Faking Forever With My Hockey Roommate

Chapter 11

Zaria’s POV

My feet were killing me by the time we finally walked through the front door of the apartment. I kicked off my heels right at the entryway, letting out a loud, dramatic sigh of relief as my toes hit the cool hardwood floor.

David was sitting on the couch in his sweatpants with a controller in his hands and a bowl of popcorn balanced on his lap. He paused his game the second he heard us coming in, looking between me in my fancy dress and Niko behind me, still looking like he stepped straight out of a magazine.

A slow, obnoxious smirk spread across my cousin's face. "Well, well, well. Good day or good date?"

I felt Niko step up right behind me, his shoulder practically brushing mine as he casually unbuttoned his suit jacket. My face burned instantly. I didn't want to give David any satisfaction, especially not with Mr. Big Shot standing right there listening to every word.

"It was whatever, David," I muttered, rolling my eyes and walking past him. "Don't start."

"Whatever?" David called out, throwing his head back against the cushion as I hurried down the hall. "You were out for like three hours! People on Twitter are already saying Niko's got a new secret girl!"

I slammed my bedroom door shut before I could hear whatever smart comment Niko was about to reply with.

Collapsing face-first onto my bed, I let out a long breath into the mattress. Damn.

My heart was still doing a weird little flutter in my chest. I had never done anything like that in my entire life. Swarming cameras, bright flashes, leaning into Niko's shoulder like I actually belonged there, lacing my fingers through his in front of some snobby influencer... it was completely surreal.

For a few crazy minutes back at that restaurant, I had actually felt important.

My phone buzzed against my leg inside my small clutch. I reached down, pulled it out, and unlocked the screen.

My best friend, Maya, who moved a year ago five states away had sent about four missed calls and a flurry of text messages. I swiped open our chat, and the first thing that popped up was a screenshot of Chloe Vance’s social media story.

Maya: BABE. WAKE UP.

Maya: Tell me why I just logged onto my timeline and saw Nikolai Volkov,THE Nikolai Volkov I literally scream at on my TV every weekend—with a girl who looks suspiciously like you??

Maya: I know it’s not you because you would have told me, but tell me why this girl literally stole your whole face??

I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. A nervous chuckle escaped my lips.

Zaria: Girl, you are dreaming. That is definitely not me.

Zaria: I don't even own a dress that expensive. But I gotta admit, that dress fits her like a glove.

Maya: Right?? It’s gorgeous. But seriously, the resemblance is uncanny. If I didn't know you were broke and living with David, I’d think you were secretly sleeping with an NHL player.

Zaria: Lol, In my dreams. I’m going to sleep, talk to you later.

I tossed my phone onto the nightstand and turned over to stare at the ceiling. The distraction was nice for a second, but reality hit me again real fast. I wasn't some wealthy influencer, and I wasn't Niko's girlfriend. I was a girl with overdue medical bills piling up for my mom's treatment, and I needed that cash. Fast.

The agreement was half the money upfront once the story broke. Well, the story was definitely breaking.

I pushed myself off the bed, smoothed down my dress, and stepped out of my room. The apartment was quiet except for the low hum of Niko’s bedroom door being slightly propped open. I walked down the hall and knocked lightly on the wood before pushing it open.

"Hey, do you have a minute—"

I stopped dead in my tracks.

Niko was on the floor in nothing but a pair of dark gray sweatpants, pushing himself up and down in a set of slow, effortless push-ups. The muscles in his back and shoulders flexed with every single movement, his skin glistening lightly under the dim overhead light.

Ugh. What a total show-off.

I quickly dragged my eyes up to the ceiling, refusing to stand there and stare at him like some fan girl.

Niko finished his rep, pushed himself off the floor, and grabbed a white towel off his bed, wiping his neck as he looked over at me. "Can I help you, Reeds?"

"Look," I said, keeping my eyes fixed firmly on a poster on his wall. "I kind of need to know when I'm getting the first half of the money. My mom's clinic sent another reminder today."

Niko tossed the towel onto his bed and walked over to his nightstand, picking up his phone. "Just text me your account number. I'll have Dmitri transfer it over tonight."

I blinked, finally looking down at him. "Seriously? That easy?"

"That was the deal," he said, tapping a few buttons on his screen. "I don't break deals."

A huge wave of relief washed over my chest. "Cool. Thanks. I'm going out tomorrow morning to go to the clinic and pay off her balance in person."

Niko paused, his dark eyes snapping up to meet mine. "You can't go out tomorrow morning."

I frowned. "Excuse me? Why not?"

"Because we have things to do," he said smoothly, leaning his hip against the edge of his desk. "The photos from today are already trending. Dmitri set up another appearance for us tomorrow afternoon. We're going to a private sponsor event."

“Who the hell is Dmitri?”

He panted, “My assistant.”

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. No," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I have to go pay my mom's bills. I've been worrying about this for weeks."

Niko raised an eyebrow, a lazy, annoying smirk touching the corner of his lips. "Which one is more important, Reeds? Me or your mom?"

My jaw practically hit the floor. I stared at him in utter disbelief. "Are you f*****g insane? Are you stupid? What?" I threw my hands up in the air. "Are you sure you actually have a brain inside that giant head of yours?"

Niko chuckled, shaking his head as he shoved his phone into his pocket. "I'm joking, calm down. How about this? I'll drop you off at the hospital tomorrow morning, wait for you in the car while you pay the bills, and then we go straight to the event together."

I glared at him for a second longer, trying hard to keep the small smile off my face. "You are such an asshole."

"I know," he said, stepping past me toward his bathroom. "Send me your account details before you go to sleep."

"Whatever," I muttered, turning around and walking out of his room, though I couldn't stop the quiet sigh of relief that escaped my lips as I closed his door behind me. But wait, event? I wonder if I will get a dress again.