Page 58 of Set Play

Arms wrap around my waist and I feel Élise’s chin settle onto my shoulder, but I don’t dare take my eyes off Tony.

“What goes on between us isn’t really your business, Cavalo,” she calls across the short distance.

“Public relationships are public business. You should know that, kitten.”

“Don’t call her that!” I snap at the slimy fucker.

“So protective,” he mocks, “but you still haven’t addressed my concern. Have you two already hit a reef?”

“No,” Élise grits out. “If you must know, we had an argument over adopting a pup today. Big Shot here said no since we both travel so much with the team. I didn’t like that answer and have been pouting.”

“And yet, you two are barely touching one another. From the Phoenix pictures, it seemed like you two were unable to keep your hands off each other.”

“There are kids here. It seems inappropriate for us to engage in that much PDA, don’t you think?” I snort.

“Hmm,” Tony hums disbelievingly.

The conversation is cut off as another reporter steps up asking us for a photo. We quickly agree, and this time things feel less forced, but Tony’s words blare like a siren in my mind.

As if sensing my turmoil, Élise looks up at me, and I take the chance to softly kiss her luscious lips. Nothing too over-the-top, but enough to remind the reporters in attendance that we’re in this together.

Shit, hopefully it’s enough to remind her of that, too.

1. el diablo = the devil

Chapter 31

Mateo

Despite saying we would talk later, Élise is back to mostly avoiding me, keeping conversations as brief as possible. After talking with the guys at the adoption event, I’ve been determined to figure out what the hell is going on, but that’s hard to do when she’s ignoring me.

I had planned to talk to her on the drive back to her house, but she took a fucking Uber home instead of accepting a ride with me.

And how did I find out? A fucking text…that she sent my brother.

If it weren’t for Niamh texting me later that same night, I wouldn’t have even the slightest idea what is going on in Élise’s head.

Saturday 9:59PM

603-874-XXXX:

It’s Niamh. I’m sorry she pulled that uber stunt. I said I wouldn’t pick her up hoping she’d ride with you so you two could talk…

603-874-XXXX:

Don’t give up on her. Idk what's going on or why Henri would lie, but his stories never added up.

Fucking Henri.

Every inch of me wants to confront Élise about what Niamh means by Henri’s “stories never adding up,” but I don’t want to cause a rift between them.

Since Phoenix, every interaction has felt awkward, almost scripted, even when no cameras are present. I fucking hate it.

Garrett called me earlier this week to let me know that the two “on-the-fence” sponsors have gotten off of it and that I have several new offers coming in. He highly recommended that Élise and I “continue selling the story,” but I don’t care about the story anymore.

Only her.

Well, that and the fact that her near-silence is driving me crazy. I miss her fire and texting her. Fuck, it feels like I’m losing her before I’ve even gotten a chance to have her.