All Chapters of Fake dating the captain : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

~Liv~I wiped my nose on the back of my hand after grabbing the tissue, because who cares about manners at this point, and mumbled something that was probably supposed to be thanks but came out more like a croak. The guy stayed crouched for a second, then straightened up and just kind of plopped down on the curb a couple feet away, not too close, not too far, like he knew invading space right now would get him punched.I sucked the last drag out of the cigarette, burned my fingers because I forgot it was almost gone, and flicked it toward the ground . Missed the storm drain by a mile. Great aim, Liv. Really crushing life tonight.He didn’t say anything at first, just sat there staring at the parking lot lights like they owed him money. I kept waiting for him to ask if I was okay or what happened or some dumb pickup line, but he didn’t. Finally I side-eyed him and caught him looking at me, not creepy, just checking if I was gonna bolt or burst into flames or whatever.“You good?” he as

~Liv~Someone had made a slow-mo version with romantic music. Another had side-by-side photos of Rowan and Kayla from years ago next to last night.I scrolled too fast and felt bile rise.Kayla had posted again this morning. A mirror selfie in Rowan’s jersey the old one from when they datedwith the caption “some things never change.”I threw the phone down and put my head in my hands.Zoe appeared in the doorway from the kitchen, hair in a messy bun, holding two coffees. “Morning, sunshine. You look how I feel.”I groaned. “I wanna die.”“Not allowed.” She handed me a mug. “Drink this. Then shower. Then we delete apps.”Mia shuffled out of her room rubbing her eyes. “She alive?”“Barely,” Zoe said.I sipped the coffee and burned my tongue. Worth it.Mia plopped down next to me. “So. Plan for today: breakfast, shower, block everyone who needs blocking, maybe burn something of his you still have.”“I don’t have anything here.”“Good. Less to burn.”Zoe was already on my phone again. “I’

~Liv~I didn’t look at my phone for forty-eight hours straight.Not once.I turned it off after that last text from Kacy, shoved it in the back of my sock drawer like it was radioactive, and pretended the world ended at the four walls of my apartment. I ordered pizza, watched three seasons of some trash reality Korean show, my BL wasn't up yet. I've been waiting for DMD reality show like in forever. This was like the one where people screamed about nothing, and skated in my head even when I was lying on the couch staring at the ceiling. Every time Rowan’s face popped up those bloodshot eyes at the rink, the way his voice cracked on “I’m sorry” I shoved it down with another slice of pepperoni and extra cheese. Guilt tried to crawl in anyway. Little whispers like, He’s probably losing it right now, and You’re being cruel, and Maybe he really is sorry this time.I told those whispers to go fuck themselves.Freedom tasted better than I expected. Like stepping onto fresh ice after the Zamb

~Liv~After sneaking out, I was at the grocery store buying the cheapest wine they had because screw it, I deserved to drink my feelings in bulk, when my phone buzzed so hard in my pocket it felt like it was trying to escape. Rowan. Again. This time not a text. A call.I almost swiped ignore, but my thumb betrayed me and I answered like the idiot I still apparently was.“What.”“Liv. Please. I need to see you. Five minutes. I’m parked outside your building.”I laughed. “You’re stalking me now? That’s new.”“I’m not…I just drove by. Saw your car wasn’t there. Figured you’d come home eventually. I’m not leaving until we talk.”“Great. So now I’m being held hostage by your guilt trip, what about the reporters? .”“Liv… ignore them I'll handle it. ”“Fine. I’m on my way. But if you make me cry in public again I’m keying your truck myself.”I hung up, paid for the wine, and drove home with the radio blasting so loud my ears rang, because if I let silence in I’d start thinking about how muc

~Liv~We’d barely made it ten steps from the grass when Rowan’s voice cracked through the dark like a whip.“Liv…. wait. Please. Just wait.”I stopped. I couldn’t help it. My body betrayed me again, feet planting even though my brain was screaming run, run, run, get in Kacy’s car and drive until this whole night stops existing.Kacy froze too, hand halfway to the car door handle, shoulders going rigid. He turned slowly , eyes narrowing at Rowan like he was sizing up whether to throw another punch tonight or save it for later.Rowan jogged the last few feet, breath coming out in short puffs, hoodie hood falling back so I could see how wrecked he looked eyes red, face pale, hair sticking up everywhere like he’d been pulling at it for hours.“Don’t go with him,” he said, voice rough, almost begging. “Not tonight. Not like this. Just… stay. Talk to me. Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”Kacy laughed. Short. Sharp and angry. “You’ve got some balls, man. She literally just told you to go