Page 54 of Perfectly Faked

“It’s perfect, thank you,” I say, feeling flattered that he memorized a detail like my favorite tea.

“I knew you’d have a wicked headache this morning. Maybe we should skip practice today.”

I shake my head. “I have to keep practicing if I’m going to be ready in time.”

Leo frowns. “Take it from me, when your body is hurting, it doesn’t do any good to abuse it more.”

Maybe he’s trying to find an excuse to stay away. After last night’s kiss, it’s understandable if he wants some space.

“Have you checked your phone this morning?” he asks.

“No, why?”

“Someone was trying to call you this morning, at least two or three times. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t important...”

Before he finishes, I head back to my room and see a voicemail message from Robbie at Pro Ice Gear. Then I remember the lady I met in the bathroom who gave me a business card. My stomach twirls nervously.

“Anything wrong?” Leo asks.

“Not at all,” I say, pretending everything is fine.

“Then I’ll get dressed. If you need anything, let me know.”

He leaves me alone so I can listen to the message from Robbie, who tells me how thrilled his mom was to meet me and wants to discuss the possibility of a sponsorship.

I sink onto the bed. I was so caught up in that kiss last night, I totally forgot about everything else, including mentioning this conversation to Leo. Not that he would be interested. We’re not a couple, and he’s not hurting for money the way I am.

As I’m about to dial Robbie’s number to decline his offer, a text message from Jaz appears on my screen.

Jaz

I’m sorry to break the news, but Lauren our PR person scouts our team’s social accounts, and this is spreading on social media.

She links to a post from a stranger who caught Leo and me kissing on their camera. Apparently, the picture has been shared so many times, it’s gone viral. As if my head isn’t hurting bad enough, now I need to muddle through a social media mishap before Leo finds out. I shoot her a quick text.

Victoria

I’ll take care of it.

Leo comes out of his bedroom, staring at his phone, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “Did Jaz send you the picture?” He threads his fingers through his wet hair, then leans one arm on my doorframe. He looks so good right now, like he could be posing for a sports magazine.

I glance from his phone, back to him. “She did. Leo, I had no idea...”

“Did you see the comments?” he asks, his jaw clenching. “What they’re saying about us?”

I glance at the long thread of reactions below the photo. They range from criticizing me as being “desperate” to Leo for taking advantage of me “in my state.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. I wasmorethan a willing participant.

“Leo, I’m so sorry,” I say. “I’ll get this cleared up.”

He turns to go, then stops. “Hey, do you know some guy named Robbie? He called while I was in the shower and said his mom talked to you last night.”

Uh-oh.I wasn’t expecting Robbie to track down Leo’s number, too.

Heat rises in my neck. “You’ll never believe it, but I met her last night in the bathroom.”

“Why does he want to talk to both of us?” Leo asks.

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