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“But why would posting a video that had the potential to hurt your reputation help gain him a starting position?” I ask.
He shrugs. “No idea. Because he’s delusional? But also…because he can. He knows he’s not going to get in trouble since it would only look like Lincoln’s playing favorites.”
“Kelly needs to know what he’s like.”
“I think it’s too late for Kelly, if I’m being honest. She doesn’t see the side of him we do. He reserves that for us.”
“If she knew he posted the video, she’d run far, far away.” I purse my lips resolutely.
“Would she? Because I know you two are best friends, but if she’s falling for him…” He trails off there. He doesn’t need to finish that thought. I know where he’s going, and it’s not pretty. It’s not something I want to think about.
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Let’s get you home.”
He nods. “Don’t put on more clothes on my account.”
I glance down at my pajamas—a tight tank top and short shorts.
“I definitely need someone to stay with me tonight,” he adds.
“Grayson, you completely ignored me for the last forty-eight hours, and you expect me to just forget all that and sleep over like everything’s fine? It’s not fine.” I push a finger into his chest, and he holds up a hand.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Let’s talk on the way home, okay?”
I sigh but relent since his words make me think there must be more going on than I realize.
I pack a quick overnight bag even though I’m not entirely sure I want to spend the night, and I slip a sweatshirt over my tank top. We’re in the car a few minutes later—thankfully before Kelly gets home with or without Austin.
“You said you wanted to talk on the way home,” I say, pulling out of the driveway. “So talk. You’ve been distant for two days, and I want to know why.”
“Ellie has a plan for me to mitigate damage. I’ve been thinking it over.”
“Ellie has a plan?” I repeat. “What does that have to do with why you’re pulling away from me?”
“I’m not pulling away from you,” he argues as I cruise down the block toward the stop sign at the end. “I’m deciding if I want to take her advice or not.”
“Then let’s talk about it. What’s this big plan?”
“A fake engagement,” he blurts.
I slam on the brakes. “A fake what?” I screech as I come to a stop in the middle of the block. It’s nighttime, and it’s not a busy street. There aren’t any other cars. I stare at him as I try to make sense of what he just said.
“I had a similar reaction, if I’m being honest, though yours is even better than mine was,” he teases.
“And you’re thinking about it?”
“Listen, it scared the shit out of me when she first told me, and I know we’re not there yet. But an engagement, fake or otherwise, would throw the focus off that video, which would help me win over the media. They understandably lost all trust in me with those words I said when I thought I was having a private moment with your brother. I’m already on thin ice here since I’m playing on my brother’s team with my other brother, so I need a win.”
“I need a win,” I repeat. “How fucking romantic, Grayson.”
“This isn’t my proposal.”
“No, you’ll do that in front of a huge crowd to ensure everyone sees it,” I nearly spit at him.
But really…what am I so mad about?
Would it really be so bad to wear his ring on my finger?
No. Absolutely not. It would be freaking amazing. It’s exactly what I want.
