Page 8 of Your Rule to Break
“Got it.” He nods in understanding. “What about PDA? Can I touch you when we’re out? What’s the line?”
I really didn’t think about PDA. Zack is always touchy feely, and he’s never made me feel uncomfortable.
“We’ll know if it’s within reason.” I try not to blush as I catch his denim blue eyes. “As long as it’s in public.”
“Within reason?” He scrunches his forehead. “There’s lots of things we could do… within reason…” He moves his eyebrows up and down with a small smile, his eyes still locked on mine.
I give him a playful push. “Quit it. You know what I mean.” He throws his head back with his boyish grin, and it hits me.
I’m going to fake date Zack Andersen.
Chapter 6
Zack
I love making Emilie’sface red—the closest to her hair color, the better. Currently, she’s making a list of rules and plans in a shared note on her phone, one she’s already shared with me and confirmed I can open. Don’t ask the woman a single social media question because she’ll think you’re technology illiterate for the rest of time.
“What about social media? Should we post about each other?” I ask.
“Yes, but if you use any nasty 2000’s rap lyrics as the caption…” She throws a look at me, one that says, ‘I’ve been on your socials.’ I like the idea of her looking. “Rule two, let’s run social media posts by the other, just to make sure we’re comfortable.”
I have no issue with what she’d post; she’s too much of a good girl to ruffle my feathers. Now, I’ve been in trouble more than once with an accidental post that was meant to go to a single person, or something the PR team views as borderline and asks me to take down, ‘just to be safe.’
I’m the long snapper, no one’s really paying that close of attention. Well, maybe they are, but to be honest, I barely care.
“Agreed, but I don’t want any more rules. Two is enough. I won’t be a dick and I’ll play nice, ok?”
Emilie nods, setting her phone in her lap while locking the screen, and picking up her iced coffee.
“Now, when is family dinner?” I ask, thinking back to her snarky sister grilling Emilie at the event. “Need to get it in my calendar.”
“I would never subject you to that, Zack.” She catches my eyes, pausing. “Seriously.”
“No, I want to come. At some point before the wedding, whenever you’re comfortable.” I like the idea of meeting her family, mostly to understand her better. She’s always acted like she’s only got herself, when it’s just not true. I’m guessing her family has something to do with that.
“Fine. Remember, you asked for this.” She chews on her straw, one of her nervous habits.
She’s right. I did. I’m a little afraid to admit why.
“This is torture. Whydo you do this to yourself?” a breathless Riley, blonde hair pulled into an almost too-high ponytail, whines while resting hands on her knees. Even though we’re at the Cosmos facility, it’s just the two of us. Everyone is still squeezing in the last of summer before football takes over.
My baby sister is one of my favorite people, but that doesn’t mean she’s not dramatic as fuck.
“Don’t act like you’ve never done burpees before.” I turn to her right before I jump, finishing my own.
She whips her head to look at me, the sweat dripping down her nose. “Not after every squat variation you could think of.”
The timer goes off, letting me know the circuit is over. I take a swig from my water bottle filled with an electrolyte drink. It’s some sort of powder, which makes the water saltier than any flavor they promise, but it’s not too bad.
It tastesbetter considering this company is one of my newest sponsors. The ending play in the Super Bowl is still paying off in sponsorships and women. Well, now I guess it’s woman. One. My now fake girlfriend.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead and tease, “We’ve done much harder workouts than this.”
“Why the torture today?”
How do I say that the most cardio I’ve done during this off-season was a threesome with two ex-gymnasts? We’re close but notthatclose.
“I’m just trying to get ready for the season.” I’m also trying to keep myself distracted from the fact that I’m keeping a secret from my sister and I hate that.