Play Along (Windy City, #4)

by Liz Tomforde

I already wasn’t a fan of our lead doctor. He’s a bit of a kiss-ass if you ask me, always wanting to be buddy-buddy with the guys on the team, but the way he just spoke to this woman, as if he were better than her, has me eager to tell every person in the Warriors’ organization what a sexist piece of shit he is. “Sexist piece of shit.”

“No,” she pleads. “Not here. Get your shit together, Kennedy.” Kennedy. Inhaling a deep breath, she shakes her head. “And stop fucking talking to yourself, you weirdo.”

Hey, I just like hanging out in the women’s restroom. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to wash my hands real quick. Can you move over? I eavesdropped on your conversation with the Head of our Health and Wellness Department. I can go to HR with you if you’d like. Also, you’re like really pretty.

I immediately hate him.

“I can’t get a job anywhere in professional sports.” Her admission hangs in the air for a moment. “It doesn’t matter that I graduated at the top of my class at Columbia. It doesn’t matter that the doctors I did my residency under sing my praises when called for my references. It doesn’t matter that I was the youngest person to become Lead Doctor at a division one school with national championship winning athletic programs. No, none of that matters because I have two tits and a vagina.”

“Oh my God.” She grimaces before covering her face with her right hand. “I can’t believe I just told a complete stranger that I have two tits.” “I would’ve been a lot more impressed if you said you had three.”

Travis nudges my shoulder. “So, who is she?” On this day, where everything feels like a sign, I don’t hesitate when I say, “My future wife.”

There’s been only one woman who has held my interest and now that she’s no longer wearing another man’s engagement ring, spending my time with anyone else holds zero appeal.

“Remember last night when we were a few drinks in and I told you two that you guys were my best friends?” “Yeah?” “I take it back. You both fucking suck.”

“It looks like it’s guys’ night.” I scoff. “It most definitely isn’t guys’ night.”

“Yeah, it’s just kind of hot in here, I guess.” “And that’s why you’re trying to snuggle up to me in a night club right now? We can go back to my room if you’d like.” Leaning down, I whisper, “I’m a big fan of snuggling afterward.”

“This is part of the drink. This is my one shot, and if you’re uncomfortable the whole time you’re never going to want to have a drink with me again and I can’t blow my one shot because it’s cold and your feet hurt.”

“Have I told you lately how much I dislike you?” “Mmm,” he hums. “I should warn you, Ken, I like it when you’re mean. It does something to me.” “So that’s why you haven’t left me alone all these years? I should’ve been nice to you all this time, I guess.”

“California, huh? Did you know that’s my least favorite place?” “And when did you decide that?” “About two minutes ago.”

“I don’t even have a boyfriend.” “I’ve offered.” “Yeah,” she chuckles. “Except now, apparently, what I need is a husband.”

“Are you still offering?” “You’re drunk.” “So are you.” “You’re out of your mind.” “I think you are too.”

I don’t know why he’s looking at me like that. But then again, I think he always looks at me like that.

“You know I can’t say no to you,” he says. “That’s what I’m hoping for.” The words feel silly. I don’t think my tongue is connected to my mouth.

Connor always said I need to pick a wedding date too. I didn’t like him enough to do that though. But I think I can pick a wedding date now. Tonight.

“You’ll hate me in the morning.” “I don’t see how that’s much different than how I feel about you now.” I don’t hate him. Not even a little bit.

I like his smile too. I’ll never tell him that. “Are you sure?” Isaiah’s voice rings out somewhere around me. Of course I’m sure I’ll never tell him I like his smile.

Isaiah walks out to a song when he’s up to bat. He looks really good in his uniform. I’ll never tell him that.

“I finally married the girl I’ve been obsessed with for years.”

My eyes shoot open. Someone is at my side…in my bed. I slowly turn in that direction to find a woman lying on her stomach. What the fuck? No, no, no. Regret churns in my gut. Eight months of waiting for⁠— Kennedy.

“Oh, I’m for sure telling those three.” “Isaiah Rhodes.” “Kennedy Rhodes,” I mimic.

“Does this mean the honeymoon phase is over already?” “I hate you!” “See you at home, wifey!”

“Please try to be serious for once in your life. If we do this, I’m basically using you.” “Sounds terrible. Please, Kennedy, use me all you want.”

“Just think of this as one big game.” His tone is low and deep when he leans down to my ear and whispers, “C’mon wife. Play along.”

In theory, I understand his concern. Kennedy might have an expiration date on this marriage, but all I’ve heard is that I got six long months to get my wife to fall for me.

“Pretty amazing that Max was born on the same date that we lost Mom, huh? It’s almost as if she sent him here for us.” “Yeah,” Kai breathes. “That’s how I’ve always thought about it too.” “I met Kennedy on that same date three years ago. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.” “You didn’t.” “I just so happened to marry her on the exact same date.” His smile is small but understanding. In the same way Max was sent for us, I’ve had the same belief about my new wife. “Fine,” he relents. “I’ll get you Mom’s ring.”

Isaiah Meet me in the women’s bathroom by the clubhouse. Me Why are we meeting there of all places? It’s where we first met. I’m being romantic. You should really stop using my bathroom. But it’s so much cleaner than ours.

“When my mom died, this is the only thing I asked for,” he says, looking at it between his fingers. “I’m not sure why. I probably wasn’t thinking straight at the time. I should’ve asked for some of her clothes or her favorite books, but I just wanted this ring because I remember how pretty the color looked on her skin. I’ve always planned on giving it to the girl I marry, and whether this marriage is simply for convenience, you are the girl I married, Kennedy.”

“Did you get me both a metal and a rubber ring so I could wear something during my games?”

“I was just going to get your name tattooed there since I couldn’t wear a ring while I was playing, but this will do.”

“You’re not cute when you’re gloating.” “Only cute the rest of the time. Got it.”

“Can I ask you something?” he repeats. “Fine.” His voice is soft. “Did someone touch you in a way you didn’t like?”

“That,” he says, referring to his mom’s ring. “That’s purple though, right? I always thought it was purple.” “Yes.” I examine the amethyst stone. “It’s the prettiest shade of purple I’ve ever seen.”

“Will you pick a favorite color for me?” I huff a laugh under my breath. I vaguely remember thinking about this answer before. “Yellow.” “Yellow.” He appraises my answer. “Why yellow?” “It’s like you. Bright. Happy.” Reminds me of the sun. “Yellow,” he repeats. “Good color. My favorite color, in fact.”

I find Sanderson on the other side of the visitors’ training room, wrapping an ankle for one of our outfielders. He’s almost done, but I’m not going to tell Kennedy that. “He’s busy. Really busy.”

“Travis,” she says, ignoring me. “How exactly did you make the very poor decision to become his friend?” “Probably the same way you decided to become his wife.” “Too much tequila?” “Exactly.”

Kennedy pats her now free table. “Take your shirt off.” “Damn. No foreplay?” “Don’t flatter yourself. I’ve said the same thing to about twelve different guys today.”

“My wife, huh?” “Technically speaking.” “Say it again. I liked it.”

“Can I ask a favor?” “I already married you once, Kennedy. What else do you want from me?”

I know she doesn’t want me to get into it with her stepbrother, but it’s not my fault he’s got such a punchable face.

“Look at her. She’s worried. I don’t like when my wife is worried, Dean. She asked me not to fight with you so stop saying shit that makes me want to punch you in the face, okay?”

“Thanks for that, by the way,” she says. “That’s it? You’re not going to tell me what a good boy I am for not getting in a fist fight with your brother?” “You want me to call you a good boy?” “Mmm, yes, please. Preferably while we’re naked and you’re on top of me, but now would do too.” That smile I’m quickly becoming addicted to blooms. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Is that Rio?” I ask, taking my phone back from my brother. Suddenly, Rio’s dark hair and goofy grin take over my phone. “I thought this was girls’ night?” His eyes narrow in confusion. “It is.” “Where’s Zee?” Zanders, or Zee as we call him, is not only Rio’s teammate on the Raptors, but he’s also Stevie’s husband and therefore Ryan’s brother-in-law. It’s one big clusterfuck, I know. Rio’s confusion only deepens. “I just said it was girls’ night.”

“Everything okay?” are the first words I say after she picks up. “Are you busy, or could you come to this dinner?” “To your family dinner?” “Yes. I’m sorry for asking, but I need you.” I need you.

“Well, goddamn,” Dean chuckles, throwing back another shot. “Looks like Kennedy found someone she actually wants to kiss in public.”

“You don’t have to apologize. You can kiss me anytime you want, Kenny. Please kiss me anytime you want.”