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Why does she look disappointed? Does she want to be friends with benefits?
“Maeve overheard the part of your VROOM meeting where you talked about wanting local athletes to be on your show.”
“And you’re volunteering?” she asks.
“In a sense, but hear me out. I’ll be a guest on your show and do whatever I need to, but I need your help in return.”
“What could I possibly do for you?”
“Pretend to be my fiancée.”
Now it’s her lower jaw unhinging. “Why would you need me to do that?”
I thrust my fingers into my hair and lean my forehead on my palm. “I had a relationship with the model Destiny. It didn’t last long, but a few months after we split, she told me she was pregnant. I wasn’t in love with her, but I’ve always wanted to be a dad.” I glance at Lucy and find her full attention on me. “I went to all her doctor’s appointments and ensured she ate well. I didn’t want to see my daughter for a day here and there. I wanted to be involved in every aspect of her life, so I sold my condo and moved in with Destiny right before her due date.” Telling her the rest will be difficult. I’ve only spoken about this with Maeve and Rogan. I push myself up from the couch and start to pace.
“Bella was born, and she was perfect. I couldn’t believe she was mine. That I played a part in making this beautiful baby girl.Being a dad was everything I dreamed it would be.” I draw in a deep breath, soothing the ache in my chest. “Destiny and I were working well as parents and life was great.” I pause. Sharing the rest of what happened will be soul-baring. I’ll be making myself vulnerable to her, and that’s a hard thing for any man to do. Especially one who’s been hurt the way I have.
“What happened?” she asks, her voice whisper-soft.
“I caught Destiny with my friend and teammate Garret Boland. She confessed they’d been involved since she and I broke up the first time.”
“Oh no.” She covers her nose, leaving her glossy eyes center stage.
“I was about to beat his ass all around the house, and Destiny was yelling for me to leave him alone.” My fists clench. “And then she shouted that Bella is his daughter, not mine.” I grit my teeth so hard, my jaw aches, and a vein in my forehead pulses. I can’t keep the tears from welling in my eyes.
Lucy is on her feet and wrapping her arms around me in a split second. I fall into her embrace, leaning my face down to the curve of her neck while her hands soothingly stroke up and down my back. “I’m so sorry you went through that,” she says.
Her words are the catalyst that frees my sadness. Tears flow unheeded down my cheeks, and errant sobs rattle my chest. After locking up my feelings for so long, this emotional torrent can no longer be held back.
She holds me, remaining silent while all the pent up anger and sadness purges from me. She’s the rock I need in my most vulnerable moment.
When I finally draw back from her, I turn around and wipe the tears away with the heels of my palms. I keep my back to her while I take a few deep breaths to compose myself. When I finally turn to face her, she’s farther away, next to the fireplace.
“How are you feeling?” she asks.
“I don’t know. My head’s still spinning.” It’s not easy to go from such an emotional state back to my norm so quickly.
“Have a seat and let your system settle down. I’m going to get you some water.”
I nod and move to the couch on shaky legs. I feel like I’ve just done the hardest workout of my life on an empty stomach.
Lucy returns, handing me a bottle of water. She sets a plate of crackers and cheese down on the coffee table. “I thought you might need a snack.”
My lips curve at her thoughtful gesture. “Thank you.” Twisting off the cap, I gulp down half of the bottle.
“I would’ve given you a cookie since they work best when you’re hurting, but I ate all the ones you gave me.” She ducks her chin as if she’s embarrassed.
“I’m glad you enjoyed them so much.”
“Suffice it to say they didn’t last long.”
“I’m sorry for… what just happened,” I say.
“Don’t you dare apologize. It seems like it was long overdue.”
“It was, but you shouldn't have been the one I dumped my baggage on.”
“I had to know all that if I’m going to be your fake fiancée, right?” My gaze leaps to hers, and she nods. “You heard me.
