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I’m not easily distracted, but if I could manifest my perfect distraction, it’d look a lot like her.
“You should take Lesley to that charity gala.” Can’t. I already invited my sister. “End of the year weekend on the lake. Everyone is bringing someone. You’ll bring my niece.” Can’t. Stevie already snagged my plus-one. “Lesley is really smitten with you. You should invite her to team dinner on Friday as your plus-one.” Ah. Damn. Wish I could, but my sister is really excited to go, and I can’t bail on her.
It’s worked well all year, using Stevie as my pseudo-date, but then she had to go ahead and fall in love. And with not just anyone, but someone who is at ninety percent of the same functions as me because he’s an equally big name in Chicago sports.
When did I say that? I’m a romance reader. I have a thing for assholes.
“We? I personally don’t love wearing one with my pajamas, but you do you.”
“Judgment free zone.”
“Yeah, that’s not me. I’m just like every other chick. As basic as they come. I had an Uggs phase. I had a skinny jeans phase. I like my books with romance, my coffee with more creamer than caffeine, and I even take aesthetic pictures of my food anytime I’m at a restaurant.”
“My name isn’t Indiana, you know.
“Your real name is Indy?” “Indigo, actually. But I prefer Indy.” “Indigo? Like the color?” “Yes, like the color.
“So, your name is Blue?”
“Sure thing. I’ll stop with the nickname, Blue.”
It’s decided. I’m going to bring some color into Ryan Shay’s life if it’s the last thing I do.
“Stop looking at her,” I warn. “Go hit the showers or get to the airport or just about anything other than look at her. She’s not available.” “So, you are hitting that.” Dom nods in approval. “No, I’m not hitting that.
And neither are any of you. Stop looking at her or she’ll be the last thing you ever fucking see.”
“Ooooh. Protective Shay is here, and his sister is nowhere to be found. Someone write this date down. History is being made, people. Ryan Shay gives a fuck about someone other t...
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“Do you want me to get on my knees and beg or something?” “Now that you say it.” She cocks her head to the side, eyes roaming my length. “I wouldn’t mind knowing what you look like on your knees, Shay.” “Indy, please.” “This is ridiculous. We can talk about it when you get home.” “Perfect. Great. All I’m asking for is one night.” “Go get me your key so I can go crash in my new expensive bed.” “What an amazing guy to buy you a bed. Probably makes you want to return a favor. He seems like a wonderful person.” Indy rolls her eyes. “He’s on my shit list at the moment.”
I circle my apartment in a frenzy. This was a mistake, letting her move in. Forty-eight hours alone and she’s taken over. Everywhere I look there’s a piece of her. Something she touched or changed. Color decorates every nook and cranny,
but overall, there’s so much fucking Blue.
“Heads-up, Shay, I’m an expensive girlfriend. Fake or not. I can’t help it.” “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’ve got money.”
“What are you worried about? Sure, there might be a few headlines and my name might get released, but who cares? It’ll last a day, maybe two. When they deep dive into my life they’ll find out I go to trivia, I cross-stitch in my free time, and I read dirty books. No one cares about me. I’m not you, Ryan. It’s you they worship. So, please, let me go be a social butterfly because I’m starved for attention.”
“I’m pretty sure your fake boyfriend wants to very real kill me.”
You’re impressive.”
“No. That’s not how this is going to go. When you’re with me, I want you exactly as you are. That includes letting people know just how fucking smart you are. You’re not going to cater to anyone’s toxic masculinity bullshit. You’re not going to be quiet and appeasing when you’re with me. If Ron, or anyone else for that matter, has an issue with you being smarter than him, then we’re going to have a far bigger problem than him thinking I’m not a good leader.”
“Don’t.” Ryan sits forward. “Don’t you dare cry.”
“Indy.” Both his large hands cup my face. “I don’t give a fuck where we are. You could cry all you want at this fundraiser. You could scream, laugh, throw a temper tantrum in front of these people for all I care. I don’t give a fuck, but you’re not crying over him, here or anywhere else.”
I find myself envious that I can’t participate, and instantly wish I knew more than the basics so Indy’s dad could speak directly to me without his daughter having to translate.
I want her here. I want her to want to be here. Fuck, when did that happen?
“Ryan, my guy, you’re so completely fucked, and you can’t even see it.”
“You can’t stop being who you are because someone else thinks it’s too much, Ind. He can go find less.”
“Do you think I’m a trainwreck, Ryan?” I huff a laugh. “You’re more like a cute little fender bender.”
I’ve always found Indy’s Converse random and a bit strange, but now I find myself wondering what I have to do to get myself added to them.
“Blue.”
“Do you think I’m pretty?” He rolls his eyes. “Do you?” Ryan levels me with a look, serious and stoic. “I think you’re smart.” Oh. “Kind. Chaotic. A bit of a smartass and too charming for your own good.”
“So, you don’t think I’m pretty, then.”
“Indy, I’m not blind, but even if I were, I’m pretty sure I could touch your face and understand just how fucking stunning you are, but it’s not the first thing I see anymore.”
I’d never let him see her cry over him, so you could blame the kiss on that, but the truth is when I walked out of the players’ entrance all I saw was Blue. My perfect fucking Blue with those strappy heels, leather pants, and an attitude consisting of the strangest mix of welcoming and sharp.
But when I noticed him, all I saw was red.
The girl deserves to be spoiled, and I want to be the one doing the spoiling.
“Don’t pull that ‘I can’t spend your money’ bullshit. We both know you want to go, and you told me you were an expensive girlfriend, so prove it.”
“I’m going to jump out real quick so if you could pick up speed that’d be great.”
“I touched myself thinking of you,” she admits.
My little clean freak.
“Ryan,” I call out, stopping him in the doorway. “Why are you doing this?” “Because I like taking care of people. You, especially.”
“Indy,” he whispers from behind me. “What you offer in a relationship, as a friend, a woman, a partner, by simply being who you are is more than enough. And if someone can’t see that you’re everything, then it’s them who's missing out. I know you’re faithful. It’s one of my favorite things
about you, but there has to be a limit. Some people don’t deserve your unwavering loyalty.”
I’m certain the fever must have stolen my filter when I ask, “Are you faking it?” “No, Blue. I’m not faking anything.”
“You’re a fucking gift, Ind, and
I
cannot believe I made you feel anything less than that. I’m so...
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Alex may have drained the old me, but the real me, I have plenty left to give.
