9. Chapter 7

"Josh," I hear the team doctor calling my name through my haze of thoughts. The team"s facility is top of the line. We have all the tests we need on site, the team doctors just show up to examine us and review the results once the tests have been completed. I've been here since seven this morning and I'm mentally drained.

"Hey, Doc. What's the verdict?" I ask as my heart starts to race. I stand up and reach my hand out. I feel like my whole life depends on his words.

"Sit, Sit." I do as he says and he takes the chair across from me. I put my ankle on my knee and take a deep breath. "I have good news and bad news."

I inwardly groan. Those are dangerous words.

"Okay," I respond, trying to keep my expression neutral.

"Bad news, you'll definitely need to take time off. Good news, it will only be for a month or so, depending on how diligent you are with taking it easy." I drop my head and sigh heavily, as he continues. "Based on what Shawn said I was worried that it would be much worse. You got lucky, son. This is a good injury to have."

"No injury is a good injury." I look up and force a smile on my face trying to conceal my worry. "But thanks for the encouragement."

"I've already talked to Shawn and he has your PT exercises worked out for the next few weeks. Let's get that shoulder strengthened, then reevaluate. Talk to you soon, Josh." He smiles and slaps me on the back—the good side.

"See you in a few weeks." I walk toward the door, and head on over to the training facility when my text notification goes off.

It's from Susie. The only time my lovely sister has been texting me in the last few days is to send me gossip about Brie and I. She's enjoying this a bit too much.

Susie:Hey big brother! I see you were helping Brie with her car the other day. laughing emoji>

I click the link she sent, and read through Tea Time's post. I glance at the image.

I'm immediately brought back to yesterday when Brie's hand was on my shoulder. Even now I can feel the heat of her hand under mine. How my heart beat faster, and time seemed to stand still. I shake my head, I don't understand what is happening with Brie, but more importantly, how are they getting these pictures?

I'm used to the people taking my photos, but not in my hometown. Pleasant Hollow is usually my safe space when it comes to the press. And I've never been interesting enough for the local gossip. Until now, I guess.

"Bad Boy and Good Girl," I say to no one as I rub my hand down my face. That will get people talking every time.

My phone starts to ring and I see my agent calling.

"Hey Finn. I have some news—"

"I've been watching your news," he interrupts me in an amused tone. "Tell me about the other half of hashtag Briosh?"

"There's nothing to tell." I hear him snort on the other end of the phone. "No really, she's my sister's best friend and I've known her since we were kids."

"That's even better than I could've hoped for." He sounds way too excited about this. I groan and run my hand through my hair. "Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves pining for and being secretly in love with someone off-limits." I have an image of him with a grin stretched from ear to ear as he throws a ball through a hoop. Only to repeat the process all over again.

"Finn, I already said it's nothing, and I meant it. Brie and I are just friends, kind of." Now I grin as I think of how Brie and I are more like oil and vinegar.

I can hear him clap his hands together through the phone. "Enemies to lovers, even better."

I look at the phone and narrow my eyes, where is he getting all of this stuff?

"Can you fill me in on what the heck you're talking about?" I mumble, as I rub my temple. This is all too much and Finn is going to throw me over the edge.

"Look, Josh," he switches over to his "means business" tone. "You need help. The Mavericks still haven't reached out about your contract. Which isn't that big of a deal, since most of it's usually done in the offseason. But I'm still worried about it."

I stop walking and lean up against the wall frowning.

"You haven't been yourself on the field. Granted your play has been amazing, but you've been hot-headed. More penalties than usual and now you're injured. These are all things that can affect the team renewing your contract."

"And you have a plan, right?" I say through clenched teeth. I'm pretty sure I know what his plan is.

"Of course!" I can't see him but I want to smack the glee that I'm sure is on his face at the moment. "This Briosh thing is a perfect way to show a different side of you. You shine at your charity events, and we know that you go above and beyond. But you're only as good as your last story and right now people are being reminded of the hot-headed Josh Owens from his first season. We need to get them to focus on something entirely different."

"Brie and me," I grumble.

"YES! I'm telling you, people eat this kind of stuff up!" I shake my head at the possibility of even considering this. "I've seen the pictures, Josh. It's a bit hard to believe there isn't something between the two of you."

"I told you—" I blurt out.

"I know, I know. You're just old friends. Got it. Either way, I want you to seriously consider what I'm saying." I let out a heavy sigh as I contemplate his words. "If you are just friends then I'm sure Brie would be okay helping you considering the current circumstances. You can even let her end things with you after everything is ironed out."

I stand in the hallway, phone to my ear as I stare off. I know that everything he's saying is true and I see how this could help, but it's so much more than just pretending to be in a relationship with someone. It's pretending to be in a relationship with Brie. We'd have to tell our families what was going on. Lie to our friends. This is too much for me to absorb on top of everything I just learned today.

"Let me think about it and get back to you," I murmur.

"Okay, but make sure you give it some serious thought. And, Josh?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Regardless of what happens with the Mavs it will all work out. My goal as your agent is to get YOU what you want. I really think this can help or I wouldn't have suggested it." I can hear the sincerity in his voice, and I know he believes that. I'm just not so sure.

"Thanks, Finn. I appreciate it. I'll get back to you and let you know."

"Great." The excitement is back. "But don't take too long. We need to strike while the iron is hot, and right now it's steaming."

"Bye, Finn," I shake my head at his enthusiasm. He's a really good guy and has been in my corner since day one, but this just may be the craziest thing he's ever suggested.

I push myself from the wall and head to the locker room. I'm limited in what I can do, but I'll still be at the facility for PT and film. My workouts will be different while injured but training won't stop completely.

I pause at the locker room door and take a deep breath as I get ready for the next round of ribbing that is about to follow. I push the door open and walk in.

"Hey everyone, it's the second half of Briosh," Darius teases. "You look good for a knight in shining armor." I look down, a smirk on my face and head to my locker.

"When are you going to buy your girl a new car? That Jetta looks like it's seen better days," Johnson chimes in.

"Brie loves that car. I'm not sure she'd let me replace it even if I wanted to."

"OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH," everyone in the locker room jeers.

"Is that a confirmation that hashtag Briosh is a thing?" Adam teases. I look at him with wide eyes and mouth open. An unspoken "You too?"

"No comment," I say and the entire room bursts out laughing. I'm saved by Coach.

"Alright everyone, head to your respective film rooms. Leave Josh alone…for now." Even I laugh at Coach's comment. "You can take shots at him later."

"Thanks for nothing, Coach," I mumble.

Guess I won't be letting everyone know that Brie and I aren't a thing today. In fact, I'm not sure that I'll be telling anyone that Brie and I aren't a thing in the near future.

A smile slips across my face as I think of actually going out with Brie. Maybe this fake dating thing could be fun. For the first time this morning I feel the tension ebb from my shoulders.

There is a tinge of excitement fluttering in my stomach as I think about her. Of course it wouldn't really mean anything, it would just be for show. But I won't deny that I find the idea of getting to spend time with her, without Susie, more enticing than I probably should.

The rest of the day I have a hard time wiping the smile from my face. I haven't been this excited about something since, well since I don't remember.