Page 2 of The Fake Boyfriend Excursion

Trick is at least ten years older than Chad and some wildly successful entrepreneur—as well as drop-dead gorgeous.

And I know for a fact, the only reason Chad and I have a suite is because Trick had paid for it. Their mom had mentioned it yesterday, and Chad had gotten so flustered I’d let the subject drop. According to their mom though, Trick had upgraded their parents and Chad's rooms.

Luckily, their parents' room is on another part of the ship so there isn’t much of a chance of either her or their dad popping out to see what the disturbance is about.

Trick's dark brows furrow as he glances between us, taking in the towel that Chad had grabbed before following me out into the hallway and how he’s only holding it together in front of himself. Then his gaze turns to me, and just like every other time, silly butterflies erupt in my belly. My skin heats where his dark brown eyes touch as he quickly gives me a once-over and then locks onto my suitcase.

"What's going on, Virginia?"

Virginia.

He always calls me that. Everyone else calls me Ginny, and I don't know why, but I like that he doesn't. It gives me a secret sort of thrill that he has a special name for me, even if it’s just my full name.

I hesitate, unsure if I want to air my humiliation in front of this Greek god of a man.

"It's nothing," Chad says, anger in his voice. "Go back inside."

Instead, Trick opens his door the rest of the way and steps out, casually crossing his arms over his chest and leaning one shoulder against the jamb. No matter how relaxed he looks, I’m not fooled. The intensity in his eyes gives him away. They always do.

No matter what’s going on around him or how little he showed, it’s obvious to me that there’s always something bigger—maybe even more volatile—happening just behind his brown eyes.

"I think I'll stay,” Trick says easily, then turns his gaze back on me. "Answer my question."

I rub my teeth over my bottom lip, weighing my options.

I have none.

"I walked in and found him with another woman," I say softly, eyes on the tacky carpet beneath my feet.

My face feels ruby red. As much as I keep telling myself it isn't about me, that there's something wrong with Chad that he would betray someone like this, I keep seeing Hannah's tiny butt running away. Not an extra ounce of fat on her.

Trick's brows go up, betraying his surprise before he gives his brother an assessing look and then sighing heavily. "Are you going to stay with me or our parents then?"

Chad scowls. "What are you talking about?”

“Not even you are a big enough asshole to make her try and find somewhere else to stay after being the one to cheat. So are you going to stay with me or our parents?" he asks again, slower and not as nicely.

My heart's in my throat, the back of my eyes burning with gratitude, but it’s short-lived when Chad barks out a laugh.

"I'm not going anywhere. If she wants to throw a tantrum, then she can go sleep on a pool lounger, for all I care."

He gives me a dirty look, then steps back into the suite and slams the door behind him.

I stare at it for a long moment, feeling Trick's eyes on me. "He's right, you know," I say, still not looking over at the handsome man. "I don't have anywhere else to go. Not until we get back and I can fly home."

With my tail between my legs and pride thoroughly bruised.

Trick sighs again and steps right in front of me, blocking my view of the door.

I get caught in his eyes, unable to look away as it feels like he stares into my soul.

"You're not going back in there,” he says, like it’s obvious.

"I'm not?"

"No. You’re going to stay with me."

2

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