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Chapter Twenty-Two.

Author: T. Briella
last update publish date: 2026-05-29 21:41:52

Riley’s POV

I had seen Cole annoyed, unimpressed, sarcastic, and emotionally unavailable. What I hadn’t seen until today was completely thrown off balance. Why did everything between them feel so tense and awkward? Why did he look like simply being in the same room with Emelia physically unsettled him?

Questions crowded my head faster than I could make sense of them.

After Cole walked out and Emelia followed after him, I was dangerously close to eavesdropping. Entirely out of curiosity, of cour
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  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty-Five

    Riley's POVThe dinner went better than I expected. Considering most of the chaos had been caused by me, that was saying something.At least it wasn't a complete disaster. Cole’s mom seemed happy. Mr. Donovan hadn't scared me into a nervous breakdown. And somehow, despite everything, I was fairly certain we survived the evening.Cole didn't talk much on the drive back, but that wasn't unusual. Honestly, I didn't have the energy for conversation either. Dinner had drained me.Unfortunately, exhaustion didn't stop my brain from replaying Emelia's phone call. I couldn't stop wondering what she'd meant.‘She has nothing to do with why I came back.’I had considered telling Cole what I'd overheard. Then decided against it. It wasn't my place. Still, a small voice in the back of my head kept asking the same question. Who was "she"? And why did I have the horrible feeling Emelia had been talking about me?By the time I got home, June was nowhere to be found. So much for binge-watching her fa

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty-Four

    Cole's POV"She's going to live, Cole. It's a er cut."Tyler's voice snapped me out of whatever thoughts had followed Riley down the hallway. I looked away from the direction she'd disappeared and found him smirking at me from across the table. Mom noticed immediately, of course she did."Look at him," she said, nudging Dad with her elbow. "He's worried."I frowned. "I am not worried.""You absolutely are."Dad sighed. "I owe your mother a thousand dollars."Tyler nearly choked on his drink. "What?""He bet me Cole wasn't over Emelia."The entire table fell silent. Then Tyler burst out laughing."So that's why you invited her?" I muttered annoyed.Dad looked completely unapologetic. "It was a scientific experiment.""It was a bet.""Same thing."I rubbed a hand over my face. I couldn't believe these people. Mom looked entirely too pleased with herself."I told him he was wrong.""And I was wrong." Dad shrugged."Very wrong."The sound of footsteps pulled everyone's attention toward th

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty-Three

    Riley’s POVTalking to Cole's mom was easy. The hard part was Mr. Donovan. It wasn't because of my own issues with my father. At least, not entirely. And it wasn't because of his intimidating presence either, though the man could probably make seasoned politicians sweat with a single look.It was because of the way he and Cole interacted. Or rather, the way they didn't. Every conversation between them felt like two people standing on opposite sides of a battlefield, pretending not to notice the weapons. And for some reason, that scared me.Still, I did my best to be cheerful. Mr. Donovan's responses were short and measured, but I refused to let that discourage me. Cole had warned me on the drive over."My dad enjoys intimidating people." Those had been his exact words. "If you survive the first dinner, congratulations. You're officially approved."So naturally, I squared my shoulders and put on my best brave-girl smile. Apparently, Mr. Donovan found that amusing. A small smirk tugged

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty-Two

    Cole's POVRiley stared at me like she'd seen a ghost. Honestly, I was just as surprised that I'd driven all the way here to pick her up."You're being childish," Tyler had said the moment we got home after our argument."It's not childish. According to the contract, neither of us is supposed to do anything that contradicts the narrative of this arrangement.""Looking at that clause, don't you think you broke it first? There was that picture with Emilia.""That couldn't be helped."Tyler rolled his eyes. "And you think this is any different?""Yes. Their situation is based on consent and free will."He laughed. "Oh my God." A hand pressed dramatically against his chest. "Cole Donovan is jealous.""What the hell are you talking about? Why would I be jealous? This is a contractual arrangement.""Which is exactly why you're acting ridiculous." He shook his head. "Even in a real relationship, Riley is allowed to have friends."Tyler started toward his room but paused at the doorway. "You

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty-One

    Riley's POVWhat kind of outfit was considered appropriate for dinner with your fake boyfriend's parents when you knew absolutely nothing about them? I sprawled across the mountain of clothes covering my bed and stared at the ceiling.Exhausted.The day had already drained whatever energy I had left. The argument with Cole felt like the final layer of icing on a very unpleasant cake. I didn't have the mental energy to pretend tonight.Not just because of the fake relationship. Because deep down, I knew spending an evening with the Donovans would remind me of everything my own family wasn't. And that was the part I dreaded.There was something uniquely painful about seeing something beautiful, getting a glimpse of it, then realizing it could never be yours. Maybe I should cancel. Call in sick? Fake food poisoning? Would Cole even believe me?"Urgggg."I groaned into my pillow just as my phone buzzed beside me. A new message. From Cole.7PM. Don't be late.A second message followed imme

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Thirty

    Riley's POVOkay, what in theatre's name was going on?Cole pulled away from me, and for once, his usual stoic expression had been replaced by something softer. His eyes looked almost glassy, holding emotions I didn't dare try to name."Come on now, honey cub. You see your girlfriend every day. You haven't seen me in months. I believe I deserve a hug too."The woman spoke teasingly. Cole let out a sigh, but there was an unmistakable smile on his face as he stepped toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Uhhh? My gaze bounced between Cole, the woman, and then Tyler, who came sprinting toward us."Mommm!"He crashed into the hug immediately, nearly knocking all three of them over. The woman laughed, warm and genuine, as she held both her sons close. And suddenly it clicked. The reason she had looked so familiar. The smile, the eyes.The scene in front of me was undeniably beautiful, but something sharp tugged at my chest. I wished I had half their excitement for the dinner waiting f

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Twenty-Five

    Tyler's POVThe Centennial Gala hadn't even officially started, and somehow it already felt like the beginning of a train wreck.While I do love a good show, I wouldn't enjoy one at the expense of my brother slowly losing his mind and pretending to be fine. Cole wasn't fooling anyone. At least not

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Twenty-Four

    Riley's POVHours passed as students gradually filed out of the rehearsal hall. At some point, June had to leave too. She was currently working on a project under a mentor she dreamed of working with after graduation, and every opportunity mattered.Ironically, she wouldn't even be there if I hadn't

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Twenty-Three

    Riley’s POV“Okay, so tell me in detail.” June started as she gently weaved the brush through my hair.The apartment was unusually peaceful that morning. Soft sunlight filtered through the living room windows, casting warm golden streaks across the couch where I sat. Evidence of our movie marathon

  • Off-script: My Accidental Fake Boyfriend   Chapter Twenty-One

    Cole’s POVThe entire meeting passed in a blur. All I wanted was for it to end so I wouldn’t have to keep seeing Noah’s face or sitting in the same room with him. The idea of being part of this committee was already unappealing enough. I had fully intended to talk to Professor Phil about removing me

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