Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
CHAPTER NINE
Kason
When I woke up this morning, I definitely didn’t imagine the day ending with news of me and Anthony all over the media. But that part I can handle. It comes with the gig. Discovering that he never thought we were dating in the first place? That’s a huge blow to the ego. But even more than that, it makes me sad. I want Anthony. I want to date him, and I think he wants to date me too, but something is holding him back.
“How would we even do that?” he asks. “Just be friends.”
“Apparently the same way we’ve been doing?” I tease, hoping to make him smile and getting my wish.
“That’s not what I mean. No one is going to believe us. The media will keep saying we’re a couple even if we’re not.”
“True. But why do we care what they think? As long as we know the truth, that’s what matters.”
“Oh my God. Are you even real? How is one person so incredibly put together, and how do I do it too?”
I chuckle, appreciation settling in my chest. “I’m not perfect. I have my struggles. And I’m not that put together. I don’t know if you saw the second part of my game tonight, but I let all the shit get into my head. I just try not to let it control my decisions.”
“See? Perfect!” He winks, and I’m glad we’re able to talk about this openly.
“You are right, though. Even if we decide to only be friends, that’s not how the media will talk about us. No matter how much we deny it, they’ll think we’re together, think we’re lying to cover it up. The only way to stop that is to not spend time together.” I’m really fucking hoping not to lose my friend over this, hoping that’s not what he wants.
“I don’t want to stop hanging out with you.”
“I don’t want to stop hanging out with you either, but I know it’s different for you. I know that going viral comes with a different kind of baggage for you than what I’m used to.”
Anthony nods, not bothering to deny it. “Yes. But this super smart guy I know said he doesn’t let that stuff control his decisions, so I’ll give that a try. I don’t want to lose your friendship. I’m not going to walk away from it because other people can’t mind their own business.”
My body immediately relaxes. I didn’t realize how tightly I’d been wound up until this moment. “Good.” So I guess that’s it, then. We’re friends. It’s better than nothing, but not what I hoped for.
“What about the rest of it?” he asks, surprising me.
“That’s up to you. I told you how I feel. I want to date you. I thought I was dating you. I don’t want to scare you away. It’s not like I was thinking which house we should move into together, marriage, and matching tattoos, but I’m into you. I’d like to see where this can go.”
“Still? I haven’t scared you away?”
“No.” I reach over and dance my fingers over the top of his hand. “You’ve only intrigued me more. I mean, I was spitting some good fucking game.”
“I thought it was friendly flirting! But, believe me, I noticed. I was confused and turned on at the same time.” Anthony turns his hand over, so I’m drawing circles on his palm now. “I’m afraid.”
I hate that he’s been hurt this much, that he’s so wary to risk his heart. It’s not something he shows, not something most people take the time to see, but Anthony’s…lonely. I’ve always sensed it in him, but it feels almost suffocating tonight.
“I won’t hurt you. No matter what happens, you can count on me not to do that. Whatever we do, we can take it slow.”
“Why me?” He doesn’t look at me, studying our hands instead. “You could date anyone. Why me?”
“I don’t want to date anyone. I want to date you. Ant, you’re the only person in a long time who gives me that giddy feeling every time I see you. It’s like…”
“Butterflies. I get them too.”
“Yes.” I smile. “That’s a good sign for me. You’re funny and smart. You’re kind, a good friend, loyal, sweet…sexy.”
He flutters his lashes. “I try.”
It doesn’t take a genius to realize he only replied to the comment about his sex appeal. “I love how passionate you are about dancing. It’s beautiful to watch. Not many people love anything the way you love dancing.”
“In a club. Does it bother you when people talk about that? Because they will. I already had a headline call me a stripper as if there’s something wrong with stripping.”
“People suck. Fuck them. I don’t care about that stuff.”
“What about the team? Hockey? What if—”
“Shh.” I put my finger to his lips. “You’re looking for a whole lot of reasons why we shouldn’t do this. If you don’t want to date me, you can say so. That’s the only question here. Do you want to date me? The rest we’ll figure out.”