CHANGING THE PLAYER: Charleston Pirates #1 by Chance, Jacob (digital e reader TXT) 📕

inside. I’m starving, and the least you can do is feed me something amazing.”

I open my mouth to make a crack about what I can feed her, and she points at me. “Zip it, Shaughnessy. You’ll be needing to take the locker room humor down about one hundred notches. I’m a lady, not your teammate.”

I bow my head in a slow nod. “Point taken. I’m sorry.”

Following Nadia to her side door, I enter her Charleston home. Natural light pours through the large windows, flooding the narrow home and making it seem larger than it is. Although everything looks new, I know she moved here three years ago. I remember offering to help her, but she had already hired a moving company.

I’m not sure why this modest home is surprising me so much. Nadia is nothing if not practical, and it would be unlike her to purchase a massive home just for herself.

This place is perfect for her, and the splashes of vivid color she’s spread around using artwork and area rugs remind me of how she chose a rainbow as her favorite color. While not being quite so literal, it gives off the same feeling. I’m flabbergasted by how much I like it. Her house feels like a home—a space you immediately want to kick back in and relax.

“This place is great,” I announce.

She snorts. “I’m glad I have your approval.”

“I’m just stating my unsolicited opinion. But I really do like what you’ve done with it. You fit here.”

“Thank you. That’s nice of you to say. Decorating this house has been a labor of love for me. Sometimes I wondered if I’d ever finish.”

“Maybe we should swap houses for a while and you can make mine look as good,” I suggest.

“Are you crazy? Do you know how long it would take me to decorate what I assume is a giant-ass house?”

“No. How long would it take, because I think I want to hire you.”

“Too long. I’ve got enough to do already between being your agent and your fake girlfriend. I’m not adding anything else to my plate. No siree.”

“How about you make suggestions for things I should do and I’ll hire someone to take care of the projects?”

She nods. “I guess I can do that. But two months is not enough time for me to do all of your house. Interior design isn’t an exact science. I need to spend time in a space before I know what it should look like.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem since we’re a couple now.” I wink.

“I don’t even know how I’m going to keep a straight face when people mention we’re together.”

“Hey, I’m a catch. You should be proud to be my woman.”

“No one’s going to believe you can be in a faithful relationship. But if you sleep around on me, I’ll cut your dick off.”

“How can I sleep around on you? We’ll be spending all our free time together.”

“Whoa, wait a sec. I never said I was willing to devote all my free time to this farce. I was thinking a couple of dates a week would do the trick.”

“Nadia, I hate to burst your bubble, but there’s no way that would work. On average, there are a few events each week I’m required to attend, and you’ll need to be on my arm. In addition to that, we’ll need to be out and about at the most popular spots in the city so people can witness how devoted I am to you.”

Her hand caresses over her forehead as if hearing what I said is painful. “I’m going to change and I need wine, badly. Why don’t you open the bottle in my fridge,” she tells me, removing her high heels one at a time before carrying them up the stairs. My eyes linger on her shapely calves before gliding up to her curvaceous ass. Having Nadia on my arm for the immediate future will be a pleasure, and I’ve already begun looking forward to the buzz it will create. People will think I’ve finally wised up. I hope our act won’t create any problems for Nadia. Saving my ass may be the goal, but I certainly don’t want any blow back to hit her.

6

Nadia

How the hell did I get myself into this mess? I sweep a hand over my brow and my fingers come away damp. If I don’t calm down, the makeup I painstakingly applied is going to melt from my face. I’ll look like a zombie and then it’s a given that no one will believe Flynn and I are legitimately together. It’s imperative that we’re convincing. His career is on the line. Talk about putting pressure on me.

Slipping on my high heels, I grab my small bag just as the doorbell rings. Oh crap. I’m not ready yet—emotionally that is. Pausing, I close my eyes and slowly breathe in and out three times. The doorbell rings again, and my eyes snap open accompanied by an aggravated growl.

Stomping in heels isn’t easy, but I do my best, shouting, “Hold your horses.” I yank the door open, ready to blast him for his impatience, and lose my train of thought when my eyes land on Flynn’s mouthwatering form. Wearing a charcoal gray suit and a dark blue dress shirt with the top two buttons undone, he’s undeniably handsome.

“Like what you see?” he asks, a smirk twisting his masculine lips.

“You’ll do.” That’s all I’m willing to give him. He knows how attractive he is. Besides, stroking his ego isn’t part of our agreement.

His perusal of me is blatant and leaves me feeling flushed. “Let me say that you look beautiful.”

“Thank you. Do you need anything before we go? A bottle of water? To use the bathroom?” I babble awkwardly, as if this is a real date.

He smiles. “Are you nervous?”

“Maybe.”

“Why? We’ve been friends for a long time,” he says.

“I’m not worried about spending time with you.” Although that’s not entirely true. “I don’t want the attention