All Chapters of Fake Dating My Best Friend's Younger Brother : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Class has already started, but there’s no way I can return to mine without making sure Dominic’s okay. I still can’t shake what Jennifer said — “things got messy” — and the thought won’t leave my head. So, I put my so-called rich girl privileges to use.Making sure my face isn’t still flushed, I push open the door to Dominic’s classroom. Mr. Benny Brown, the Science teacher, is already mid-lecture.“Good day, Mr. Benny Brown.” I smile.His face lights up — my dad’s generosity toward teachers always has its perks. He sets the marker down and walks over.“How are you, Catherine?” he asks.“I’m good. I just need a quick favor,” I whisper, lowering my voice so the curious ears don’t catch on. I meet Dominic’s eyes for a second — those locks can’t hide the frown forming there — before looking away. “Dominic was bullied by the football boys, and I just want to make sure he’s okay. He’s Alice’s brother.”Mr. Benny sighs. “Of course, you can. Those boys are still up to their nonsense.” He tur

“Guess who asked me out!” Alice squeals, doing a ridiculous happy dance on her bed. I instantly regret stopping by her house before school—she’s been bouncing around for fifteen minutes, unable to pick an outfit. “I was shocked when he told me he’s been too shy to talk to me all this time.” She jumps again, landing face-first into her pillow. “Alice,” I sigh, grabbing a random top and skirt from her closet and dumping them on her chest. “As much as I’d love to indulge this love story, we’re already late, and I really don’t want to give the teachers a reason to punish me. Get dressed.” She rolls her eyes but obeys, pulling on the clothes. “Hayden. Freaking. Gordon. asked me out. The smartest guy in school has been too shy to talk to me! Someone pinch me before I start acting dramatic.” “Wow,” I say honestly. “That’s good, actually. He’s one of the decent ones. Didn’t he date someone last year?” “Yeah, but they broke up on good terms.” She brushes her hair in front of the mir

Dad has always given me everything I wanted. I’ve never done anything bad enough to make him sound like he wants to strangle me through the phone. “And what else do you want me to say that’s going to make you happy, Dad? I’ve told you—I did not stab that girl.” He scoffs, the sound sharp and heavy through the line. “Then what, Catherine? She stabbed herself? Your mother and I are about to board a plane home, and you’re going to explain exactly what’s wrong with you.” The line cuts before I can say anything else. I shut my eyes, exhaling until my chest hurts. Even my parents don’t believe me. “Are you okay?” Dominic’s voice comes softly, careful. My hands tremble as I grip the couch to sit. “I don’t know, Dominic. Maybe I just wanted my parents to believe me. To think that I’d never do something like that. Instead, they just assume I’ve turned into some spoiled brat because they were never around.” “It’s okay,” he murmurs, gently pulling me against his chest. This time,

Nothing could prepare my brain for what Jennifer just said. Even now, sitting in the hallway, watching my parents argue for the first time in my life while Jennifer is being questioned by the vice principal about her claims, I only have one prayer—Jennifer White cannot be my half-sister.“Then why, Fred! You cheated on me, and instead of apologizing, you’re telling me I’m being dramatic? Have you ever seen dramatic, Fred?” Mom yells, probably scaring half the hospital.I rise from the bench, walking past them and out of the hospital. My chest feels heavy—partly from the noise in there, partly from the thought that Dominic left school with me, only for me to badmouth him afterward.I flag down a taxi. My mind won’t rest until I talk to Dominic. My parents can deal with their own problems because mine has only one answer—Jennifer White is not my sister and will never be.When the taxi stops, I march up to Alice’s house and ring the bell. I take a few steps back, holding my breath. Alice

After swiping the answer button, I don’t even know what I’m expecting.My hand is clamped so tight around my phone it’s shaking.I don’t know why I answered—not really.Maybe because a stupid, pathetic part of me still loves Asher.Three years together… three years that were beautiful and perfect until they weren’t.“Catherine…” he slurs, voice thick and blurred. “You picked up.”He’s drunk. Completely drunk.“What do you want, Asher?” I ask, breathing hard.“I’m at the edge of the rooftop,” he says with a sloppy laugh, “with a glass of vodka… dancing to Taylor Swift.”My throat closes.Tears blur my vision instantly.The rooftop.Willow rooftop.The same place I surprised him with a date—the same place he told me he loved me in the snow.“Asher,” I whisper, voice breaking. “What do you want? Why are you calling me? Are you coming back now because Jennifer is gone? Or because—”“Because I want to tell you the truth.”My breath catches. “What truth?”There’s a pause. Then:“Jennifer wa