Play Along (Windy City, #4)

by Liz Tomforde

It was as if I had found my purpose in life—to make those around me happy, so I tend to keep the sad, sappy moments private.

There’s a reason I don’t hire women. Fucking asshole.

Maybe my mom sent me on her path today.

“I’m hiding in the women’s restroom because I’m having a shit day, and from what I overheard, so are you.”

No, none of that matters because I have two tits and a vagina.”

“Well, Kennedy, now that I’m no longer a stranger, tell me more about these two tits of yours.”

I personally think she should walk up to Dr. Fredrick and knee him in the balls, but I also really like the idea of her working here.

She’s easy to talk to, and on the worst day of the year, she’s made it bearable. Good, even.

But God, Dr. Fredrick is the worst and if he treats women that way, I can’t even begin to imagine how horrible the players on the team are.” Fucking ouch.

“Isaiah, please.” Those two little words stop me in my tracks. My name. She sounds good saying my name. She sounds good begging too.

I turn to find Kennedy speaking with Dr. Fredrick. I watch as he clenches his jaw and flares his nostrils, and I note the exact moment she tells him she’s taking the job.

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

Kennedy tucks a rogue strand of auburn hair behind her ear, and that’s when I see it—an impossible-to-miss diamond ring overtaking her left ring finger. Though somehow, I didn’t notice it before this moment. “Sorry, man.” Cody laughs again, palm connecting with my shoulder. “Looks like someone already beat you to it.” And just like that, it’s the worst day of the year again.

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.

you.” I wink at her because old habits die hard and I’m a fucking idiot and now she thinks I’m interested, judging by the smirk tilting on her mouth.

Sure, maybe I’ve shamelessly flirted with the girl for the past three years, but none of it was serious. She had a fiancé. But now…now she doesn’t. Now I’m dead serious about my intentions, but she thinks I’m still joking around. Call me ridiculous. Call me superstitious, but that day I met her three years ago felt like fate. What I typically consider the worst day of the year had a bright light for once. That same date on the calendar is only minutes away, and still, in the eighteen years since I lost my mom, there was only one time I genuinely smiled on that date, and it was the morning that Kennedy Kay came barging into the women’s bathroom and subsequently my life.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Her big brown eyes flit to mine. “Please.” I’m fairly certain my heart skips a beat because the last thing I ever expected when this night began was for Kennedy Kay to agree to hang out with me. But it’s after midnight and officially the worst day of the year, so I count this as a sign.

As much as I hate to admit it, Isaiah Rhodes is kind of hot.

“How do you feel about tequila?” he asks. “I feel like it causes me to make poor decisions.” “Perfect.”

“You remember the exact date we met?” Because what the hell?

What she doesn’t know is that I haven’t even looked at another woman since the day I realized she stopped wearing her engagement ring.

My last memory was that on the worst day of the year, I had the time of my life.

Ironic, that the dress she wore to her stepsister’s bachelorette is now her wedding dress.

“Then you should’ve told me no!” “When have I ever been able to say no to you?!”

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

“Why would I go along pretending that the wedding I had with this girl I’ve had a crush on for years is legitimate? Why would I force myself to spend time with her for an entire season to make sure she lands her dream job at the end of it? Hmm, I’m not sure, Kenny. Let’s think about that.”

“You’d be married to someone as a business arrangement, you know? One day, you’re going to have to tell other women that technically, you’re a divorcé.” He holds eye contact. “I’m not worried about other women. Haven’t been for a long time.”

“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.”

How very inconvenient that my temporary husband has to be so attractive.

Do I want to be touched? I’ve never been asked that before. My answer comes out in a whisper. “Yes.” “By me?” “Yes.” His smile is small but genuine. “Okay.”

“C’mon, wife.” I lead her back into the dining room. “Time to play along.”

“Eyes are up here, wifey.” “I’m a doctor, Rhodes. Aced anatomy, in fact. I know where your eyes are located. I just don’t care right now.”

“Play along.”

Our wedding song is on full blast as Isaiah makes his way to the plate, but before he gets there, he turns back in my direction. With the entire stadium singing the song I walked down the aisle to, Isaiah extends his bat, points at me, and winks. He fucking winks. It’s the moment reality hits me… Miller was right. I think I might have a crush on my husband.

“And have you rub out my groin in public? Wasn’t exactly trying to let the boys see just how hard I get for my wife.”

“Turn it off,” he whispers. “Turn off your brain and do what feels good. It’s all just a game, right? You and me, it’s all a game, so play along.”

“Dean,” I huff a laugh. “What are you talking about? I’m married.” Whoa. Why the hell did I say that? Why the hell did I think that?

and once you two legally split, we can just pretend this never happened.” That was my plan when I agreed to this whole thing, only now, I don’t know how I’m supposed to forget any of this ever happened. I sure as hell won’t be able to forget about last night.

Reese is here, we’re being watched, and that’s what I’m nervous about. So if he could play along right now, that’d be great, but Isaiah doesn’t catch on to any of it.

“There’s nothing weak about you, Kenny. You’re just a perfectionist who doesn’t see how perfect she already is.”

“On the worst day of the year, I had two of the best days of my life.”

There’s no denying it. I’m an absolute fool when it comes to this girl.

this woman is the most stunning person I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I still don’t know how I got so lucky to call her my wife—even if she thinks that part is temporary.

I think you’re lucky to have people you care about so much that you want to be with them. I think that’s every woman’s hope, to be thought of the way you think of Miller. It’s mine, at least.” I feel him watching me out of the corner of his eye. “You don’t really have to hope for that, Kennedy.” I let the insinuation hang in the air, but don’t agree. Verbally or internally.

He’s losing both me and you next season, and even though you think you’re temporary in his life, you’re not.”

He’s not temporary in my life either. At the very least, Isaiah Rhodes is quickly becoming my closest friend. And for maybe the first time, I can admit that when I move, I will miss him too.

What’s the point of it all if it’s only him? Holy fuck. Is it only him? Has it always been him?

the entire time another man was hitting on me, I was thinking about him. Wanted it to be him.

“That’s fine if you don’t want to talk,” I continue, undoing his shirt until it falls open. “I don’t need to use words to show you that I want you.”

It doesn’t matter that our marriage is fake. The heartbreak is going to be so fucking real.