I pick up my date from her room, and we head to the front lobby of the Coast Tower for our sunset cruise. And wouldn’t you know it? Tatum and Ford are waiting there, too. Of all the sunset cruises on the island…okay, so there really aren’t that many, and maybe they had the same idea we did. For the same night. After we had talked about it.
Maybe theywantto be around me. I guess that’s not really so far-fetched. Ford and I used to be close, and Tatum was my best friend for many, many years. They know what they did hurt me, and they want to make sure I’m okay.
And I guess I don’thatethe idea offaking ita little harder with Millie. I feel closer to her after our swim this afternoon, followed by the grand finale on my balcony. And not only that, she showed up for me even after I spent nearly a week avoiding her.
I owe her a debt, I guess. Or maybe I just like being around her.
Whatever the case, I’m about to board a sunset dinner cruise with my fake girlfriend, my brother, and my ex, who’s married to said brother.
I need a drink. Stat.
We really don’t end up spending any time with them at all. They’re seated on the opposite side of the boat, and my focus is on Millie. For a little while, I actually forget they’re even on this boat with us—until we’re back on the same shuttle back toward the same hotel. But even there, plenty of other couples are with us.
Millie’s editing photos from the cruise, and I pull my phone out, too.
I find a text from Ford.
Ford:Did you see this?
I click the link.
Fuck.
I blow out a heavy breath.
This was exactly what Ididn’twant to happen, and it happened.
I close the browser and don’t say a word until I’ve walked her back to her room. My plan is to drop her off and head back to my own room to get some rest, but my stupid mouth opens before I can stop it.
“Keep me out of your videos,” I warn.
She looks confused. “I thought we were having fun. Tonight felt like a date, but now we’re back to this?”
I draw in a breath, and before I can tell her what happened, she asks, “Is this because of Tatum?” Her voice is soft, and when my eyes dart to her, she misreads the situation.
“It’s not about Tatum,” I grit out through a clenched jaw.
“Then what is it?”
“Someone posted photos of me here at this resort. They’re all over the internet. My brother and me with the women we’re vacationing with. Someone identified you from your blog. It’s blowing up everywhere.”
“So someone shared our relationship?”
“It’s not supposed to be a relationship!” I yell. “We’re just having some fun, and now we’re linked together all over social media when I’m supposed to be laying low. It’s the viral post you’ve been waiting for.” I fold my arms across my chest.
She rolls her eyes. “God, you’re dense. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it’s because you and your brother are famous professional athletes in your own right and it has nothing to do with me?”
No. I hadn’t thought of that at all. I figured she definitely had something to do with it and maybe evenpaid someone off to take photos of the two of us together.
Do my trust issues really run so deep thatthisis the first leap I’d take?
Apparently…yes.
“The last time I trusted someone, she married my brother five minutes after our relationship was cold. Is there any doubt as to why I’d have trust issues and believe that people would only want me for my connections?”
“Archer, this wasn’t me. I wouldn’t sell you out.”
I press my lips together as I study her.
