Fake Dating My Ex’s Brother

The Captain’s Girl

~~~Rafeal~~~

***

The sound of my phone ringing jolts me awake. I flail, almost tumble straight off the bed.

Who the f**k is calling me this early?

I grab the phone, ready to kill the call, but I freeze. Jason's name blazes across the screen.

Suddenly, last night floods through me. The party. The fight. The girl. The deal.

I scoff. I must have pissed him off so bad, he's blowing up my phone at six thirty in the morning.

A slow smile pulls at my mouth before I can stop it.

Not cool, Raf. But I'm not sorry.

I stand and roll my shoulders back. Jason thinks he can call me a creep. Tell me to know my place. Remind me in front of everyone that I don't belong. And face no consequences?

He forgot something important. I don't just take hits. I return them.

Jason and I never got along. Not that I didn't try — once, a long time ago, when I was nine and stupid enough to think a new house meant a fresh start. He made it clear from day one that I was an intruder. An outsider wearing his family's name. He was the golden child of the mayor, and somehow my existence became my fault.

His words. Not mine.

He has made my life a living hell ever since. I climbed my way to captaincy and he still can't touch it. His hatred only grows. He thinks someone is favoring me. But I know better. I got here from working my damn ass off.

And last night? That was just the beginning.

I stare back at my buzzing phone. Jason's name is still blazing across the screen. I cut the call, turned off my phone, and dropped it back on the nightstand.

After my shower, I dress quickly into my sweats and grab my bag. As I walk into the dining room, I hear applause that makes me stop in my tracks.

What the hell are they clapping for?

My eyes sweep across the table. Cole, Oscar, Abby, and Jean are seated. I drag a chair out and drop into my seat.

Cole shoots up. Holds his cup of juice forward like a trophy. "A toast to our captain — for being too manly and taking his brother's girl."

I just smirk and reach for a piece of toast. I fill my plate and let them howl. The team doesn't need to know the full story behind Jason and me. They know we don't get along. They've seen how we go at each other on the ice. But they don't understand how badly I've wanted to take him down.

And now I've found the perfect way to do it. He cares for her. Or maybe he just doesn't want me touching what he considers his. Either way, the result is the same. I'm about to take it all.

Cole slides his phone across the table toward me. "This should make your morning even better."

Curiously, I pick it up.

And there I am. Lips on hers. Her face half turned away from the camera. Mine clear as day.

A slow smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. This must have been why Jason called me this morning. I expected word to spread — party gossip. I kissed her to sell it, after all. I didn't expect a viral photo. But I'll take it. This is far better than gossip.

I slide the phone back and reach for my juice.

"Well?" Cole stares at me.

I take a long sip. Set the glass down. "Well what?"

"Are you dating her?"

I look at him. "Does it matter?"

He opens his mouth. Closes it. Then leans back. "Actually — yes. Because none of us even knew Jason had a girl." He turns to Oscar. "Did you?"

Oscar shakes his head.

Cole turns to Jean, who shrugs. Then Cole looks back at me. "He kept her hidden. From everyone. For how long?"

"Two years," I say dryly.

The table goes quiet.

Cole lets out a low whistle. Then he points at me with his fork. "I don't support messy situations. But if he hid her for two years and couldn't treat her right — then he doesn't deserve her." He raises his juice glass. "I'm rooting for you, captain." Then he pauses. Squints. "Actually wait. You. Rafael Carrington. Dating someone." He looks at Oscar. "Are we in a simulation?"

Oscar dead stares back at him. "Has to be."

Cole turns back to me. "In the years I've known you, I have never once seen you with the same girl twice. Mr. I'm Just Here For Hookups And Don't Do Relationships. And now you're trending for dating someone?" He shakes his head. "And she's your brother's girl."

“Ex girl.” I roll my eyes and focus back on my breakfast.

I finally turn on my phone.

Messages flood in. Hundreds. Thousands. I scroll past all of them until I find what I'm actually looking for.

Jason's messages sit at the very top. Ten of them.

Pick up, you f*****g bastard.

I'll punch you again. Don't test me.

You kissed my girl!

Stay away from her. I'm warning you, creep.

I read to the end. A quiet satisfaction settles over me like something I've been waiting a long time to feel. I set my phone face down on the table and smile at my plate.

After I'm done eating, I pick up my bag from the floor and swing it over my shoulder. "See you all at practice."

Everyone waves. Cole cups his hands around his mouth, closes his eyes, puckers his lips, and floats his arms outward like he's kissing the air. The guys howl.

I shake my head, shoot him a middle finger and walk out.

Outside, the world moves the way it always does. People call my name. Wave. Some rush up with phones out asking for pictures. I'm used to this — I'm the captain and this campus has always known my face. But today the energy is different. They're not just seeing the captain. They're seeing the captain from the viral photo. The captain who is now in a relationship.

That is big news, because this is not my scene. Nobody knows my business. And now, they are about to.

I shove my AirPods in and walk.

I reach for the gym door when I feel a tap on my shoulder.

I whip around. And go completely still.

It's Thrill.

Wait, she goes to this gym? I have never seen her before. Or maybe because I just come and go about my business and never noticed people.

Last night she was Wonder Woman. Rage and heartbreak burning behind her eyes. This morning she looks bright. Small. Pink long-sleeve top. Hair scraped into a tight bun. Love-shaped lips curved into a smile.

There is something about her that feels different. Softer. Lighter. Like the girl who caught her boyfriend cheating is still in there somewhere, but she has pushed her down for now. I can't look away.

I see her mouth move and pull out one AirPod. "What did you say?"

"I said I saw you coming here and wanted to say hi. I didn't know you come to this gym. Anyway, thank goodness I saw you. We need to talk about—"

"I know." My voice comes out quiet. I hold the door open. "Come on. We can do that inside."

She blinks at me, like she didn't expect me to even want to talk about it, but I do.This is my life now. Our life.

She walks in, and I follow. But I come to a sudden stop beside Thrill when we see the crowds inside. All heads turn to us.

The guy on the leg press. The girl on the treadmill. Two guys by the dumbbells. Everyone just... staring.

Our heads turn and our eyes meet.

"So," she whispers, barely moving her lips. "How do we get out of this situation?"

I don't know. But all I know is my body moves on its own and my fingers go through hers. I see the shocked look on her face.

"Relax," I whisper back. "We already have a picture trending. Now, all we need is to introduce you properly. The captain's girl. Make it real for everyone watching now."

"Okay."

I can swear I can hear her heart beating in this quiet gym. Then a loud camera shutter breaks the silence. But I don't get distracted. My eyes are still on her.

"Relax, Wonder Woman. We want this."

"We—do." She swallows. Our faces turn back to the crowd. "Let's give them a show."

"What do you have in mind?" I ask.

She bites her lip, thinks for a second, then meets my eyes with a smile. "How about a couples workout?"