Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

GIA

K ylian threaded his fingers through mine as we entered his mom’s apartment. He deposited the takeout bags on the coffee table. The smells of orange chicken, fried rice, and spring rolls filled the small living room.

“Hi, Evalyn.” I moved out from behind Kylian and smiled. “I’ll grab some drinks if that’s okay?”

“Of course.” She pulled the throw covering her legs higher. “And thank you both for picking up food. I had a craving, and I’ve learned to give in to them, since my appetite isn’t always great.”

I hurried into the kitchen then leaned against the counter. Elbows on the cool surface, I rested my head in my hands. What we were doing was crazy, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about the lies.

“Hey.” Kylian’s hand rested on the small of my back. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I straightened and shifted to face him. “I didn’t expect to see her looking so weak today.”

I didn’t know why. He’d prepared me from the start of our deal. It was probably because Evalyn Wilder had a big personality, like her son, and seeing her even remotely diminished was a shock.

“That’s why what we’re doing is a good idea. Trust me. She’ll be happy.”

I saw what he didn’t say in his eyes—that it was all he wanted, to make his mom happy and eliminate any lingering worries.

“Okay, I’m all right.”

After opening a cabinet, I got three glasses and filled them with water. Kylian took two, and I brought mine and followed him back to the living room. I took a deep breath and pasted on a smile that I hoped looked relaxed.

Kylian set the glasses on the coffee table then pulled me to his side. “Mom, we have some news.”

It looked like we were doing it before dinner. I braced myself for the role I would have to play.

Tired deep-blue eyes rose. “Oh?” The ghost of a smile curved her pale lips.

Kylian’s hand squeezed my hip, and I leaned into him, trying to help him sell us as a happy couple.

“We got engaged.”

Her eyes widened, a spark of something that looked suspiciously like hope lightening them. I held my hand out to her, showing off the ring. It seemed like the right thing to do. I followed it with a soft laugh. “He surprised me.” Turning in his arms a little, I gazed at him like I was in love. “Of course, I said yes.”

“This is wonderful news.” Evalyn stood on shaky legs, and Kylian immediately released me to help her. “I’m thrilled.” She wrapped her arms around her son, the lines around her mouth fading as she hugged him.

I got it in that moment. Evalyn looked as if a hundred pounds had been lifted from her shoulders. Then she waved for me to join them. Kylian opened one of his arms, and he and Evalyn both embraced me tight.

“I’m so happy. You have no idea. And, Gia”—she pressed a chilled hand to my cheek—“I’ve always wanted to have a daughter. I couldn’t have hoped for a lovelier one than you. Welcome to our family.”

Tears filled my eyes, and my heart cracked in two. If only it were real. I would have loved having her as a mother-in-law. I inhaled slowly as a tear broke through my lashes and rolled down my cheek. I couldn’t look at Kylian, preferring to think he hadn’t seen, though I could feel him looking at me. “Thank you. I’m honored to be a part of your family.” I gently pressed my hand over the back of hers.

Kylian caught my gaze, and he mouthed, Thank you , over his mom’s head. I nodded, the enormousness of what we were doing, of what he was giving to her, settling in. I could do my part for both of them. And if my heart got broken when she passed away and Kylian and I parted ways, so be it. The scariest part was I was no longer pretending.