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I meet her fierce and protective gaze. My heart pounds and there’s a surge of pride through my body at how Alayna has managed to make everyone on this team fall in love with her and, more importantly, want to protect her.
Even if it’s from me.
But it’s not necessary. I’m fully aware of the mistakes I’ve made and how badly I’ve fucked up. I won’t do it again, and definitely not to Laney.
“You don’t have to worry, Coach.” I glance back down at the tablet, my finger grazing over Alayna’s form on the screen.
“Is it real, Dom?”
I meet her gaze and say something I’m only starting to realize has always been true. “It’s always been real with her.”
She nods slowly. “Then don’t break her heart, okay? I’d hate to see what that would do to both of you, especially when I need you to be at your absolute best so Denton doesn’t trade you.”
“You got it, Coach.”
It’s an easy promise to make. I can only hope that at the end of all this, it’s my heart that isn’t broken.
“You’re sure this is the right place?” Laney asks with a skeptical arch to her brow.
I glance down at my phone with the address for tonight’s date that Shawna set up. She gave us minimal information—the time to arrive and what to wear—but never in a million years did I expect us to show up to a boutique opening that has a variety of celebs walking the small red carpet leading up to the front door and a swarm of paparazzi snapping pics.
Laney’s eyes go wide. “Holy shit, is that a Kardashian?”
“Apparently this is the place to be.”
She spins in her seat so she’s facing me. “Dom, it’s a clothing store.”
I huff out a laugh because she’s not wrong. “The address Shawna gave me matches. I’m assuming she wanted us to be seen with other folks.”
I honestly have no idea what Shawna was thinking because this doesn’t seem to be something that my image would benefit from, and it sure as hell isn’t Laney’s scene. I get out of the car that Shawna hired to take us and walk around to let Laney out.
“Dom! Dom, over here!” Flashes blind me as the press calls out my name, and it only gets worse once Laney’s on my arm. “How does Jen feel about you moving on so quickly?”
I’ve never resented someone the way I resent Jen Summers right now—and myself for even considering hooking up with someone whose entire life is in the spotlight. I was well-known before, but our scandal has thrust me into a whole new level of stardom that I honestly would rather do without.
Laney’s fingers grip my suit coat tightly, and her head is ducked to avoid the lights. My stomach sours at the whole dog and pony show that we have to put on. This isn’t what I had in mind when I thought we’d have to fake date for the press. I thought I’d get more time with my best friend, more time to dive deeper into these newly emerged feelings.
Instead, we’re both forced to go to some fancy opening for a boutique that doesn’t appear to be either of our styles.
We get through the frenzy of press and emerge into a clean space with high-end fashion designs.
“I feel like I’m in that scene from Pretty Woman,” Laney whispers, and I can’t fight back my smile as I look down at her.
She put her blonde hair in this fancy updo that exposes her neck, and it’s taking everything in me not to nuzzle that spot just behind her ear and kiss my way down her throat. I look away quickly and curse the fact that we’re in public and there’s no easy or discreet way to adjust the situation happening in my pants.
“Dom!” This time it’s a voice I recognize calling out to me. I turn my head to see Mikey Paxton, a retired linebacker for the Wolves and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.
He saunters over to us, his signature smile on his face.
“Mikey, man, how the hell have you been?”
His smile grows. “Never better, man.”
Before he can continue, a pixie of a woman slides her hand over Mikey’s arm as she snuggles close. She’s half his size, but the way he looks at her with stars in his eyes tells me she’s the one in charge in their relationship.
“Mikey, you gonna introduce me to your friends?”
“Dom, Dom’s lady, this is my wife and the genius behind this fine establishment, Sapphire Rain.”
