3

Chapter three

Mia

“So, let me get this straight. You have managed to ruin your reputation and want my help to fix it?”

Scott gritted his teeth. “Yes.”

“You know this would make an amazingly juicy story, right?”

His jaw ticked.

"The school's golden-boy hockey captain secretly paying his least favorite journalist to pretend to be his girlfriend?” I shook my head. “People would eat this shit up.”

“And I could make a lot of money from it too.”

"Mia," he warned.

“You know what? I'll do it?” His whole face lit up.

“Really?”

“God, no! Are you hearing yourself? My brother would hate you forever. Which I don't actually mind. Not to mention nobody is going to believe we are dating.”

“I can handle your brother," he said with that arrogance that pissed me off.

“Alright then… I don't want to.”

“I'll do anything," he pleaded with his eyes.

“Really? I like the idea of you begging.” I smirked. “The only things that could possibly make me agree to this madness are a head injury or a ridiculous amount of money.…"

I froze. Money. I did need that…

But not enough to accept Scott's proposal. Actually, I'd rather die than be publicly seen with him.

“Never mind. I gotta go. See you around. And don't worry, I won't publish this juicy story. Of course I'd be expecting to be paid off.” I smiled before walking off.

What the fuck was that?

I questioned as I padded down the hallway. Was he drunk? I hadn't smelled much alcohol on him. Then again he had a way of disguising the smell.

As soon as I stepped out, I immediately regretted coming out.

Walking towards me was the most popular girl in school.

“Zara White.”

She spotted me before I could go.

“If it isn't the ugly duckling”

I rolled my eyes and sidestepped her, ready to be on my way, but she blocked my path.

“Can we not today?” I said with a sigh.

I was already exhausted from the entire day. I didn't need my biggest bulky thing harassing me.

“Not what, Benett? Two girls can't have a little banter.’

“Your idea of banter is constantly making me look like a fool.”

“Maybe you shouldn't have kissed my boyfriend in high school."

“I was drunk. I apologized, and I have been apologizing ever since. It lasted two fucking seconds!"

“Okay, slut.”

“I'm not a slut. Plus you got your payback by sleeping with every guy I have ever been interested in. What more do you fucking want? We aren't in Hush School anymore for fuck's sake!"

Just then, Scott walked out of the locker room.

His eyes briefly landed on Zara, then on me.

I couldn't tell what he saw in my expression, but his usual smirk disappeared for a second before he masked it again.

“Hey, Scott," Zara purred.

Oh, that was right. Zara had been trying to get with Scott for as long as I can remember.

They had sex once at a house party, and ever since, she has been desperate.

She walked off, shouldering me hard.

I ignored her and walked away, glad to finally be rid of her.

Funny, because three years ago, Zara had been my best friend. Sometimes I missed the girl she used to be so badly that it was easier to hate her than admit I still cared.

We had shared clothes, secrets, late-night sleepovers, and enough stupid teenage memories to fill an entire photo album.

Then I'd gotten drunk at a party, kissed her boyfriend for two seconds, and destroyed everything.

I'd apologized more times than I could count, but Zara had never forgiven me.

And apparently, she never planned to.

I made my way to my beat-down car and drove home.

Stacey was in our dorm room.

“Hey, you okay?”

Stacey asked, immediately noticing my mood.

“I'm exhausted. I just came back from the arena. I had to take Reid his tablet, and somehow that turned into an entire ordeal.”

“Damn. Sorry about that. Want a massage?”

“Please.”

I felt the urge to tell Stacey what happened but decided against it… She liked Scott, and I didn't want to make her feel weird about it.

I lay face down on the bed, and Stacey immediately started working the knots in my shoulders.

“So, what else happened? Did Scott talk about me?”

I almost laughed.

“You really like him, don't you?”

“Of course I do.”

“Why? Apart from the fact that he's ridiculously good-looking?”

She smiled. “There's something about him, Mia. He acts like he doesn't care about anything, but I don't think that's true.”

“If you say so.”

My phone started ringing.

Mom.

I stared at the screen until it stopped.

Stacey's hands slowed. “You really don't talk to them?”

“Not unless I want to be reminded that I owe them something.”

Her expression softened. “They're still your parents.”

“Maybe when they start acting like it, I'll believe it.”

“I think they love you. Just have a strict way of showing it.”

“Right.” I whispered, forcing myself not to let the emotions out.

*********

“Wanna go to a party?” Stacey said the next day. On the phone.

“You know I'm already there. It's where all the juicy stories happen after all.”

“Alright. I'll be at your place around 9.”

“Sure thing.” I hung up and clicked on a post on my recent article about the GoldenIce players.

My only regret is not adding that Scott had proposed to fake dating me.

I got up, closed my laptop, and made my way to the shower and took a long bath. When I was done, I immediately got ready.

I pulled my shoulder-length curly blonde hair into a messy half-up bun, added a touch of blush and neutral pink lipstick, then slipped into a mini skirt and fitted top before heading downstairs.

When I was done, I got a call from my brother asking if I was going to be there.

“You know I have to be.”

“Alright. Mom wants you to call her.” He said after a pause.

“I have to go, Reid.”

“Mia, don't you dare.” I hung up anyway.

I didn't need this today. Or tomorrow. Or any day after that.

Just as I set my phone down to go check the mirror again, it rang again, and this time it was an email from Sport Dawn. A big paper that printed sports-related issues.

I read the first line, and my hands gripped my phone.

We are sorry to inform you that your application was rejected. We appreciate your young perspective and really wish to have you on our team.

Thank you once again for applying. You will do great things, Mia Benette.

Rejected.

I stared at the word until the letters blurred.

This was supposed to be different.

I didn't want to spend four years writing articles nobody outside campus would ever read. I wanted press credentials, a real newsroom, my name on the byline of stories people actually cared about. Sport Dawn was supposed to be my first step.

It was my chance to prove that I could build something for myself without crawling back to my parents and asking them to rescue me.

I'd worked for this. I'd written the articles. I'd covered the games. I'd spent nights researching players while everyone else was sleeping.

And they still hadn't chosen me.

I swallowed hard and locked my phone.

“Get it together, Mia,” I whispered. “You'll find another way.”

I wanted to believe myself.

I really did.

But God, did I want that role? I had done everything right too.

Stacey opened the door and walked in looking fabulous in a dark red jumpsuit that showed all her curves.

“Jesus, girl. You look damn good. "I smiled wide.

“Thank you. You look stunning. I'm loving the show of legs. Rarer.”

I chuckle. “Come on. Let's stop by Dip-sip and grab something to eat before we go to the party.”

We drove to Dip-Sip singing at the top of our lungs one of Stacey's ex-demo songs she stole after they split.

We pulled up in the parking lot and ordered fries and burgers.

We found our seats and began to eat.

I was almost done when I saw Zara and her usual entourage walk through the door.

I groaned.

Stacey followed my gaze and sighed. “Ignore her.”

“I'm trying.”

Zara spotted us anyway. Her eyes lingered on me before she smirked and kept walking.

Stacey squeezed my arm. “Don't let her ruin your night.”

“I won't.”

I hoped that was true.

"Thanks," I whispered.

“Don't be silly. The only reason I didn't pour my drink all over was because of you.”

I chuckled. Stacey was the former captain of the cheerleading team before she retired, and Zara respected her more than anything.

She was usually my savior when it came to her.

We left Dip-Sip and got to the party then minutes later.

The party was already in full swing.

My brother was talking to two girls who were all over him in the corner. I waved at him, and Stacey and I made our way to the bar.

“You think your brother is ready to date again?”

“Stacey! You want my brother now?”

“No. Of course not. He's just hot.”

I took a shot and handed her one.

“Drink. There are plenty of hot men here, kay?*

She nodded and took her shot. I took out my camera and began to do my job, holding a cocktail in hand.

Scott was nowhere to be found, which was surprising.

He was not one to miss a party, especially after an NCAA tournament win.

I did a few interviews while the boys were still sober enough.

A couple of guys approached me and began to flirt. I knew them from the hockey team.

“So, you're always working, huh?” Peter winked.

“What can I say? I love my work."

“But in an outfit like that, you look like you're here more for pleasure rather than work.”

“A little work and pleasure never hurt anyone.” I smiled.

“Wanna go somewhere more private?” Paul, his twin, asked.

“Maybe later.” I smiled with no intention of going anywhere with them.

“I'll come get you.” He kissed my cheeks and walked away, Peter in tow.

I watched them disappear into the crowd and shook my head. They were attractive, sure, but I'd learned my lesson about mixing hockey players with my love life.

Once had been enough.

I wasn't making the same mistake twice.

I scanned the party and still couldn't find Scott.

Not that I cared to find him, but it would be good to get an interview. I really needed to up my game.

Getting rejected had made me more determined than ever to do more.

I wanted my own sports paper and TV one day. And if I was going to make it, I couldn't slack off. Of course that meant I'd have to get a job now for groceries and books. I didn't want to ask Reid. He'd make me make up with our parents, and I wasn't going to grovel.

“You.” Zara appeared in front of me.

I sighed. She really was trying to piss me off today.

“Have you seen Scott?*

“And why would I have seen him?”

“Your job, duh.”

“Right. Nope.”

“Hmm. Nice dress. Looks cheap.”

I rolled my eyes. She was so bland with her jabs sometimes.

“Zara, give it a rest. I don't want to fight anymore.”

“Oh, we were fighting? I thought you were taking a beating.”

I scoffed. “A beating? The only reason I ignore your jabs is because I'm genuinely sorry about what happened between us. You don't stand a chance against me.”

“Oh, really? I guess that rejection letter wasn't enough of a beating.”

My smile disappeared.

“What did you just say?”

Zara's lips curved.

“Your little application to Sport Dawn. You really thought they were going to choose you?”

My stomach dropped.

How did she know about that?

Nobody at school knew. I'd barely told Stacey.

“How do you know about my application?”

Her smile widened.

“Maybe you're not as clever as you think you are.”

Then she threw her drink in my face.

The crowd around us gasped.

I blinked, my hands balling into fists, my ears ringing.

She did not just do that!

I looked up, about to lunge at her when I spotted Scott in the corner staring at me.

I glanced at her. She was waving at him.

My blood boiled.

My stomach twisted.

How the hell did Zara know about the rejection?

Unless...

No.

My pulse kicked up.

There was no way.

But the look on her face told me she knew something I didn't.

Had she somehow interfered with my application?

The thought hit me like a punch to the gut.

I shook with anger.

I could take Zara, making my life a living hell throughout high school. I could take her sleeping with every guy I'd ever liked. Hell, I could even take the constant reminders of the stupid mistake I'd made three years ago.

But what I couldn't take was her messing with my future.

Then I looked at Scott.

He was standing a few feet away, watching everything with those irritatingly intense eyes.

And suddenly, his offer from earlier came rushing back.

I need you to become my fake girlfriend.

My anger slowly turned into something else.

An idea.

A reckless, absolutely insane idea.

If Scott needed a fake girlfriend, and I needed a way to get ahead in my career, maybe there was something in this for both of us.

I didn't give myself enough time to think about it.

I walked straight toward him.

Scott's eyebrows lifted when I stopped in front of him.

“Hey, Scott.”

“Yeah?”

I grabbed the front of his shirt, pulled him toward me, and pressed my lips against his.

For one stunned second, he didn't move.

Neither did I.

Then his body went rigid beneath my hands.

And judging by the silence that fell over the party, neither did anyone else.

Oh, shit.

What the hell had I just done?