Page 27 of Fake Out

“It was.” He shrugs, his tough exterior returning. “But it also taught me a valuable lesson.”

“Which is?” I ask, genuinely curious about how such a devastating event could shape his perspective.

“I push people away because I don’t want to go through that kind of pain again,” he explains, swallowing hard. “It’s easier to keep everyone at arm’s length than risk getting hurt.”

As he speaks, everything starts to make sense. The walls he’s built around himself, the aloof demeanor, even the relentless pursuit of his career — it all stems from a deep-rooted fear of abandonment.

“Thank you for sharing that with me. I appreciate your honesty.”

He nods. “You’re the first person I’ve ever told about that.”

“Then I’m honored,” I reply softly.

As we sit in the dimly lit hotel room, I sense a growing connection between us. We’ve both revealed our true selves to each other, and it’s something that neither of us takes lightly. I realize now that my initial judgments of Charlie were wrong, and that beneath his tough exterior is a man who’s just trying to make it through life, like the rest of us.

Knowing that, I can be a better agent for him. Unfortunately, it makes my personal feelings that much more complicated and that much harder to keep at bay.

But I can do it. Just like Charlie, I have to keep my eye on the prize. Keep my head in the game.

As hard as that might get, I know that in the end, the prize will be more than worth it.

CHAPTER 13

CHARLIE

The next morning, I wake before my alarm clock, feeling energized and ready to take on the day. It doesn’t even matter that Marissa and I stayed up until well past midnight getting our stories straight.

Today’s the day to prove myself in our next meeting, and I can’t wait to get started. There’s nothing that could lower my energy.

After a quick shower, I throw on my gym clothes and head down to the hotel gym, determined to kick off the day with a solid workout.

The gym isn’t too crowded, giving me plenty of space to move around as I warm up. As I begin my reps on the bench press, I think back to Marissa last night.

Her eyes were alight with determination as she went over our game plan for today. The way her brow furrowed in concentration, her lips pursed as she took notes… God, she’s so focused and ambitious.

And beautiful.

“Nope,” I mutter under my breath, pushing the barbell up and away from my chest. “Not going there.”

I made a mistake flirting with her during our first meeting — a mistake that was only one in a series of many. I meant what I told her yesterday: I’m serious about making this work, about reviving my career.

Which means I need to keep my mind on the task at hand. Today is important, not just for me, but for both of us. We’ve got to convince today’s rep that we’re the real deal — as a couple and as professionals.

As I switch to the treadmill, I crank up the speed and let the rhythmic pounding of my feet drown out any lingering thoughts of Marissa. Sweat beads on my forehead and trickles down my temples, but I welcome the burn in my muscles; it’s a good distraction.

“Good morning,” a familiar voice says from behind me.

I glance over my shoulder to see Marissa entering the gym, dressed in her workout gear and her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. My stomach both drops and does a flip at the same time. So much for not being distracted by her.

“Morning,” I pant, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart. “Getting in a workout before our big day?”

“Absolutely,” she replies, stepping onto the treadmill next to mine. “No better way to start the day and clear my head.”

She sets her treadmill on an uphill climb, the machine groaning in response. I watch as she begins to move, a graceful rhythm that’s both captivating and inspiring. Her focus is on the task before her, and it’s like everything else fades into insignificance. She’s determined and resolute, and it ignites something inside me.

“Agreed,” I reply, turning my gaze back to my own treadmill.

The numbers on the display blur into a mess of red light as I increase the speed even more. The hum of the machines around us blends with our pounding heartbeats and ragged breaths.

---