Page 26 of Once Upon a Fake Date

I’d just come from talking with Professor Woods, telling her about Parker. She was skeptical, even though I told her he could really sing. But maybe that had to do more with the fact that he was a jock.

Even I was surprised he’d volunteered to step into the role. Either way, she was on board as long as he came in for a formal audition.

Avoiding Duke’s gaze, I raised my chin and continued walking forward.

He jogged up beside me, his backpack slung over one shoulder. “Aud. Come on. Talk to me.”

“Why are you here, Duke?” I asked, still not looking at him.

“To get you to take me back.” His tone made it seem like it was obvious.

I scoffed. “No.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I spun to glare at him. “You cheated onme, Duke.” And he gaslit me into thinking it wasmyfault. Strung me along because he knew I was infatuated with him. But I didn’t love him, not anymore. Those feelings had turned to acid, and now they just burned. But maybe I’d never really loved him. Not the way you were supposed to.

“Baby, it didn’t mean anything, and you know it. She didn’t mean anything, Aud. The girl I want to be with is you. I told you I was sorry?—”

Should have thought about that before you put your dick in another girl, I wanted to scream. But that wasn’t the only problem. No, it was the way he treated me. Like I was just some pretty trophy for his shelf.

I was tired of that. Even if I was pretty, popular, and loved the color pink, it didn’t mean I was an airhead. And it definitely didn’t mean I just wanted to be someone’s arm candy.

No, I had my own dreams. And there was no room for a man like Duke at my side—no way in hell.

“Did you?” I asked, point blank. Because he’d never apologized once for breaking my heart. For shattering my trust.

“I’ll be your knight in shining armor. C’mon. Just like old times. And you’ll get to kiss me every night.” He wagged his eyebrows.

I almost threw up in my mouth. I never wanted to kiss him again, which was exactly why I didn’t want him to be my co-lead in the musical. “Gross.As if. Duke, we’re over. Just like I told you the last time.” When would he take a hint. “It’s beenmonths. Why won’t you just move on?” All I wanted was for him to leave me alone. Seriously, I didn’t think it was that hard.

“Because you’re mine.”

“No. I’m not.” And then I said what might have been the dumbest thing to slip out of my mouth. “Besides, I’m with someone else now.” A lie. But maybe if he thought I was off the market, he’d leave me alone.

“What?” He growled. “You mean that jock asshole? I don’t like how he puts his hands all over you.”

Stopping, I planted my hands on my hips and glared at him. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of telling him yes or no. “You mean mybest friend, Parker? Newsflash, Duke. We were friends long before you ever existed in my life, and we’ll be friends for long afterward. Parker’s important to me. So you can just fuck off for all I care. Go find someone else to fuck.”

“Audrey.” His eyes were burning with rage, and he stepped closer towards me.

I took a step back towards the building, and he continued forward. One step. Another. Until my back was pressed up against the tile, and Duke grabbed my wrists, pinning them up against the wall. “Are you fucking him?”

I spit in his face. “None of your damn business, asshole.”

Duke snorted. “Then you haven’t.” He looked smug, and I ripped my arms away.

“Leave me alone, Duke. I think I’ve made myself pretty clear when I said that I’m. Not. Interested.”

Heaving my bag over my arm, I set off on campus, hoping he wouldn’t follow me. Hoping that everything would be fine.

Why had I told him I was dating someone? Ugh, I wished that was true. Maybe that was what I really needed to get him off my back.

Audrey

Are you sure you’re up for being in the musical?

It’s a big responsibility, and I know you have lacrosse. I don’t want it to interfere with your schedule or make any problems for you.

Parker

Will it help?

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