Page 109 of Faking It with the Forward

“A-mazing,” I say, still feeling wired.

“Want some food?” Reese asks, ducking into the kitchen. “Go upstairs, I’ll bring it up.”

Safely in his room, I sit on the bed and get out my phone, pulling up the forum. It’s not hard to navigate; I’ve been a member for a long time, but since I’ve been so busy at school I haven’t spent as much time in the community as I used to. Going to the buy/sell/trade section, I open it up and start scrolling. That’s when a username catches my eye: OneFive.

I hesitate, looking at the poster of Reese on the wall. His smug, sexy face taunting me.

Nope. I’m totally reading it.

Hey NK Fans,

Confession, I’m new to this group and new to the New Kings fandom. A friend directed me to this forum and suggested I tell my story. I'm stepping into this group with a mix of excitement and vulnerability. Today, I'm here not just to share my story, but to bare a piece of my heart.

A month ago, I met a girl. No, notagirl,thegirl.

Our journey began in an unconventional way, a meeting of two souls each seeking something distinct yet vital. I was in desperate need of an exit from a toxic relationship, while she was on a mission to rebuild her self-assurance—something I had in abundance. It was a fusion of contrasts, an unlikely partnership, and yet, it clicked in a way we both never saw coming.

But here's where life played its intricate game. Against every promise to myself, I fell for her. Harder than I could have ever imagined. Yet, in my state of blissed-out self-absorption, I made a grave mistake. I pushed her into a decision she wasn't prepared for, unintentionally scaring her away. That's on me. I admit it, I messed up. In a moment of shortsightedness, I let go of the most amazing girl I've ever known.

Look, I don’t know if she’ll take me back. I’m pretty fucking sure I don’t deserve her. But at the very least I can try to give her the thing she wants most of all.

Let me make this crystal clear: these tickets aren't about me. They're about her, the exceptional girl who deserves the world. She's a powerhouse of dedication, unwavering in her pursuits; a beacon of kindness that lights up every room she enters. Her passion is infectious, her work ethic unmatched. Even if our paths don't align again in the way I hope (though I'm determined to try), I can still give her this. A chance to witness the magic of New Kings live, to experience a night where the music resonates with her vibrant spirit.

So, fellow fans, this is my plea. Join me in this endeavor, in making a heartfelt gesture that could bridge the gap I foolishly created. Let's come together as a community that celebrates not just the music, but the connections it forges. Let's make sure that the best girl I know receives the gift she truly deserves.

Thank you for hearing me out,

OneFive

I read and re-read the post, then absorb the comments. Several people offered up tickets for Reese’s heartfelt confession, including the ones he eventually purchased and gave to me.

A meeting of two souls each seeking something distinct yet vital.

Well, that’s one way to describe kissing me in a coffee shop in front of his ex and talking me into a fake relationship.

The door swings open and Reese enters backwards, hands full with bags of chips and a box of cookies. “Axel ate all the pizza,” he says, kicking the door shut with his foot. “But I broke into Jeff’s stash since he’s not home.”

“Awesome. I’m starving,” I reply, shoving my phone under the pillow. I reach for the cookies and he drops the bags on the bed.

“Don’t get crumbs everywhere,” he says, sitting next to me. He leans over, going for the chips, but slides his hand under the pillow, snatching my phone.

“Hey!”

“You’re up to something,” he swipes open my phone. “Texting Logan about the show? Nadia? Posting that video I know you took of me dancing?”

“No!” I grab for the phone but he holds it over his head. “Give it back!”

I jump up, stepping on the bag of chips. It pops under the pressure of my weight and chips explode everywhere.

His eyes widen at the mess. “I literally just said don’t get crumbs everywhere.”

“This is your fault.” I use the distraction to dive for the phone again. “Never take a woman’s phone.”

He catches me and we fall back, landing in the chair he slept in our first night together. The already broken leg cracks under our weight and we land with a hard thump.

Tangled together, we stare at one another for a long beat, until we both burst into laughter. He sighs and hands me the phone. “Here. Just blur out my face if you post that video. I can’t have the other team using it against me on the ice.”

I take it from him and confess, “I was reading your post on the New King’s page.”

---