Page 133 of Fauxmance

"Magnolia," she said, "Hayden told me everything."

It took me a moment to process that.

"I-I don't know what you mean," I said hesitantly, waiting for her to fill in the blanks. I didn't want to ruin Hayden's chances, not when he was this close to getting everything he had dreamed about.

"Yes, you do." She nodded. "The cat's out of the bag. Hayden told me all about your little fauxmance, and though I can't say I condone this kind of subterfuge, I won't lie. I see the appeal."

"You do?" I asked.

Constance gave a delicate shrug. "Sometimes it's easier to pretend you don't have feelings rather than admit to them."

I was still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that Hayden told her. He had so much to lose, for himself and his band. It was why we'd agreed to continue faking. Why would he do this? I didn't understand.

"When did you two speak?" I asked.

"Hayden came to me after you left the party on Saturday and confessed," she said. "I would've chased him down and demanded to know what made you so upset. But he beat me to it. I couldn't believe the story."

I steeled myself. "And what are you going to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Constance, I'm sorry that we lied. We never should've pretended to be dating in the first place. It was a mistake."

Her eyes went wide. "Was it?"

"Yes," I said. "Again, I'm so sorry. Hayden's band means the world to him. You saw them play. You know they're wonderful. If you withdraw your support, itwouldreally hurt him. Please don't do that."

She tilted her head. "From what I understand, you two broke up."

"We did," I said.

"Then why do you care if Hayden gets hurt?"

"I care about him."

"Do you?" she asked. "Because for the past several days, Hayden's been having a hard time. My spies tell me he doesn't leave the apartment. He mopes around, seeming lost and confused. Whenever we speak on the phone, his voice is dull and lifeless. It's like he's given up."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," I mumbled.

"I assure you it is," she said. "Over the years, my grandson has developed a talent for guarding his emotions. He was hurt quite badly by someone in his past. It's only natural that he developed a defense mechanism. But no matter how hard he tries, Hayden still feels things, Magnolia. And he feels a great deal for you."

"I don't think you understand," I said. "It was all fake. Every moment Hayden and I weretogether, we were pretending."

Constance shot me a look filled with pity. "If you believe that, then you're just as confused as he is." I opened my mouth, but she held up a hand. "Do you love my grandson?"

I nodded.

"Well, why didn't you tell him that?"

"I did," I said.

It was Constance's turn to blink in surprise. "You did?"

"Yes, and he told me"—I took a deep breath—"Hayden said he doesn't feel the same, that he can't. He wanted to keep pretending. I didn't. So, I left, and he hasn't contacted me since."

Her eyes closed as if she was in pain.

"He doesn't love me." I shrugged. "And I'm trying to be okay with that."

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