Chapter 4

Austen

It's so late by the time we leave the restaurant that Corrin's drooping. Tenn posts up beneath his arm to help guide him to the car. Though I stopped after the first two drinks, Corrin decided to really unload his feelings and his wallet.

I almost stopped him at number four since he showed no signs of slowing down; however, my brother insisted he had the resilience of a rockstar, so he'd be fine.

Yeah, sure. He was absolutely fine.

Fine and drunk off his ass.

"I'll head home to unlock the door. Can you get him in the car?"

As soon as I mention anything, it's like Corrin's bones melt. He nearly hits the ground, but I'm there and catching him before he can.

Tucked under his other arm, I move with my brother to help the groggy rockstar to Tenn's car. We manage to get him situated, then my brother gives me a nervous look.

"Are you sure about the whole fake dating thing, Austen?" He asks carefully.

I knew he'd have something to say. I just didn't think it would be while his friend is passed out in the backseat while we wait in the cold.

Is fake dating Corrin ideal? Not really.

I'm sure he could find someone more fitting for his lifestyle. Maybe even someone he actually likes being around.

Though… tonight he didn't come off as standoffish as usual. It helped me loosen up as well.

"It"ll be fine. Why are you so worried? We both agreed."

Tenn looks from me to the backseat and sighs.

"Remember how I said there was something more going on?" I nod. "Well, I worry adding this will only make that hidden thing worse. He's putting too much pressure on himself. The label is putting heat on him too. I check his freaking emails for him. I see what they're saying. It's not pretty."

Frustration makes me frown.

"What are they saying?"

My brother gives me a confused look, as if he doesn't understand the gravel in my tone or the tautness of my shoulders. I'm a coil ready to spring forward and attack.

It's nothing like who I normally am.

Quiet. Loner. Studious.

I'm not the one to fight. Not the one to act out of turn. It's not my nature.

I'd rather sit alone in a room with a good book or work on a project of my choosing than to face confrontation.

Except now I seem to be someone else entirely. I don't understand the urge, though I don't question it either.

My brother is oblivious to my ire. Whether it's because he's choosing to or his worry is so powerful he can't tell, I'm unsure.

"They're hounding him like he's their toy or something. Dangling a new contract, then threatening to cancel his if he doesn't deliver. I had no idea they were so fucking wishy-washy with him."

"And this is coming from the label directly?" I fold my arms as I lean casually on the side of the car. It's cold as fuck, but I can't let this conversation just die out. Not yet.

Corrin is snoring away in the backseat. He's no problem.

Tenn seems to be just tired enough to have a loose tongue about this. Usually, business related stuff is top secret.

He nods as he matches my pose. "It's being sent from several people. Mostly it's the legal team that's talking contract stuff, but the owner of the label is also being an ass. He's only reached out twice, both times with enough of an attitude that I sent the reply instead of telling Corrin about it."

"So, he has no idea?"

"Oh, he knows. He's gotten texts and stuff too. When he does, he shuts his phone off and ignores it. I think that's when the emails come."

"That's a reasonable response to harassment. My assessment of the situation tells me I actually need to do this now."

Tenn sputters a laugh. "Need to? How so?"

"Because it sounds like the only person looking out for him is you. He needs more backup than that. If we do this pretend dating thing, then at least I'll be around to help keep the peace."

It's as if I've said the magic words. Tenn's hesitant glare disappears as he nods rapidly.

"Yes. That"s exactly what we do. It's perfect. You keep an eye on him and distract him from the drama so he can write. I focus on keeping everything else off him from my side. Between the two of us, he'll have no worries and the muse will return."

During dinner, Corrin explained that he felt like his muse had gone into hiding. Like it wouldn't produce new music because there were so many people pulling him in different directions. He claimed that a few weeks of peace would be all he needed to create another album worthy of the Loveless name.

I'm not convinced it"ll be that easy. But fixing his problem also fixes mine. And really, now that I know he doesn't hate me, I feel like this might be good for us. We can learn to become proper friends, maybe.

Maybe.

Back at our apartment, things get… chaotic. Corrin sobers enough to refuse the bed Tenn offers. He declares he"s tiny enough to fit on the couch, which, yeah, he totally is. Then he rips his shirt off and faceplants onto the worn fabric.

I don't allow myself to examine his skin for any new tattoos. The last time I saw him shirtless, he had twenty-two individual designs on his body. I have no doubt he's added more since.

"Should we tell him you sit there bare-assed sometimes? I think he might not want to breathe so deeply," I mutter, eyes trained on the half-alive rockstar.

"Fuck!" Corrin pushes up to gear at Tenn. "Is he telling the truth?"

My brother shrugs. "I only do it post shower, so I'm clean. And it's not often."

"You've done it twelve times since I moved back in."

Both men turn to me at the fact I toss out. Corrin looks disgusted, while Tenn's expression is one of exasperation.

"Why were you counting them?"

I shrug. "I was honestly trying to find a pattern in the process. I thought there might be a trigger making you do it but then I realized there wasn't. I'd invested the time in the data already. Counting seemed second nature."

"Can we stop talking about Tennyson's nude activities and figure out a new plan for me to sleep? I can't be face down in your sack, man."

I give it one, two, three —

The pair of them burst into laughter at Corrin's words. I suppress my own smirk at the immature laughter. No need to let the word sack turn me into a preteen boy all over again.

"If you two are done, we still have to settle sleeping arrangements." I would absolutely go to sleep, but I don't feel right about leaving Corrin in the wind on this issue. He's our guest.

And technically, he's now my boyfriend.

Fake boyfriend.

Huh.

I've never had a boyfriend, fake or otherwise. The thought of the word rolls around my mind over and over as I get used to it. Like when you learn a new person's name and have to repeat it to ensure it sticks.

I do the same thing with the title as I wait for one of them to get it together.

Surprisingly, it's Tenn who offers to fix his faux pax. "I'll sleep out here since it's my… nudity."

"No, really, it's fine. I just need something to put between me and the direct fabric. A blanket or a sheet."

With the suggestion, I take off for the tiny linen closet in the hall. I tug free a set of bedding that's stuffed in a pillowcase.

"Here," I say as I pass the bundle to Corrin. "Everything you need is there. I'll grab you a pillow."

I don't wait for either man to interrupt me. It's been a long day full of new revelations. I need to get some rest soon or I won't be able to sleep at all. I'd rather not have to force coffee down my throat tomorrow just to get through the day. My morning class should be easy; however, we have the owner coming into the office. With Evan's flustered state, I suspect I'll need to be ready to act as backup for him.

While I haven't been at the company all that long — really, it's only been a few months — I know enough to get through a business meeting. I'm a quick learner when given the chance to tackle a task.

That's how I know I'll be a good fake boyfriend for Corrin too. I've spent my entire life watching others interact. I have no doubt I can properly mimic a relationship with him. Especially now that I know he doesn't hate me.

Corrin has spread out the blanket by the time I make it back. I hand over the pillow, to which he gives me a shy sort of smile.

I nod once, then motion for him to lie down. "I can't leave until I know it's satisfactory."

Tenn snorts, then pats me on the shoulder. "Since you've gone into host mode, I'll leave you to it."

The sound of his door shutting cuts through the air. Something builds in the air. Something unknown that makes me want to shift my feet nervously.

I don't get nervous.

Not like this.

I'm always prepared. Always ready for the day ahead.

Having Corrin here must be the difference. He's got to be throwing me off my normal routine.

I mean, he already has. This whole bedtime routine is nothing like I'd normally do. Plus, I'm down a pillow now, which means I'll need to adjust my sleep position.

I sigh. "Corrin," I say calmly.

His gaze whips to mine. "Austen."

Why is his voice so husky suddenly? Is this part of the act? Is he trying to show me he's invested?

If so, then obviously I should as well. What would someone do when sending their partner to bed?

The idea comes in an instant. I don't question it as I move closer to where he's positioned by the couch. His wide eyes take in my every step, his body frozen like he's afraid to move a muscle.

I know for a fact he's not afraid of me. This must be a lingering effect of the alcohol he consumed.

When we're close enough to touch, I ease one hand around his back to press the space at the base of his spine. I hold him still as I lean down to press a kiss to his forehead.

"Goodnight, love," I whisper softly.

Corrin sighs at the touch, his body loosening in a flash. I don't look to see how he feels beyond that. Too many sensations are working through me to think straight anyway. I wouldn't be able to respond properly.

I pivot on my heel, taking off for my room. Once I'm behind the closed door, I press my fingers to my lips.

They're tingling.

It's a strange awareness. I can't recall a time I've ever experienced something like it.

Shaking myself from the strange trance, I let myself prepare for bed. First, I strip down from my outside clothes to put on my pajamas. The soft gray sweats sit low on my hips and the threadbare tee is more orange than red after years of wear.

I grab my bathroom caddy to finish my routine. Slipping out the door, I listen for any sign of movement. Thankfully, it's quiet throughout the house.

In the bathroom, I go about brushing my teeth, flossing, and rinsing. Then I wash my face and use the facilities one last time.

I open the door to head back to my space, only I freeze at the sight of Corrin standing there wide eyed. He looks me up and down slowly, his gaze almost… appreciative. Is that what this is? It's the same way the girl in the library stared at me.

As I'm watching him, he bites his lip and shakes his head slowly. "Sorry. Needed to go."

I shift out of the way to let him squeeze past me. Why, I'm not quite sure. I could have moved out of the way completely, yet I didn't.

Another anomaly.

I chalk it up to more dating practice. Surely, I've seen someone else pull the same move in the past. That has to be the explanation.

Corrin shuts the door as soon as I move out of the way. If I had to guess, he's not having the same internal battles I am. Why would he? He's an international rockstar who"s used to people throwing themselves at him in multiple countries. He won't be flustered by me faking my way through our arrangement.