Game On (Fair Catch Series, Book Six)

by Christine Kersey

  “I, uh…” She stood. “I’ve got to take this.”

  Aware everyone’s eyes were on her—especially Tyler’s—Brielle walked toward the bathroom which was a fair distance from their campground.

  “Hello?” she said after swiping to answer.

  “Thank goodness! You’re still alive.”

  Chuckling, Brielle said, “Yes. Alive and well. And it’s gorgeous here, Cara. You’d love it.”

  “Yeah, maybe. If I ever want to sleep in a tent. Which I don’t.”

  “I’m actually going to be sleeping in an RV.”

  “What?”

  Brielle recounted her day, ending with the way she’d stroked Tyler’s biceps.

  “You did not.” Cara’s voice was laced with astonished disbelief.

  “Yeah. I did. And I think he knew what I was doing.”

  “You are crazy, girl.”

  “I didn’t plan on doing it. It just kind of…happened.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “It did. I swear.”

  “Right. So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”

  “Sounds like we’re going on a hike.” Remembering what had led to the bicep touch, Brielle felt warmth wash over her. “Tyler bought me a CamelBak. Can you believe it?”

  “A camel-what?”

  Laughing, Brielle said, “It’s this awesome backpack that holds water and has a built-in straw so you can drink while you’re hiking. It also has space for other things you might need on a hike. Kate had one and I always thought it was cool.”

  “He got you a backpack. Awesome.” The lack of enthusiasm in her tone showed what she thought of the gift.

  “They’re not cheap, Cara. They’re, like, a hundred bucks.”

  “Huh. I guess that is pretty generous. But hey, he hired you for a job, right? Aren’t employers supposed to provide their employees with the tools they need to do their jobs?”

  When she put it like that it made it seem so sterile, so meaningless. Then she remembered the casual way Tyler had told her he was going to break up with her after this week. Yeah, this was definitely just a job to him. He was basically her employer.

  All the excitement she’d been feeling, all the warmth toward Tyler for his thoughtfulness, vanished. Just like that.

  “Right,” she said. “A tool for the job.”

  “I hope you have fun on your hike tomorrow.”

  So did she, but now that Cara had scratched up the lenses on her rose-colored glasses, she wasn’t quite as eager to go.

  Cara must have sensed her change of heart because she said, “Hey, at least you can enjoy Yellowstone, right?”

  That was true, and at that moment Brielle determined to not let Tyler’s indifference to their relationship—Ha! There was no relationship—stop her from having a great time. Maybe she could hang out with Mia. Brielle had seemed to click with her. But that would mess up the whole boyfriend/girlfriend vibe. No. She would have to suck it up and press on with her job. Like any new job, once you actually started doing it, it didn’t always match your expectations.

  Five thousand dollars. He’s paying me five thousand dollars.

  “Yep,” she said in reply. “I do like it here, and there’s so much to see.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.”

  Brielle disconnected the call, tucked the phone in her pocket, then began walking back to Tyler and his family. As she approached, she looked at Tyler. His back was to her, but as her gaze skimmed over his broad shoulders and she remembered the way it had felt to touch his bicep, a lone butterfly careened around in her belly.

  The week was just beginning. Who knew? Maybe by the end of the week he wouldn’t be so eager to tell her good-bye.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “We have limited water for dishes,” Tyler told Brielle as he filled a large bowl in the sink with water while squirting a generous amount of dish soap into it. “That’s why I’m using a bowl instead of filling the sink directly.”

  She was impressed that he’d offered to wash if she would dry. “I thought RVs had lots of water.”

  “Well, the tank holds fifty-five gallons of fresh water, but since we’re dry camping, it’ll run out eventually. Faster than you might think.”

  “What about showers?” How had she not thought about those before now?

  “We have to go to Fishing Bridge to shower.”

  “Oh.” A pause. “Where’s that?”

  He dropped the dirty silverware into the bowl, which was now full of soapy water. “Just a few miles from here. We usually go there to shower after a hike.”

  Brielle watched him scrub the utensils clean before rinsing them off and setting them in the dish drainer. She picked them up one by one and dried them off with a dish towel before putting them in a drawer. The rest of his family was outside, which was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because there was no need to pretend, but a curse because now that they were alone she was keenly aware of everything Tyler did and of how attracted she was to him. And of how she needed to smother that attraction.

  Why oh why did she have to find him so irresistible? It was like having a crush on your boss, except that she was supposed to pretend that she did have a crush on her boss while not really having a crush on her boss. It was so convoluted.

  “What are you thinking about?” Tyler asked as he set a plate in the drainer—a drainer that was rapidly filling up.

  “What?” How long had she been standing there slack-jawed? She must look like an idiot holding the towel while he did all the work.

  He chuckled. “You seem deep in thought.”

  As long as I wasn’t drooling. Suppressing a laugh, Brielle picked up a plate and wiped off the water. “Just, uh, thinking about what I would do if we ran into a bear.”

  He shook his head. “Stop obsessing over it. Thinking so much about bears might just draw them to you.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  He laughed. “Just kidding.”

  That wasn’t a joke she could laugh at. “Let’s say we actually saw a bear. What are you supposed to do?”

  He rinsed a cup and set it in the drainer. “Depends if it’s a grizzly or a black bear.”

  “Oh great. So not only do I have to worry about seeing a bear, I have to figure out which kind it is?”

  He laughed. “It’s not like you’ll be out there alone. I’ll be there.”

  Brielle remembered Mia’s comment earlier that Tyler would protect her. “Are you saying you’d sacrifice yourself for me if a bear attacked?”

  His eyebrows bunched. “I don’t think it’ll come to that. We’ll have six people in our group. It’s not like a bear would want to approach us. Plus, we’ll have bear spray with us.”

  “So you’re saying you wouldn’t sacrifice yourself for me.” Her eyes narrowed. “Shouldn’t a boyfriend be willing to do that for his girlfriend?”

  Were they really having this conversation? Completely confident that they wouldn’t see a bear on the next day’s hike—or any of their hikes—Tyler nodded. “If a bear charges you, I’ll step in front of you.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You will?”

  “Yeah.” He would just pretend it was a linebacker going after Hank Parson, one of the other running backs who was often on the field at the same time Tyler was. A linebacker with killer claws and teeth.

  Her face brightened. “Okay then.”

  “Feel better?”

  “Yeah. I do.”

  Ready to talk about something besides bears, Tyler said, “By the way, you’re doing great.”

  She looked perplexed. “With drying the dishes?”

  He laughed. “No. With your role.” Her face seemed to fall but she smiled so quickly Tyler wasn’t certain what he’d seen.

  “Right. Thanks. I’m glad it’s working.” She set a dried glass on the counter. “Your family’s really nice.”

  For some reason it really pleased him that she liked his family. Why
it should matter, he didn’t know. Once they got back to Sacramento they would never see each other again, so who cared what she thought of his family? As long as she did her job, nothing else mattered. Right?

  “They seem to like you too.” He forced a smile. “So, again. Good job.”

  Was that all he cared about? That the two of them had convinced his family that she really was his girlfriend?

  Don’t be stupid. He’s paying you to be his girlfriend. Don’t confuse any of his niceness toward you with anything else.

  “Dad’s getting the fire going,” Mia said as she poked her head inside the RV. “When you’re done, can you bring out the stuff to make s’mores?”

  “Sure,” Tyler said.

  “S’mores?” Brielle asked.

  “Have you ever had them before?”

  When she’d gone camping with Kate’s family, having s’mores had always been a highlight. In fact, she’d become somewhat of a master at browning marshmallows. “Yeah.”

  “It’s kind of a tradition for us to make them at least one night while we’re camping.” He set the last washed dish in the drainer.

  She picked it up and began drying it off. “That’s a great tradition.”

  He tipped the dish drainer into the sink, then grabbed a paper towel and wiped off the counters. “I think so too.”

  Brielle put the last dish away, impressed with how thorough Tyler cleaned up. “If you keep doing such a good job, we’re going to get dish duty every night.”

  He laughed. “Actually, I learned that if I didn’t do a good job, I’d get dish duty until I got it right, so I learned to do it right the first time.”

  Approving of his work ethic, she nodded. He would be handy to have around permanently. Then, reminding herself that this was a short-term thing, she nearly scoffed out loud. Fortunately, Tyler was too busy gathering the s’mores makings to notice.

  Once he set everything on the counter, he turned to face her. “Can you help me carry this out?”

  “Sure.” Together, they carried all the ingredients, a stack of napkins, and long sticks for browning the marshmallows outside.

  The snapping of a fire and the smell of burning wood surrounded Brielle.

  “Who’s ready for s’mores?” Tyler asked.

  “What took you so long?” Rob asked. “Were you making out in there?”

  Brielle’s face burned at the very idea, although she had to admit she wouldn’t mind a kiss or two.

  “Shut up,” Tyler growled, then he set the supplies on the table.

  Did Tyler hate the idea of making out with her? Was that why he sounded so annoyed? Trying not to be hurt by the notion, she set the napkins and the bag of marshmallows on the table beside the supplies Tyler had brought out.

  “Tyler’s an expert at browning marshmallows,” Mia said to Brielle. “Never burnt, yet perfectly gooey inside.”

  Forcing aside all thoughts related to making out, she focused on Mia’s comment. “Really?” Maybe she and Tyler could have a roast-off. Except she didn’t want to tip her hand that she knew what she was doing. Besides, it had been years since she’d lasted roasted a marshmallow. Maybe she’d lost all of her skill.

  “I do okay,” Tyler said with a smile at Mia.

  “He’s being modest.” Rob said, then he coughed in his hand as he said, “For a change.”

  What was that all about? Tyler hadn’t bragged about anything that she’d seen. Chalking it up to sibling rivalry, she turned to Tyler. “I’d like to see these perfect marshmallows.”

  Chuckling, he said, “Don’t get your expectations too high. I’d hate to disappoint you.” Then he looked at the flames before facing Brielle again. “We’ll have to wait until the fire dies down to coals.” He smiled. “That’s the secret.”

  Brielle nodded like this was news to her.

  Tyler sat in a chair and motioned for Brielle to sit in the empty chair beside him. Despite knowing it was all an act, Brielle liked that this man who she found so attractive was inviting her to sit with him. It wasn’t that she hadn’t dated good-looking men before, but Tyler was in a class by himself. And it was more than his face and athletic body. The way he carried himself, like he knew who he was and had an abundance of confidence… Something about that was powerful. And extremely sexy.

  Brielle sat beside him, acutely aware that he was paying attention to her and what she did. It didn’t matter that she suspected his scrutiny had more to do with making sure she didn’t say something to blow his cover than any romantic interest on his part—although she would be supremely happy if his interest swayed more towards romance than employer to employee. In either case, knowing he was focused on her built her confidence.

  As the evening turned to night Brielle stayed quiet and enjoyed the camaraderie Tyler and his family shared. That is, until Ann turned to her and asked, “What made you want to date Tyler, Brielle?”

  Chapter Twenty

  All eyes swiveled in her direction, including Tyler’s. This was something they most definitely had not discussed. What was she supposed to say? She knew hardly anything about him.

  Before she had a chance to stammer through some lame answer, he spoke up. “Mom, don’t put Brielle on the spot.” Then he placed his hand on hers.

  The move was so unexpected that she nearly gasped. His hand was large and warm, and his touch sent a shiver of delight cascading through her. I told him we could hold hands once or twice. Should I start keeping track? Nearly laughing at the ridiculousness of that, she wondered how long he would keep his hand on hers.

  “Sorry, Brielle,” Ann said. Then she grinned as she looked at Tyler’s hand on Brielle’s. “I’m just so happy that you’re here.”

  Fresh guilt battered her. How could Tyler lie to his family? Maybe she should tell them the truth. But if she did she’d be breaking their agreement and he wouldn’t pay her the rest of the money. He might even demand she return the twenty-five hundred he’d already paid her.

  Then she remembered what he’d said on the drive there. They didn’t need to pretend. They were boyfriend and girlfriend. At least for that week. Deciding to take that to heart, she turned to Ann. “It’s okay. I want to tell you what attracted me to Tyler.”

  Tyler’s hand tightened on hers and she placed her free hand on top of his for a moment to send the message that it would be okay.

  What is she doing? Tyler had gotten her out of the jam his mother had put her in but she’d jumped right back in it.

  “I’m interested,” Mia said.

  “I think the coals are ready to roast marshmallows,” Tyler said in a desperate attempt to deflect.

  “They’ll keep,” his mother said, her focus on Brielle.

  Softly sighing, Tyler knew he was outnumbered. Anyway, what was the worst that could happen? But he knew his greatest fear. Brielle could say something that would destroy the entire illusion.

  Like everyone else, he looked at Brielle in expectation.

  “First off,” she said with a quirked eyebrow, “the way he was with Luna, my roommate’s dog, really grabbed my attention. But since we’ve been dating,” she glanced at him with a warm smile, “it’s his thoughtfulness that’s meant so much to me.”

  “He’s always been good about taking the needs of others into consideration,” his mother said with a loving smile directed at him. “Ever since he was a little boy.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Brielle said, her focus on his mother. “I can see where he gets it. I mean, to tell you the truth, I was nervous to meet all of you.” She half-laughed and half-groaned. “Really nervous.” She was quiet a moment. “But…” Then her eyes welled with tears and Tyler was as captivated as his family. “But you guys have been so nice.” She wiped at her eyes. “Thank you for making me feel like part of your family.”

  Tyler’s mother leapt from her seat and rushed to Brielle, bending down to throw her arms around her for an extended hug. Then his mother stood and faced him, a stern look on her face and her finger shaki
ng at him like he was in trouble. “You’d better not let this one get away.”

  Mouth falling open, Tyler was too stunned to speak. His mother had bought Brielle’s act? Was she secretly an award-winning actress? Thanks to her performance, when it came time to tell his mother that he and Brielle had broken up, she’d probably disown him in favor of keeping Brielle.

  His mother still stood in front of him, her eyes locked on his. “Promise me you won’t screw this up.”

  Great.

  When his mother kept staring him down he had no choice but to say, “I promise.”

  His mother’s face broke into a smile and she patted his shoulder before walking to the package of marshmallows on the picnic table, picking it up and tearing it open. “Who’s ready for s’mores?”

  And just like that, Tyler’s life had become much more complicated.

  Brielle felt kind of sorry for Tyler, and now she was beginning to understand the pressure he must have felt—the pressure that led him to tell his family he had a girlfriend when he didn’t. She hadn’t meant to lay it on so thick, but once she’d gotten going, her true feelings had come through. She had been beyond nervous to meet Tyler’s family. And they were so nice. And she really did feel so very welcome. Her tears had surprised her as much as everyone else.

  With a glance at Tyler though, she knew she’d made a mistake—jaw clenched, arms crossed, head shaking minutely. Oops. She’d blown it.

  The rest of his family were putting marshmallows on roasting sticks so Brielle took advantage of their preoccupation.

  She put her hand on his arm, drawing his gaze to hers.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, wishing she could explain why she’d gotten carried away. But this wasn’t the time and place to get into a complicated conversation.

  With his lips mashed together, he sighed through his nose, then one side of his mouth tugged upward. “If a bear comes at you, I reserve the right to step aside and let it.”

  Kind of shocked, Brielle’s eyes widened. Tyler burst out laughing, then while shaking his head, he stood and joined his family.