Ruined By My Rival

The bargain.

3

I now understand why the f**k my phone has been pinging non-stop.

Did Cole set me up? No, that can’t be right because he knows we can’t be seen together so the only reasonable explanation is that someone took a picture of us leaving together and leaked it on the media.

Fuck.

I’m in deep s**t.

I dial Max’s number and he picks up immediately.

“WHAT. THE. HELL. Larson!” he seethes. “That! Is your rival if you weren’t aware and I sure as hell know you are very well aware.”

“Look Max, it’s not what it seems like. trust me. We were just having drinks together and then someone took a picture of us and posted it.”

“You shouldn’t be having drinks together in the first place Jeff! Do you know how this looks? The board demands a meeting immediately, so I advice join and have a better explanation.” He hangs up.

It’s taking me all the sheer power in the world to not barge to Cole’s room and demand an explanation.

Exhaling, I join the meeting.

“Jeffrey. I see you’ve gotten quite comfortable with the enemy.” I grind my jaw.

“the board has decided that this scandal is a great opportunity to announce to the world that you’re both together.”

I stare at the screen, confused.

“You’re mistaken, we’re not—” I pause as it dawns on me.

Motherfucker.

They want us to act like we are dating.

“I see you’ve gotten the memo.” One of them says.

“It would be a great help to your dwindling career and help us end our rivalry.”

“And you made that decision without my knowledge of consent?” I grit out.

“What if I don’t want to do it?”

Max shoots me a look of warning.

I ignore it.

“It’s not like you have much of a choice, do you?”

Fuck.

I really don’t have a choice.

“I’ll have to talk to Cole about it, to see what he says.”

“oh there’s absolutely no need for that. We’ve spoken, and they agreed, it’s settled.”

What? Now I’m convinced that fucker planned this.

“Is that all?”

“No, we need you both to announce your relationship and go out together. Do something together. To stir the media and excite the fans. That’s it.”

I give a curt nod and end the call.

Almost immediately, Cole’s text comes in.

CHRISTIAN COLE: I promise you I have nothing to do with this. I just got off the phone with my firm and I’m pretty sure you’re aware of their decision. I only wanted to get to know you, that’s it.

I grind my jaw and manage to clear the red fog of annoyance in my head.

Fine. Maybe it was just bad timing but f**k.

ME: let’s meet.

I send the text to Cole.

He replies almost immediately.

CHRISTIAN COLE: where?

ME: room 207.

15 minutes later, someone knocks.

“You better have a solid explanation for what the f**k is going on.” I say immediately.

He ruffles his hair and leans on the wall.

I walk back to the bed and sit.

“I didn’t pay anyone or even know someone was going to picture us together. I only wanted to have a drink with a friend. What did your firm say?” he eyes me.

“They asked us to fake date.” I say.

He sighs, “Yeah, that’s what mine said also. We’ll have to announce it and plan an outing together so they buy it.”

“You’re okay with their decision?” I ask.

“I mean we have no other option. If we say it isn’t what they think it is, that won’t end well for us both so why not just play along?” he shrugs.

“This means nothing. The whole fake dating. It’s for the sake of our careers, no personal feelings involved.” I say.

“Well aware.” He grinds out.

“So what do we do?” he asks.

“There’s an animal shelter a few blocks down. I know because I was planning on going there, but now, we could go together, and hire some paps to picture us both.” I tell him.

“That could work.” He agrees.

“The rules in this,” I point my finger between us, “No touching until absolutely necessary. Kissing is fine, so as every other thing. No. strings. Attached.”

“Noted.” He says.

I get up to look out the window. A light flashes behind me and I turn around.

“What was that?” I ask him.

“Oh nothing, accidentally turned on my phone light. I should get going.” He says.

I stare at him for a while wondering if he’s lying or not.

“Yeah, goodnight.” I say and he walks out.

Few minutes later, my phone start pinging. I get a suspicious feeling as I pick it up.

“He’s so hot!”

“Look at his arms!”

“Omg! They’re official?”

“A combo we did not expect.”

I open Cole’s IG page and his last post was a few minutes ago.

A picture of me. By the window.

Captioned: such a hottie.

Sneaky little s**t.

As if on cue, a texts from him enters.

CHRISTIAN COLE: Just to make for them to buy it, darling.

The post does it’s work though. I’ve gained extra followers and a fan account of me and Cole.

The Internet is scary. All this happened in the span of 10 minutes.

Well at least they buy it.

Now, to prepare myself for tomorrow.

I sleep off with the thought of someone that smells like mint and smoky wood on my mind.

godmotherfuckingdammit.