Luke stops about two feet away and holds out a foldedjersey. Some kind of gag gift that probably stays ‘tied down’ or ‘whipped.’ I can hear the sound effects now.
“Hope you don’t mind if we make this a double celebration.” Holding the shoulder seams, Luke lets the jersey unfold like a flag, revealing the back. My last name blazes across the top.
Okay, maybe the joke’s on the front. Perhaps an image of a bride dragging a groom up a wedding aisle. He turns the jersey around. No joke here. Just our team logo.
And a letter ‘A’ sitting above it to the right.
I grab the sides, scanning the fabric again to make sure I’m interpreting this correctly before bouncing my gaze between Luke and Coach. “Are you serious?”
Luke lets go, giving me full possession. “You’ve earned it, Pay. We all agreed that you’ll make a great alternate captain.”
The slick fabric of a jersey never felt so good in my hands. “Thanks. I won’t let you down.”
But in a way, I feel as if I already have by not telling them who I really am. Any and all lingering thoughts of confessing the truth about Lily and my family get shoved into the deep, dark recesses of my mind. Telling them would be like a slap in the face of the trust they’re investing in me.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of chatter and food. And cake. Let’s not forget the cake they insisted we feed each other. I fully expected Lily to take the opportunity to score another point on the ‘faking it’ board, but she kept looking to me for clues. Or concern.
For the most part, I not only faked being a married man, but also one in a good mood. Because all I could think about was that letter on my jersey and how unworthy of it I’m feeling in light of my deception.
I almost sighed in relief when we left. And the only thing breaking the silence in the car as we drive—correction—Lily drives us home, is a slew of texts eruptingon my phone.
She glances at me. “Everything okay? It’s getting noisy over there.”
“Probably just one of the blokes.” I unlock my phone, careful to keep the screen turned away so as not to blind Lily while she’s driving.
Luke: Congrats again, Pay. On both fronts.
Wade: Yeah, man. And sorry about the bedroom comment.
Mathéo: I’m still trying to forget that one. And I’m French!
Wade: French Canadian, sir. Get your facts straight.
Ethan: Why is this suddenly about Wade?
Luke: Because he’s Wade?
Mathéo: Then make it about Lily. She’s definitely hot.
Luke: Rein it in, Barbie Man, or you’ll sound like Wade.
Mathéo: Hey! No insults.
Wade: Ha ha! Join the club of inappropriateness, my friend. Glad to have you.
Ethan: All kidding aside, Pay. Lily is great. You two are a perfect match.
I run a hand over my mouth and type a quick message I hope will shut them down.
Payton: It’s all good, mates. Thanks for tonight. Really appreciate it.
I shove my phone back into my pocket, feeling far from good. Somehow, I have to find a way to make this work.
Chapter Eight
LILY
Payton’s silence on the way home was telling. My guess is he’s struggling with the whole fake wife scenario in light of the honor he received tonight, which is understandable.
