Page 114 of The Game We Played

Make no mistake about it. I will win her back. Because I can’t live without the woman who showed me trust is real. The woman who taught me what loyalty is. The woman I love.

Chapter 35

BREAKING: CELEBRATION INTERRUPTED BY VERY PUBLIC GROVEL Guests rate performance surprisingly effective

Alaia

My knees wobble as I make my way to the beach behind theHideaway Haven Resort.Today is my first day of work for the Seals, and I’m being drawn straight into a difficult task – a photoshoot for charity.

The shoot was supposed to be in a few days but got moved up for some reason. I haven’t had the chance to prepare. I barely agreed to accept the job and I’m already attending a photoshoot.

I have no clue what I’m supposed to do here. Maybe this job isn’t the right one for me. Maybe I was too hasty to say yes. Maybe…

I cut off those thoughts. I can do this. I know football. Plus, I worked at a sports magazine for a summer. And I’m used to handling scandals. This is Smuggler’s Hideaway after all. And I am the bartender duringMermaid Karaoke.

I’ve got this. I straighten my back and lift my chin. Confident, independent Alaia, who won’t let a man control her, has arrived.

I reach the beach and notice an area cordoned off for the shoot. I start to make my way there. My heels sink into the sand. What was I thinking, wearing heels to the beach? I know better.

I kick off the heels and put them in my bag. First day of work and I’m barefoot. Great start, Alaia.

I frown when I reach the cordoned-off area. I don’t see any photographers. There’s no space set up to shoot. Thank goodness I attended a few photoshoots before. I know how to handle this.

I duck under the rope used to cordon off the area and—

“Surprise!”

I rear back and nearly fall on my ass on the sand. I glance around as people pour out of the tents. My parents. My friends. The players. The senior management of the team. All led by Tanner.

My heart speeds up at his presence. I haven’t seen him since he called me a liar and walked out of my apartment. I’ve missed him. I’ve missed his corny jokes. The way he greets every challenge with a smile.

No. No. No. He broke my heart. I don’t miss him. I miss the man I thought he was. But it was all a mirage.

“What’s going on? Where are the photographers?” I ask him.

“The photoshoot is in a few days.”

I blink up at him. “In a few days? I was told today.”

His cheeks darken. “I asked Knox to fib to you to get you here today.”

He did? “Why?”

“To celebrate your new job. This is a big deal. PR manager of an NFL team. Alaia Jackson, you are the shit! Congratulations!”

I glare at him. “Did you arrange this job for me?”

I swear to all the mermaids if he interfered in my life and manipulated me for my ‘own good’, I’m going to show my sisters how a Molotov cocktail is made.

He holds up his hands. “I didn’t know about it until after you accepted the position.” He narrows his eyes at Knox. “No one told me.”

Phew. How humiliating would it be to have finally leveled up in my career, only to find out my ex-boyfriend arranged the job for me. No thanks.

“But I did arrange this party for you.” He motions to the group of people behind him. “Everyone is here for you. To celebrate your achievements.”

I roll my eyes. “You’ll do anything to have a party.”

“I admit I enjoy a good party, but I didn’t do this for me. I did this for you. In fact.” He backs up a few steps until he bumps into a stage. How did I not notice there’s a stage? He jumps on it and picks up a microphone before motioning to me.