Wrapped Up: A Triple Threat Sports Romance Read Online Free

back, a little overenthusiastically. “I really mean that.”
     
    I smiled. I didn’t want to dismiss her kindness, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to go ahead and talk to her about what I needed from her.
     
    “Brooke, I didn’t just ask you out because I thought it would be nice to reconnect with you,” I started.
     
    “Oh?” She cut her eyes up at me from her plate as she grabbed another piece of sushi with her chop sticks. She didn’t look surprised.
     
    I had no idea how she was going to take what I was about to tell her, but I was on the move already. There was no turning back.
     
    “When I saw you yesterday at the store, I mentioned having to get acquainted with the team’s new owner.”
     
    “I remember that,” she said with a hand over her mouth while she chewed.
     
    “Well, here’s the problem. He wants us to be positive role models,” I said. I realized I was drawing it out, taking my time telling her what I needed to say. It wouldn’t have been so awkward if I had bought into the idea myself, but I still didn’t believe it wholeheartedly. Having to stage a relationship was more of a necessary evil than something I really thought was a good idea.
     
    “Role models? You’re athletes. People want to watch you win games and live the life they can’t,” Brooke said through her laughter.
     
    “I feel the same way,” I told her, relieved that she saw it the way I did. I started to feel like telling her my plan was going to be much easier than I had feared.
     
    “So, what does he want you to do, get married?” she asked, laughing at the idea.
     
    “Close. He wants us to have steady girlfriends,” I replied in a serious tone.
     
    “You’re kidding me.” The humor left her face. “Is that why you asked me out tonight?”
     
    I nodded. “When I saw you, I realized you are exactly the kind of person I need on my arm for my image. You’re beautiful, successful, and powerful. You don’t have to actually be my girlfriend. I know you’re busy with work. But, when I need to make appearances at events or if I go out to eat, for instance, I need you to accompany me,” I explained.
     
    “Interesting.” She didn’t seem offended. She leaned forward on the table on her elbows, open to my suggestion.
     
    “I feel like I should let you know a couple of things before you agree to this though. I’m not looking for love. You will pose as my girlfriend, but there is no commitment. We can’t be seen with other people, but I’m not going to hold you to the role all the time. And I’m not looking for marriage, just for a temporary pretend-girlfriend,” I explained.
     
    “That’s a problem,” she said thoughtfully.
     
    “What do you mean?”
     
    “Well, I didn’t accept your invitation tonight because I wanted to rekindle our fire, Jake,” she said bluntly.
     
    I laughed. “That’s a relief, actually.”
     
    “I’m in a similar predicament,” she continued. “My dad won’t turn the company over to me unless I get married.”
     
    I closed my eyes and shook my head. I did not want to get married. I did not want to settle down or invite all the complications that came with even a staged marriage into my life.
     
    “Look, I understand. I don’t want to get married either. I’ve survived this long on my own, without someone else’s help, and I know you’re off doing whatever you do week after week. I get it. But think about it, Jake. Marriage would solve both of our problems, and it would only be a business arrangement. Like you said, we have to play our roles publicly, but that’s all. No love, no real commitment. Just help me get my company. And to top it off, getting married will go over really well with your team’s new owner.”
     
    She was right, even though I didn’t want to admit it. Our new owner would love the idea of marriage as opposed to just dating someone. It would be an opportunity to show Mr. Clark that I was really serious about the