Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“I am, but I’m most looking forward to the break after.”
“You’re on a break now,” I deadpan. The Saints haven’t played since Tampa. Tomorrow they play game three.
I wonder if practice will be as grueling as it’s been if they win tomorrow’s game. Maybe if he’s stuck in practice all day, I can try to spend some time with Emma. It’s not that long a drive to Michigan. Maybe I can have her come here, or I can go there.
Perhaps if I can visit her, I could start looking around for an apartment close to the university too. Or better yet, maybe I could start researching some online programs to get started. Something that would allow me to work while taking classes.
It’s a dream I’ve had for so long, but I’ve never felt like it was a possibility. I have watched friends navigate the process, leaving me behind. Most of them are now gainfully employed, earning substantial salaries, while I am playing the role of a lifetime, pretending to be someone who I’m not.
It’s been a blessing I didn’t see coming.
I’m being paid well by Aiden. Not well enough to pay for school and a place of my own, but soon. Assuming he keeps me for a few extra months after the playoffs and doesn’t go through with what I overheard him say to Mike.
Something felt different last night. He didn’t do all of his rituals. Sure, he cleaned up, but it was different. It wasn’t as intense.
Then when he would normally watch old footage of himself, he watched a movie with me instead.
He cuddled with me. Took care of me. Could he still throw me aside that easily?
Nope. Don’t go there.
The truth is, I still don’t trust him. Not fully. It’s funny how something that can take seconds to break takes forever to repair.
“Listen, I don’t need you to be at the game tomorrow,” he says, and my face falls before I have a chance to control it.
Disappointment settles in, as I had just been hoping for more time. Could this be the start of the end of our professional relationship?
“It’s not like that, Cassidy. There’s a huge charity event… one that I truthfully forgot about. Well, I guess it’s not that I forgot about it, I just didn’t plan on going.” He groans. “But Coach made it very clear that it wasn’t optional.” He shakes his head, tapping his knuckles on the table three times. “Anyway, it’s a very fancy gala. One that will require a new, expensive tux and the whole nine yards for you.”
“What?” I say, eyes narrowing.
“I’ll need you to attend…obviously. You’ll need to work fast in order to make this all happen.”
“Wait. Umm. When is it again?”
“Sunday night.” He grimaces when my eyes widen.
“You mean tomorrow?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry, the game is early.”
“Umm…wow. Okay.” I start to internally panic because no way in hell can I afford a new dress for such an event. “I don’t know if I have anything—"
“I’ll handle that. This is part of our arrangement, Cassidy,” he says, as though reading my mind. “I’m going to leave you the number to a personal shopper who Mike recommended, along with the address. I’ll get ahold of her today and ensure she contacts you to make an appointment.”
I nod like an idiot, trying to make a mental list of all the things.
“She’ll likely want to work fast too, as this will be a social event that any stylist would kill to be part of in any capacity. With you being the girlfriend who everyone is watching, it shouldn’t be a problem at all,” he says.
Damn. People will move mountains for him.
I continue to chew my eggs while I sort through everything.
I’ll need to set up hair.
And makeup.
“Whatever you need, Cassidy, just use my name and my credit card. If anyone gives you a hard time, I’ll reach out.”
I purse my lips. “This isn’t Pretty Woman, Aiden. I’ll be fine.”
He smirks. “I have no idea what that means, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
I shake my head once, being defiant, and he chuckles.
There will be paparazzi everywhere, which means people will be judging me, and that thought has me panicking all the more.
“You’re stunning. You have nothing to worry about.”
The way he reads my mind always manages to throw me off-kilter. Aiden has always had a way of knowing exactly what I’m thinking and how I’m feeling.
“I know you could do your own hair and makeup and look gorgeous, Cassidy. I just don’t want you to have to worry about it. It’s so last minute, I’m willing to pay for someone else to take that stress off you.” He holds my gaze, staring into my eyes. “You deserve to be pampered just as well as every other woman who will be there. More so. Go all out. Get a manicure and a pedicure. A wax.” He grimaces. “Whatever you need.”