That gives me pause. Brady’s always been sharp. Probably comes from being married to Melanie the psychologist. Nothing gets past him, and I know I have to be honest.
“Rowyn and I go way back,” I say, trying for casual, and giving the most honest answer I can, without saying much at all. “Friends since childhood.”
“I thought you two were a thing,” Nicklas pipes up from across the room, towel slung around his neck. He smirks. “If you’re not, I wouldn’t mind taking her home.”
I give him a look sharp enough to cut through his ego, but it doesn’t faze him. Not much does. “She’s not one of your bunnies, and you’re not taking her anywhere,” I grumble, feeling overly protective of her, and not just because we’re friends. Though the truth is, she can go home with Nicklas if she wants, and deep down he’s a really good guy…he just needs to see there’s more to life than partying.
He flexes his bicep like an idiot. “Arm wrestle you for her?”
I stare at him. “Are you twelve?”
He grins. “Twenty-four, but thanks for noticing.”
“One of these days, Nicklas…”
He’s already swaggering toward the showers, calling over his shoulder. “Not today. Not when I’ve got Chloe and Claudia waiting for me.”
“Spare me,” I say.
“Hey, just because you don’t know what to do with twins.”
Brady snorts. “The man’s going to need an ice bath for his ego.”
Before I can reply, Penn claps a hand on my back. “Hey, speaking of ‘one of these days’.” He juts his chin toward Nicklas. “Jaylynn’s got something brewing. Remember Sloane?”
I glance up. “Yeah, the one who was with that douche Dylan?”
He nods, a sly grin spreading. “That’s the one. Let’s just say Jaylynn sees something in Nicklas, and is scheming again.”
“Again?” I ask confused.
He checks over his shoulder before leaning into me. “Between us, Jay and I started out…” He pauses as if he’s trying to think of the right word. “Let’s just say, not everything was as it appeared.”
“Okay. Um…” I’m trying to figure out a way to ask exactly what he’s talking about without coming across as dense, but before I get a chance, he laughs.
“Let’s just say, Nicklas isn’t going to know what hit him.”
I groan. “Why do I feel like this is going to end with someone getting arrested?” I tease.
Penn just laughs. “I think he’ll be fine.”
I laugh and follow Penn toward the showers. I turn the spray to hot, and the water pounds against my skin, washing away the sweat and tension from the game. Once cleaned up and dressed, a few of us spend the next thirty minutes doing interviews, cameras flashing, questions flying. Sure, I’m a bit preoccupied, remembering I never actually talked to Rowyn about celebrating after the game, and with the buzz we’re riding, it’s going to be one hell of a night.
Rowyn came with Jaylynn—the team’s PR manager—and now Jaylynn’s juggling us through interviews. I start wondering if Rowyn took an Uber home or got a ride with one of the wives to Kilting Around. My gut is hoping for the latter. I really want to see her, and I really don’t want to examine that too closely.
Once the last interview wraps, I hurry outside. A crowd has formed—fans hunting autographs, hoping to get a word or a selfie—or a hook up with one of the single guys. Technically…that’s me. The win has me buzzing, but a spark of disappointment flickers when I don’t immediately see Rowyn. Yeah, probably not a good sign.
I take a deep breath to shake it off. This is pretend. Christ, I’m the one who suggested it. I glance around to see if anyone needs a lift to Kilting Around, and then I see her.
Rowyn. Standing there, watching me with that tiny, knowing grin.
Fuck. The sight of her shouldn’t make my chest thump like this—but it does. And now? Now is as good a time as any to stoke the rumors. I can’t help but wonder if she fully realizes the chaos she’s stepping into with this ruse.
I stride straight to her. She nudges me with a playful smirk.
“Great game, Lumber-Jax,” she teases.
I laugh. And before my brain can catch up, I bend and press my lips to hers. Her initial stiffness melts in a heartbeat, though there’s still a hint of hesitation. Then—flash. A camera goes off nearby, squeals erupt from the crowd, and she leans into it. Perfect. The ruse is working.