I might faint
1216 Words
The car is way too quiet. Except, it really isn’t, it's more like the silence is screaming, pushing against my ears, making me hyper-aware of every little movement, every single breath. I’m staring out the window, trying to act unaffected, pretending my chest isn’t still buzzing from what Lennox said.
It all makes so much sense that I almost laugh. That’s why he’s doing this. I mean, why else would Adonis Veylor… the golden boy, the hockey star, the king of arrogance want me as his fake girlfriend? Just to make her jealous. The not-so-secret girlfriend who’s apparently not so secret after all.
That thought makes me smile. For a change, I feel like I actually have some control.
But then, out of nowhere, I sense it. That prickling feeling on the side of my face. Someone's staring at me.
I shift in my seat slowly, trying to be careful, only to catch him… yup, staring at me while driving. His hands are relaxed on the wheel, he’s got this infuriatingly chill posture, but his eyes? They keep flicking toward me more often than to the road.
My chest tightens. "Why are you staring at me?"
He doesn’t jerk away, doesn’t even bother to look guilty. "I’m not."
"Yes, you are. All the time." I narrow my eyes. "What, are you already falling in love with me?"
His laugh is quick, and a bit cruel. "Why would I fall in love with someone who hates me?" His tone is smooth, like we’re just chatting. Then, without missing a beat, he adds, "Besides, you’re not even my type."
Those words sting more than they should. I scoff and cross my arms, trying to shield myself. "That’s cool. You’re not my type either."
He grins, and it’s unbearable. So smug, so amused, like he thinks he’s won something. He always looks like that. I still can't get that look from high school away from my mind.
We slip back into silence, but my mind is racing. No matter how many times I replay it, Lennox’s words hit me just as hard. This isn’t about TooSubtle at all. He doesn’t care that I write those articles. I wasn't the only one writing hate articles about him anyway. He probably wants something else.
He wants her back.
And if that’s the case… all I’ve got to do is play along, just long enough for the ex to notice, for her to come running back, for him to lose interest in this whole act. Then I’m free.
The perfect plan.
I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts that I don’t even realize the car has stopped until the hum of the engine quiets down. I blink, look out the window, and my stomach flips.
Tall glass buildings surround us, their windows sparkling like stars, reaching up into the sky. Cars are lined up along the private drive. The air here feels different as everything feels luxurious and smells expensive.
I frown. "This isn’t my home."
"I know," he replies, calm and smug.
My irritation flares. "I thought you were taking me home. Is this one of those annoying things I have to deal with now? Fake dating you comes with k********g, too?"
I’m already halfway out of my seat, arms crossed tight, my pulse racing.
He doesn’t answer right away. Adonis just smirks, leaning back like he’s enjoying my frustration. Then he gestures toward the glass building in front of us. "Welcome to the Frostbite residence."
My breath catches.
Of course. The official Frostbite building. It’s bigger than I ever imagined. This is where the entire team lives, where every hockey god in their pristine jerseys heads after they’ve conquered the rink. The place fans go crazy over, the one that pops up in countless photos and articles, a symbol of everything shiny and out of reach about them.
And now, here I am, parked right in front of it.
My stomach twists. Fake dating Adonis was already bad enough. But stepping into the heart of Frostbite’s kingdom? It feels like walking into a lion’s den.
I shoot him a sharp glance, but he’s already out of the car, waiting, his smile daring me to follow.
My palms are sweating like crazy, but I still step out of the car after him, gripping my bag like it’s some kind of shield. I shoot him a glare that could cut through steel, but he just keeps walking.
He strides like he owns the place, which, considering who he is, Adonis Veylor, the quintessential Frostbite Golden Boy, maybe he does.
This isn’t just any building; it's the Frostbites’ headquarters, where the players live, eat, and enjoy their celebrity status.
My stomach flips at the thought.
What could he possibly be thinking bringing me here? This wasn’t part of our agreement. Fake dating was supposed to mean handling classes and the occasional photo op, not marching straight into the heart of the beast where all his teammates hang out.
I mumble my protests under my breath, but he doesn’t even glance my way. He looks so smug, shoulders back, strolling along without a care. Meanwhile, I feel like I'm on the edge of a panic attack.
The glass doors slide open, and laughter pours out, along with music, voices, and that expensive cologne scent in the air. It’s the kind of atmosphere I’m completely out of place in.
And then I see him.
Over in the lobby is Leo Carver, the one Frostbite player everyone knows, the team’s social butterfly. He’s got more followers than some celebrities and is always live-streaming, showcasing the hockey lifestyle. As he laughs at something on his phone, he locks eyes with us.
He swings the camera over, and suddenly, we’re the main attraction. His grin stretches impossibly wide. “Oh my God, you guys,” he says to his thousands of viewers, “check this out. The rumors are true! Adonis Veylor is officially dating this stunning woman right here.”
I’d gladly let the ground swallow me whole right now.
Before I can even process what’s happening, Adonis pulls me in closer, wrapping his arm around my waist. My body goes tense, heat rushing through me. Leaning in, he whispers just for me, his tone serious, “We have to act.”
Act? Act?! He’s holding me like he really means it, with a softness in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. It’s not the usual icy demeanor or sharp confidence; it’s something entirely different, and a little terrifying. For a brief moment, I almost forget that this is all just an act.
I freeze up. My mind is yelling at me to push him away, but my body won’t cooperate. Leo is practically squealing into his phone now, hyping everything up. “Look at them! They totally look lovey-dovey, guys. This is wild!”
My throat feels dry.
I try to pull away, but Adonis just tightens his grip. Then, before I can say anything, he leans down and kisses me.
For that split second, everything gets quiet… the lobby, the noise, even Leo’s voice fades away. It’s just his lips on mine, as if this isn’t a fake situation at all. Like he’s forgotten the whole setup too.
And me? I might actually faint.
- Writer
