Amelia's POV

With Michael in the garage, it meant trouble.

And now, I couldn't help but to start regretting why I didn’t stop Raymond.

Terrified to my bones, I wanted to run off, not out of fear of Michael, but the fear that the situation was going to escalate way beyond what I had expected when I stepped into the garage.

I just wanted to kick a stupid tire and sulk in peace.

I didn’t plan to witness Raymond King smashing a car window like a scene from a teen drama, nor did I want Michael to show up with his newly found mate right after my heart shattered into jagged pieces.

My instinct screamed at me to disappear but before I could bolt, Raymond grabbed my wrist.

His grip was firm but not rough.

“I did it,” he said coolly, stepping out from behind the car. “I smashed the glass.” He admitted.

Michael who was stomping stopped in his tracks, his eyes darting from the shattered window to the hockey stick in Raymond’s hand.

His mouth opened, but no words came out.

Maybe it was fear, or maybe it was the sheer shock of having one of the most famous college players in the country own up to vandalizing his car without even blinking.

Raymond just tilted his head, completely unbothered, “Got a problem?” He asked.

Michael clenched his fists, then looked around, possibly realizing how small he appeared next to Raymond.

After an awkward beat of silence, he spun around with a frustrated growl and then stormed off, Brielle trailing behind him with a confused look on her face.

Confused, I blinked as I processed what just happened.

It was like a dream.

Michael and Brielle didn't even see me.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said the moment Michael disappeared from view. My voice was sharper than intended, but I was embarrassed and ashamed.

Raymond leaned the stick on his shoulder as he pulled me to stand in front of him, “You looked like you needed someone to smash things for you.”

Right now, I am mad and furious at myself. I was happy seeing the crack window at first but now, I hate it.

“You don’t even know me,” I snapped, my heart clenching inside my chest.

“No,” he smirked. “But I would like to.”

And here we go. — I yelled in my head, waving my hands above my head.

“You know,” he continued as he stepped closer, “if you’re trying to make a certain ex jealous, pretending to date someone like me might just do the trick.”

Yet to register his words, he flashed me a grin which was wide and cocky.

“Be my fake girlfriend,” he spat out.

“What?” I gasped.

Looking around to be sure no one was lurking in the dark and making a video, I took several steps backwards, “Is this some kind of joke?”

“Not at all,” he said, his tone was serious. “I’ve got my reasons.”

Intrigued, I raised a brow as I crossed my hand on my chest, “And those reasons are?”

Raymond didn't respond at once, instead, he scratched the back of his neck. He was probably trying to cook up a tale like all jocks do.

“Let’s just say… Being in the spotlight comes with expectations. And lately, everyone’s been pushing someone on me.” He huffed.

"They want me to date this daughter of a sponsor or some social media model to boost public appeal and… it’s exhausting.”

“That sounds like a personal problem.” I huffed only to start walking away but he kept up with my two strides pace with just one.

“Which is why I need a solution. You, me, a fake relationship and we will both win.”

Halting, I turned to face him but before I could say something, he said, "You get back at your ex and I get people off my back.”

“I’m not interested in using anyone for revenge,” I muttered but my thoughts were otherwise.

“But you were literally kicking his car thirty minutes ago,” he argued.

“That was an emotional release,” I countered, my veins popping out of my neck in protest.

“And it looked fun.” He chuckled.

Ugh! What have I gotten myself into?

The air was still heavy in my lungs from crying, but my heart wasn’t as brittle as it had been earlier.

Taking a deep breath, I locked eyes with him for a second but broke off as I couldn't hold his gaze for long.

“Why me, though?” I couldn't help but ask.

“You’re not fake,” he said without hesitation.

“I don’t want to get involved in your drama.”

“But you're already involved.”

I rolled my eyes at him and then resumed walking while he trailed after me.

“Okay,” he said, shrugging. “I’ll make it easy. No handholding in public unless you’re okay with it and no kissing unless you initiate it.”

Halting again, I gave him a blank look, “Who said I would ever do that?”

“It’s hope,” he teased. “A guy isn't prohibited from dreaming.”

“Keep dreaming, Captain,” I snapped.

Raymond tossed his head backwards, a low laugh rippling from his throat.

My heart twisted slightly at the throaty sound.

I hated that a small part of me found the sound charming. I mean, come on, I was just dumped today by the only person I had ever trusted?

And I was supposed to be weeping into a pillow and not talking to Mr. NHL-to-be about love affairs.

“Think about it,” he said, casually tossing the hockey stick over his shoulder.

“You’ll have fun. And who knows? You might end up enjoying making your ex squirm.”

I was staring straight ahead as my heart was beating in conflicting directions.

“I don’t do games,” I muttered, hoping this got him off my back but it didn't suffice.

“Neither do I.” His tone softened. “This isn't a game, just two people helping each other out.”

“I'm not interested." I snapped and this time, I ran with all my might.

“If you ever changed your mind, Art Room Class Three!” he yelled after me but I didn’t reply.

Back at the dorm, I told myself I wouldn’t think about him again so I quickly changed into my pajamas, and slid through my pillow.

“Hey, Mel, are you okay?” Jenna, my roommate asked.

When I walked in earlier, I had ignored her and now, I was tossing from one end of my bed to the other.

I didn’t speak as the lump in my throat had returned, dragging a fresh wave of tears behind it.

“Oh, babe...” she whispered, sensing it.

She knew about my secret relationship with Michael and even if she hadn't been in the game, she must have heard about it as the news would be splashed on the tabloids by now.

Sitting up, I sobbed. “I was so stupid.”

“He never treated me like someone he was proud of but I held on like he was my life line.”

“No, Amelia, don’t do that. You weren’t stupid, you were in love.”

Sniffing, I muttered, my chest burning, “He told me he found his mate, the cheerleader.”

Jenna didn't reply immediately but when she did, my heart fell into my stomach with a loud plop that I was sure she heard.

“He’s announcing her as his mate this weekend,” she whispered, fiddling with her fingers like she was a part of Michael’s scheme.

Blinking away my tears, I decided to bring up the scene at the garage to lighten the mood.

“...Raymond King smashed his window.”

“WHAT?!” She yelled, making me cringe.

“It wasn’t planned!”

“Wait… are you talking of Raymond King as in King U’s captain?”

“Yep.”

“Girl. What the hell is going on?” She gasped, her eyes almost bulging out.

“He smashed his windows for you?” I nodded slowly as I played with my cuticles.

“Yeah, he did it because he wanted me to be his fake girlfriend,” I spat out, inviting silence into our midst only for Jenna to break it with a shriek.

“And you said—?!”

“I walked away.”

“AMELIA!” She called, waddling to my side.

“I couldn’t say yes just like that! I mean, what if he’s messing with me?”

“Look, I don’t trust any guy right now but that was kind of badass. And Michael? He’s going to lose his mind if you say yes.”

“I’m not trying to be petty,” I mumbled.

“You should be! You deserve to be! Girl, that guy humiliated you in front of the entire school. No one even knew he was dating you!”

“I don’t want my life to turn into some reality show. He wants a fake date to get people off his back,” I said.

“If you ask me, I will say you were in a fake relationship with Michael. He hid you but with Raymond, you just got a shot at being in the spotlight without even trying.”

Sliding down my pillow again, I pulled the duvet over my head, “I'm still not interested."