9. The Last Book in the Series

9

The Last Book in the Series

Emma

My bedroom door slams open, and I wake up with a start.

“Oh my gosh, Emz!” Alice squeals, hopping into my bedroom. “You’re dating Auston Buckley! You could have told us he found out who you were.”

I rub my eyes. Am I still dreaming? “What? No I’m not.”

She sighs dramatically. “I knew it was a second-chance romance.”

I sit up, adjusting my bangs. “Your love of love is getting to you again, Alice. There is nothing happening between me and Auston.”

“Then what’s this?” she demands, shaking her phone. “It says here his team has already confirmed the rumors.”

All the blood drains from my face. “What? Give me that!”

I snatch the phone from her hand, studying the screen. It’s a picture of Auston and me talking near the trailer yesterday. My heart rattles as I read the caption that, indeed, claims that Auston and I are a couple, and that it’s been confirmed from his side.

Tugging my slippers on, I snatch the lanyard with my credentials that Robyn gave me yesterday and storm out of my room.

“Emz, where are you going?” Alice calls after me, but I ignore her. Instead, I march outside. He’d better be here. Lots of crew members are already working on the set, and some of them even say hello, but I can’t see who. All I’m seeing right now is red.

I show the security guard the lanyard, then stomp toward Auston’s trailer and hammer at his door. After a few seconds, he opens it, blinking rapidly when he sees me.

“Emma, what are you doing here? It’s only seven.”

I push past him. “Where do you get off telling people we’re together? Are you crazy?”

“I didn’t say anything, I swear,” he says behind me. “I’m so sorry ab— Wait, are you in your PJs?”

I glance down and then cross my arms over my “I’m a mood reader” top. “Well, I didn’t have time to dress. And don’t change the subject!”

He rakes a hand through his hair, just like he used to do when he was frustrated by a math exercise. “Look, I’m really sorry. Things tend to blow out of proportion online. The paparazzi see people together and jump to conclusions.”

“Why would anyone even assume we’re together?” I ask, pacing around the small space. “It doesn’t make any sense. We barely talked outside the trailer.”

“I know. It’s the yearbook picture, I guess,” he says. He swallows hard, making his Adam’s apple bob.

Crossing my arms tighter, I glance away. Crap. How did they find out?

“Wait,” he says, taking a step forward. “You remember? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why didn’t you?” I growl, still pretending to be mad when really, the mix of emotions in my body is so confusing, I don’t even know what I’m feeling.

“Because I thought you didn’t remember me.”

“Of course I remember.” As if anyone could forget Auston Buckley. As if I could forget that he ditched me on the worst day of my life.

We stare at each other for a moment, and my heart swells until I’m afraid it might burst out of my chest. “Still. You could have denied it! Why did you tell them we were dating? Just because we were having a conversation and went to high school together doesn’t mean we’re a couple.”

His eyes widen. “I didn’t! I told my mom to keep quiet.”

I scoff. “Well, I guess she didn’t, because ‘your team’ confirmed the rumor.”

“What!” he coughs out, clearly in shock. Grabbing his phone from the coffee table, he types furiously on the screen. Then, his expression changes at least three times before his eyes snap back to me. “Emma, I have nothing to do with this, I swear. And I don’t think my mom does either. Sure, she’s a little extra sometimes, but she knows how to take things seriously. And look here. It just says ‘a source close to the couple.’”

I lift my eyebrows. “Then who is it?”

He releases a frustrated sigh, sitting down on the couch. “This has Madison’s name written all over it. She’s probably hoping I’ll deny it so we can announce we’re back together.”

“Oh.” I look down at my shoes. That girl is far from the sweetheart everyone thinks she is. She’s taking things way too far, not to mention she has a serious case of stalker syndrome, and not in the hot, morally-grey hero way.

“What if . . . what if I don’t deny it?” he says after a while, glancing at me with a note of desperation in his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

He gives me an insistent look.

Then, it hits me, and I have to hold onto the TV stand for support. “What? You’re saying you actually want to date me?”

He rubs his hands over his thighs. “Well, maybe we could pretend? It’s just, I told you how tired I am of this thing between Madison and me. It’ll keep her at a distance, finally. She’d have nowhere to hide, and it would also teach her a lesson about spreading rumors about my personal life.”

“Why can’t you find yourself a real girlfriend? I’m pretty sure you could get one with the snap of your fingers. Aren’t you the hottest man alive or whatever?” I say, glancing at the framed magazine covers.

“Sexiest.”

I cross my arms. “Exactly.”

He shuffles his feet. “Well, I could, but chances are, I’d end up with someone who’s only interested in my fame again. Plus, the cat’s already out of the bag when it comes to you and me, so that makes things easier.”

“Right.” So, him being there for me when I needed him the most wasn’t on his priority list, but now I’m supposed to help him? He’s got some nerve.

“So, will you consider it? Just until the movie is done. Seeing me with someone else will finally shut Madison up, and quell any rumors. Plus, having the fans stop badgering Madison and me to get married would be a nice change of pace,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

I shake my head a little. “Wait, the fans actually want you two together?”

“Yeah. It’s the old fantasy of on-screen to real life, you know? We’ve done so many movies together, fans can’t see us with anybody else. You wouldn’t believe the number of Audisson shippers out there.” He rolls his eyes, and that almost makes me smile. What a bad ship name.

“And you want to start a fake relationship to go against what your fans want? I know you don’t read books, but fake dating is a pretty popular movie trope as well. Usually, the fake relationship is established to rally public opinion on your side, not to counter it.”

The edge of his mouth lifts in a smirk. “Well, what can I say? I’ve always loved a good plot twist.”

I bite my lip.

He looks at me for a second, then glances away. Shaking his head, he lets out a throaty laugh. “Never mind. It’s crazy. I’m crazy. My life is crazy. Gosh, I can’t believe I even suggested that.” Standing up, he jams his hands in his pockets. “I’ll just deal with Madison on my own. Sorry I dragged you into this.”

My heart clenches when I glimpse the defeat in his eyes. And here I thought he was living the dream. Call me crazy, but it has always been a small consolation to know that, at the very least, he didn’t break my heart for nothing. My dreams were crushed when I was sixteen, but his were all coming true. Looking at him now, I see a reflection of how I feel inside—frustrated, sad, empty. And I hate it. Auston was always so bright and cheerful in high school, and I thought living his dream would amplify his joy, not crush it.

“I’ll do it,” I blurt out.

His eyes widen like two saucers. “Seriously? Why?”

I smirk. “‘Cause I’m a plot twist junkie too.” And I also might be a little unhinged. But I’m already spending time with Auston for this movie. What difference will it make? We were friends once, after all.

“Really? That’s all. You don’t want anything in return?”

“No. As long as you keep your e nd of the bargain and do this movie justice, I’m solid. Oh, and don’t forget about introducing me to Melissa Fortner.”

A smile pulls at his lips. “Of course.” He nods firmly. “But don’t you have a real boyfriend of your own?”

I snort. “Please. I don’t do boyfriends. I love my freedom way too much to tie myself down to a guy. I’m not a relationship kind of gal.”

His brows knit together. “Yet you read romance? I’m confused.”

“I don’t have an issue with fictional love. It’s the only way love can ever work.”

He swallows hard. “Okay.”

“Anyway, this fake dating thing shouldn’t be too hard. It’s only a few pictures here and there, right?” I know my tropes like the back of my hand. I should be an expert at this. Plus, this will shut up Alice and Hayley about me having feelings for him. Would I put myself through all this if I liked him? I don’t think so. As long as it doesn’t turn into a marriage of convenience, I’m good.

Oh, gosh! What did I just do?

“I guess so.” He nods slowly. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Well, it’s settled, then. I’ll just go back home to change, and I’ll come back for our regular session.”

“Sure,” he says, standing up and walking with me to the door. “At least if there’s paparazzi around, it’ll be enough to convince them.”

I clear my throat. “Um, right. See you later.”

As I exit the trailer, sure enough, a couple of guys are waiting with large cameras behind the barricades. I wave at them with a smirk and hurry back home.

When I step into the kitchen, Hayley and Alice are at the table having breakfast.

“So, I guess I’m dating Auston Buckley,” I say before retreating to my room.

Screams followed by the scraping of chairs and heavy footsteps erupt from the kitchen.

“What?” Hayley squeals.

“Why did you lie to us?” Alice adds, which makes me turn around.

“I didn’t. We weren’t together when you asked me this morning. Now we are.” I take a deep breath, because I know the excitement is going to be through the roof once I tell them the truth. “We’re fake dating.”

“Ah!” Hayley wriggles her hands.

Alice covers her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oh my gosh!”

Knew it.

Hayley shakes her head, her short pink hair quivering with the movement. “Why, though? What happened?”

I sigh. “He and Madison were on ly together for publicity, but she’s seriously into him. She keeps harassing him to start pretending again, like posting hints that they’re together on her socials, and he’s really sick of her pestering. Then, yesterday, as you both know, the paparazzi took pictures of Auston and me and dug up our yearbook pictures. They immediately made the connection and fabricated a love story reunion.”

“Those paparazzi and I think alike,” Alice says with a nod of approval.

I shake my head, repressing the urge to roll my eyes. “Well, anyway, I agreed to fake date him to get her off his back once and for all.” And because I’m way too stubborn to take back my words, even the ones I blurted without thinking them through.

“Right,” Alice says, her eyes glowing brighter than usual. “It’s your turn to live one of our beloved tropes. Hayley got Best Friend’s Brother, Hockey Player, and He Falls First. I had Grumpy Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers, and Single Dad—well, uncle. And now, you will have Fake Dating, Celebrity, and . . . what would be the third one?”

“You—” I start, but Hayley cuts me off.

“Reverse Grumpy Sunshine?”

“Good one,” Alice says with a nod. “Or Black Cat/Golden Retriever. Auston seems to fit the bill.”

“Oh, and Second Chance, of cour se,” Hayley adds. “Never been a fan of that one, but I like the crush thing better than getting back together with an ex.”

“Def—”

“Stop it.” I raise my hands in exasperation. “You two are crazy. Haven’t you forgotten? I’m the sidekick, not the main character. That’s not how this works.”

“Correction,” Hayley says, a finger in the air. “You were the side character, but not anymore. You, my friend, are the last book of this series.”

My eyes widen in horror. “No, I’m not!” I’m not interested in finding my match, or falling in love, or whatever. I like being the snarky sidekick. It’s my thing.”

They both fall silent, staring at me with a weird expression.

“Um, are you sure it’s a good idea, though?” Hayley asks, a touch of concern in her voice.

I fold my arms. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You guys have history.”

I wave a hand in dismissal. “ Ancient history. We’re talking ten years here. If anything, this whole arrangement should prove to you that I’m not interested in him anymore. If I was still harboring a flame for Auston, would I agree to this? It’d be torture.”

Hayley frowns, then nods. “Fine . You know yourself better than we do. Just be careful. I wasn’t expecting to be a main character either, and look at me now.”

I scoff. “Don’t worry. It’s not going to happen. You know me—I’m all about plot twists.”

And it’s true. I’m not Hayley. People don’t relate to girls like me, so I’m never ever going to be the FMC. After all, I have a say in this story of mine, and this isn’t how it’s going to go.