes off her soon, I have no issue retracting my statement.
Unfortunately, we’re close enough friends that I can’t exactly call dibs by referring to Indy as my girlfriend.
“This is my roommate, Indy.” I gesture towards her, possessively keeping a hand on the small of her back.
He takes her hand, shaking it, his eyes twinkling like he just found the future mother of his child. “I’m Kai, but you can call me Ace.”
“Ace, huh? What’s with the nickname?”
“Always been the best pitcher on the team. I’ve got good hands. The right touch. In case you were curious.”
And those good hands are still holding on to my fake girlfriend’s.
“Okay, that seems like enough of a handshake there, buddy.” I separate them, putting my body slightly in front of Indy’s and out of his eyeline.
Kai is basically a golden fucking retriever with his obvious good looks, black-rimmed glasses, and charming smiles. I don’t need him showing Indy those smiles especially when I don’t give her enough of mine.
He chuckles. “Got it.”
And it’s clear he does. What exactly, even I’m not sure, but he knows she’s off-limits.
“How long are you here?”
“Just long enough to cover my contractual obligations.” He shakes his head. “I gotta get home to release the nanny.”
“I thought you fired the last one?”
“I did. I hired another one, who I’ll probably fire soon too.”
“You have a kid?” Indy’s voice bursts with excitement.
“A son,” Kai beams. “Max. He’s eight months old.” Pulling out his phone like the proud dad he is, he scrolls through the endless pictures.
I don’t blame him. Max is one of the cutest kids I know.
“You don’t have a kid. You have a baby.” Indy’s tone switches to soft and sweet, her smile beaming as she looks through Kai’s phone.
“Yeah,” he sighs. “And he’s looking for a mom.”
“Jesus Christ.” I huff out a laugh. “Try to be a little more fucking subtle why don’t you.”
The 6’4” baseball player wears a not so innocent grin.
Indy’s brows instantly furrow. “Where’s his mom?”
And because I know how emotional she is, she’s about two seconds away from glass-covered eyes, knowing there’s a baby boy out there without his mom around.
Kai pats me on the shoulder. “Your roommate here will be happy to fill you in, I’m sure. I’ve gotta sneak out of here. How much longer you’ve got?”
We both look around the room. “An hour at best.”
“You’re better than me.” Kai turns back to the woman at my side. “Indy, it was a pleasure to meet you. Make sure our boy over here has some fun, will ya?”
And with that, I watch Kai slip out the side door without being noticed and I couldn’t be more envious of the guy.
“Ryan Shay, do you have an actual friend?” I don’t respond to the dig but notice Indy watching his back. “So, what’s with baseball’s Clark Kent?”
Dark Hair. Dark-rimmed glasses. Tall. He fits the bill. I look for any interest in Indy’s expression, but she just seems genuinely curious.
“He and I share an agent. He moved here last spring then found out his ex had his baby when she dropped him off at Kai’s doorstep and skipped town.”
“Wait, Max really doesn’t have a mom?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. Kai is happy to be doing this without her. And Max could have any mom he wants. Multiple moms, but Kai is protective. He’s pretty much the nicest fucking guy in the world as long as you’re not the current nanny. He’s firing them every other day, but other than that, they’re good.”
“What the hell kind of woman could leave their baby boy like that?” Indy’s chin trembles before she looks over my shoulder and sucks in a sharp breath. “Hold that thought. It’s showtime, boyfriend.”
Her forced smile beams to who I’d assume is my GM. Inhaling a deep breath, I turn around.
“Mr. Morgan.” I hold out my hand for his.
“Shay.” My General Manager shakes my hand before motioning to the woman at his side. “You know my wife, Caroline.”
“Of course. Good to see you, Mrs. Morgan.” I turn to Indy with my hand hovering, not sure what amount of touching is appropriate or believable, so I end up patting her upper arm a couple of times like a middle schooler afraid to catch cooties. “This is my girlfriend, Indy.”
Indy stares at me blankly and we don’t know each other too well, but her look is unmistakable. You suck at this. You have no idea what you’re doing. But then there’s the Indy spin on it and I internally add, are you really that afraid of girls?
She forces a smile back on her face, turning back and holding her hand out to shake Caroline’s. “So lovely to meet you.”
“You as well.”
I’ve always liked Caroline. She’s sweet and brings Ron’s intimidating edge down a few notches. Guy turns into putty when she’s around.
“I love your dress,” Indy compliments.
“I feel the same about yours. This pink is so much fun.”
The two women fall into comfortable conversation, which I attempt to focus and join in on, but I’m too distracted by the penetrating stare coming from the man who signs my paychecks.
Ron watches me before his eyes bounce to the gaping space between my date and me. Clearly, he’s not impressed, and my body language is practically screaming that I’ve never touched this woman outside of a hug or small innocent gesture.
Is it hot? It feels really fucking hot in here. Pulling at my collar, I try to loosen it, but Ron’s disapproving gaze is burning me up. This little stunt isn’t even about faking it in order to get him to approve of me anymore. It’s about getting out of this colossal lie I created, unscathed.