“They’re going to be all up in your face, asking you questions and saying God knows what.”
“Do you think they’ll ask if we’re together?” he wondered.
My heart thundered in my chest. “Probably. And what exactly would be your reply?”
He shrugged. “I’d say it’s none of their fucking business.”
I shook my head. “That right there is a dead giveaway. They’ll know something’s going on. If they ask, you’re my bodyguard, plain and simple.”
“Ah, so you’re embarrassed by me. Am I not worthy of you?”
Grabbing his arm, I squeezed it and stepped in front of him, staring right into his crystal blue eyes. “That’s not what I’m saying, Ethan. Being around me in public complicates things, not just for me but for you, too. I need you to trust me and do as I say. The world knows you’re a close friend. We’ve been in the tabloids numerous times together growing up. You’re filling in as my bodyguard while my mother’s not here. Got it?”
Ethan paused as if contemplating my words, but then he nodded once. “Got it.”
When it came time to take things seriously, Ethan was always good at that. He knew when to joke around and when not to. It was what I loved about him, my brother, Ripp, Brooks, and my cousin Carter. The guys were always protective of Emma, Reagan, and me growing up.
The elevator doors opened, and I reached for my suitcase. Two men in the lobby appeared to be guests, but I could see their cameras hidden under their jackets. They hadn’t noticed us yet.
“When I’m with my mom, I always have the luggage,” I said, taking the handle. “That way, your hands are free to knock some jackasses onto the ground if need be. We have incoming out front and to the left.”
Ethan’s body tensed, and he took the lead. “Stay close and move fast.”
I chuckled. “I’ve been through this a gazillion times, Ethan. I know what to do.”
With my ballcap on my head and my sunglasses on, I was ready to go. I followed close on his heels to the door that led to the parking garage. It only took a few seconds before someone shouted out my name and cameras started to flash. Ethan pushed the door open, and we were bombarded with more flashes. It was a good thing I had my shades on.
I recognized a few photographers from last night, and with Ethan taking the lead, they gave him a wide berth. He was well-known in the MMA world as the middleweight champion. I doubted any of them wanted to get on his bad side.
“Peyton, is it true your brother married Reagan Jameson last night?”
Ethan and I continued to walk to his truck, but I couldn’t stop smiling. Now that was a question I could answer. I looked over at the photographer— a young woman with curly brown hair pulled into a ponytail. If I had my guess, she’d probably been in the parking garage for hours, waiting for a moment like this.
“They did,” I answered her. “Reagan was a beautiful bride. I know both she and my brother are thrilled.”
A slew of questions were shouted at Ethan and me, but we kept walking. There were too many to answer. Finally, Ethan and I made it to the truck, and he opened the door for me.
“Ethan, are you and Peyton together now?” More cameras flashed. “How does it feel to be with one of the sexiest actresses in the business?”
Our eyes met, and I could see a twinkle in his. I had no clue what would come out of his mouth, but I prayed it wouldn’t be something that’d give us away. He helped me into his truck, and I moved my suitcase to the backseat while he faced the paparazzi.
“As of right now, I’m Peyton’s bodyguard,” he shouted so all of them could hear. “And to answeryourquestion,” he called out, pointing toward a man in the back. “I wouldn’t know what it feels like to be with one of the sexiest actresses in the business. But whoever Ms. Emerson decides to give that privilege to will be one lucky man.”
He shut my door and went around to the driver’s side. More questions were fired at him, but he kept quiet. Once inside the truck, he started it up and sped away.
As soon as we were away from prying eyes, he looked at me and smiled. “How’d I do?”
“Not bad, Jameson. Not bad at all. We got lucky, though. Those photographers gave us our space. It’s not always like that.” Maybe itwasstupid of me to think I could fly home alone.
Ethan’s smile faded. “Well, if they cross that line, I’ll have no problem putting them in their place.”
Leaning my head against the seat, I took in a much-needed breath. “Welcome to my world.”
* * *
“Please tell Ethan thank you for us,” my mom said. “I appreciate him bringing you home.”
I glanced at Ethan out of the corner of my eye. We’d been on the road for two hours, and I spent most of it on the phone with my mom, telling her everything about Reagan and Braden’s wedding. I left out the part where I was supposed to be on a flight.