Match Me if You Can (No Match for Love Book 7)

by Lindzee Armstrong

You’re lying, her mind whispered, conjuring a picture of Wyatt in his loose gray sleeveless shirt and navy blue gym shorts. His eyes had to be the kindest she’d ever stared into. No man had ever crouched down beside her and asked if she was okay.

  Whatever. Wyatt had been nice, but she was unlikely to ever see him again. Unless Drew held some sort of team party and invited her to it…

  No. She lived in Los Angeles, and flying to San Antonio for a party she may or may not see Wyatt at would be beyond ridiculous.

  She fished her phone from her purse and switched off airplane mode. Notifications flashed across the screen, three hours of suppressed interactions bursting forth. She clicked on the first one and grinned. Nearly a thousand comments on her photo with Wyatt already, and more than ten thousand likes. That should make her agent happy. Maybe it would even impress a casting director, like the one she was auditioning for in a few days. The part wasn’t big—just a minor role as a waitress—but it was a step above being an extra, and it was a big-name Hollywood film.

  She read a few of the photo comments, content to wait in her window seat while the other passengers fought to get off the plane. It seemed every other comment was someone swooning over Wyatt. Yes, he most definitely was insanely attractive with that square jaw and almost military-short dark brown hair. The five o’clock shadow and bulging biceps did make him look like a hero in an action film.

  I see Drew’s making sure you meet the team! someone had commented. Make sure to keep posting pictures. #yummy

  Fifty-nine replies to that one comment. Tamera scrolled through them and couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

  You should be ashamed of yourself! Drew got you to top four on EITS and now you’re snuggling up with his teammate?

  Are you and Wyatt a thing now???

  Does this mean #tampsey is over?

  Tampsey had been the ridiculous celebrity couple name used for Tamera and Drew on Eye in the Sky—a meshing of her first name and his last name, Dempsey. Fans just couldn’t seem to accept that the two of them would only ever be just friends.

  She typed out a comment, reiterating that she and Drew were just friends and that she’d barely met Wyatt and was therefore not dating him, but deleted it before posting. It wouldn’t matter anyway.

  The seats were slowly emptying around her as the line of weary passengers moved forward. Tamera grabbed her purse and hooked it over one shoulder, then clicked over to the next notification on her screen.

  A photo stared up at her, the bright white and pale lavender of the silk dresses standing out against the poorly lit ballroom. Katie clutched Tamera close, the bouquet of flowers squished between them.

  Tamera lurched forward and her purse tumbled to the floor. She quickly grabbed it and stepped into the aisle, her eyes glued to the phone. She’d known it was likely someone would post a photo of last night and tag her, but did it have to be this one?

  The line moved slowly forward and Tamera shuffled toward the front of the plane, sandwiched between a businessman in a suit and a mother holding a fussy baby. The photo, posted by an old high school friend Tamera hadn’t spoken to in years, had no caption. But the album was public, and Tamera had been tagged. The post had over six thousand reactions, ranging from the angry face to the heart. Katie looked so smug in the photo, like she held the world in her hands. Tamera’s shock was forever immortalized. The flash from the camera had washed out her complexion, highlighting a smile that looked more like a grimace.

  They were on their honeymoon now. Tamera tried to block out the image of Caleb and Katie rolling around in the white sands of the Bahamas, their hands everywhere. That had been Tamera’s dream honeymoon destination, once upon a time. Now it was forever ruined.

  Something yanked at her hair, making Tamera’s scalp sting uncomfortably and pulling her back to the present.

  “I’m so sorry,” the mother said from behind, grabbing her son’s hand and disentangling it from Tamera’s hair.

  “No worries.”

  The mother stared, a smile lighting up her face. “Oh my gosh! Tamera Hadley. I loved you on Eye in the Sky.”

  A fan. Tamera could almost feel herself transforming into the star this woman wanted her to be. Her smile grew so wide it was almost physically painful, and she straightened her posture and put a happy lilt into her voice. “You are too sweet. It’s so nice to meet you. What did you say your name was?”

  “Anna.” The woman grabbed her son’s hand just before it caught another lock of Tamera’s hair. “I felt so awful for you. My sister stole a boyfriend from me, too. In high school, so they didn’t end up getting married, but still. I was a wreck. Did your sister and ex end up going through with the wedding? I kept hoping they’d break things off.”

  Tamera’s smile tightened. “Yes, they did. That’s where I’m coming back from, actually.”

  The woman’s face darkened in a scowl. “What a snake. You’re better off without him. You’ll find someone better soon.”

  “You’re sweet to say so.” Except that Tamera was most definitely done with relationships.

  “Did you and Drew really not have a showmance? It looked so real on TV, but I’ve seen the interviews where you say you weren’t together.”

  “Drew’s a dear friend—and only a friend.” Tamera took a few steps forward, closing the gap between her and the businessman in front of her. She could see the plane’s open door, now only a few feet away. “Well, I hope you have a wonderful day. It was so nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” the woman said.

  Tamera hurried up the gangway and sucked in the cool air of the airport terminal. Soon everyone would know the wedding had really happened. Should Tamera ignore it and hope everyone stopped gossiping? Thank her followers for support in a live video? Post her own photos of the wedding and act like she was totally fine?

  Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Katie didn’t deserve Tamera’s sympathy, and Caleb certainly wasn’t worth it.

  Three hours later, she was finally home and unpacked. Tamera sank onto her living room couch and flipped on the television. She had about five hours of shows to catch up on after her weekend away, and now felt like the perfect time to focus on mindless entertainment. She kicked up her feet on the coffee table and selected a police procedural. The detective had just been called to the scene of the crime when her phone buzzed. She flipped it open and grinned at Drew’s name. They’d started out as allies in the house, but now she considered him a real friend.

  You met Wyatt and didn’t tell me??

  It was like three in the morning. Crazy, huh?

  Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a text from her real estate partner, Landon, asking if they could meet tomorrow morning to go over the newest listings. She quickly agreed. He’d happily taken over all her clients while she was on Eye in the Sky. Now she was trying her best to return the favor while he helped his wife through a difficult pregnancy. They finalized plans, and then Tamera opened up Drew’s new text.

  Be careful. Wyatt isn’t what he seems.

  Tamera stared at the text, re-reading the words. What does that mean???

  Just trust me, okay?

  Trust him. Tamera laughed out loud, the sound echoing back to her in the empty condo. Caleb had effectively killed her ability to trust. In the end, her suspicions and paranoia had gotten her sent home from Eye in the Sky.

  Another text came through. I always had your back on EITS, didn’t I?

  Tamera chewed on her lip. Drew had looked out for her on the show, but she knew from watching the season that he’d also spent a lot of time looking out for himself. She had no doubt that he would’ve thrown her under the bus in a second if it had furthered his game.

  That’s the show, she reminded herself. At the end of the day, they’d all been playing for themselves. That didn’t mean the friendships she’d formed in the house weren’t real.

  It was just a fun pic to get some engagement from fans. Gotta keep my agent happy.<
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  Be careful, Drew repeated.

  She rolled her eyes. Man, he could be cryptic when he wanted to be. She’d hated that about him while in the house.

  Thanks for the warning, Mom. I’ll be so careful that I’ll probably never see him again.

  She clicked over to social media. The comments on her photo of Wyatt continued to grow by the second. The comments on the picture of her and Katie were doing the same, but she tried to ignore those notifications as much as possible.

  They were probably sipping mai tais in a private cabana right now. Caleb’s swimming suit would hang low on his hips, his chest covered in sand—

  She took a shuddering breath. Time to think about something else. Anything else. Notifications kept buzzing, alerting her to new comments on the Wyatt photo.

  Look at those abs! #smokinghot

  You look amazing, Tamera! Where did you get that cute tank?

  Is Wyatt moving to California for you???

  Tamera laughed out loud while the television droned on in the background. She’d probably have to rewatch this episode, because she wasn’t paying very good attention to the show. But seriously. What had made that obviously insane fan think Wyatt was moving to California?

  She posted a link to the boutique where she’d bought her exercise gear, then kept scrolling.

  Is #tampsey officially over? #tameratt #forever

  Tameratt. Good thing that she and Wyatt weren’t a couple, because that was even worse than Tampsey.

  You stole my favorite player from my favorite team, Tamera!!! sob

  Can’t believe Wyatt James has been traded to the Coyotes. Unreal!

  Wait. What?

  Tamera gasped at the comments that continued to fill her feed. Wyatt had really been traded to the Coyotes? She quickly clicked on the search bar, but didn’t have to look very far for proof. Wyatt James traded to the Los Angeles Coyotes was the top trending story in sports.

  No freaking way. Tamera clicked on the first link and realized it was a live video of a press conference. Wyatt sat in the middle of a long table, flanked on his sides by Coach McKinley and Luke Ryder. It was weird seeing Wyatt and Luke sitting next to each other, like two very bizarre parts of her life had suddenly collided. Tamera hadn’t been at all surprised when Luke had ended up engaged to his matchmaker not long after their date. It had been pretty obvious he was emotionally unavailable. But he’d been a good sport about her horrifyingly poor behavior that night, and had said nothing but kind things about her to the press in the weeks that followed. She’d always been grateful for that.

  Wyatt tugged at his tie and leaned down to speak into the microphones spread before him. “I’ve very excited to join the Los Angeles Coyotes this season.” His voice was monotone, and his forehead shone under the California sun. “I can’t wait to work with Coach McKinley and some of the most talented players in the league.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding. You were already working with the most talented players in the league.” Tamera shook her head in disbelief. What could’ve possibly possessed Wyatt to accept a trade to a b-list team like the Coyotes? Sure, they had a new owner and a new coach. But you didn’t turn around a team in a single season. That kind of stuff only happened in the movies.

  She quickly picked up her phone and texted Drew. Wyatt’s been traded??? Did he have a concussion at the time?

  Things happened. Can’t say anything else.

  Tamera chewed on her lip, watching as Wyatt answered a reporter’s question. His stiff posture practically screamed his discomfort. She’d watched him in a few game interviews, and he was always a little awkward in front of the camera. But this had to be more than just nerves.

  The Coyotes. Seriously, he chose the Coyotes over the Vigilantes?

  “What are you doing, Wyatt James?” Tamera asked his image.

  She listened to the rest of the interview, but Wyatt never gave an answer.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Wyatt looked across the sea of microphones and reporters, his heart beating frantically in his chest. Were his armpits sweating? Thank heaven his suit coat would hide it. He could barely remember what questions he’d answered over the past hour. Hopefully he hadn’t sounded like too big of an idiot. Bobby hadn’t sent any warning glares his way, which had to be a good sign.

  “That’s all the questions we have time for today,” the team’s press liaison said into the microphones. “Thank you for coming.”

  He’d survived. Wyatt rose and followed the others off the platform as the reporters shouted a few last questions at their retreating figures. Fans stood behind a barricade, waving signs and screaming his name. If word got out that Drew blamed Wyatt for his injury, they’d be screaming something much angrier. Drew was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and because of that injury he’d spend half of the upcoming season on the bench.

  A security guard made his way through the screaming fans, cutting a path to the limo. A tanned blonde showing too much skin thrust a pen at Wyatt.

  “Sign my shirt,” she begged, pointing to her chest.

  Wyatt was sure his ears were bright red. His little sister, Natalie, would be doubled over from laughter if she were here.

  He took the pen from the woman, careful not to let his hand touch hers, and signed her white tank on the shoulder. He handed the pen back to the woman, and she clutched at it hungrily.

  Did Tamera have to deal with this when she went out in public? The thought blinked into his mind like a neon sign and wouldn’t leave. Wyatt wasn’t much for reality TV, but he knew that popular shows, like Eye in the Sky, had robust fan bases. It wasn’t hard to imagine muscled men vying for Tamera’s attention. Her electric smile and petite figure, with curves in all the right places, were practically magnets.

  Wyatt followed closely behind the security guard, but only made it a few more feet before the bright eyes of a young boy caught his attention. The boy held out a football, waving it wildly back and forth. Wyatt couldn’t resist that kind of plea. He crouched down near the child, who was perhaps five or six, and took the offered football and pen.

  “What’s your name?” he asked the kid.

  The boy bounced up and down, grinning from ear to ear. His mother’s hand landed on his shoulder in a vain attempt to calm him down.

  “James,” the boy said. “My daddy named me after you!”

  Wyatt paused, then quickly finished signing the football as emotion clogged his throat.

  “That’s a good name,” he said, handing the football back.

  “Can we get a picture?” the mom ventured.

  “Of course.” Wyatt posed for the photo, then gave the boy a wave and moved on.

  Maybe his career hadn’t taken the trajectory he wanted, but fans weren’t to blame. He’d put his best foot forward while playing for the Coyotes, and make the best of a crummy situation. Maybe Bobby was right, and the new players and coach would finally turn the team around.

  For the next half hour, Wyatt signed anything thrust toward him and smiled for photos until his cheeks ached. A security guard held the door to the limousine open, waiting for Wyatt to climb inside.

  “We love you!” someone yelled from the back of the crowd.

  Wyatt raised his hand in a wave and gave his biggest smile. “Go Coyotes!”

  A cheer rippled through the crowd. Wyatt gave one last wave, then climbed into the limo and let the door shut behind him.

  Blessed peace. Wyatt let his smile drop and slumped against the rich leather seats. He’d never realized how much he craved time alone with his own thoughts until silence was a rarity.

  “Great job,” Bobby said from the other side of the car. Sunlight glinted off his bald head and highlighted the fine wrinkles forming around his eyes and mouth. He didn’t look up from his tablet, which he furiously typed into. “Everyone’s confused by the trade, but overall the early press numbers are favorable—except from Texas, of course. San Antonio isn’t pleased you’ve left their fair city.”


  Wyatt wasn’t exactly pleased himself. “I didn’t act nervous?”

  Bobby glanced up for a fraction of a second. “Fans are used to you being a little stiff off the field. It was fine.”

  Fine—not great. Wyatt mentally shrugged it off. He was paid to play football, not to act. “Guess that’s all I can ask for.”

  “You’re doing great, kid.” Bobby dropped his tablet onto the seat beside him. “I know this isn’t what you wanted, but the new players they drafted look promising. You might still get a championship ring.”

  Wyatt barely held back a snort. If that happened, it’d be a comeback story right out of the movies.

  “Loosen up,” Bobby said. “The Coyotes are paying you a lot of money to be here. Act happy about it at dinner.”

  “Better playing for the Coyotes than not at all, right?”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  Wyatt stretched his legs, then grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge. The adrenaline of the crowds was wearing off, and he felt a little shaky. “Are we headed to dinner now?”

  “Yes, at Mr. Ryder’s penthouse.”

  Wyatt raised an eyebrow. “Not a restaurant?”

  “Nope.”

  Okay then.

  The limo fought through the snarling Los Angeles traffic as Wyatt tried to stop replaying every interaction he’d had tonight with a fan. Had he seemed happy enough? Accessible enough? Excited enough? Lately, it seemed like whatever he did, it was never enough. Becky had certainly felt that way. Why else would she have dumped him for a tool like Drew?

  Natalie would tell him if he’d looked like a dork in the press conference. Wyatt could always count on his sister to be honest.

  “Stop thinking,” Bobby commanded without looking up from his tablet.

  Wyatt startled, but didn’t comment. Somehow Bobby always knew when Wyatt was too much in his own head. So he closed his eyes and tried to think of nothing.

  By the time the limo pulled up in front of the glass-fronted high-rise, he’d decompressed from the crowds of the press conference and was ready to put on his game face and officially mee the owner and coach. They’d been at the press conference, of course, but Wyatt had barely had time to exchange a handshake before the questions started.