Page 20 of The Fake Date Agreement

Suddenly, I’m ‘just had a double shot of espresso’ wide awake.

I bounce my gaze between Javier and Reid. Then I look at the bed I’m not in because I’m standing, not sleeping, which means this is not a dream. “What…”

“We’re going to humiliate your ex, andyouare going to be our girlfriend.”

“No one would buy that. You’re you and I… I’m me.”

Javier cocks his head as he studies me. “She hasn’t heard the rumors.”

I frown. “What rumors?”

“There’s talk of us being drafted into the same NHL team. That never happens.Ever. But it’s happening for us,” Reid explains.

I fight to keep focused. My eyes want to glaze over at this talk of sports, but this feels too important to pretend to listen. “So?”

“Have you heard about the Wolverines climbing the league over the last couple of years?” Reid asks.

I blink rapidly. “Um…”

Javier gives me a knowing look. “She’s trying not to fall asleep, Reid. Get to the point.”

I open my mouth to deny it, but it would be a lie, and I try not to do that. “Maybe you could give me the condensed version.”

Reid grins at me. “Win or lose the championship, teams have been sending scouts to watch us play since our sophomore year when Javier transferred here. The scouts have taken notice that every time all three of us are on the ice together, we make magic.”

That actually sounds interesting. I perk up. “Really?”

Javier nods. “The last time the Wolverines won the championship was seventy years ago. Now, everyone is saying it’s ours to win.”

Wow, that sounds like a big deal. I’d heard they were doing well, but not that well. No wonder Marc was talking about hockey more than usual.

“I don’t understand what that has to do with me,” I say.

“Youare going to be our fake girlfriend. We’re so in synch on the ice, everyone will buy it,” Javier says.

I blink at him. “Dating the same girl?”

“Sharingher, if you will,” Reid says softly.

I look at my bed when I start sweating under my bathrobe.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Javier asks.

“Just making sure I’m not dreaming this,” I mutter. “I’m not in my bed, so this must be happening.”

Reid laughs. “It’s definitely happening. And the people who don’t believe it soon will. Once they’ve seen us together around campus, they’ll buy in to us sharing you.”

Something strange happens to my insides when he—they—say they will share me.

One girl shared by three hot hockey stars.

Wait.

“But Caleb…”

Javier lifts his shoulder in a half-shrug. “Ah. Caleb doesn’t need a girlfriend the way we do. He needs a distraction.”

“A distraction?” I echo.

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