Page 14 of The Fake Out

A lie. I was stalling, circling the arena three times before finally getting in line.

Without a word, Pippa’s gaze goes to my jersey, and her eyebrows lift.

It was sitting on my desk this afternoon inside a gift box. Despite my aversion to wearing a jock’s name on me like I’m his property, Rory’s right. I have to wear his jersey if we want to sell this.

She’s still staring. “You’re wearing a jersey.”

I take a huge bite of my pretzel, choosing my words. It’s going to sound so stupid out loud.

“Hazel.” Now she’sreallycurious. “Lean forward.”

I swallow my bite. “When do you start working on the next album?”

God, I’m such a chicken. Miller’s name is practically burning on my back.

“Hazel. Whose name is on your back?”

My mouth is dry, and this pretzel tastes like glue. What, am I just going to sit here in this spot until she leaves the stadium?

I move so she can read it. “It’s not what it looks like.”

She blinks slowly. “Am I missing something?”

The lights in the arena dim, and a roar of cheers rises up as the players hit the ice. As he skates past, Rory winks at me, wearing a lazy, smug grin. Connor’s right behind him.

This is it. This is the faking it part. As much as I don’t want to do this, I made a deal, and it’s on me to play the part as much as it’s on Miller.

I give Rory my typical cool smile and wink back. He grins wider and skates off. When Connor does a double take at me sitting here, satisfaction pulses behind my sternum.

Fuck you, Connor.

Pippa sends me confused glances throughout the national anthems, and when we sit, I lower my voice as the players line up for a face-off.

“We’re not actually dating.” I clasp my hands together. This is going to sound so stupid out loud. My stomach lurches at the sight of Connor on the bench, and it all comes spilling out. I tell Pippa about Connor’s email the other morning, how I thought he’d apologize, and then what he actually said.

“What a fucking asshole,” she breathes, watching my face, and panic rises in me.

I don’t want Pippa to know the effect Connor had on me. She’s my little sister, and I’ve always been the strong one for her. When our parents wanted her to let music be just a hobby, I pushed her to follow her dreams. I’m the one she comes to with questions about life; it’s always been like that between us. I take care of her, not the other way around.

I don’t want her to know how badly I’ve been hurt. I don’t want her to worry about me.

“Miller and I came to an arrangement.” I explain how he wants to look like a better captain to Ward this year and he’s more than happy to help me stick it to Connor.

She studies me with narrowed eyes. “You hate Rory. Why do you care if he wants to be captain?”

I open my mouth to protest. After what he did to my friend in high school, I know he’s just like every other jock who can have whatever he wants without consequences.

I don’thatehim, though.

We watch the players scramble for the puck at the other end of the ice. “I care because I made a deal with him. It’s only until January, anyway. You can tell Jamie, but please ask him not to say anything.”

Pippa’s eyes narrow like she doesn’t believe me before a teasing smile pulls up on her mouth and she tilts her chin to my jersey. “You wear it well.” She wiggles her brows. “Very cute.”

“Shut up.”

“He got the size right and everything.”

“I told you everything so you can be my support person.” I give her a pointed look. “Not so you can tease me.”