Page 14 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

“How could this have happened?” I rush to close all my blinds, afraid the paparazzi are still watching me even now.

“You’re famous!” Annie says cheerfully. Meanwhile, I couldn’t be more upset.

“Are you freaking kidding me? This is not what I expected.” I pace around the room, feeling the anxiety rise inside me. My hands shake as I grip the phone tighter.

“Well, what did you expect? If you’re with Sebastian Kane, you’re kind of newsworthy,” Annie says. Her tone is teasing, but I’m too frazzled to see the humor.

She’s right. I should have known better. I should have expected the worst. The paparazzi followed us around the whole night. Surely, they were going to make it a big deal.

“Now what do I do?” My mind has shut down, and I can’t think of anything to make the matter any less painful.

“If I were you, I’d enjoy my fifteen minutes of fame,” Annie laughs. I can tell she is loving every moment of this.

“Well, I’m not you, so…” I snap, ending the call abruptly. I know she means well, but I need someone who can offer me solid advice on how to get out of this sticky mess.

“God, I hope my dad hasn’t seen this yet,” I mutter, throwing myself facedown into a pillow and letting out a muffled scream. The thought of explaining this to him sends a shiver down my spine.

As if on cue, my phone vibrates on the nightstand with a rapid fire of calls labeled “Coach Dad.”

I can’t face the world or my dad right now. Not when all eyes are suddenly on me for being seen as Sebastian Kane’s newest “score.”

After six missed calls, I finally give in and answer.

“Ava, Sebastian Kane?” is the first thing my father says before I can even get a word in. His tone is sharp, and I can feel the weight of his disapproval already.

I grab a bottle of wine and pour myself a generous glass.

“Hello to you too, Dad,” I say, feigning nonchalance as if my fake relationship with his star player wasn’t plastered all over the news.

This ought to be a good enough excuse to get drunk.

“How long has this been going on?” he demands.

“Not long. We’re just getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company.” At least that’s some semblance of the truth.

“He’s a…nice guy,” I add, hoping it makes things more believable somehow.

My father is silent, but I can sense his displeasure through the phone. The tension between us is suffocating. I wonder if he can sense my own turmoil.

Without thinking, I down the entire contents of the glass and pour myself another.

“Dad, don’t worry.” Because it’s all fake.

I sense he’s about to say something else, but before he does, I tell him I love him and hang up.

“How the hell did I get myself into this?” I sigh, the weight of regret pressing down on me.

If it hadn’t been for Sebastian and his dumb idea, none of this would have happened. It’s no coincidence that misfortune seems to follow me every time I run into him, like the Grim Reaper with a charming grin.

I can’t imagine going out in public, facing the world, and being known as Sebastian’s latest “fresh pick.” I clearly didn’t think this through, and now my mind is consumed with regret.

The doorbell rings, and I jump up, my heart pounding.

Please don’t be paparazzi. Please don’t be paparazzi. Please…

I slowly approach the door and peek through the peephole to see who’s standing outside my apartment.

It’s worse than paparazzi; it’s Sebastian.

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