Page 74 of Faking It

Chapter 28

Gideon

“Honey, it wasn’t me, honestly,” Jared says, pausing from skipping through the pages of a folder in his hand. “I’d never sell you out to a trashy magazine. I’m offended you’d think I’d stoop so low.”

“Look, I’m not trying to upset you, but—”

“Now, if it’s a gossip rag that’s offering me a decent payday, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” He grins. “Just kidding.”

“How do you explain ignoring me for an entire day, then?” I press. “I sent that text message, asking you about it. You didn’t reply. Neither did you answer my phone calls.”

He looks shifty.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

After a long beat, he mutters, “Fine. I was with Riley. He saw me with Paul at the party, and things got a little heated. Then we talked it out, and I… I ended up at his place.”

“Are you serious?”

Jared’s hands fall to his sides. “Don’t judge me,” he replies, his voice a little snappy. “You’ve never been in love. You don’t understand.”

“I understand that he kept cheating until you couldn’t handle it anymore, which is why you threw him out. You wised up. At least, I thought you did. Why would you let him back in?”

“He’s getting therapy for his sex addiction, okay? It’s obvious he’s trying to change. Why shouldn’t I meet him halfway?”

“People don’t change, Jared,” I growl, pissed off at my cousin for being so gullible. “They wait until your guard is down, then they fuck you up again.”

My parents are a perfect example of what will happen if Jared refuses to cut Riley loose. Sheer ignorance stopped me from saving Mom. I won’t sit by and let it happen to Jared, not when I can help it.

Jared goes back to flipping his book, an obvious sign of dismissal, one I don’t intend to take. Yanking the book from his hand, I lean in, glaring at him. “I’m not going to watch that man ruin your life, you hear me? Remember how you reacted the last time you caught him with that gigoloin your bed?

His expression reddens, and I know he’s remembering how he got wasted, got in a fight and trashed a bar. Luckily, I knew the owner from high school, and I convinced him not to call the cops. When my cousin got sober, not only was he heartbroken over what he’d done, but he offered to pay for the damages. For some reason, ANON blamed me for it. In fact, it wasn’t the first time he—or she came after me.

Back then, I didn’t care about the posts they made about me. I was already the bad boy in their eyes. It didn’t matter that they added another sin to my never-ending list. This recent scandal, however, changes everything. It’s not only about me. They’re hurting someone I care for. I don’t know how, but I’ll uncover their identity somehow.

Even if it’s my cousin.

“You are due upstairs in fifteen minutes,” Jared reminds me, and from his expression, he’s done with the argument. “You should get ready.”

Mentally tucking away our conversation for later, I head to my trailer and prepare for the battle scene I’ll be shooting on a skyscraper in downtown LA. I’m hoping we get it in three takes or less because I have plans for Ana tonight.

A week has passed since that backlash, and after taking the film company’s PR team’s advice, Ana and I did a simple video that we posted on our Instagram page, which explained what really happened. Ana and Logan had already broken up. Her and Michael were never an item. We’re happy, blissfully in love and that will never change.

To no surprise, the fans bought the story. Whoever created theBoycott Ana Kentpage has mysteriously disappeared, the account deactivated. It leaves me more curious than ever, though. Were they connected to ANON, somehow? If so, then who the hell could it be? I doubt Jared would feed them information, but someone is. There’s a mole in Aunt Cheryl’s camp.

A mole I need to find.

With my tactical gear and security restraints on, I follow my PA to the top floor, where I spend the next three hours battling with Zane, take after take until Sam gives us a satisfying two thumbs up. After gathering my things, the company car takes me home, with just enough time to grab a shower, then drive over to Tori’s to meet Ana for our date. It’s her day off, so I expect that she’ll be ready for me.

Ready for me…

I turn onto Tori’s street.

Yes. I want her to be ready for me. Truth be told, I’m ready for her. Last Saturday night, something happened. Something huge. Something that made me realize I’m not interested in having one-night stands anymore. I want to try something new.

Dating.

Not just dinner and a movie, or whatever social activities couples do together. I want a relationship. Falling asleep with her in my arms, waking up to her soft kisses, learning more about each other and figuring out life, one day at a time.

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