Page 56 of Faking Ties

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi.” He chuckles at whatever expression I have on my face. “Would you like some tea for your throat, or coffee?”

“Tea.” Even though I need the coffee to wake up, I do need to take care of myself. My throat is sore, and I still have to perform tonight. I prepare him a coffee and me a tea before checking my phone.

S: TELL ME EVERYHTING IN 5.

No matterhow many times I reread it, I don’t understand what she means. Will she call me in five? I glance at the time on my phone. Her message came in four minutes ago.

The front door unlocks, and Hunter turns to me and whispers, “Are you expecting anyone?”

I shake my head, and he moves so fast, I can’t compute what’s happening. One minute I’m standing by the counter, and the next I’m behind him while he brandishes a knife in one hand and a frying pan in the other. His body vibrates with energy, as if he’s ready to cut down whoever is walking our way.

Kai, Stella’s bodyguard, draws up short when he rounds the corner. “What the hell?” Kai focuses on Hunter. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question,” Hunter says. “No one is allowed in the penthouse except Stella.”

“Elodie?” Stella shuffles inside the kitchen. “I can’twait for you to tell me—” Her eyes go comically wide as she takes in Hunter. She gulps. “Sorry, wrong house.”

Stella tries to turn back toward the front door, but Kai stops her with a shake of his head. Hunter spins to face me and looks between Stella and me in shock.

Kai steps in front of Stella, ready to block her from whatever is about to go down.

My stomach twists uncomfortably at Kai’s move. Because what about me? Who’s here that’ll protect me from the fallout we’re all barreling toward at an alarming pace? Hunter sets the pan and knife down on the counter with measured movements and takes a large, deliberate step away from me.

In that one step, everything becomes crystal clear. It becomes a rejection more profound than any angry outburst, a silent scream that echoes in the hollowness of my heart.

“What the fuck is going on?” he asks. “And who the fuck is Elodie?”

“Umm…” I say like an idiot. “I’m Elodie?”

“Then who the fuck is she?” Hunter asks, pointing at Stella.

“The real Stella.” Stella sways to the side, paling by the second. “Can we move this convo into the living room?”

Kai immediately picks her up and carries her to the couch. She protests, but Kai won’t hear anything about it. Once she’s deposited on the couch, she runs a handover her limp ponytail, as if she’s self-conscious about her appearance.

“Are you okay?” I ask, rushing to her side. “Should we call the doctor?”

“I’m fine. Just not used to walking for long.”

“You pushed yourself too hard,” Kai says. “I should’ve carried you.”

Stella rolls her eyes. “Why don’t you go stand in the corner and act like you’re not here.”

Kai gives her a long look, one that clearly states how displeased he is with her, but he still follows her request.

“I don’t understand,” Hunter says, sitting on the couch on the other side of the room, as far away from me as possible. The distance between us hurts like a physical blow. I try to keep my face blank, knowing there’s a chance we’ll end before we can begin because of this lie.

“Elodie’s been helping me out while I’ve been recovering from surgery,” Stella says.

“Have I dated both of you?” He looks ill at the thought of that.

“No,” I say. “It’s only been me from the beginning. The night at the gala was my first night as Stella.”

Hunter stands. “Can I speak to you alone, Elodie?”

Nerves overtake my body as I nod. I lead the way to the room he was staying in, but when he passes Stella, she stops him with an arm on his and whispers something to him. He nods and follows me into the room.

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