“Don’t be.” I laugh through my words. “He knows what he’s getting himself into. I’ve always been real with him.”
Amelia’s nose scrunches and my smile widens. “I don’t doubt that,” she confirms. “But…what made him change his mind?”
With a hushed tone, I fill Amelia in on my conversation with my agent and her jaw drops. “Are you kidding me? Hayls, that’s ridiculous. Do you really want the role if they’re going to expect you to change?” Her reaction is exactly why I held off telling Reed the whole truth. He deserves to know, but if I’d told him yesterday, he would have wanted to kill someone. My heart races just thinking about it.
“People change for movies all the time. Actors lose weight, gain weight, change hair color. Hell, some shave their heads. Technically, I’m not changing. I’m just making people believe I’m the person they want me to be.”
“When you should be showing them the amazing person you are.”
I smile when she squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Ames, but I don’t think the public is ready for my awesomeness.”
“You’re probably right.” She laughs out loud. “But that’s their loss, not your issue.”
“Damn straight.”
“So Reed agreed after you told him what your agent said?”
“No, I never actually told him everything. He suggested it before I had the chance to explain. Told me he wanted to help.”
“That sounds like Reed.”
“Am I wrong to have agreed with it? Am I taking advantage?”
“No, I don’t think so, because while he thinks he’s doing it for you, it’s also helping him, even if he refuses to see it.”
“That’s true.” I smile, though a little doubt seeps back into my mind. I’m committed now, but I can still worry about him.
My phone buzzes in the back pocket of my jeans at the same time Amelia’s rings, and when she lifts her Bennett jersey to reach for it, I smile. She’s offered me a no-name jersey many times before and I’ve always said no. Something tells me that’s going to be on the horizon soon. After all, I’m dating a football player.
I’ll repeat… I’m dating a football player. What is my life now?
Since Amelia, Lainey, and Paige are all waiting for their football-star husbands or boyfriends to finish with their post-game duties, I wait around with them—getting myself accustomed to the life that’s about to become mine—and when they’re ready to go, I follow.
Reed’s chatting animatedly to Luke when he walks out of the locker room, and when Amelia whispers ‘go time,’ my mind hears it as ‘action’ and I run forward, throwing myself into Reed’s hold, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“What a game!” I cheer as Reed’s huge palms settle on my waist, squeezing me as a deep chuckle rumbles from his chest. He lowers me to the ground, but keeps his hands in place, leaning forward to whisper in my ear.
“We’re doing this?”
I nod, ignoring the way his breath tickles my skin. Pulling back, our eyes lock and his crystal-blue orbs sparkle. “Yeah. We’re doing this.” I nod.
Smiling, he lifts me again, spinning me around before placing me back down, curling an arm around my shoulder.
“Friends first?” he questions as we walk back to the group, and I immediately agree.
“I think that’s wise. We can show them we know each other and let the rest come naturally.”
“Naturally?” Reed huffs out a questioning laugh and I poke him in the stomach, almost breaking my finger in the process.
“You know what I mean. Now act like you like me.”
“Ugh. I’m notthatgood of an actor.” He playfully rolls his eyes.
I’m laughing when we catch up with Amelia, Luke, and the girls, and when Thomas joins us, he doesn’t even bat an eyelid. In fact, none of them do. In the past year they’ve all becomequite accustomed to my overtly friendly behaviour, and what do they care if we’re friends. It’s not the big deal I made it to be.
After the wives and girlfriends congratulate their men, Luke turns to the group, a cocky grin lighting up his features.
“Only three rounds to go, and we are killing it. I’m ready to party. Who’s heading out? Hayley, I can count on you, right?”
