1. McKenna

Chapter 1

McKenna

" H ey, Fallon." I juggle my phone between my shoulder and chin as I unlock the door to the beach house I rented while I'm in town for the holidays—my hands full of shopping bags filled with holiday decorations to decorate my temporary home.

Don't get me wrong. I love my family, but I need my own private space this year to win Creed's heart or finally let a schoolgirl's dream go. And the only way to do that is to have some privacy from my meddling family and this meddling town.

I fell in love with Creed when I was five and he was eight. An older bully was picking on me and my twin sister, Fallon, on the playground when Creed stepped in and gave him a bloody nose. From that day forward, no one teased Fallon or me. It was also the first day I fell in love, or as much as a five-year-old can fall in love.

Through the years, that love grew into something more.

"Are you really staying at the beach house instead of with Mom and Dad?" The disappointment is heavy in Fallon's tone, but I won't let her guilt me into changing my plans.

Besides, she's blissfully in love with her hot-shot professional quarterback boyfriend, Peyton Mann, even though they had a rocky beginning to their now epic love story. Now, just because Fallon found her soulmate, she's bound and determined that I claim mine.

She's known my feelings for Creed from a young age. But I need to do this on my own without any interference from my twin.

"As much as I love spending time with Mom and Dad when I'm back home, I need some separation for once." I push the door open with my other shoulder, giving it a little shove.

At twenty-three years old, I've accomplished a lot in a short amount of time as a world-famous singer. I've also sacrificed a lot in my lifetime, one of those things being Creed.

My fans are the best in the world, but it's time I put myself first by taking an extended break from my world tour. A bout of pneumonia last winter, which led me to convince Fallon to take my place on tour so my fans wouldn't be disappointed in having some of the concerts canceled, made me realize I need a break—not just from my singing schedule but also from my social life.

Fallon pretended to be me—stepping into every aspect of my life—even fake dating the newest hot-shot quarterback, Peyton Mann. Unfortunately, Peyton didn't know we had deceived him until it was too late. Our deception hurt him, but it eventually all worked out for the best. Now, Fallon and Peyton are blissfully in love to the point of making me realize it's time to take control of my own love life.

If you believed the gossip sites, you would think I was dating a different guy every other night—which isn't true. Creed is the only guy for me.

"But we always stay with Mom and Dad for the holidays."

Fallon seems to be forgetting that Peyton will be staying with her at Mom and Dad's this year, and I certainly don't want to be the third wheel, especially when I have my plan to win Creed's heart.

"Are you forgetting Peyton will be with you this year?" With Peyton's football schedule, he and Fallon will fly in right before Christmas and only stay a few days before flying out for his next game.

"Shoot, I forgot about that. But I bet Peyton would be okay if I missed a couple of his games."

"We're twins, Fallon. I can tell when you are lying. As much as you want to be in Love Beach with your family, your relationship with Peyton is still new. You owe it to him to spend as much time with him as you can. You're his biggest fan, and he needs you right now. Besides, doesn't he call you his lucky charm?" I know I'm laying it on pretty thick, but I need Fallon out of the way, or she might try to interfere with my plan.

"You're right, as always." Fallon's sigh comes across the phone, loud and clear. It makes me worried about my sister and her newfound boyfriend's relationship.

"Is everything okay with you and Peyton?"

"Everything is great, but I feel like I should be doing more than hanging out at his apartment all day waiting for him to get home."

"Maybe it's time to open up that art studio you've been dreaming of doing."

"I don't know, that seems a little risky. Besides, I'm not sure where we plan to live in the off-season."

Everything moved so fast for Fallon and Peyton. They fell in love in January, separated in February, and reconciled in July. Peyton's football training camp started at the beginning of August, and they've been nonstop ever since.

"Just think about it, okay?" I glance at the clock above the fireplace, realizing I only have four hours to implement my plan. "Sorry, Sis, but I have to go. And don't waste your time worrying about me—I'll be just fine." Or at least I hope I'll be fine. It all depends on the next few hours as to what my future holds for me.

I set my bags on the table as my phone rings. Glancing at the screen, I see the call is from my manager, Amber. Knowing that if I don't answer her call now, she will continue to call until I finally do, I accept her call with a sigh, "Hey, Amber. What's up?"

"McKenna, you will never guess who agreed to be your latest boyfriend."

Not this again.

"Amber, I told you I'm done with fake dating famous guys just for the publicity." What happened with Peyton and Fallon was certainly an eye-opener. Even though it all turned out for the best in the end, we hurt him in the process.

"Come on. Your fans love to hear about your love life, but if you don't have one, they will lose interest, move on to the next singing artist, and leave you and your career in the dust."

I'm stunned silent by her hurtful words. My career is about more than my love life. My fans don't care who I date. Amber is the only one who is hung up on me dating the hottest new man in the sports or entertainment world.

I shake my head, clearing my thoughts before I tell Amber exactly what I think about her idea. "I've told you before I'm done with all the play-acting. If my fans don't like me the way I am, then they're not really my fans to begin with." Before Amber can argue, I rush out. "Please don't bother me with this again. I'm trying to relax and enjoy my privacy for a few weeks, and I appreciate it if you would respect my wishes."

But instead of listening to me, she continues as if I hadn't said a word. "McKenna, I'm your manager. I know what's best for you. You just relax, and I'll take care of everything. See you soon." She ends the call, and I was left staring at my phone in defeat.

Maybe it's time to get a new manager—one who will actually listen to me for a change.