Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Whipping out my phone, I dial Tempe, heart kicking against my ribs as I wait for her to pick up.
“Hello,” she says, almost tentatively, but she has my number programmed in her phone. She knows it’s me. I guess she’s shocked I would call as we already have our plans set for me to pick her up Thursday evening for the wedding.
“Hey, Tempe, it’s Rafferty. Any chance you’d be up for some visitors?”
“Visitors?”
“I’m sitting here with my best guys, all successfully recruited to perpetuate our lie at Stone’s wedding.” I glance over and they’re nodding in encouragement. “And they thought maybe they should get to know you a bit so it’s more authentic.”
There’s silence as she considers, then she says, “If we put on a really good act at the wedding, especially your cohorts adding said authenticity, it could drive Tansy away forever.”
“And you’d be free of me,” I say, ignoring the feeling of disappointment at the prospect.
“Well, that would be the downside,” she quips, and that disappointment turns to a fuzzy warmth in my chest.
“Want to meet us for some lunch and a beer?”
“Oh, I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of installing mobility rails for my mom. Dinner instead?”
“Not everyone can do dinner tonight.” The disappointment swamps me again, but an idea strikes. “Actually… how about we come over and install the rails for you? We can talk while we work.”
“Oh…” She breathes into the phone. “Um… I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered. Just shoot me your address and we’ll head over.” More silence and she doesn’t readily accept, which has me frowning. “Is something wrong?”
“What?” she exclaims. “No. Nothing’s wrong. I’m just calculating the rest of my day. I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that I was going to take a nap after I put up these rails. I’m doing third shift at the grocery store tonight to get some overtime hours, and well… I just got off shift and I need to sleep.”
There’s a twisting sensation in my chest and I hate how hard Tempe has to work to help support her family right now. “I’ll give you the five thousand now.”
“No, not until I complete the job for you.” There it is… confirmation that this is indeed just a job. “But it’s fine. Come on over, you can hang for a bit, but I’ll have to kick you out sooner rather than later.”
I don’t think to try to convince her to take the money. That’s better done in person. “Okay… send me your address.”
When I disconnect, all the guys are watching me. Atlas asks, “Five thousand? You’re paying her?”
Heat prickles at the back of my neck. “It’s not like she’s a prostitute. I’m paying her for a job. To be my fake girlfriend.”
Atlas’s eyes are round with shock and then once again, he bursts out laughing. “Oh my God… this is just too funny. Abrams has to pay a girl to be his girlfriend, he’s that fucking lame.”
“Bite me,” I grouse, but I’m not bothered by his ribbing. That’s all it is.
“But seriously,” Atlas asks, wiping his eyes as his laughs die down. “What are we installing?”
“Mobility rails for her mother. She was in a horrible car accident and just got out of a rehab hospital. Not sure her exact injuries, but Tempe had to drop out of her last year of college to take care of her mom. She has a younger brother at home too.”
Foster whistles low. “Oh man… that sucks.”
“Yeah, so I don’t mind paying her five grand. What she’s doing for me is worth it.”
“You’re getting something too,” North says. I glance at him as he’s remained fairly quiet. “That was some kiss you two shared at the photo shoot.”
At North’s comment, the room erupts into raucous laughter. King throws his head back, his hearty guffaws bouncing off the concrete walls, while Atlas snorts before doubling over as he slaps his leg. Foster’s whistle pierces through the noise, adding a playful lilt to the chorus of jeering but teasing laughter. The air buzzes with their mirth, and I’m pelted with friendly heckles and shouts that echo around the room, each teasing remark another volley in their banter.
Foster leans forward, grinning widely. “Man, Rafferty paying for kisses. Wait till the press gets a hold of this one!”
North joins in, laughing as he shakes his head in disbelief. “Imagine the headlines: ‘Titans Star Pays for Love!’ You sure you’re not setting a new trend for us single guys?”
King chuckles and nudges me with his elbow. “Gotta admit, dude, that’s one hell of a strategy. Outsourcing your love life!”
Atlas is still nearly doubled over, holding his stomach as he tries to catch his breath. “Oh, come on, Raff, you gotta see the humor in this. You, of all people, running a romance scam on yourself!”