Page 65 of Strings
“Who else is there? I’m sorry if you’re all that came to mind.”
“He asked you out? The man has a wife. Last time I checked that meant he wasn’t allowed to go on dates.”
“I’m guessing he’s looking for a side chick. Please don’t say anything to anyone. I already have too many strikes against me as it is.”
His eyebrows furrow and he clenches his teeth. “And you said no, right?”
I sigh. “No, I asked him how he felt about a threesome with you. Yes, I said no! Did you not hear a word I said?”
He scrubs his hand over his face. “He’s a piece of shit.”
“At least we agree on something.”
“Has he been bothering you the entire time I was gone?”
“No. I’ve been hiding mostly.”
“Hiding?” His lip curls slightly on the side.
“Under my desk, in the bathroom, behind that tree.”
He swivels to gaze at the new tree in my office. “Behind the tree?”
I huff my way over to it and show him how I hide. He starts to laugh.
“So will you? Please?” I ask in all seriousness.
“It’ll be a struggle, but I suppose I can tolerate you for a while longer.”
“So we’re not broken up?” I ask for confirmation.
“No. We never broke up.”
“Good. Now, as your girlfriend, can I make a request?”
“Fakegirlfriend, and what do you want?”
I step toward him and grab his chin in my fingers. “Please grow that back.”
He shakes his head. “You know I’d do anything for you.”
He says it with sarcasm, but deep down inside I almost feel like it’s the truth.
Fake boyfriends are the bomb until they explode. Then they suck.
Another month of being Sebastian’s fake girlfriend passes by rather quickly. I attend another rehearsal dinner, and I let him drive me to work whenever Cherese isn’t available.
We’ve gotten in the habit of holding hands whenever we’re around other people, so we look like a couple. When we aren’t in front of an audience, we bicker constantly, but it’s our way.
Over the last month, Sebastian and I developed a system. Whenever Mercer is around me, I text him and Sebastian shows up, or calls, or interrupts. It has worked out well. I do the same for him when Bella is annoying him.
The last couple of times I’ve been in a meeting with Derrick, there have been people around, so he’s behaved. To say I’m adjusting to being Sebastian’s fake girlfriend is an understatement. He uses me to keep Bella off his ass and I use him to keep Mercer out of mine.
Amy and I decide to work from the theater to finish last minute prep for another concert tonight. I have a two o’clock meeting with Bordo to discuss the Gala, so at a little before two, I go for a walk to gather my thoughts. I feel comfortable here now. Over time, I’ve gotten to know my way around the place. I know all the nooks and crannies as well as hiding spaces, thanks to Amy.
The orchestra has a small practice before the concert to go over some changes. I hear them playing up as I approach the hall. I have a few minutes, so I swing by to listen to what they’re working on. I hear Sebastian laugh as I get closer. He’s standing with Cherese outside the main doors and she’s holding on to his arm. I stay out of sight and watch them for a moment. He leans in toward her and says something. She smiles at him and whispers something back. It seems… intimate. Before I know what I’m doing, my feet start to move.
“Am I interrupting something?” I ask. I feel my cheeks flush.
