Page 28 of The Wrong Bachelor

“You have a couple name with him now?” Jake growled.

I shook my head, still at a loss. “I didn’t do this,” I said. “I would never dream of it.”

“Whatever,” Jake replied, stalking away from me.

I rushed to catch up with him. “Jake, please don’t be angry. I don’t know why anyone would put these up.”

He stopped and turned to me. “It’s a bit convenient don’t you think? I don’t see any posters for Laurie or any of the other contestants. They picked you for a reason.”

There was so much anger in his eyes it took my breath away. I’d never seen Jake like this before, and I had no idea how to deal with him.

“You know it’s going to be over tonight. These posters don’t matter,” I said, keeping my voice low so I wouldn’t be overheard.

“Yeah? And what then? I’m supposed to forget about how you flirted with the guy for the whole episode too?”

I frowned. “I didn’t flirt with Cole.”

“That’s not what it looked like to me. And clearly everyone else agrees.”

I let out a sigh and ran my fingers through my hair. “Look, I’m sorry if the show upset you and I’ll see what I can do about the posters. Just give me a chance to make this right. After tonight, everything will be back to normal.”

“It better be,” Jake said before turning and marching away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway.

I stared after him in a state of shock. The posters were surprising, but I was in total disbelief over Jake’s reaction. Where the hell was my kind and caring boyfriend, and who was the jerk that had taken his place?

“Great show last night,” Angus said, appearing at my side.

I nodded, but couldn’t find the strength to say anything in response. I felt like I’d just been punched in the gut and wasn’t in the mood to talk about True Love. My eyes were still focused on Jake, who had stopped further down the corridor to open his locker.

“We had way more viewers than we expected,” Angus continued. “Almost a thousand people tuned in, and we’ve already had more than 200 votes.”

The number was startling enough to tear my attention away from Jake, and Angus was ginning broadly when I turned to look at him.

“That’s like half the school,” I said.

“I know,” he gushed, not quite realizing my reaction was more mortified than impressed. “It looks like we’re going to have to start thinking bigger. Just wait, we’re going to do great things with this.”

I gave him a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Well, I’m sure you will. But I’m gone come tomorrow, remember?”

“Yeah, about that,” Angus started. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

I folded my arms over my chest and stared him down. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“No, I’m not. Haven’t you seen all the posters? Everyone loves you and Cole together.”

“But I have a boyfriend. There is no Cole and me.”

“Alright, alright,” Angus said, failing to keep his annoyance with me out of his voice. “I get it. I’m just trying to do the best for this charity fundraiser.”

“I know, but you’ll just have to do it without putting my relationship at risk.”

“Okay,” Angus finally agreed. “I understand.”

“Thanks, Angus.” The bell rang and I glanced over my shoulder toward my locker. I was going to be late to class. “I’ve got to go,” I said, touching Angus’ wrist in farewell before starting down the corridor.

“See you tonight, Madi,” Angus called after me. I gave him a nod and a wave. His words troubled me though. They sounded too confident and too happy. He’d just agreed that I would be gone tonight, but his enthusiasm had placed a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Why did I feel like getting out of this competition wasn’t going to be so simple?

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