Page 11 of You, Me, and Lucky Number 13

Lola might be known as an unhinged ex who took it out on her coworkers, but I find it rather exciting.

“It’s not like you have a stellar reputation either, Cole.”

That is for certain. “But I didn’t try to run over my boss with my car either.”

Yeah, word travels fast around here.

“He wasn’t my boss, and I was only trying to scare him a bit.”

A woman after my own heart.

“And you think I want to deal with that drama on my team?” I love nothing more than pushing Lola’s buttons.

“I would think you feel like a dick for what happened between us and want to give me a break.”

Not this time, love.

“On one condition,” I counter, eyeing a woman approaching me in nothing but a minidress and heels. “You pretend to be my girlfriend.”

“What?” she practically shouts. “No.”

“My sponsors would love nothing more than for me to settle down.” And considering they are dropping like flies, thanks to my losing streak, I need something for them to get excited about.

“That’s stupid. Visit a children’s hospital instead.”

The woman in the minidress flashes me a wink, and I groan. “Come on, Lola. You know I hate people. Having a pretend girlfriend will keep the women from constantly thinking they have a chance.”

She belts out a laugh that is a little too loud to be genuine. “Aww. Is poor little Cole-y getting hit on all the time? What a horrible life you lead.”

She has no idea.

“I’m so glad you get me.”

“I get that you’re a selfish prick who thinks he’s too good to do someone a favor.”

“That’s not true.” I just don’t want to do her a favor without pissing her off in return. “I am doing you a favor. I’ll give you a job. All you need to do is pretend to be my girlfriend while we’re at work and in front of the cameras. It’s super simple.”

“No, Cole. It’s not super simple. It’s super torture.”

“I don’t mind a little torture.”

“Oh, my gosh. This day can go fuck itself.”

“Now, don’t blame the day,” I start, but realize the line is awfully quiet.

She hung up.

CHAPTER FOUR

LOLA

“Get up.”

Someone kicks the bottom of my shoe where I’m lying on the floor atop a flat mattress. Jerry told me not to take it off the bed, but I noticed something that looked awfully disgusting on the wall, and I refused to lay my head close to it.

Jerry will just have to get over it.

“Excuse me,” I mumble sleepily. “You can go around.” There’s enough room in this cell to maneuver without having to kick me and demand I get up.

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