Page 7 of The Pump Fake

“Of course. There’s no way I can turn her down. I’m going to need you to take her on as a client, since it would be a conflict of interest,” I tell him.

“Are you sure about—” he begins.

“Hunter. I already told her. I’m doing this,” I snap at him.

The phone goes silent, and I know that it doesn’t mean that he’s given up. No, he’s just weighing his words, and I’m not disappointed when he mumbles, “Even if it hurts you?”

“Hunter. I will figure out how to keep my feelings out of it,” I growl.

“Fine!” he snaps back at me then adds, “I’ll have Mary Beth send over the documents to her in the morning.”

“Thank you,” I sigh.

“I just want to go on the record and say that this is a bad idea,” he says one last time.

“Yeah, it probably is,” I reply feeling a little defeated. “I’ll talk with you tomorrow,” I say, hanging up on him before he tries to talk me out of it anymore. Nothing productive would come from that.

Closing my eyes, I try to think about how I can keep her at an arm’s length, at least during this whole thing. Right then, my phone buzzes.Fuck, what does Hunter have to say now?I grab my phone and tense up when I see Jade’s name on the screen.

“Nothing’s changed. You’re still just friends,” I mutter to myself, but it all feels like a lie. It feels like it all changed the moment I agreed to this situation.

Jade: Thanks again for doing this. I know it was your idea, and I’m sure you didn’t think I would ask you. But I’ll try to make it easy on you.

“Ugh, what do I even say to that,” I mumble under my breath. If she only knew how I really felt, I don’t think she would be sending me that text. My phone buzzes again, pulling my attention to it.

Jade: I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’re the best.

Shit, now she’s making me feel really bad because yeah, it was my idea and no, I didn’t think she would ask me to be the one to pretend to date her, but when she did, all I could think aboutis how her soft plump lips would feel against mine. Pretending to be her boyfriend is not a hardship for me, it’s the complete opposite. I could spend forever around her, doing anything and everything with her. Grabbing my phone, I make sure to text her back before she starts rushing me with more texts and making me feel even guiltier.

Me: You know I would do anything for you. Hunter is going to send you documents to transfer you over as one of his clients.

Jade: Oh, that quick? I thought maybe it would take longer.

Me: We don’t want the press to come after you anymore than they already do.

Jade: Yeah, you’re right. Thanks

Me: You’re welcome. Goodnight, Elsa.

Jade: Elsa?

Me: You know…the ice queen.

Jade: You’re so dumb. Good night.

I smile I as I push myself off the couch, imagining her rolling her eyes so hard at my ice queen comment but still having that small smirk on her lips, the one that says she’s amused. It’s one of my favorite faces that she makes.

Putting my phone in my pocket, I walk over to my small makeshift bar in the corner of my one-bedroom apartment. I pour myself a finger of whiskey and slam it down my throat. Tonight has been rough and calls for a stronger drink than a beer.

The next morning, I’m scrolling through my email when I see the paperwork to terminate my business relationship with Jade and my heart rate starts to pick up. Last night felt more like a plan that we were developing. Now looking at the contract, it feels more real.

My hands tremble slightly when I click the box to sign my name. I know that this will help her and I’m willing to do anything for her. But something inside tells me this is a bad idea and I’m going to be the one left out in the cold. I push those feelings away because this is something Ineedto do. It’s all for Jade.

Right then, my phone buzzes and I see Jade’s calling me. My nerves kick up, which is weird because I’ve never been this nervous around her. I guess things are changing, starting now.

I hit the green button and answer my phone. “Hey, Jade.”

“Cliff. Did you see it?” she rushes out, sounding panicked.

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