Jade laughs and shakes her head as I set my gaze on Hallie.
“People are living, breathing tropes, and romance is just a piece of that. Frannie and Mark are instant connection. Devon and Kennedy, the classic best friends to lovers?—”
“One of my favorites,” Jade says. Then she gestures between the two of us. “Marriage of convenience.”
Hallie crosses her arms over her chest, looking smug. “What’s mine then?”
Jade and I look at each other, and I gesture for her to say it.
“Afraid to love.”
Hallie squints at her, then downs the rest of her beer and climbs out of the booth, shaking her head. “Romance people,” she mutters as she walks away.
Jade and I clink our glasses together and laugh.
We wavegoodbye to Hardy and Brian as they leave.
As much as they would’ve loved to hang out all night, they have to get their asses kicked for the last few days of training camp and need some rest.
I could use some rest too.
Alone in the hotel room with Jade.
I glance over at the bar, where Hallie is being touchy and flirty. She’s in the final stage of her plan, and if it works, Jade and I can go soon.
We have a strict rule that we don’t leave without having a quick meeting with any potential hookup, so we know whoever it is will be safe.
As Hallie leans away from the bar, the guy slides off his stool.
“Oh, incoming,” Jade says.
I take a sip of my drink, pretending not to watch them as they walk over to us, hand in hand and laughing.
Time for me to play my part. Standing up, I slip into my older brother role, which is always convincing since we both have a similar shade of blond hair, and I can pull off menacing.
“This is who I have to get approval from?” he asks.
“I’m Justin, the older brother. The guys who just left are the two professional football players that’ll help me hide your body if you hurt her.” I look at Hallie. “Location on?”
“Yep. Shared with you.”
“Good. Now, for posterity…” I pull out my phone and snap a picture of him. “Turn to the side.” He stares at me for a moment, then the ghost of a smile crosses his face and he does it. I snap another photo. “Thank you…”
“Deck,” he says.
I almost snort at that, then give him one more menacing look. He holds up his hands. “We’re not doing full names, but I don’thave a secret identity, I promise. With my picture, you can find me. I won’t hurt her.”
There’s something surprisingly earnest in his voice. Maybe he has a younger sister too, so he gets it.
Then he looks back at Hallie. “Ready to go, Hells Bells?”
I glance at Jade.Hells Bells? she mouths.
Hallie just puts a finger to her lips.
“I’ll text you that I’m alive later.”
“You better,” I say, keeping my voice extra low and growly as a reminder toDeckthat I’m not fucking around.
