“In private you don’t have to be his girlfriend, but you can’t be anyone else’s either. You have to keep up appearances.”
Aspen and Sebastian whisper to each other and then she leafs through the contract in silence.
She looks up in surprise. “I have to move in with him in a few months?”
“It’s the normal progression of a modern relationship,” Sarah says. “Mr. Mills has plenty of room at his townhouse to accommodate you.”
Aspen looks ready to argue the point. But Sebastian puts a hand on her arm. “Penny, it could be the perfect solution. We’ll be without a place in three months anyway. It’s actually pretty good timing.”
“Penny?” I ask, amused at his nickname for her.
He shrugs. “It’s better than calling her ‘Ass,’ don’t you think?”
I laugh. “Yes, that it is. But I’m not a fan of nicknames.”
“But you have a great one. They call him Speed Limit,” he explains to Aspen. “Because he’s so fast and his number is fifty-five.”
Aspen doesn’t seem to care in the least about what her roommate is telling her. She continues perusing the contract. “But what about you?” she asks Sebastian. “Where will you live?”
“Remember what you said about my meeting people at training? I’m sure I’ll find other options. Don’t worry about me.”
Aspen looks at the contract thoughtfully. “Would I get my own bedroom?” she asks.
Sarah looks at me and I shrug.
“Yes,” Sarah says. “If that’s what you want.”
“Can we add that to the contract?”
“Of course,” Sarah says, making a note on her legal pad.
I’m trying not to smile and pump my fist. This is going to happen. I can see it in Aspen’s face.
“Can we add other things to the contract?” Aspen asks.
“Such as?” Sarah says.
Aspen looks at her friend. “Such as Bass can come stay at Sawyer’s place, too, if he doesn’t have anywhere to go after they demo our building.”
“Penny,” he says, chiding her.
“I’m not about to let you be homeless,” she tells him.
“I’m not sure that would be good for appearances’ sake,” Sarah says. “It’s tabloid fodder for sure. But how about we add a clause stating that Mr. Mills will help Mr. Briggs find suitable accommodations should the need arise? Would that be acceptable to everyone?”
Sarah looks at me and I nod. Then she looks at Aspen, who seems happy with the compromise.
“Is there anything else you might like to add?” Sarah asks her.
Aspen looks at me and blushes. Then she looks back at Sarah. “I’m not having sex with him. I want it clearly stated in the contract that it’s not my obligation to do so.”
“You’re kidding.” I narrow my eyebrows. “We’re consenting adults.”
“I wouldn’t really be consenting if you’re paying me, now would I?” she says, looking at me sternly. “I’m nobody’s whore.”
I sit in stunned silence, wondering just who this girl is. Nobody has ever said they don’t want to have sex with me. Especially someone I’m handing myself to on a silver fucking platter.
“You said so yourself that you don’t do girlfriends, Sawyer. You said it the other night. So why argue the point?”
Sarah looks at me with raised brows.
“Fine,” I grumble.
“Is that all?” Sarah asks.
“No. He can’t have sex either. I’m not a whore, but I’m also nobody’s fool. I won’t be made to look like one if it gets out that he’s sleeping around on me.”
“Now I know you must be joking,” I say. “Do you even know how long the season is? That’s a ridiculous request.”
Sebastian holds up the contract. “No more ridiculous than you paying Aspen to be your eye candy, and forcing her to move in with you. And not allowing her, or anyone, to even talk about anything.”
“But six fucking months?” I muse aloud.
“Seven if you make the playoffs,” Sebastian says.
“Shit.”
I look around at the three pairs of eyes staring at me. Then I look down at the contract knowing I don’t have a choice.
“Write it in,” I tell Sarah reluctantly.
“And if you screw up and this thing blows up in your face, I still get all the money,” Aspen says.
I look at Sarah.
“It’s only fair,” she says. “Because if Aspen or Sebastian violate the NDA, she gets nothing.”
I blow out a long breath. “Fine.”
“And when it’s over,” Aspen says, “I want it known that I left you, not the other way around. You can make up whatever story you want as long as it doesn’t make me out to be a bitch or a slut.”
I look at Aspen. “You drive one hell of a hard bargain.”
Sarah interrupts the staring contest I’m having with Aspen. “You are aware that you’ll have to participate in public displays of affection with Mr. Mills, aren’t you?”
Aspen nods her head. “Yeah, I get that. But nothing under the clothing.”
“Kissing will be required,” Sarah says.
“I figured,” Aspen replies, looking at me with pink cheeks.
I can’t help but smile, because I know she’s thinking about the kissing we did in the alley. She doesn’t remember it, but we did a hell of a lot more kissing than that. She’s an excellent kisser.
“So are we in agreement here?” Sarah asks. “Or do you want to have a lawyer look it over, Miss Andrews?”
Aspen leafs through the pages again. “Do I really have to travel to some of his away games? I have school.”
“When are you out of school?” Sarah asks.
“Mid-May.”
“Are you okay going to some out-of-town games after that? Say twice a month for three days each?” Sarah looks at me to make sure I’m okay with that. I nod. “That is six weeks away, probably about the time you’d start doing those sorts of things as his girlfriend.”
“I guess I could do that,” Aspen says. “Until grad school starts up in August.”
I see her eyes light up for the first time today when she mentions grad school. That’s how I know for sure she’s not some chick just doing this to be seen with me. She’s the genuine deal. She’s not looking for an easy ride or a quick fix. She has an agenda. One I can help her achieve.
“Maybe just an occasional weekend away game after that?” Sarah asks. “People will understand you have commitments.”
“That would be okay, as long as it doesn’t interfere with a school performance.”
“Okay, then, it looks like we might have a deal?” Sarah says.
Aspen and Sebastian whisper to each other for a minute and then they both page through the contract again.
“As long as you add everything we discussed, I’ll sign it. It seems pretty straight forward.”
“Good,” Sarah says. “And when you sign the final contract, you and Mr. Briggs will be asked to sign an additional NDA that prohibits you from talking to anyone about the terms of the contract or the details of the arrangement both now and after the arrangement ends. You’ve already signed the NDA that forbids you to talk about this meeting.”
Sebastian looks confused. “I can’t tell anyone I know you?”
I shake my head. “No, you can. You’re Aspen’s friend, so it will make sense that you know me. I’m sure we might even get to hang out. Do you have a girlfriend?”
His eyes momentarily flash to Aspen. “Not at the moment.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Sarah says. “You won’t have to keep anything from a significant other.”
Aspen looks thoughtfully at her roommate. Then she turns to me. “You know, Bass is being put into a position here. He’ll have to lie about everything. He didn’t sign up for this.”
Sarah sighs and raises her brows. “You feel he should be compensated?” she asks Aspen.
“Penny, no. That’s r
idiculous,” Sebastian says. “You’re making enough already.”
“How about a season ticket – club seats?” I say. “For each of you.”
Sebastian looks at Aspen like his head will explode if she doesn’t accept.
She rolls her eyes. “I guess that’s a yes.”
“Good,” Sarah says. “Because I’m sure you saw on page three that you’re required to make a lot of appearances at home games.”
“Won’t you want her sitting with the other players’ wives and girlfriends?” Sebastian asks.
“It might be best if she didn’t,” Sarah explains. “It will avoid unnecessary questions.”
“But if I don’t sit with them, won’t it look like I think I’m too good for them?”
She has a good point. Women can be super catty.
“We’ll say you already had other tickets. And my two best friends on the team have wives who will take you under their wings, I’m sure of it. They can keep their mouths shut. They won’t let the other women be mean to you.”
“Sawyer,” Sarah, scolds me. “The fewer people who know about this, the better. If this gets out, it will be worse for you than what you were dealing with before.”
I shake my head. “I’m not worried about them saying a thing. I’d bet my life on it.”
“You still haven’t said why you’re even doing this,” Aspen says. “Did you have a bad breakup or something? Are you trying to get someone back by making them jealous?”
“Hardly,” Sebastian snorts. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same woman twice. I’ll bet I can tell you exactly why he needs you, Penny. The higher-ups in the Hawks organization are getting tired of him being on the front page of every tabloid magazine with a different woman. They are tired of him parading around like the playboy of baseball. They’re sick of having to get their PR person to explain all his indiscretions. I’m guessing there have even been a few lawsuits and some pretty pissed off husbands in the mix, too. Am I right?”
Aspen looks confused. “Are you going to get fired if you don’t have a girlfriend?”
“Not fired. Traded. To a team not as desirable as the Hawks. And no, they didn’t say I had to have a girlfriend. They know nothing about this and I’m going to keep it that way. They just said I needed to, um … ‘keep my dick in my pants,’ to quote my manager.”
“So why not just keep your dick in your pants, bro?” Sebastian asks. “Why go to such extremes?”
I don’t say anything. What is there to say?
“Oh, my God. Are you really a sex addict?” Aspen asks.
“I’m not a sex addict. I just like to have it. It’s fun. Don’t you think it’s fun?”
She pinks up as she tries to ignore my heated stare.
Sarah points to the contract. “I think Aspen’s additions are a good thing. They’ll keep you honest.”
I turn to my lawyer. “You don’t think I could do it on my own? Without her added clauses?”
“I’m not sure you want me to answer that,” she says.
I check my phone. “I have to get to practice.”
Everyone stands up and Sarah walks us to the door. “I’ll draw up the new contracts and messenger them over to Aspen and Sebastian.”
“How quickly?” I ask.
“I’ll make it top priority. I could have them drawn up by Friday. Why don’t the two of you plan a meeting sometime next week so you can figure out how to get started?”
“I’m back from Atlanta on Sunday,” I tell them.
“I guess I could meet with you then,” Aspen says.
I shake my head. “I have plans.”
Six eyes stare at me and scold me like I’m a five-year-old.
“I’m not planning on fucking anyone, guys. I just have other plans. How about Monday night? It’ll have to be late, probably ten o’clock or so by the time I’m showered and ready. Is that too late?”
Aspen shrugs. “I don’t have class until Tuesday afternoon, so staying up late on Monday is okay.”
I turn to Sebastian. “Are you available?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. I kind of figured you guys were a package deal.”
Sebastian laughs. “Well, I’m not kissing you, if that’s what you’re asking, but, yeah, I can come along on Monday night.”
“Good.” I write down my address and hand it to Aspen. “See you Monday at ten. Now wait five minutes before you leave. I don’t want anyone seeing us together until we make it official.”
Aspen narrows her eyes at me. “Are you always going to be this bossy?”
“Well, technically, you are my employee for the next six months.”
“Seven if you make the playoffs.” She gives me a smug smile. “And considering how many revisions I’ve just made to the contract, you might want to re-evaluate who has the upper hand in this arrangement.”
I laugh as I walk out of the office, thinking that this girl might just be the death of me. But, oh, what a way to go.
Chapter Six
Aspen
It’s hard to concentrate in class today. I keep going over the contract that was messengered over this morning. I ignore my instructor as I read through the part that covers expectations about my behavior. I must allow him to hold my hand, put his arms around me … kiss me.
The thought of kissing him again makes me squirm in my seat. I remember the night I met him. The surreal night that continues to plague my dreams – or my fantasies if I’m being honest. He was gentle. He was funny. He was unlike anyone I’ve ever met.
And now, I have to kiss him for the next six or seven months. And I have to ‘fawn over him’ and ‘look at him with dreamy eyes.’ It actually says those exact words in the contract. They are even dictating the way I have to look at him.
Five hundred thousand dollars. That is what I think about every time I want to burn the contract that makes me no better than a glorified hooker. But that’s the reason I said I wouldn’t sleep with him. I’m not about to let anyone pay me for sex.
I’m especially glad I had Sarah add it after all the research I’ve done on Sawyer the past few days. Bass was right. He’s never been with the same girl twice. Not to mention I’m not all that eager to get an STD anytime soon. I question his ability to uphold his end of the contract. No way can he go six months or more without sleeping with someone. But that’s nothing I need to worry about. I’ll get paid in full if he does. And to my surprise, it was written in the contract that if he does ‘cheat,’ not only will I get paid the remainder of the money immediately, I will also be released from my duties.
I smile thinking that even though Sarah is his lawyer, she might just be on my side. He may be the one with all the money, but I’m the one in control.
All the money. I shake my head. I know exactly how much money Sawyer Mills makes. It’s not hard to find those things out on the internet. I still can’t believe he is who he is. I still can’t believe I spent a few hours at a bar with the guy without knowing who he was.
And I’m about to be famous in my own way. Famous for being the girlfriend of the most ineligible bachelor of baseball. It concerns me that we might not even be able to pull it off considering his past. Will people even believe he has a girlfriend? Will he know how to act so that he’s convincing? Maybe he’s the one who needs a contract directing the way he has to look and act.
A text pops up on my phone.
Denver: Hey, sis. Can you talk?
Me: In class. I’ll call you after. Everything okay?
Denver: Yeah. Talk to you later.
Denver. I sigh, thinking he’s the reason I’m even in this situation. I’m doing this to pay off his bad debts, but at the same time, I’m not allowed to tell him anything. That will be the hardest part of the whole arrangement. My brother and I have always been very close. We tell each other everything. I even knew about the investments he was making. Hell, I gave him my part of our inheritance because it seemed like a sure thing.
Although I was d
evastated to lose the money that was going to secure my future, it may be the one reason I still have a relationship with my brother. He never would have swindled me. He would die for me. And that’s how I know he was duped as well. He was duped by several higher-ups at KCPD. Higher-ups that still have his money, my money, and the money of a dozen other people. My brother’s only crime was being the gullible rookie cop. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the judge saw it and Denver ended up taking the fall for everyone.
I wish our mom was alive. She’d have done something. She was a judge herself. A highly-respected circuit court judge. But the judge who presided over Denver’s case was a young judge who probably never even met my mom. He was trying to set an example with Denver.
I look down at the contract and re-read the part about how I get paid. I’m going to get fifty thousand dollars as soon as I sign the contract. I’ll get two hundred and fifty thousand after our ‘break up.’ And the rest will be divided into monthly payments in between.
I’m still not sure how I’m going to justify paying off Denver’s debts. How will I explain it to him? Do I say I won the lottery or something? How do I lie to the person who I’m closest to in the world? He’ll see right through me, I’m sure.
Class is dismissed. I sat through the entire day today without learning a thing. I’d better get my act together or I’ll fail my finals and they’ll rescind my grad school acceptance.
On the way to the practice hall, I call my brother.
“Hey, little sister, how’s it going?”
“Hey, big bro. Fine. Just on my way to rehearsal.”
“I can’t believe you graduate in six weeks.”
“You and me both.”
I hear him sigh into the phone. “I’m so sorry I can’t be there for your graduation. I asked the court for an exception, but they won’t let me leave the state.” His voice cracks. “I can’t believe I’m going to miss it. Everything you’ve worked so hard for. And I had to go and ruin everything.”
“Stop it, Den. We’ve been over this a thousand times. What happened is not your fault. I don’t blame you.”
“I was so stupid. Why did I believe them?”
Stealing Sawyer Page 5
