Page 42 of Set Play

Is that so?

Me:

Yep. In the shower. In my dreams. Hell, even once while I was grocery shopping. Pretty sure the old lady next to me was concerned about my protein shake enjoyment.

Chispita:

You’re lying. No way did you like it that much.

Me:

R u saying you haven’t thought about it at all?

Chispita:

Correct.

I’ve had enough of this.

Hitting the FaceTime button by her name, I wait for her to reject the call, but it only rings twice before she picks up. After expecting a view of her lovely ceiling or maybe her enticing duvet, I’m pleasantly surprised to see her gorgeous emerald eyes.

“What?”

“Hello to you too, gorgeous.” I take in the sight of her, lips pressed into a barely smothered smile and blush darkened cheeks.

“Wouldn’t happen to be thinking about my head between your luscious thighs, would you?” I taunt, relishing as that blush spreads down her neck. When her breath shudders and she shakes her head, I chuckle darkly, “Qué mentirosa tan bonita.1”

“Did you call me just to mock me, Big Shot, or did you actually need something?”

God, her fire is so fucking sexy.

I don’t even realize that I’m staring at her until she lets out a disgruntled breath. “If you just called to stare at me, I have better things I could be doing, Big Shot.”

“Like what?”

“I was about to turn on Supernatural and spend some quality time with my man, Jensen.” Her eyes dance with mischief and amusement. It’s breathtaking, even if it’s at my expense.

“It seems we need to clarify some more terms for our little set play, Élise.” I pause, waiting for her to protest, but she doesn’t. “I’m the only one you’re with. I don’t care if it’s just a fantasy, I don’t share. Did enough of that growing up with a twin. You’re mine, Chispita. As long as this is a thing, there are no other men for you. Just as there are no other women for me.”

She rolls her eyes and scoffs, “Yeah, right. You’re hot and famous, but you expect me to believe that you will keep it in your pants? I’ve seen the articles, Reyes.”

Tensing in frustration, it takes immense effort to not yell that those articles are lies spread by her brother. Lukas’s might be right; she might not know the whole story, but she sure is confident in what she thinks she knows.

“For your information, Élise,” I snap before I catch myself. Taking a calming breath, I continue, “those articles were full of shit. I haven’t had a girlfriend in over five years. I don’t do random hook-ups. Ask anyone on the team, except maybe Benji because he’s a dick.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but I’m done. Being forced to defend myself just makes me think of the reason I haven’t dated in five years. Fucking Jade. Like drinking salt water, just her name is enough to turn my stomach. “Well, flirting was fun…defending myself against bullshit accusations, less so. But at least I don’t have an annoying erection anymore. See you in Phoenix. Night.” I hang up without waiting for a response, turn my phone on silent, and roll over to cut out the light.

Every time I think that I’m finally making progress with Élise, something sets us back.

Fuck! Henri and Jade don’t even have to be here to fuck me over.

Maybe it’d be best if I just accept that this really is fake, forget about Élise, and put all of my energy into winning the MLS cup this year. Sponsors wouldn’t drop a champ, would they?

1. Qué mentirosa tan bonita = what a beautiful liar

Chapter 22

Élise