FAKE BOYFRIEND

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 003: Fake boyfriend 

**Jordan Hayes**

When I suggested the fake-boyfriend idea, I half-expected Damien to dismiss it—maybe even call me out on my bullshit. Instead, he shocked me by grabbing the creep by the back of the neck and slamming his face into the bar. He beat him viciously while vociferously declaring I belonged to him and threatening severe consequences to anyone who dared bother me again.

I watched from the corner as Damien hauled the man up, slamming his face down again. Blood dripped onto the chipped wood. Everyone cleared out fast, scattering like they'd seen a ghost.

I should have been relieved someone finally stopped the harassment. Instead, guilt washed over me like a heavy blanket. The bar—once packed—was now empty. My chest tightened until I could barely draw breath. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

Every time I glanced at Matt, he pleaded with his eyes for me to intervene. I straightened and walked toward the chaos.

"Jordan, don't," Noah called, shaking his head, urging me to stay back.

I didn't understand. If we were all too scared to move closer, who would stop Damien from committing murder right here?

"When you look at him—and at all the other whores you've bothered in other bars—do they seem to have anything in common?" Damien barked at the man, forcing his head left and right as he searched for me. "Can you spot the fucking difference?"

The creep sucked in a breath, blood trickling. "I-I don't know."

"You don't know?" Damien pointed at me. "Whores always dress for the job." He waved a hand toward me. "And the one guy you bother? He's dressed like a normal-ass dude."

"That didn't make you realize you were barking up the wrong fucking tree?"

"I was just—" the man tried, but Damien didn't let him finish.

"You were just fucking up." He slammed the man's head into the bar again. The creep wavered, dizzy. "What's the matter? Can't feel your face?" Damien grinned like a maniac. "Shit, is that a tooth?"

A bloody tooth lay on the bar, strings of tissue attached. I glanced up—Matt watched with an irritated scowl but said nothing. I knew why: I was ruining his business.

Guilt knotted tighter. I should stop this, but fear rooted me in place.

Damien's hand tightened around the man's neck. "Let's take this somewhere more private."

He dragged the creep out to the alley, shoving him against the wall. The man bounced off, groaning.

"It was a mistake," the creep cried, voice shaky. "I didn't know who he was or who he was with."

I sucked in a sharp breath as Matt stormed over, deep scowl etched on his face. "What happened? Why's Mr. Voss causing such a huge scene because of you?"

"I... Um," I scratched my neck. Bringing Damien into this suddenly seemed fucking stupid. Why couldn't I think with my head for once?

Noah scurried over, fidgeting with his apron. "I heard someone say he's dating Kim—uh, Mr. Voss."

Matt turned to me, eyes wide. "Is that true?"

I shook my head hastily, mouth refusing to form words. "I..."

"You know my rules, Jordan," Matt barked. "Don't do anything that'll affect my business. I made it clear."

"It's just..." I stuttered, eyes stinging. I wished I could break down into tears. I hated this.

"It's just what?!" Matt snapped. He was furious about his ruined business, but I wished he'd calm down and let me explain. He didn't.

"Making those stupid thugs chase you around here isn't enough? Now my business for today is fucking ruined because you dragged Voss here."

Matt wasn't a bad guy—he was just angry, and he had every reason. But it still hurt that he thought I enjoyed having perverts on my ass.

"You think I enjoyed being molested?" I asked, jaw clenched. "Huh?"

"What?" Matt scoffed. Noah shook his head, signaling me to drop it. But I couldn't.

"Just say it. Just say something about my sexuality." I dared him. I fucking dared him to speak and swear I'd make him regret it.

Matt snorted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oh God. Would you please stop being overly dramatic for once?"

"Really?" He thought I was being dramatic?

"I have no problem with you being gay, you know that, right?" Matt asked, but I didn't know if he meant it or was just fronting.

Straight men were the same. They'd never believe a gay man could be assaulted by one of them without asking what the gay guy did to "provoke" it.

Letting out a shaky breath, I sighed. "Maybe I should just go home. It's past my shift anyway."

"You should," Matt said dismissively.

"Fuck that shit," I muttered, grabbing my backpack from the counter. I slung it over my shoulder and walked away. Noah called after me.

"Jordan..."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Noah." I gently pushed past him and left the bar.

Anger clouded my vision as I walked down the bustling road of Nexus Point, blindly taking the path to my apartment.

"Like it's my fault all his customers are freaking perverts?" I yelled, ignoring harsh glares from passersby. "Fuck him very much." I didn't care who heard. They could all go to hell.

I was already on my street when I noticed a black car tailing me. I tried to convince myself it was nothing, but when I slowed, the car slowed too. When I stopped, it stopped.

"What's that?" I whispered, swallowing hard and quickening my pace.

I reached my apartment, fumbled the key, rushed inside, and slammed the door. Peering through the keyhole, I saw the car was gone.

Weird.

"I saw that car... Or did I imagine it?" I shook my head, shrugged, and collapsed onto the couch.

I was about to toss my backpack aside when my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out and scowled—it was Ethan calling.

I answered and snapped, "If you're calling to beg me to bring a girl home to fix things with your parents, I'm not interested."

"Jordan..." Ethan's voice was low.

"Is that disgust I sense in your tone?" I hissed.

"Stop being a dick and listen." He snorted.

I rolled my eyes. Always the perfect one.

"Fine. What?" I grumbled, tossing my backpack down.

He took a breath; the line went quiet. "I think the Voss family is after Dad. I almost got shot today."

"So please, wherever you are, be careful."

"The... the what?" I sprang up, panting. This wasn't what I'd expected from my brother.

"Oh God! Something happened. I'll call you later." His voice turned urgent.

"Ethan... Wait—Jesus!" The call ended.

My heart hammered. Damien's sudden appearance at work. The strange car. Ethan's call out of nowhere.

I rushed to the window. A figure stepped out my front door, got into a black car, and sped away.

"It's that car from earlier," I gasped, hand over my mouth to stifle a scream.