Page 5 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

I groan into the empty kitchen, then push away from the island and try to think of a way that I can persuade her. Maybe if she thinks I’ll be off my game for the concert, she’ll have no choice but to make sure I’m sane enough to get through it. I’ve been around her long enough to know that she’s a perfectionist when it comes to our shows. She wouldn’t let anything come in the way of that—even something like being engaged to a client.

I’ve only got a few days to get our stories aligned, but I freeze at the thought. You would think that I’d remember the lies I spilled. The truth is, I don’t and I have no clue if everything I tell my parents will come out the same way as it did before.

We’ve been rehearsing and focusing on our new album. Maybe a bit of sleep will refresh my memory and I’ll have nothing to worry about.

Yeah, right?

As much as I’d love for everything to work out for me, I have a feeling this will be a lot more work than I had intended for it to be.

I just had to go and tell my mother I was engaged.

***

This time, when we are done with rehearsal, I wait until everyone except Carmen has disappeared into their respective dressing rooms. There’s sweat soaking my hair and I quickly shake it, then peel the shirt away from my skin. It’s not the best way I would’ve done things, but desperation has me dealing with the cards I’ve been given.

I clear my throat, making Carmen jump. Her hand flies to her chest, and she whirls around, fixing me with a glare that could melt steel. God, she’s gorgeous when she’s angry. I can’t help but smirk, raising my hands in surrender. “Sorry, Carm. Have a minute to talk?”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the slight quirk of her lips. “Barely, but sure. What’s so important, rockstar?”

That attraction comes barreling back through me, and I have to adjust myself in my jeans before she catches onto it. I walk us over to the lounge area situated behind the large black curtains and wait until she’s sitting down to turn toward her. “I need a favor.”

Carmen eyes me curiously, a stray hair falling in front of her face that surprises me. “What do you need, Donny?” She chews on the inside of her and frowns. “You aren’t usually the one I have to worry about damage control for, but I can have someone here in the next five minutes.”

“I want you to marry me,” I blurt out. The words hang in the air between us. Carmen’s mouth drops open, and I swear I see a flash of something in her eyes before shock takes over. My cheeks burn. “Not like that,” I quickly add, though a part of me wishes it were.

She blinks, then narrows her eyes. “Are you high?” She leans in, scrutinizing my face. I catch a whiff of her perfume, and it takes all my willpower not to close the distance between us. “Do I have something to worry about?” Her voice is all business now, but I can hear the underlying concern. “Damn, this is the last thing I need. I’ll get in touch with a good program. We might have to postpone the show until next year.”

“No!” I interrupt, grabbing her hand without thinking. The touch sends a jolt through me, and I quickly let go. “It’s not what you think. I need a favor. A big one.”

“Explain,” she commands, anger flaring in her sea-green eyes.

Which I do. I tell her every sordid detail I can remember about what I told my mother and how my parents are coming for a visit in a few days to meet the imaginary woman I’ve been engaged to. I’m out of breath by the time I’m done, and Carmen stares at me unblinkingly.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “I need you to be my fiancée.”

Carmen’s eyes widen, a mix of shock and something else—curiosity?

At this rate, I should’ve just put an ad in the paper. There’s no way Carmen is going to agree.

3

Carmen

Donny is silent, waitingfor me to respond, but I’m fairly certain I’ve lost the ability to speak.

He stands, shaking his head. His hands drag along his jeans, and I can’t help but follow the movement. “This was a bad idea,” he mutters.

My heart races. He’s walking away, and suddenly I can’t bear the thought. “Wait,” I blurt, standing so fast I nearly topple over.

Donny stops immediately, then looks at me over his shoulder. There are circles apparent beneath his eyes, and I could tell he wasn’t giving it his all out there for rehearsals today. His beats weren’t on point when they should’ve been or hands shaky on other parts, and that’s not like him.

I cock my head to the side and arch a brow. “Is this going to be a problem for you?”

He sighs heavily and shrugs his shoulders. “Honestly, I can’t be sure, my mother means well, but she can be oppressive."

“Donny... I–I can’t do that for you.” The words taste like ash in my mouth.

His shoulders slump, hope visibly draining from him. He chuckles, but it’s hollow. “Yeah, I realized my mistake pretty quick. Don’t worry, Carm, you’re off the hook. I’ll figure it out.”

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