Page 108 of Wicked Rockstar

Killian’s grunt of a response encouraged Ollie to keep talking. “The two of you are everywhere. All over social media. People are shipping you and her.”

“Do people even say ‘shipping’ anymore?” I wondered out loud. Then his words sunk in. “Wait. What do you mean they’re shipping us?”

We’d just decided to fake-date a week ago, and tonight’s date was more like a trial run before the gala. We hadn’t even posted couple photos to our socials yet.

Ollie didn’t even acknowledge my question. He was so excited about the news he was sharing, that it was like I hadn’t spoken. “And thank God the news of your arrest is falling by the wayside. Seriously, Killian, you’re making me go prematurely gray.” I’d almost forgotten the whirlwind of the press trying to get information about the bust. Most of it had been hearsay and between Judd and Jareth they’d been able to downplay Killian’s role.

“Thank fuck. Maybe Jareth will get off my back about that now.” Apparently, Killian was ignoring me, too.

“Ollie! Explain!” I repeated with more authority.

“Hold on. Let me forward you the pics and videos.”

“How does anyone even know?”

Killian’s phone dinged with picture after picture of the two of us. His hand on my arm. The two of us were seemingly gazing into each other’s eyes. Me whispering into his ear when I’d pretended to be confident I’d won at Quarters.

Even though some of the pictures were grainy, I almost believed the hype that we were together.

Were we together now? For real?

“I’m already getting calls and emails about new endorsements and interview requests. They want to know more about how the two of you got together.”

“That’s fucking amazing. I knew people would lose their shit over us, but not like this.” Killian had never sounded so pleased.

What the actual fuck?

“Interest in your old songs and the new album are skyrocketing,” Ollie reported with glee. “This is a great thing, Killian.”

Each muscle in my body tightened. For a split second, I wondered if Killian had known we were being filmed and photographed. Maybe tonight was him scratching an itch. He’d once had feelings for me, but that didn’t mean he had them now. Was this payback? Tome?

I was happy that our relationship was benefitting Killian, but why did it seem like things were falling into place far too quickly? Had he used me in hopes that our fake-relationship would help his career?

Not that it needed much help. But still. The ache in my chest intensified and I rubbed at it to ease the pain.

I looked away from Killian. Had I made what happened earlier out to be more than it was?

Unaware of the tension now spiking in the car, Ollie continued, “They’re calling you a changed man, saying how genuinely in love you looked … ” Smee’s voice trailed off.

“And?” Killian prompted him.

“A few, a tiny amount of reporters, are interested in knowing what Peter thinks of the two of you together.”

“Fucking Peter,” Killian grumbled. “If they want to know, they can ask him.”

Shit.

Peter’s text message.

“I know you hate this part, but I should meet with you and Trissa so we can all be on the same page. We need to be in sync about how we’re spinning your new love life to the world.” Ollie sounded so excited for us.

My own excitement was waning fast.

When I tried to move away, Killian’s hand flexed and tightened around my hip.

We hadn’t made any promises tonight except to see where this might go. And while our relationship might have started out as fake, something had shifted between us.

Or at least it had for me.

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