FAKE DATING MY EX'S TEAMMATE

Chapter Eleven

Maya's POV

The closet door swings open.

I step out slowly, one foot at a time, like I'm walking through a minefield. Heat crawls up my neck. My face is burning.

This is mortifying.

Jax stands in the hallway, arms crossed. His eyes meet mine first, then slide past me to where Finn is emerging from the closet behind me.

Finn doesn't flinch. Just stares back at Jax, jaw set, shoulders squared.

"What's going on here?" Jax's voice is calm. Too calm. "Everything okay?"

"Fine." The word comes out too fast. Too high. "Everything's fine."

Jax's eyes narrow slightly. "I told you to stay away from my girl."

He's looking at Finn now. The air between them crackles.

Finn scoffs. He brushes past us without another word. "We're done here."

Jax watches him disappear around the corner. He doesn't move until Finn's completely out of sight.

Then he looks at me.

"What was that about, Maya?"

"What? You mean Finn?" I force a laugh. It sounds hollow. "He just wanted to discuss the PR strategy."

"In a closet."

"Jax…"

"Hey." He holds up his hands. "I'm not judging. But don't do anything reckless."

"Reckless?"

"Be careful." His voice drops. "You know the terms of your job, right? And if anything goes wrong, you're out. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"

I know. God, I know.

But he doesn't have to remind me. He doesn't have to throw it in my face like I'm some careless idiot who doesn't understand what's at stake.

"And be careful of Finn," Jax adds.

"Why?"

"He's got that look."

"What look?"

"Like he's about to do something stupid."

My eyes widen. Something twists in my chest. Worry, maybe, or fear. But I shove it down.

"You're being paranoid, Jax."

I walk away before he can respond.

The bathroom is blessedly empty.

I lock myself in a stall and lean against the door. My hands are shaking. I press them against my stomach, where the cramps are still pulling tight.

I still haven't changed my pad since this morning.

I take care of it quickly, then wash my hands and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes look tired. My hair is a mess. There's a faint crease on my cheek from where I pressed against the wall in the closet.

Get it together, Maya.

I splash cold water on my face and take a breath.

When I step back into the hallway, Tara is waiting.

"I hope you still remember the charity gala is tomorrow."

I freeze. "What charity gala?"

Her expression darkens. "Don't tell me you forgot you're supposed to make a public appearance with Jax tomorrow."

Oh God.

How did I forget? My mind scrambles. The folder. The schedule. It was all there, and I just…

"Yes. Sure. I remember." The lie tumbles out.

Tara's eyes bore into me. "Good. Because there will be no room for incompetence."

"Of course."

"Jax picks you up at six. Give him your address before the end of today."

"I will."

"And work on your outfit." She looks me up and down, her lips pressing into a thin line. 

"We don't want you looking out of place."

"Of course. I'll work on it."

Please let this conversation end.

"Good."

She walks away, heels clicking against the floor.

I let out a breath and pull out my phone. My fingers hover over Jax's name in my contacts.

I won't see him again today. Not after this morning.

But I have to text him. I have to give him my address.

I type it out quickly: 247 West Monroe, Apt 4B. See you at 6.

Hit send before I can second-guess it.

He should understand. He's not slow.right?

When I get home, Lina is on the living room floor with Leo. Puzzle pieces are scattered around them.

"Mom, look!" Leo jumps up the second he sees me. "I fixed SpongeBob all by myself!"

I catch him mid-leap and spin him around. "Really? That's amazing, little man."

Lina smiles from the floor. "He's been working on it for an hour."

I set Leo down and kneel beside the puzzle. My eyes scan the pieces.

"But you got the nose wrong." I pluck out a piece and replace it with another. "There. Perfect."

Leo grins and runs off to his bedroom.

I sigh and collapse onto the couch.

"Here." Lina hands me a glass of water. "This'll help."

"Thanks."

The water is cold. It helps a little.

After Lina leaves for the day, I dig through the medicine cabinet for Buscopan. The cramps are getting worse. I swallow two pills dry and head to my bedroom.

I need something to wear tomorrow.

I open my closet and stare at the contents.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing sophisticated enough for a charity gala.

I start pulling things out. Dresses I haven't worn in years. Blouses with loose threads. Pants that don't fit anymore.

Five minutes later, my bed is buried under a mountain of rejected clothes.

I drop onto the pile and groan.

Don't look out of place. Don't look out of place.

Tara's words loop in my head like a broken record.

I grab my phone.

Me: I know I'm disturbing, but I need your help. Come over, please.

I stare at the screen. Waiting.

A few minutes pass. The screen lights up.

Lina: Sorry, I was busy. I'll be there by eight.

Relief floods through me.

At 8:15, there's a knock on the door.

I open it. Lina stands on the other side, hair damp like she just showered.

"Sorry again for bothering you."

"It's nothing." She waves me off and steps inside.

We settle onto the couch.

"I need a dress, Lina."

"A dress?" She blinks. "For what?"

"Just…don't ask questions, okay? You won't understand. I just need it for tomorrow."

She sighs. "Okay. Um. I have a friend who might be able to help."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Eva. She's got really sophisticated style. Like, red-carpet level."

Hope flares in my chest. "That's perfect."

"But…" Lina hesitates.

"But what?" My heart sinks. "Don't tell me you changed your mind."

"It's not that. It's just... you have to promise me you'll return the dress in one piece. Or else we're both screwed."

"Why?"

"Eva has... quite the temper."

I nod quickly. "I'll take care of it. I promise."

Lina pulls out her phone and types something. Her thumbs fly across the screen.

Then she sets it down.

"Done."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that." She grins. "And don't worry about the style. Eva doesn't get it wrong with clothes."

"I hope so." Relief washes over me. 

"Thank you. Really. Thank you so much."

"It's nothing." She glances at her phone. "Wow, it got late fast. I should head home."

"Yeah. My bad. Sorry I kept you."

"No, really. It's fine."

I walk her to the door and open it.

She pauses on the threshold. "Maya?"

"Yeah?"

"Whatever's going on... you're going to be okay."

Something tightens in my chest. "Thanks, Lina."

She smiles and leaves.

I close the door and lean against it.

The apartment is quiet. Leo's already asleep. The mess in my bedroom is still waiting for me.

But for the first time today, I feel like I can breathe.

You're going to be okay.I hope she's right.

I return to my bedroom and stare at the mountain of clothes on my bed.

Might as well clean this up.

I start folding. Slowly at first, then faster. Shirts. Pants. Dresses

I'll probably never wear again.My phone buzzes.

I glance at the screen.

Jax: Got your address. See you tomorrow.

Short. Clipped.

He's still upset.

I set the phone down and keep folding.

Tomorrow's going to be a long day.