This is going to be fun.

This is going to be fun.

Brett repeated the sentence over and over in his mind as he sat in the back of a limo on the way to the lion’s den. The lion’s den being the location where he would meet the kids he was working with and the other athletes joining him on the still nameless show.

In the two weeks since he’d last been in Cassandra’s office, their kiss had replayed in his mind more times than he cared to count. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen her since then either. She’d turned up at a photo shoot for one of his sponsors. No doubt she was there to make sure he didn’t do anything to upset the image she was working so hard to change.

He’d been on his best behavior since their meeting, and he didn’t understand why. In the past, whenever Dan or Jeff from Powerz had told him to pull his head out of his ass, he’d given them a mental middle finger and continued doing what he’d always done—walk that fine line between bad and disaster bad. He’d even ignored the less than subtle overtures the model had been giving him during the photo shoot that day. It was clear by the way she continually brushed her breasts against his arm that she’d be more than happy for them to go at it in the dressing room. A couple months ago, he would’ve been tempted. That day, the idea turned him off more than turning him on.

His pocket vibrated and a second later, the musical ring tone of his phone sounded in the quiet confines of the car. He pulled it out, a small smile playing across his lips when he saw Cassandra’s name flashing on the screen.

“Good morning. And before you ask, yes, I’m in the car.”

Her husky laugh travelled down the phone line and straight to his dick. “Good to know, but that wasn’t why I phoned.”

He straightened in his seat with the way her tone went from playful to serious in the space of a few words.

“What’s wrong? Have they cancelled the show?”

A stab of disappointment at the possibility landed low in his belly. Over the last couple of weeks, he’d begun to get excited about the prospect of helping those kids.

“No, the show’s not cancelled. I—uh—crap, I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

“Telling me what?” He gripped the phone tighter in anticipation of the news she was about to drop on him.

“I know who the other participants are. The network didn’t want me to tell you because they wanted to get everyone’s first reactions on camera. I didn’t want to let you go in unprepared though, so…” her voice trailed off.

“So?” The silence stretched between them, upping his tension from mild to intense. He knew she hadn’t hung up because he could hear her breathing. “Look, I won’t say anything, I promise. I’ll act surprised. Haven’t I been doing everything you’ve told me to do the last couple weeks? Just tell me, Cassandra.”

“Okay, here goes. Mitch Osborn and Drake Roberts are the other two athletes who’ll be on the show.” The words rushed out and he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly.

“Fuck. Seriously? This isn’t some type of joke you’re playing on me?” Brett raked a hand through his hair. He couldn’t believe it. While he and Mitch had been on the U.S. Swim team together, and had seen each other at competitions, they weren’t the best of friends. Hell, Mitch despised him because he thought Brett had hooked up with Julia.

It was amazing how one photo created a firestorm. Even though nothing had happened between them, he knew Julia had used the photo to her advantage, and because of his reputation, he hadn’t bothered to deny the allegations. At the recent Rio Games, Julia had apologized to him. He’d told her he understood her reasons for doing what she did and no apology was necessary.

“I’m sorry, Brett, it’s true. That’s why I’m calling you now. I don’t think it’s fair for you to go into this show blind. I wanted to warn you.”

Suspicion vied with the anger in him. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew all along who else was involved in the show.”

The sound of her breath whooshing out was the only confirmation he needed.

“I don’t like being played for a fool, Cassandra, and that’s how you’ve treated me since the day you presented the idea to Dan and me. Did Dan know about this? I can’t believe he’d agree to putting me in this situation.”

At least he hoped his agent hadn’t known and hadn’t decided to throw him to the wolves.

“I’m sorry, Brett, Dan knew, as well. He not only thinks this idea is a great way to improve your image but also a way to improve your relationship with Mitch. You guys were teammates and even though he’s retired, I know he’s going to mentor the up and coming swimmers on the U.S. team. Since you’re one of the senior swimmers, it wouldn’t be good for team moral if there’s discontent between the two of you.”

“How would you know about the effect of discontent between athletes?” He let out a harsh laugh. “You sit in your glass and steel office building creating illusions, trying to make the public think people have changed. All I can say is, you’ve picked the wrong sucker here.”

Brett disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the seat. He clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to beat the shit out of the padded leather seat in front of him, but the car was pulling to a stop and he knew they’d reached their destination.

Shit, how was he going to get out of this car and smile like everything was okay? Like he was happy to be there and couldn’t wait to get started? What he really wanted to do was open the mini bar he knew this limo had and down a few scotches.

Boy, wouldn’t that make a great first impression to the network? He could roll out of the car drunk, acting exactly the way everyone expected him to. Brett Hunter, the bad boy who can’t go a day without causing a scandal. He could see the headlines on the internet gossip site: We knew it wouldn’t last! Brett Hunter-Good boy? Never! Bad boy all the way.

The privacy glass gently lowered and he got a view of what was waiting for him outside through the front windshield. A group of kids were running around excitedly. In that moment, his anger fizzled down to a slow, burning ember, not the wildfire it had been.

The kids.

He had to remember he was doing this for the kids. It wasn’t about him or Mitch or even Cassandra. It was about those kids, and giving them something safe and beautiful to look at and play on.

Brett closed his eyes and breathed deeply, holding the air in his lungs for a heartbeat, the same technique he used to calm his nerves before a race. He exhaled, opening his eyes as he reached for the car door, resolve thrumming through him. He would give the network the exact opposite of what they were expecting from him.

Watch out world, a new Brett Hunter was about to emerge. And he was going to be nothing like what you’d expect him to be.

“Good morning, Mr. Hunter. You’re right on time. I’m Terri, the show runner. Come this way and I’ll show you to the trailer that will be yours whenever we go on location.”

Brett followed the young woman, noticing the kids had stopped playing and were watching him. He raised a hand and waved. A couple of them responded with waves of their own.

Okay, that was a warm welcome. That’s a good start. Then again, maybe some of them had no idea who he was.

Terri stopped at the far corner of the lot they were on. Well, that told him how important they thought he was. Relegated to the corner. If they thought they were setting him up for failure, they had another think coming. He would do his damndest to make sure his team won the first prize. If they did or didn’t win, he planned to make an announcement saying he would match the prize and make a personal donation for the same amount to Build a Dream. That was his idea, not Cassandra’s.

“Here you go. I’ll come knock on the door when we need you on set. Make up should be here shortly.” Terri held out a small ring with a couple of keys on it.

He took it from her and climbed the two metal steps. Before he was able to insert the key in the lock, the door swung open. Cassandra stood in front of him.

“Hi.”

“What are you doing here?” He brushed past her and walked into the small trailer. A twinge of regret at his harsh words flared through him when her shoulders drooped and she closed her eyes. He was still annoyed with her for keeping the news she’d dropped on him ten minutes ago to herself.

“I deserve your anger, I’m not disputing it. However, I told you I would be with you for most of the shooting of the show. Here I am.”

“You’re here just to make sure I behave myself. You don’t have to worry. I’ve already promised I’ll be a good boy.”

“Brett, please, I’m sorry, okay? I wanted to tell you. I wanted the network to tell you. I even had Frank talk to them about it, but they were determined to keep everyone in the dark.”

He scoffed. “Oh please, don’t tell me that Mitch doesn’t know Drake will be a part of the show and vice versa. Those guys are tighter than high school girls. They tell each other everything.”

“Yes, they knew about each other. What they don’t know is that you’re here. That you’re the third person participating in the show. They’re going to be just as surprised to see you, believe me.”

“So that’s supposed to make me feel better? Having the inside track? Knowing those two guys will be there. Drake’s okay he’ll probably give me a chance. Mitch, on the other hand, wouldn’t dive in and rescue me if I was drowning. What the hell have you got me into, Cassandra?”