Page 114 of Faking Ties

The guys all quiet down and listen.

“First, take care of Hunter for me. His perfect match is out there, and he deserves to find her.”

“But what about the love you have for each other?” Jake asks. “You don’t just give it up.”

I wince, because Jake’s right. What I have withElodie isn’t something anyone would give up without a fight. He keeps glaring at me, as if trying to tell me to fight for her with his look.

“Aww, Jake,” Stella says. “I didn’t realize you were such a hopeless romantic.”

“What’s the other thing you need from us?” Quincy asks, looking between me and Stella with a strange expression on his face.

“For you to come to a charity event soon. I’ll let you all know the dates when it’s finalized.”

“What the hell?” Marcus asks. “A charity event?”

“Trust me,” Stella says, “you donotwant to miss it.”

All the guys look at each other in confusion, and Stella just laughs. “You all are great friends to Hunter, and I’m so happy he has you. But you don’t have to getusback together.”

What is Stella doing? She’s being too obvious about everything. I glare at her and she winks. “See you allverysoon.” She blows us a kiss and then disconnects.

“Raise your hand if you’re confused,” Marcus says.

Everyone raises their hand, including me.

“That was not what I expected her to say,” D-Rock says, frowning.

“I feel like I need a code to dissect that,” Trey says.

“Same,” Quincy says, before giving me a long look. “Looks like we’re going to be going to a charity event at an undisclosed time and location.”

The guys all nod and say their goodbyes, until only Jake and Quincy remain.

“Get dressed,” Jake says. “We’re coming over.”

“Why?”

“Because I have a feeling you have some explaining to do,” Quincy says.

“I really don’t.”

They both cross their arms and give me dirty looks.

“Okay, fine,” I say. “Knock yourself out and come over, then.”

The entire drive to my place, I debate what I should say. My loyalties are torn between my best friends and my girlfriend. Once I arrive, I greet Minnie with a hug. She’s been mopey since we stopped videoing Elodie. And I don’t blame her; I feel the same way.

Jake and Quincy are right on my heels and give Minnie some love before ushering me into the living room.

“What’s really going on?” Jake asks.

“Yeah,” Quincy says. “Stella was acting weird and emphasizing different words. Is she in trouble? Is she being held hostage by her management? Do we need to start a Free Stella campaign?”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” I say. “Really, I promise. She’s okay.”

“Then what’s going on?” Jake says. “You don’t go from madly loving someone to just wanting to be friends.”

“Wait one minute,” I say and head to my office to grab two NDAs. Andrew, my manager, insisted I have every woman I hook up with sign one before we gottogether. It’s protected me more times than not. When I return to the kitchen, I find Jake and Quincy whispering to each other.

---