Faking All the Way

by Nikki Lawson

I like my fake boyfriend. Maybe I’ll fake marry him someday and have fake babies.

The Audi still radiates that new car scent, even though Daniel bought it during our relationship. He always had very specific car maintenance protocols, and equally specific rules about certain girlfriends not consuming French fries in the passenger seat.

But Mom’s already linking her arm through Asher’s as if they’re old friends, chattering excitedly about how she wants to hear all about his hockey career and how she’ll have to start watching games now that “our girl is dating a real athlete.” Her pride is so obvious, so real, that it makes a lump form in my throat.

“The kids are asking if Daddy brought them anything,” my sister says. “Maybe,” Mike says, pulling two small candy canes from his jacket pocket. “But only if they’ve been good.”

A massive orange tabby cat pokes his head out from behind the furniture, studying me with suspicious green eyes. He’s easily fifteen pounds, and he’s wearing a judgmental expression that suggests he’s not impressed by what he sees.

“I mean, I knew in theory that you were a professional hockey player, but seeing it is completely different. You move like you were born doing this. Like the ice is where you belong, and walking on land is just something you do to be polite.”

Without a word, he steps forward and slides Robbie’s jacket from my shoulders. The movement is deliberate and so overtly possessive that it makes me swallow hard.

It feels like he can’t stop touching me, like he’s physically pulled toward me the same way I am to him. Like he’s hungry for more contact, more closeness. Every time there are a few seconds where we’re not touching, his hand finds its way back to me. My back, my elbow, my hand.

“You’re wrong about that. I’m not planning to be a gentleman with you at all, bright eyes. In fact, I’ve been having very ungentlemanly thoughts about you for days.”

Asher stirs beside me, his arm tightening around my waist as he slowly starts to wake up.

that is the best! <3

The nickname that started as part of our fake relationship now feels like an endearment that belongs entirely to us, to whatever this thing between us is becoming.

Okay but this nickname really didn't seem to start as part of that. He said it to her when it was just the two of them talking, not with a crowd.