Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Sidney
I fell for Hattie Ward the second she chose a book over the game.
Who does that?
The wild girl who marches to the beat of her own drum, that's who.
But I never thought I'd have a shot with her.
Until she begs me to date her.
She thinks I'm grumpy.
She thinks I'm not her type.
She thinks this is pretend.
She's wrong.
There's nothing fake about the way she makes me feel.
And there is no one else who will worship her like I do.
She's done hiding in the shadows.
And I'm more than ready to show her exactly how bright she burns.
Even if I have to turn her world upside down.
Hattie
Propositioning my brother's teammate was the perfect plan.
One date with Sidney Hawkes, and I'd be free from my mother's schemes.
He's hot, standoffish, and not my type...the perfect fake wedding date.
Until everything changes.
One kiss, one confession, and my plans go awry.
Now, I'm his in a way I never saw coming.
And he doesn't just want to date me.
He wants to keep me.
But stepping into his world means risking everything.
I'm terrified I'm going to fall flat on my face and drag him down with me.
Falling for him is either the bravest thing I've ever done… or the dumbest.
And it's far too late to back out now
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter One
Hattie
"This is stupid," I whisper, staring at my brother's teammate like he might bite. Frankly, he might. Sidney Hawkes is what happens if you cross a giant with a raging bull. He's cranky as hell, bigger than a mountain, and looks like he makes little kids cry just for fun.
In short, he's terrifying.
He's also going to save my life.
He doesn't know that part yet.
I'm still trying to figure out how to break the news to him…preferably without him deciding to break me.
I take another giant gulp of whatever my brother, Tye, poured in my cup, trying not to choke on it. Whatever it is, it's strong. My head is already swimming. That's the only excuse I have for why I'm still staring at Sidney.
He isn't looking at me. No one at my brother's parties ever looks at me. I'm basically a Ficus in the corner, only with boobs and a designer dress. Unlike everyone else at the party, being ignored by Sidney doesn't feel personal. He's giving everyone the same treatment.
I think he hates us all equally.
"You can do this," I mumble.
"Did you say something?" a gorgeous WAG beside me asks, blinking like she only just noticed me. Her brows pull together in a look that's all too familiar. It screams that I do not belong here.
She isn't wrong. Tye's mansion is packed with important people. Everyone who is anyone in the Chicago sports world is here right now. And then there's me, included by default because all my brothers are famous athletes. Fans actually call them the Holy Trinity.
Gag me with a freaking spoon. Seriously. Please, gag me. They aren't that cool, not when I grew up in the same house as their smelly gym socks.
The rest of the world does not agree. But the rest of the world is not me. I'd rather be in my pajamas, reading or talking to my fish than partying with my oldest brother's friends. My mother would literally kill me, though. Tye is getting married, and I'm in the bridal party. I have to be here.
Apparently, all wedding-related festivities are mandatory, even the annoying ones like parties. I did not know that when Vanessa asked me to be a bridesmaid. I thought I just had to show up, help her get ready, walk down the aisle without falling, eat cake, and then go home.
Yeah, no.
I'm never doing this again.
"You're Tye's sister or something, right?" the WAG asks, still staring at me like she tasted something sour.
"That's me."
"That's wild," she says, eyeing me up and down. "Your brother is hot. You look nothing alike."
"I was adopted." It's only a tiny lie. I wasn't adopted, but my brothers are all annoyingly beautiful people like my mom. I'm…well, me. I look like my dad, who died when I was nine. Except God didn't give me his height or talent. Instead, he gave me social anxiety, no filter, and frizzy hair.
Tye, Briggs, and Harlan never treat me any differently, no matter how awkward I make things, but the same cannot be said for my mother or the rest of the world. As far as they're concerned, I crash-landed on this planet and should be sold to science.
"Ah, that explains it," the WAG says, not even realizing—or caring—how offensive she's being. They never do. In this world, when you aren't an important person, your feelings don't matter.
"Well, I'd love to stay and be insulted a little more," I chirp, wriggling my way to my feet. I stumble in my heels before I manage to catch myself. "But I have a grump to proposition."
"You—what?"
"Bye, Felicia."
"Felicia? That's not my name," the WAG mutters, her tone confused.
"Really? Weird." I wobble dangerously on my way across the room, my eyes locked on Sidney. He's still standing in the corner, glaring like he'd rather burn the place down than pretend to have a good time.
Huh. Maybe I can convince him to torch it. That'd get me out of here. It's not like Tye is ever home, so I doubt he'd miss his stuff if it all burned.
My mother catches my gaze from across the room, giving me one of those patented looks. You know, the ones that promise murder and a lifetime of regret if you aren't on your best behavior? Funny how my brothers never get those looks, when they're usually the ones all over the news for one reason or another.
I'm an angel.
I step up beside Sidney, waiting for him to notice me.
He doesn't.
He's staring into his beer like it holds the answers to the universe. I step closer, intending to clear my throat.
Instead, I catch a whiff of whatever magical cologne he's wearing. Jesus. He smells edible. He's also a lot bigger than I ever seem to remember, which is probably because I make a point to not be where he is. The man scares me. I mean, I don't think he'd actually break me in half or anything if I tried to strike up a conversation, but why risk it?