Page 21 of Fake Out

Charlie glowers at me. “I know what to say.”

“Then why am I here?” I glare daggers at him.

Patrick’s expression curdles as he watches Charlie and me bicker. I feel my heart drop to my stomach, knowing our facade is crumbling.

“That fight wasn’t my fault.” Charlie crosses his arms. “Everywhere I go, people are heckling me. Do you have any idea what that’s like?”

Patrick remains quiet, watching him. Meanwhile, I can hardly breathe. This isn’t how this meeting is supposed to go at all.

“And what?” Charlie asks, his voice rising. “I’m just supposed to put up with it? What would you do, huh, if someone came at you like that? Turn the other cheek, or whatever way people want to put it? Again and again? I’d like to see you and anyone else try.”

I close my eyes. Why is he being so defensive? I prepped him on what to say to this sort of question. He’s supposed to keep his cool and promise that he’ll be doing things differently from now on.

But he’s going completely off-script. He’s taking this as an opportunity to preach from his soap box.

“I’d think about the consequences of my actions,” Patrick says slowly. “Especially if I had a multi-million-dollar football contract hanging on the line.”

“Right.” Charlie’s face contorts. “So because I get paid a lot of money, I’m supposed to be an angel? I can’t be human?”

I clear my throat loudly. “What Charlie means is?—”

“I mean exactly what I said,” he cuts in.

My inhale burns. “Charlie…”

“What’s your real story?” Patrick looks back and forth between the two of us. “So you’re dating, but you also happen to be his agent? How did that happen?”

From the look on his face, I can tell that he’s doubting this whole situation. Maybe he even suspects that our relationship is fake.

I plaster a smile on my face. “It’s a funny story.”

“No one else in the world would talk to me.” Charlie’s laugh is boisterous and sarcastic. “Marissa took pity on me.”

I shoot him a sharp look, but he doesn’t care. At this point, it seems he’s actively trying to sabotage this meeting.

“You two don’t seem very in love to me,” Patrick comments.

I grit my teeth and force a smile, trying my best to salvage the situation. “We’re just passionate about our work,” I say, giving Charlie’s hand a squeeze.

“Uh-huh.” Patrick studies us a moment longer, and I can see it in his eyes.

This interview has taken a nosedive. The facade we’ve carefully crafted is crashing and burning, and all I can do is sit here and watch it go up in flames.

CHAPTER 11

CHARLIE

I can see the frustration in Patrick’s eyes as he slams his notepad onto the table. “I’ve heard enough,” he says sharply.

“What do you mean?” I growl. “We’re just getting started.”

“Charlie,” Marissa hisses.

“I’m only explaining myself.” What’s this dude’s problem?

But Patrick looks like he’s sucking on a lemon. “I’m a busy guy. I carved out half of my morning for this when no one else in the industry will give you a chance. And then you come in here and act like an entitled brat. It looks like everyone is right about you.”

My chest tightens, and my hands curl into fists. This was a mistake; Marissa and I shouldn’t have even bothered coming here. No one is going to take me seriously.

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