Page 32 of Her Game Plan

She whips her gaze from my mouth to the window and back. “People are going to think you’re in here getting a blowjob or something.”

“They can see your mouth. Is there a second woman in the car in this scenario? What are you proposing here, Princess?” My dick is suddenly interested.

“I just want your tasty treats in my mouth.”

I blink. Then blink again. Then I laugh, a deep belly laugh that makes my cheeks hurt.

Charlotte laughs, too, and when we can both finally breathe again, I hand her the bag. “Only the tastiest treats for you, Princess.”

Chapter 13

Charlotte

“I brought Nerds Clusters, so even if everything goes to hell, we’ll at least have something to look forward to,” I announce from Callan’s passenger seat on the way to my parents’ house that Friday. It’s close by, something my mom is far more enthused about than I am.

He reaches across and squeezes my leg in a gesture of reassurance that feels natural. Somewhere between driving to the training facilities and headquarters most mornings together—listening to his “Music” playlist—and having a drink together on his patio each night after we get home while listening to one of my many playlist options, based on an assessment of our days and the vibes we need, we’ve fallen into a friendship. Or maybe something more than a friendship.

I groan as the white columns of my parents’ place in the Denver Polo Club neighborhood come into view. “Maybe we should eat a few clusters now, to bolster us.”

The man has created a monster. I got the family-sized bag of candy when I was shopping on Wednesday. And they’re already gone.

His smile is lethal. “You have an addiction, Princess.”

The nickname doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m not sure whether I’ve stopped hearing it as derogatory, or if his tone has actually changed, but it feels sweeter somehow. Like a term of endearment is supposed to. Not that I’m a reliable source for that. Jace used to call me Char-whal the Narwhal, which I never really understood. Though, when Addie asked me about it, I told her it was because he thought I was a unicorn but real. No way was I going to let her have more ammunition to fuel her hatred of him.

“I blame you entirely,” I reply. Because it’s hard to argue that I don’t have an addiction. Might even need to talk to my therapist about it this week. Which will be a good break from the disapproving vibes she’s been giving off since I told her about the fake-dating plan. She hasn’t actually said she disapproves, but I’ve been seeing her long enough, I know. I also know she’s not pleased with the way my dad has handled the whole thing.

“Ready?” Callan asks as he pulls to a stop.

I peer at the house through my window. “I don’t think I have an option.”

“We’ve had dinner together every night this week. And you are living with me. Sure, the feelings might be fake, but for all intents and purposes, we’re dating. You don’t have to feel like you’re lying to them all night.”

He’s not wrong. We are dating, more or less. And for some reason, that makes me happier than it likely should. Though it’s likely just that Callan, it turns out, is a pretty great fake boyfriend. Though I remain a pretty mediocre girlfriend, at best.

Like last night, when he asked me why I was so worked up about family dinner, I told him I didn’t feel great about lying to them. Which is true. But it’s also not the only truth. I love my family so much, but there’s something about family dinners that makes me feel like I’m nine again. Like my dad is trying to groom me into who he wants me to be. Like Mom is constantly fretting if I’ll “be okay.” Like Chris is both my best friend and the person who annoys me the most in the entire world.

And it’s not like we don’t see each other all the time outside of family dinners. We do. But it’s not the same. We’re more professional then. Grown up. Not the case when we’re in the house I grew up in.

And the part of me that’s starting to care what Callan thinks about me… Well, I don’t want him to witness the awkwardness that is a Langford family dinner. And, since Jace is the only other man I’ve ever brought home, I’m not really sure what to expect on that front. My dad grilled Jace and made it clear he wasn’t a fan, but my dad likes Callan. Or, at least, he did. Before I told him that we’d been dating in secret.

My dad doesn’t like being left out of the loop on anything, particularly when it comes to his kids or his business. And this is both. So I’m a little worried about how he’ll treat Callan. Because, if nothing else, the man doesn’t deserve to be put on notice by Steve Langford.

“You’re right,” I finally tell Callan. “It’s almost like we’re dating.”

His smile is feline. “Glad you see it my way. Now, stay there while I come and open your door. I can’t have your dad thinking I’m not a gentleman.”

Deciding I cannot be the type of person who waits to get out of the vehicle, I get out anyway.

“I thought I told you to stay.” Callan’s breath is warm on my ear as he places one hand on the door. He’s caging me in in the best way, surrounding me with the deep masculine scent of his cologne. Combine that with the very fashionable gray suit he’s wearing, and if we really were dating, there’s a good chance I’d beg him to make up an excuse to miss dinner so he could take me home and have his way with me.

Not that I’m thinking about doing those things, of course.

Callan inhales deeply. “Come on, Princess.” He slides his hand around mine, his fingers warm and large as they wrap around me. It’s a jolt to the senses for sure.

We’re almost to the black double doors of my parents’ house when I find enough brain cells to whisper, “Are we the type of couple who hold hands?”

Callan lifts one shoulder. “I’ve always wanted to be part of one of those couples who always have to be touching each other. You know the ones. Not the ones sucking face at the family dinner, but the guy who’s touching his girl’s waist one moment and then kissing her cheek the next. Brushing her hair off her face.”