Chapter 4: Terms and Conditions

Roxanne's POV 

"That's the smartest decision you've made," 

I pressed my lips together.

"Like you said, this is strictly professional," he said. "No catching of feelings, purely business."

"Excuse me?" I snorted. "You think I'm at risk of catching feelings for you?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if you fall for me," he gave a small smile. "I mean who wouldn't?"

"You're the last person on the planet I would develop feelings for," I said. "I would rather be single than fall for you."

"Let's proceed with the terms," he said. "You'll come to my games."

"Your hockey games?" I asked.

"Yes." He replied. "Every home game, you sit and look like you want to be there. You'll be supportive."

I took a deep breath. "I already hate this."

"You'll attend the social events." His voice was steady. "Campus parties, pack parties, Alpha functions, anything important."

"I hate parties." I said.

"It doesn't matter." He didn't even blink. "You'll also need to sort out how you dress."

I went very still. "What do you mean?"

"You're going to be seen as the Hockey Captain girlfriend." His eyes tracked over me once. "You can't show up to these things looking the way you usually look."

"What's wrong with the way I look?"

"You look plain," He said without hesitation. "You don't like how the Hockey Captain girlfriend would dress. I'll send you options."

"So you're going to pick my outfits?" I felt my voice rising.

"I'm going to send you appropriate options," he corrected.

"You're crazy." I crossed my arms. "You're not going to dress me."

"You show up to a Pack function in whatever that is..." He gestured at me. ".... and it kills the whole thing in the first ten seconds. Skylar is going to notice everything. What you're wearing and how you carry yourself. You want this over fast? Then you do it right."

" Fine," I said, voice tight. "But I have the final say. You suggest, I decide. I'm not wearing something that makes me uncomfortable."

He looked at me like he wanted to argue but he let it go. "Fine."

"What else?" 

"There'll be times we need to sell it properly, in front of everyone." He paused. "That includes holding hands, kissing."

"Of course," I tried to keep my voice flat.

"Right," I said. Kept my voice flat.

"It won't be often." He said, like that was supposed to help. "Just when it counts."

"Just great." I looked anywhere but at him m "I can't wait."

"Don't worry, I'll try to make it enjoyable for you." I looked at him sharply and he looked so smugged. "I've been told I'm a good kisser."

"Oh, my goddess..."I groaned. "I will back out of this entire thing right now..."

"No you won't." I hated he was right about that.

"Are we done?" I asked.

"For now, yes." He picked up his bag from the chair. "I'll be in touch."

"Sure." I said.

He moved toward the door, unhurried as always and I turned to grab my own bag.

"Oh and Roxanne?" I turned. "Welcome abroad, Pumpkin."

The door swung shut behind him.

I found Charlotte where I'd left her, hovering at the end of the side corridor, pretending to look at the bulletin board.

She turned the second she heard my footsteps. "Okay what the hell happened? You were in there for like fifteen minutes, I almost came in."

"Let's go," I said.

We walked together, she looked at me, trying to read my face. We cut through the east corridor and I pulled her into the alcove near the stairwell where nobody ever stood, and turned to face her.

"I need to tell you something," I said. "And I need you not to scream."

Her eyes were already wide. "Why would I scream?"

"Promise me first." I insisted.

"Okay, okay." She said. "I promise to try."

"I'm Tyson's girlfriend." I said.

"OH MY GOD!!" Charlotte screamed.

"Charlie!" My voice rose.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...." She clapped both hands over her mouth, eyes wide, her breathing loudly, her chest rising. "What? How? Why?" She removed her hands from her mouth.

"I'm his Fake Girlfriend." I said slowly. "To make Skylar jealous so she comes back to him. I show up to his games, his parties, we look convincing, she gets jealous, she comes back, it ends."

"This is..." She stared at me. "Roxie, this is insane. Why would you..." She stopped. "He made you do it, didn't he? He has something?"

I kept my face calm. "I had to."

"What does he have on you?" She asked.

"It's not important, I handled it." I held her gaze. "I know what I'm doing. It's temporary, it's fake and the second Skylar comes back it's over."

She looked at me for a long time, deciding whether to push further for the full story, then she exhaled hard through her nose.

"This is going to be insane." She shrieked.

"It's terrible, I hate him so much..." I groaned. "He's the worst."

"And you're going to be walking around this campus acting like you're his..." She shook. "I can't even say it, it's going to be interesting."

"I need you to act normal about it, when it goes public." I almost smiled. "Can you do that?"

She looked deeply sad. "I'll try."

I gave her a look. "Come on , Charlie."

"I said I'll try," she said. "Roxie, I'm only a girl..."

My phone buzzed, I pulled it out, it was unknown number but the suite prefix was unmistakable, the Alpha residential block on the north side of campus.

Charlotte leaned over my shoulder. "Who is it from?"

"Probably from my fake boyfriend," I said as I opened the message.

We'll be having our first planning meeting tomorrow, in my suite, Don't be late, Pumpkin.