Page 13 of The Pretender

And that’s my cue to leave.

CHAPTERFOUR

Valentina

University CamFlix Competition Submission

Entry Number: 75

Sebastian and Valentina

First Interview Continued, or that few minutes I wanted to poison Sebastian’s water

“So you were a singer?” The producer asks, looking confused. The sofa Sebastian and I are sitting on shakes. The bastard is attempting to hold in his laughter, but the stupid pig snort he smothers with his hand only makes it feel like I’m sitting right next to Old McDonald’s idiot pig.

I narrow my eyes at Sebastian. “No, I wasn’t a singer. I—” Sebastian actually snorts, and I swear to God, I am going to key the shit out of his Jeep the minute we leave this studio. “I was practicing a song for my uncle’s birthday party. He owns a karaoke bar.”

I’m not giving him all the details. All he needs to know is that I wasn’t labeling myself as a singer. I was simply trying to practice. My family is musically inclined and well, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. It’s a little defeating to be the only one who can’t sing or play a musical instrument. And it’s that defeat that led me to this moment right here, playing freaking Bash-hole’s loving (gag) girlfriend.

* * *

I’m naked.

Well, not really. Let’s just say this bikini Aspen picked out leaves little to the imagination.

“You look fine. Stop messing with it.”

I level Aspen with a flat look. “I swear I will never forgive you if my tit pops out of this thing.”

I’m being dramatic. My boobs are secured, but they have never been on this much of a display.

“Your girls are nice and secure. Stop worrying about it.”

Easy for her to say. Aspen never worries about anything. She’s a make-life-decisions-over-beers kind of girl. I’m the more reserved one. I would rather know what I’m walking into. “I just don’t think a strapless top is the right choice given the fact that I will have to run when I kick the ball.”

A loud snort interrupts our walk across the courtyard. “Since when have you ever gotten on base in any of the games we’ve played?”

Dressed like a Hollywood celebrity in his Ray-Ban aviators, Fenn Von Bremen, star pitcher of Havemeyer University, shoots me a shit-eating grin.

“Don’t be a shit this early in the afternoon, Fenn. We just ate.” Aspen pretends to gag just as Bennett walks up behind him.

Oh shit.

I nudge Aspen in the side as Bennett’s eyes narrow into slits, seemingly right at Aspen’s top. “I think you forgot the rest of your swimsuit,” he drawls, his voice simmering with barely controlled rage.

Aspen shrugs a shoulder and snatches the vinyl sheets from Fenn. “Where do you want these set up?”

A low growl rumbles in Bennett’s chest, making Fenn drop his head to his shoulders. “I swear I will lock you in the trunk of my car if you piss him off again, Asp. I’m tired of living with Bruce Banner.”

I chance a look at Bennett. He’s still staring daggers at Aspen’s body. “I think I’ll go check on Drew while you guys get things sorted out.”

Fenn flips me off, but Aspen grins and waves. “Bring me a drink when you come back out.”

I nod, inching around Bennett before hightailing it across the lawn with my sights on a familiar black door.

Midtown Heights, the townhome complex where we live, lines two parallel streets with green space in the middle. Basically, all the backyards face each other. The complex has done a good job with creating shrubbery walls for privacy and adding gardens and fountains so you can walk your dogs, but it’s still as private as an outdoor shower.

When I get to the guys’ back door, I don’t even bother knocking. I just barge right in.

---