Page 5 of Your Rule to Break
Chapter 4
Zack
I love a good“what the fuck” moment and it seems we’ve got a solid one on our hands.
“This is my sister, Eliza, and her fiancé, Mitch.” Emilie’s words are syrupy sweet, enough to rot your teeth. I know who they are courtesy of Tripp, who gave in one day and had to tell me some gossip he’d heard from Willow.
Pulling the hand from Emilie’s back, I go for a handshake. Eliza’s hand feels like a limp doll while Mitch is trying to show me he can hang—even when I know he can’t.
“You’re Zack Andersen,” Mitch stammers, voice quiet and a bit too fast, like there’s not enough room for the words in his mouth. “You threw the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl.”
“You must be the backup quarterback?” Eliza asks, taking me in, from my blonde hair down to my Tom Ford dress shoes.
“Nope, just the long snapper. Definitely a big fan of the trick play.”
“You came here with Zack Andersen. How does that happen?” Mitch asks, looking to Emilie and wearing an enthusiastic smile.
“Why wouldn’t she come with me? Sheismy girlfriend.” The words are smooth and confident from my mouth. Emilie laughs next to me, enough for me to feel her body move with it.
Skeptical eyes from her sister and surprised ones from Mitch fall on Emilie. “You never said anything…” Eliza presses.
“Yeah, that’s all me.” I put a hand on my chest, claiming responsibility before I take the same hand and thread my fingers into Emilie’s. She doesn’t miss a beat. “I wanted to keep it quiet. You know, the press and all that.”
“So, you’re coming to the wedding?” Mitch asks.
Shit. I didn’t see that coming. Emilie’s fingers squeeze mine, too hard. I try to keep my face steady.
“October 17th. Cancun, Mexico.”
I don’t know what I did to deserve such luck in this life sometimes, but I know that is our bye week for the Upstate Cosmos. That date is burned into my brain because I plan a trip every single season.
“I’ll be there, ” I reply as Mitch loudly claps his hands before I can even get the words out. I can feel Emilie’s hazel eyes on me.
“You only RSVP’d for one,” Eliza protests to Emilie.
Emilie shrugs her shoulders. “Did I? Well, whoops.”
“Zack Andersen is coming to our wedding!” Mitch jostles Eliza, her forehead scrunched and lips in a thin line.
“We’re going to get a drink. I’m sure we’ll see you at a family dinner soon,” Eliza snaps as she begins pulling Mitch toward the bar.
I wave to Mitch who is still looking back at me, his arm dangling like it’s barely attached to his body.
Emilie turns to me, taking a long drink of her champagne. I bet she wishes it was an Aperol Spritz—doesn’t matter if it’s spritz season or not, she’ll take one. I’ll never forget when a bartender in Vegas gave her such shit for ordering one at the Super Bowl after party.
“What the fuck was that?” She smiles, but her voice is sharper than I like.
“Right? I can’t believe you dated that guy.”
Emilie gives me her fakest laugh, using a hand to smooth out the front of my suit jacket. “Not that. What did you just do? How did you even know who that was?”
“Tripp gave me the short version a few weeks ago. And I've overheard bits and pieces when we’ve been out.” I cheers her glass with mine. Emilie doesn’t move, her golden eyes like knives. “Don’t worry, I have a valid passport and a bye week.”
“Of course you do.” She drinks the rest of the champagne before setting the empty glass on the table behind us.
“What’s the problem? We hang out in Mexico. I can be the doting, professional athlete boyfriend while your sister marries your ex. I think I'm the perfect distraction.”
Honestly, it seems like a great time. It won’t be the first instance where I’ve helped make someone jealous.