Page 39 of Fake Love

Instead of thinking it through, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “Until the end of the season.”

That should be enough time right?

I’ll ride out the rest of my suspension and then I have a few months to show people that I’m worth having here.

Jen gives me a nod, agreeing. “Are we both okay with these rules, then?”

I nod. “I am, are you?”

A nod in return. “There may be a few added as we go along, but for now I’m okay with what we have.”

“Should we shake on it then?” I hold out my hand to her and instead of taking it right away, she hesitates.

For a long minute, I’m thinking she’s going to back away from all of this and leave me to find someone else to be my fake girlfriend.

But eventually, she takes my hand and seals our deal.

“Don’t make me regret this, Bauer.”

I’m going to try really hard not to.

11

APRIL 24, 2022

Jennifer

This may be the craziest thing that I have ever done, but hey at least I’m getting paid, right?

Right. It’s a job and that’s how I’m going to look at it because if I look at it any other way, I may not survive. If one night with Maddox might have ruined me for other individuals, what would being in a relationship with him do to me?

So, a job. This is a job and I’m going to look at it that way until the season is over and we both move one with our lives.

And that’s just how I explained it to Selena just a few minutes ago, which is why she is looking at me like I have two heads.

“A fly is going to get in your mouth if you keep it open like that.” I say to her, taking a bite of the eggs she prepared for our breakfast this morning.

Once a month, Selena and I get together and spend a day together. Even though we live within ten miles of each other, we don’t see each other much with work, her going to grad school and whatever her and Hunter have planned.

We talk all the time, but once a month we make it our mission to actually see each other.

It just so happens that our monthly date came only a few days after me and Maddox set our ground rules.

I had to tell Selena, I just had to but I didn’t think this would be her reaction.

Wanting to get her out of her confused trance, I lean forward and close her mouth for her, earning me a hand slap when she finally comes back to earth.

“I’m trying to digest what you just told me,” she says, taking a drink from her coffee. “So you’re going to be working with a professional athlete as his content manager and as his fake girlfriend?”

I nod. “Yup, that’s about it.”

“And does being his fake girlfriend mean you have to sleep with the man?” She asks.

Her question causes me to choke on my food and go into a coughing fit.

“No. I’m definitely not sleeping with him again.” I’m able to get out through the coughs.

“Again?” She asks.

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