Page 31 of The Fake Play

“Keke,” my brother calls out, waving me over to them with a smile. “Didn't expect you so soon. Luke has been telling me about this new adventure you two have cooked up.”

“Oh, he has, has he?”

Luke just shrugs, completely unfazed. “Hey, I figured you had enough on your plate already. Thought I'd get the conversation started.”

“Get the conversation started.” I echo. “You think you're doing me a favor, I gather.”

A twinge of concern washes over him. “Well, yeah.”

“Michael ismybrother. It's my place to talk to him about things like this.”

Michael chuckles, completely oblivious to the tension hanging in the air as he puts his arm around Luke's shoulder. “Keke, relax. Luke is just looking out for you. I think it’s a solid plan. PR is all smoke and mirrors, anyway.”

I force another smile as my jaw clenches. “I guess Luke just wanted to take on a few extra tasks, seeing as he's been so helpful already.”

My fake boyfriend grins then lifts his cigar in a mock toast. “Yes, this whole thing may be fake, but you're still my fakegirlfriend. And my girlfriend shouldn’t have to handle everything herself. I'm a team-player, remember?”

Oblivious, Michael says, “Honestly, Keke, you work too hard as it is. Let him pick up the slack where he can.”

How can he even say that to me, knowing what he knows? But before I can respond, my brother gestures to another chair on the balcony, a clear invitation for me to join their little party. I ignore it.

“So tell me, how is this going to play out for the two of you, exactly?”

Luke, ever the actor, takes a long drag from his cigar before answering. “It's simple. We go out together, we do the whole happy couple routine, give fans a love story they can root for. Keke keeps me from creating any scandals, proving herself to Whitney, and I get to show everyone that I'm a changed man forthe season.” He leans back, giving my brother a confident, easy smile. “Everyone wins.”

My brother looks genuinely impressed, nodding along. “It's not a bad idea. Plus, if you stick with good behavior for a while, Luke, you might make a real friend or two with team management. They’re always looking to promote from within. You could go from player to Coach, or beyond.”

“I have plenty of friends. What I need is good PR, and that's what Keke is going to provide.” I feel a flush of pride hearing that.

Luke thinks I’m hot enough to be on his arm. A guy like him can get any girl he wants and he’s been doing exactly that. The idea that he’s happy to havemeon his arm is a bit of an ego stroke. Embarrassing to admit, but validating all the same.

I clear my throat, cutting into their little bonding session. “So I guess we're all on board now, huh? We just have to remember this isn't some joke, our reputations are at stake here—yours, mine, and Whitney’s. We all have a lot riding on this.”

Luke turns to me, respect and sincerity in his eyes. “Don't worry, I've got this.We'vegot this.”

The words settle in the air between us, and for a moment, I feel something crackle, something akin to electricity. My heart skips a beat but I quickly brush it off, reminding myself that this is nothing more than a job.

But as I watch him, so confident and sure of himself, the unease in me shifts. This self-centered, high-maintenance hockey star who can’t stay out of trouble to save his life is somehow winning my brother over. Since when does Luke act like this? Helpful, without any expectation of something in return. It’s unsettling. He has to be after something.

“Guess we're all set then.” I give them both a quick, forced smile. “Luke, if you're done here, we should go over the detailsso we're on the same page. I've thought of some more questions and scenarios. I want to make sure we have everything covered.”

He nods, stubbing out his cigar in the ashtray. “Great meeting you, Michael. Thanks for hearing us out.”

Michael chuckles dismissively, raising his cigar in a salute. “Take care of my sister, alright? And Keke, lighten up a bit. Luke's got a good head on his shoulders. You should listen to his ideas more often.”

My fake boyfriend smirks as we walk back inside, and I find myself irritated by that parting shot. Hear him out? Please. Michael has no idea what I’ve been dealing with. Worse, I don’t know how to take Luke’s kind of help. We need to develop and enforce more boundaries.

I keep my gaze forward, my heels tapping in a steady rhythm down the hallway to the elevator. Luke keeps pace beside me, close enough that his arm brushes mine every few steps. There’s definite static between us, reminding me of the way the air feels right before a thunderstorm. He looks relieved, as if he just won the big game. The familiarity of him at my side bothers me.

He is too close, too comfortable. Good fences make good neighbors.

We reach the elevator, and I press the button with more force than necessary, willing the car to show up quickly. Once inside, his infuriatingly trademark casual smirk is on full display.

“Is it so terrible that I wanted to make things a little easier for you?”

“Easier for me? Luke, you went behind my back. I should have been the one to explain the situation to Michael, not you.”

He appears completely unbothered by my anger which annoys me even more. “I get that, but seriously, come on. You've been running yourself ragged trying to keep everything under control. I thought I would take something off your plate. That's all.”

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