Isadora woke the next morning to her phone blaring. She grabbed it and answered, her voice groggy.
"Lil? Where are you? I've been calling you all morning?"
"Trish? Is everything okay? What time is it?"
Isadora sat up straight in her bed, rubbing her eye with the back of her free hand. Trisha was her best friend from college and recently graduated from law school. She had just taken the bar in January and would find out in May if she actually passed, but she helped Isadora with legal things as often as she could, completely for free.
"We have court Monday morning," Trisha said. "Apparently, Benjamin is trying to fight the restraining order because he has a competition in Anaheim in two weeks."
"What?" Isadora asked. The question was redundant, but she felt as though she needed to say something. Anything. She needed to remember where she was. She needed to remember that Benjamin wasn't here. Just because he was trying to come back to Orange County didn't mean that he actually would be allowed to. "Okay, what do I need to do?"
"Just bring all of your paperwork to Harbor on Monday," Trish instructed. She sounded more concerned about this than Isadora assumed she would. "I don't know if we're going to be able to stop him just because he's here for work, but we'll try. God, I can't believe this bastard is this much of an asshole. He's not even one of the greatest tennis players in the history of tennis players, and yet, he thinks he can come here, like the law doesn't apply to him."
"He's a professional athlete," Isadora pointed out, throwing her legs over the side of her bed before she stood and stretched. "Of course the law doesn't apply to him. No one sees how he really is. He gets to wear a mask. And even though this is public information and it's not really a secret that I've filed the restraining order against him, people think I'm blowing things out of proportion or I want to bring him down. There's a reason I haven't commented on those news stories from a few years ago. I don't care what the world thinks of me. I just want to be protected."
Isadora wasn't sure where that came from, but when she caught her breath, she paced over to her connected bathroom.
"How bad is this, Trish?" she asked, pausing in the doorway and taking her thumb nail and worrying it between her teeth. "Like, how much should I worry?"
There was a pause on the line and then a deep sigh. Isadora closed her eyes in resignation as she leaned her body against the doorway, her whole body wanting nothing more than to completely collapse.
"Honestly, Isa, it doesn't look good," Trisha replied. "The fact that what happened to you was three years ago, plus the fact that he did everything the judge asked him to do—anger management, community service. He even came out and admitted what he did to you. The crazy thing is that people still think you're the bad guy even though he admitted his mistake and publically apologized. My guess is his attorney is going to claim he changed when we all know what bullshit that is. He hasn't changed and he probably never will. But if people think he has, he can get away with so much more." There was a pause on the other end of the phone. "We should probably have a backup plan. In case the judge does not rule in our favor."
"What do you mean, a backup plan?" Isadora opened her eyes and forced herself to walk into the bathroom. If she was going to start her day with bad news, she’d better get into a bubble bath and soak it away. No one could be worried or angry in a bubble bath.
"As in, take the necessary precautions to protect yourself if he's allowed to come back to Orange County."
"Do you think he'll even want to see me?" Isadora asked. She held her cell phone with one hand, and with the other she dumped lavender-scented bubble bath into the water against the running faucet. Almost immediately, bubbles started to form in the hot water. "I mean, I had him arrested for domestic battery. Wouldn't he avoid me?"
"Honey, you are a challenge to him, okay?" Trisha said. "Is that water I hear in the—are you trying to avoid this by taking a bubble bath? Isadora, you need to realize that this stuff happens. It's okay. We just have to figure out what to do."
"From what you're saying, there's nothing I can do," Isadora pointed out as she slid out of her boy shorts. "I just don't think he's going to want to see me at all, especially if he gets the restraining order temporarily removed—"
"He's trying to get it so there's no more restraining order at all."
"Can he do that?"
"He's an athlete, he can do whatever the hell he wants," Trisha pointed out. "The worst the judge can say is no, but he's asking to be allowed back in Orange County. Apparently, there's a really prestigious tennis club in Newport Beach that he sees as his practice facility and the only one he can use on this planet." Isadora didn't have to see her best friend to know Trisha was rolling her eyes. "Look, Isa. I just want you protected. That's all I care about. Benjamin can go fuck himself for all I care. He can get his wrist run over by a semi-truck so every bone in his hand shatters and they have to amputate and he'll never be able to play tennis again."
"That was surprisingly descriptive," Isadora said as she took off her T-shirt and readjusted the phone. She quickly hit the speaker button and set the phone on her sink so she could tie up her hair.
"I've played various scenarios out in my head," Trisha admitted. "At the very least, take some self-defense classes. Or get a guy friend to stay with you or go stay with him, just until this whole tennis drama is done with? I just...Isa, I remember the way you looked that night when you pounded on my door, begging for a place to stay. I remember the swelling, the bruising, the crusted blood. Sometimes it feels as though I'm more traumatized by it than you are. And I don't ever want to see you that way again. Please. Do you have someone you can call? Hell, stay with me if you want."
"No way," Isadora said as she stepped into the tub. She took her phone off speaker just so it wouldn't echo. "You and Matt just got engaged and I already pester you too much as it is. I promise I'll figure it out."
"Today," Trisha insisted.
"Today," Isadora agreed with a nod, then remembered Trisha couldn't see her.
"I'll sign us up for self-defense classes," Trisha continued. "Just to be on the safe side, and I know you won't go unless we're in it together."
Isadora laughed. Trisha knew her too well.
"Thanks for the call," Isadora said. "We'll figure this out."
Except Isadora had no idea what she was planning to do. She took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and leaned back. The only thing that kept spinning in her head was Xander and how he needed a girlfriend to get back at his cheating ex.
"That's it!" Isadora exclaimed. She reached for her phone and texted Xander.
Still need a pretend girlfriend?
Without thinking twice, she sent it off.
Chapter 3
Still need a pretend girlfriend?
Xander furrowed his brows at Isadora's text, pursing his lips together as he drummed his fingers on the surface of the small cafe table, waiting for his name to be called. He had just gotten off the ice and stopped by Starbucks to pick up a plain, black coffee he doused with sugar. He liked to sit back and enjoy watching people walk up and down the boardwalk. If he had the time and the inclination, he would kick off his Rainbows and take a walk on the beach himself.
Hockey was a fast game and it could be over in a minute. To center himself, to root himself to the present moment, he tried to give himself an hour of peacefulness a day, and typically, that occurred early in the morning unless he had an early skate. Then, he fit it in right after.
Technically, he did need a pretend girlfriend. He hadn't found anyone he trusted enough to ensure they understood that this would all be for fun. That any kisses or sweet words or time together was fake. It wasn't real. The last thing he wanted would be to lead her on, especially after everything he had been through this past year. She would need to be strong, resilient, warm, and considerate. She would have to be believable as his girlfriend.
In the past few hours, he hadn't found anyone he could think of who had all of t
hose qualities. Up until Isadora shot him that text.
Of course.
How could he have been so dense?
Isadora was the perfect candidate. She was intelligent, beautiful, and they already had a sexual relationship where strings weren't attached.
Yes. Know anyone?
"Constable Cruise?" a voice called, confusion lacing their tone.
Xander stood, pressing his lips together to keep himself from laughing. He was nearing his late-thirties and he found himself laughing at the dumbest things. He should be able to give his name. It wasn't as though he was a star player residents of Orange County knew. In fact, unless people specifically were Gulls fans, he found that Orange County really didn't care if he played hockey. It was one of the few places where even Zachary Ryan or Brandon Thorpe could walk around and not get recognized. Which meant Xander Vane, a fourth line center who was known more for fighting than for playing hockey, would definitely not get recognized.
"Thank you, Trisha," he said as he took his coffee from her.
"I can't wait to see what you come up with tomorrow, Constable," she said as she headed back behind the complicated drink machine and started the next order.
Xander grinned and removed the cap so he could pour in real sugar. He took a wooden stick and stirred it well before closing the cup and heading back to his seat outside. He leaned back in the metal chair, taking a long sip of the hot liquid, before setting the coffee on the table and pulling out his phone. The sun was starting its climb in the sky, so it was still cool. Fog gathered on the surface of the ocean, and Xander took in a deep breath of fresh air. He released it with a smile. He loved days like this.
If you'll have me, I'd be up for the challenge.
His heart did something strange when he saw her text. Of course he would have her. She was the perfect candidate for the job.
Absolutely.
She texted back almost immediately. Great! When you're free, do you want to come over and we can figure out a game plan? I can pick up cheesecake.
Xander shook his head. "Smart girl," he muttered, though a smile touched his lips. How could he refuse, especially when she knew that cheesecake was his favorite dessert? How dare she use that against him? And yet, he could not help the swell of pride at her wit for doing such a thing.
Tonight it is. Wear your pink dress.
It's already on. I'm going to need your help to take it off.
Xander could feel himself start to get hard just thinking about unbuttoning his favorite dress and watching it fall to the floor. Isadora had this uncanny way where Xander found himself staring at her body as though it was the first time, every time. They had started this a few months ago, just after the AllStar break. They had seen much of the other's body, but, at least on his end, he had yet to be used to the sight.
He took another long sip of coffee and picked his eyes up so he could watch the people as they set up chairs and umbrellas. There weren't many people at the beach. It was still a month away from tourist season. But people from the surrounding suburbs that made up Orange County still came, if only to enjoy the beach when relatively empty before summer started, traffic on the 55 and even PCH increased, parking turning into a bitch, and people came from all over.
Xander didn't typically mind because usually, he was back home in Alberta with his family, until late August, training mildly and focusing on everything but hockey. However, because of his relationship with Juliette, he had committed to be an advocate with the Orange County Pets Association, and there was an event next week that required a speech from him. Juliette was supposed to help him prepare, but after he walked in on her with someone else, that went out the window. Truth be told, he had completely forgotten about the whole thing until he received a call, confirming that he would be there.
"Should have said no," Xander muttered to himself, twisting the venti cup. The coffee splashed up and out of the hole and Xander quickly sucked it off.
He should have said no, but couldn't bring himself to. It wasn't the association's fault his ex cheated on him, and once Xander committed to anything, his intent was to see it through, no matter what. So he responded in the affirmative and forced himself to forget about it all over again.
Until now.
Isadora could be his date.
At that moment, his phone started ringing. When he saw Juliette's name pop up, paired with the Jaws theme music, he practically rolled his eyes. She was the last person he wanted to deal with at the moment, and would have preferred to continue to people watch and fantasize how this whole facade would go. However, he knew if he didn't answer now, she would continue to pester him until he was ready to claw his eyes out.
"Hello," he said in a gruff, unapologetic voice.
"I see that you're still listed as the keynote speaker at the shelter this weekend," Juliette said, her voice crisp. No “hello.” No “how are you.” Nothing of the sort. He shouldn't be surprised, but at the same time, it irked him what a bitch she was and how he didn't know about it until after they had broken up. Which was probably a good thing since it saved him time and frustration, but he didn't like to be confronted with the fact that he had been with a bitch for a good three months. More than that, he didn't like that he actually cared what she thought, considering he and Isadora were creating this whole fake relationship because he wanted closure in their relationship.
He shouldn't care, but he did. And because of that, he hated himself just a little bit.
"I am," he said. His eyes looked past the people walking up and down the boardwalk. He needed to find the ocean. When he latched onto the sight of the ocean hitting the shoreline, he felt the tension in his shoulders ease. The ocean always helped calm him down, even if he was talking to a conniving witch.
There was a beat between them before she asked, "Well, why?"
His lips curved up into a grin. "Why, what?" he asked. The sun caused the ocean to glitter and he felt himself sink down into the chair, kicking his heel up so it rested on his knee. His fingers started to toy with his plastic cup.
"Why are you still going?" she demanded. He couldn't deny the tiny thrill he got, knowing something he was doing caused her to react so defensively. "You know that this cause is my cause. There's no reason for you to be part of the ceremony at all. You could remove yourself and I can find someone to replace you."
"Haven't you already done that?" Xander asked before he could stop himself. He knew it was low, but he didn't care. So many people tiptoed around her, trying not to hurt her feelings because they used words like delicate and precious. And she was those things, but she was also a fucking wrecking ball and if no one could see that, he would make them. "How's that working out for you, by the way? Is he everything he imagined you would be?"
"He's not you, and that was what I was going for," she spat.
Her words shouldn't have affected him the way they did. They had been broken up for a month now. She had cheated on him, and yet, when she said things like that, his ego reacted and he wound up being a puppy with his tail between his legs. Almost like he hated he couldn't get her approval even now.
He scrunched his face up, pissed at himself for letting her get to him again and tightened his grip on his phone, almost as though he wanted to ensure he didn't do something he might later regret like throw it across the boardwalk and into the sand.
"You should resign from your speech duties," Juliette continued.
"I will not," Xander snarled. "I will be there and I will give the best damn speech that shelter has ever seen. People will be coming up to you and praising you for what a find I am. They'll say things like “He's a keeper,” and “You are so lucky to have found someone so caring. Don't fuck this up.” And I'll say, “Oh, she already did. With some asshole who probably doesn't know how to please her the way I do."
Juliette scoffed and it sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
"Actually, that is the last thing they'll be saying to me about you," she said. "Because I'll be there w
ith someone else. Someone who can pull out a checkbook and write a check for your entire yearly salary and give it to the shelter without thinking twice. That's why I wanted to call, Xander. Don't make things awkward. Get out of doing the speech so we won't have to see each other again. Saturday night isn't about you or me or us. It's about the stray dogs in Orange County. Don't you see that?"
"What are you going to tell Drew Stefano—whom we recruited to attend after you got me the speaking gig—when I don't show up?" Xander asked. "He knows you're a cold-hearted bitch and everything, but is your pride more important than letting me attend and getting the shelter some much-needed press? We're going to the playoffs, Juliette. It's not like we're losing. My presence there would help the shelter more than you want to admit."
"Fine," Juliette replied. "But don't say I didn't warn you, okay?" She let out a breath. "I'm with someone new, Xander. I don't want you back."
"You think I want you back after walking in on you fucking someone else?" Xander asked. A couple of people sitting nearby shot him disapproving looks but he ignored them, not fully believing what had just come out of Juliette's mouth.
"I don't care what you want, Xander," Juliette said. "I just want you out of my life. And since this speech is apparently so important to you, I have no choice but to deal with you for one more night."
"I'm bringing a date," Xander made sure to let her know.
Technically, he wasn't sure if Isadora would agree to attending, especially knowing that Juliette would be there, but he said it anyway.
The only response he received was silence. Juliette had hung up on him. And that was the best reaction he could have hoped for.
Chapter 4
Xander Vane showed up at Isadora's doorstep right on time. He had a bouquet of daisies in his hand—her favorite flower—and wore her favorite blue T-shirt that only brought out his eyes. It was easy for Isadora to forget her worry when Xander was here. He managed to take it away, at least, temporarily.
Enticing Enforcers: A Slapshot Novella Page 2
