Page 29 of The Game We Played

“Kissing only if it’s strictly necessary,” I manage to remind Tanner. My body rebels at the words. It wants me to forget all about the stupid no kissing rule.

He cups my chin. “We wouldn’t want to let a bunch of sick kids down.”

My breath hitches. “You do have a point.”

“Ahem!”

Tanner ignores Jason clearing his voice as his head dips toward mine. I lick my bottom lip and he moans.

“AHEM!”

Jason hurries toward us. He clasps Tanner’s shoulder and pulls him away.

“You’re supposed to be cleaning up your image. Not making things worse,” he mutters.

“This is my girlfriend. I kiss my girlfriends.”

“We both know this isn’t your girlfriend.”

My stomach dips. Good reminder. Jason may be a jerk, but he isn’t wrong. This is fake. I need to remember this is fake before feelings get involved. I don’t want to develop feelings for Tanner or any man.

I need to keep my eye on the prize. An idea for an article that can save theGazetteis what I need.

“You don’t know shit,” Tanner grumbles before marching away. He kneels in front of Nate and I rush toward him with the jersey.

“Don’t forget this.” I shove the material into Tanner’s hands.

Nate squirms in his wheelchair. “I can’t afford it. My parents… they ah… they worry about how they’re going to pay for my hospital visits. I hear them argue when they think I’m asleep.”

Tears well in my eyes. I sniff and force them back. This isn’t about me. This is about Nate.

“Don’t worry.” Tanner glances around before leaning close to Nate. “The team gives me the jerseys for free for promotion.”

A smile lights up Nate’s face. “They do?”

“Yep. And I’m giving it to you. Shall I sign it?”

“Yes, please.”

I hand Tanner a marker, and he signs the jersey before handing it to Nate, who clutches it to his chest. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Tanner narrows his eyes. “You are a Seals fan, aren’t you?”

“The Seals are the best!”

Tanner ruffles his hair. “It was nice meeting you, Nate.”

He stands but he doesn’t move on to the next child in line. He holds up a finger before digging his phone out of his pocket. “Give me a sec.”

“What are you doing? The kids are waiting.”

“This won’t take long.”

I glance over his shoulder. I gasp when I read the message he’s typing. “You’re going to pay for Nate’s care?”

He shrugs. “I can afford it. His parents can’t.”

“Don’t make light of your actions. This is a big deal. It’ll change their lives.”