For the Love of the Game

11 (Keelin's POV)

It's the night of Evan DeSanto's party and I have not had a peaceful moment since the meeting with Elijah.

Kelsey must have texted me a hundred times throughout the past few days. I tried to tell her the cover story Kirsten came up with but there is no way she believed it. She eventually gave up on trying to get the truth out of me.

Now I have to start getting ready for the party that is supposed to convince the whole industry that we are actually together.

I walk into my closet and search through my small collection of dresses. Reds and blues flash by my eyes. None of them quite catching my attention. I go a little further down my walk-in closet.

There I see it. A champagne-colored dress that sparkled in the light. It was a little shorter than mid-thigh with a sort of baggy sleeve and lower-cut sweetheart neckline.

I usually don't try and stand out with my dress choices but the spotlight is going to be on me tonight.

I walk out of my closet and into my bedroom. I reach for my phone and see a voicemail from Myles. I click on it and his voice starts coming out of the phone,

"Keelin, it's me, Myles."

Obviously who else would it be.

"I'm just calling to remind you to be on your best behavior tonight and to wear something nice. Kirsten is going to call her friends in the press and send them to the party. HONK. What the hell? I've gotta go Keelin these people don't know how to drive." His voice stops.

Ok then. Like I need another reminder of what my life is about to become.

I've got two hours before Elijah is supposed to be here and pick me up.

I go to the bathroom to start on my makeup and curl my hair.

An hour and a half passes and I've finally finished getting ready. The color of the dress compliments my skin well and my hair is framing my face perfectly.

I go downstairs, slowly, of course, to play with Kiki to try and pass the remaining time.

-------

Kiki's playing tug-o-war with me when suddenly her ears perk up and she freezes.

Then I hear a knock at the door.

Shit.

Kiki runs to the door and I feel my annoyance grow by the second. I walk myself to the door and open it.

Elijah Marten stands in front of me wearing black dress pants and a white dress shirt. And of course, he has the sleeves rolled up to right above his elbows.

"Are you ready to go or are you just going to stare at me all night?" He asks laughing a little.

Oh my god. I was staring.

"I wasn't staring," I respond back, "you can come in. I just need to go grab my purse."

I leave the front door open and walk further into my house. I hear Kiki from my kitchen and when I get back to the front Elijah is on his knees giving her a belly rub.

I stand in the doorway between the kitchen and front room and watch the interaction. It makes me forget for a minute that he is the reason I have to lie to everyone I care about.

I begin walking to the door, "let's go," I say as I stop in front of him.

He looks up at me from his kneeling position on the floor.

"Ok. Whatever you say," he smiles.

He runs a hand through his hair before standing up and moving towards the door. I tell Kiki to go to her "room"-her crate- and walk out of the house.