Single And In Love With My Fake Boyfriend (Single Girls Club #1)

Chapter Seven

Lincoln

The only thing my phone is good for right now is an alarm clock and phone calls. I’ve decided to stay off social media, since my phone is still exploding with messages from women. I barely glance at it as I get ready for football practice.

Once I arrive at the building, I find my teammates talking loudly in the locker room. I can’t make out the words clearly. Something about a girl?

Jett’s head snaps up and he waves his arms over his head, cheering. “There he is!”

Chris wraps an arm around me, pulling my head to his chest. “You’ve been holding out on us, man?”

“Why didn’t you tell us about her?” Jason demands, while a few others nod in agreement.

I free myself from Chris’s hold. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Seth raises a brow. “Your girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Where have you been? It’s all over social media.” Chris hands me his phone, where there’s a picture of me and Callie. We’re on the floor, our limbs intertwined, our gazes locked on one another. The comments are going crazy, claiming we’re such a cute couple. Many people wonder how I was able to keep my relationship a secret for so long. Others are so happy to see me with someone.

I just stare at the picture. If someone didn’t know better, we could look like a couple. The position of our bodies, the way our limbs are wrapped together, the look in our eyes. I only felt concerned for her, so I have no idea why it looks like we’re...in love.

I squeeze my eyes shut, muttering a few curses under my breath. The entire world thinks we’re a couple? The words “Lincoln Walker’s mystery girl” are trending. And there are countless videos of people freaking out about who she is and how “lovestruck” I look as I stare into her eyes. One young woman claims this is the best news in the world and it makes her “so, so, so happy!”

“That’s why you avoided those women last night.” Jett slaps my chest. “Because you have a girl.”

“I…she’s not…”

Chris claps me on the back. “You don’t have to hide it from us, dude. We’re like brothers. Yeah, she’s not famous and no one knows who she is, but look at you.” He taps the photo of me staring into her eyes. “Clearly she’s doing something right.”

I puff out my cheeks. “Guys, she’s not my girlfriend.”

They stop cheering and turn to me.

“She just interviewed me yesterday, that’s all. And before we left, she accidentally knocked into me and we fell to the floor.”

They stare at me, exchange glances, then burst out laughing.

“Look at this guy.” Chris puts me in a headlock again. “He’ll do anything but admit he’s with a girl. What’s the big deal, man? She’s cute.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

They snicker. “Call her whatever you want, Linc, but she’s special to you.”

I scowl and try to yet again explain that it’s not true, but they refuse to hear it. I suppose it doesn’t matter right now. We need to focus on practice. Eventually, though, they’ll learn the truth.

And so will the rest of the world. I feel bad that Callie’s being put in the spotlight like this. It’s not fair for her to go through this all because of who I am. All she did was interview me. Now everyone knows her face.

“Linc, where you at?” Coach Nash calls.

I forgot for a second that I’m at practice. “Sorry, Coach. I’m here.”

He walks over to me. “Look, Linc. I know that you’re dealing with a lot right now. I was also named the most eligible bachelor back in my day. It’s a definite boost to the ego, makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. That you own the world. But you’ve got to remember what’s important. Football, your teammates, and everything that goes with the sport.”

I nod. “Of course.”

He claps me on the back. “Keep your love life and social life off my field, yeah?”

“You got it.”

“Good. Because you’re the best QB the Atlanta Armadillos have ever had and I don’t want to be forced to bench you.”

I salute.

The remainder of practice goes well. When it’s over and I’m showering in the locker room, I don’t think about the attention I’m getting. I think about Callie and how this must be affecting her life.