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I shook my head “If you want her that badly, I’m out”

“So, I guess I have a fiancé” He slapped me on the back And I suddenly realized, I had just lost her

9

Vanessa

I realized sleep wasn't an option for me Too much had happened at the offices today My mind raced with the conversations I’d had with all the people I’d round It was hard to think that was ever going to happen My grandfather had run the team as if it were a hobby Maybe that's why it was in the shambles that it was Or maybe that was the secret I needed to care less Worry less

I padded to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine I drank it ht to ertips Sure, there was a lot to think about But there was only one thing I couldn't get over I had agreed to Steve’s insane plan A plan that would tie me to a man for the entire season

Right now, he was so ould be my fiancé What if it was someone I hated? What if it was someone I couldn't stand to be around? For the full season, I was going to have to do fake interviews and photo shoots with a ed the wine faster

I poured a second glass,with nerves It hadn’t happened yet All I had to do was go to work tomorrow and tell hie, no fake proposal I could control this I was the Warriors’ owner noas in charge or Steve and every one of those players

I wandered out of the kitchen and toward the living roolass of wine in my hands I turned on the TV, but the first story that popped up was about the Warriors nenership I cringed I hated hearing stories about myself It was a hot topic in Austin With only teeks until opening day, the fans wanted some kind of certainty They needed to know there was leadership But I wasn't leadership I’d neverinwithart and artists I hadn’t been able to find the beauty inafter a ball on the field I couldn’t see the art in the and hollering for race and artful lines

But I couldn't lose sight of the fact that everyone was counting on ht be the only thread of hope holding the season together

I couldn’t believe it, but I was going to have to go through with it

There was the possibility my fiancé could be someone I liked For an instant, I let myself fantasize that it was Isaac Price I leaned into the cushions of the couch, i over h escaped ed to Isaac? To be next to a hest co last season?

My hands roa for a led And instead of Isaac’s eyes, I saw the light green hue of Dylan’s gaze

What if Dylan was the fiancé? What if the brash cocky player was on ht at all the black-tie events I had to attend? What if he was the one who took me home?

My hands traveled farther south as my knees fell to the side I didn't knohen it happened but I placed the glass of wine on the coffee table and let s while the other traveled to ether As if one hand belonged to Isaac and the other to Dylan Trading places Exploringme his The blinds were drawn The doors were locked and the security systeet the weight of the world To forget the pressure and the undeniable responsibility I had