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

Chapter Twenty-Two

Callie

I’m running late for work because I slept through my alarm this morning. I’ve been having trouble sleeping the last few days, since my…well, my out-of-this-world kiss with Lincoln. I haven’t been obsessing over it—okay, fine, I might be obsessing over it a little—but it’s more the fact that Lincoln and I haven’t talked much the past few days. He’s texted me a few times to ask what’s up, but we haven’t spoken verbally or met up. And the comments on social media haven’t died down yet, which isn’t helping.

Thankfully, Emily woke me up half an hour ago, and now I’m rushing toward the office building because I literally need to be there in three minutes—

“Oof!”

My bag goes flying in the air as I take everything I have to plant my feet firmly on the ground so I don’t topple backward. When I turn my head to see who I knocked into this time, my heart turns to ice. Because standing in front of me, right outside my office building, is none other than Spencer the Jerk.

This creepy smile crawls onto his face as he takes me in. “Callie, finally. I was waiting all morning.”

Snatching my bag off the ground, I say, “You were waiting for me?”

“Yeah. It seems like congratulations are in order.”

Congratulations? Ugh, is he and his Babe engaged? Rolling my eyes, I raise my head and say, “Great. Good for you.”

I’m about to head to the office, but he grabs my arm. “Not congratulations for me, silly. For you.”

Wrenching his fingers off my arm, I give him a look. “I don’t have time for whatever this is. I’m late for work.”

He waves his hand. “I’m sure your boyfriend can charm your boss and get you excused.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you and your boyfriend all over social media. I never took you for the type of person to flaunt yourself out there like that.”

For a second, his words sting. But then I fold my arms over my chest and raise my chin. “That wasn’t flaunting. That was just my boyfriend and me sharing the most amazing kiss in the world. We didn’t realize cameras were around.” I twirl my hair around my finger and sigh happily. “I never knew being in love could feel so amazing.”

He purses his lips and the vein in his forehead pounds.

I continue twirling my hair. “How are you and the woman you cheated on me with?”

His eyes widen like he’s shocked by how bold I am. Honestly, I am, too. But he quickly recovers and puts on a smug smile. “We’re doing great. Amazing, actually.”

“I’m sure you are. Now if you don’t mind, I really need to get to work. I’m sure my amazing boyfriend can get me excused, but he has integrity. Unlike you.”

I turn my back on him and let out a huge sigh of relief. Oh my gosh, how did I get so courageous like that?

“He’ll dump you, you know.”

I spin around. “What?”

“That football boyfriend of yours?” He sneers. “He’ll dump your butt faster than last night’s trash.”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t,” he clarifies. “I just think you’re pathetic.”

“Oh, I’m pathetic? Last I checked, I wasn’t the one who cheated.”

He scoffs. “You didn’t exactly make it difficult.”

My jaw falls open. Okay, ouch.

“Are you blaming me?” I demand.

He scoffs again as he folds his arms across his chest. “Of course I’m blaming you. How do you expect to keep a guy’s interest if you’re so boring?” He wrinkles his nose at me. “I didn’t realize what I was missing until I met Tracy. And your football player will soon find that out, too. Watch him drop you like that.” He snaps his fingers.

It takes everything I have to fight the tears battling to overpower me. I know I call myself boring all the time, but it hurts to hear someone else say it. I need to remind myself that I’m not boring. I have value. He’s just being a jerk because he’s a horrible person.

“Are you jealous or something?” I manage to get out.

He guffaws like that was the silliest thing he’s ever heard in his life. “Me, jealous? In your dreams.”

“Then why were you waiting for me in front of my work?”

“To remind you how pathetic you are. Honestly, Callie, just seeing you on social media makes me cringe so bad.”

Trying not to let that sting as well, I square my shoulders. “So maybe use your brain for a change and stay off social media?”

“How can I? I need to look at my beautiful girl.”

“Right. Of course.” I roll my eyes and turn to head into the building.

“Remember what I said!” he calls after me. “Last night’s garbage.”

Muttering curses under my breath, I push the door open and march inside. I know I shouldn’t let him get to me, but what the heck is his problem? True, Lincoln and I aren’t really dating or are in love, but what if we were? Why can’t he stand the thought of me actually being happy? He was the one who broke my heart. Who gives him the right to hold me back from future happiness? Seriously, what did I ever see in that guy?

Of course I get an earful from Becca, especially because she has a project for me. She wants me to cover a story about a business that has been in Spring Falls for years that has no choice but to close down due to financial problems. It’s been part of our town for so long, and it’ll be sad to see it go. Maybe my article can save it somehow?

I spend the whole morning doing research on the business and I set up a few interviews for the rest of the week. Julia takes a break here and there to grill me on more details about Lincoln and me. She hasn’t been able to stop gushing about the kiss for the last few days. I don’t want to disappoint her and tell her that Lincoln and I have barely talked lately.

The truth is, I’ve been trying to push any thought of Lincoln out of my head since that day. Maybe I don’t want to admit to myself how much it hurts that he and I haven’t talked much. I understand that things are awkward because of the kiss, but shouldn’t we get past that? Is he embarrassed that he kissed me? I know he isn’t embarrassed by me because he told me he likes being my friend and hanging out with me. Why can’t we just pretend like it never happened?

I’m super relieved when it’s my lunch break because I can finally leave the stuffy office and clear my head. For some reason, I peek out the main door to ascertain that Spencer the Jerk isn’t hanging around. I’m not interested in dealing with him again. When I see the coast is clear, I head to a café a few blocks away and order a jumbo cookie and coffee.

I know I shouldn’t, but I check social media to see if Lincoln and I are still trending. Yep. Seriously, how many days need to pass before we’re old news? Maybe Lincoln and I should have underperformed the kiss. I’m sure talk of it would have died down by now.

“People need to find other ways to entertain themselves,” I grumble as I bite into my cookie. Mmm. This definitely helps.

I almost choke on my food when Lincoln’s name pops up on my phone. He’s video calling me?

I quickly swallow and accept the call. “Lincoln?”

He smiles and waves. “Hey, Callie.”

His hair looks a little damp—did he just shower after practice? I wonder what his hair feels like. Too bad I didn’t explore that when he and I were lip-locked.

“Callie?”

I blink and snap out of it. “What? Oh hi, Lincoln.”

“Hi, Callie. We already said our hellos, but I’m always happy to say them again.”

I want to smack my face into my table. “Oh, right.” I laugh awkwardly. “What’s up?”

“You’re on lunch break, right? I don’t want to disturb you at work.”

“Yeah. I’m at a café.” I move my phone around so he could see my background.

“Ah. Gotchya. So how are you?”

So much better now that you and I are talking face to face .

“I’m cool. How are you?”

“Great.” He gives me such a sweet smile that makes my insides melt. Almost like he’s also so relieved we’re talking. But maybe that’s all in my head?

“Is that a jumbo cookie?” he asks.

“Yeah. It’s so darn good. Should I save you a piece?”

He laughs softly. “That’s so tempting, but I’d rather you enjoy it.” He shifts in his chair and runs his hand through his hair. “How have you been the last few days? I, uh.” He shifts in his chair again. “I wanted to give you some space in case you were uncomfortable. But if you need more space, I can hang up.”

“No!” I mentally slap myself. “I mean, no,” I say more casually. “I don’t need space. I’m okay. I thought that maybe…” My cheeks flame.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing. Just, um. I thought maybe you were disgusted by me or something.”

His face fills with shock and alarm. “Disgusted by you? Why would I ever be disgusted by you? If anything, it’s the complete opposite—” He cuts himself off and clears his throat. “I mean, I just wanted to make sure you’re good, that’s all.”

I give him a reassuring smile. “I’m good, Lincoln. Well, other than the fact that Spencer cornered me before my office like some creep, I’m all good.”

His face changes, growing more serious. “Wait, your ex stalked you at your work?”

“No, no, no. He wasn’t stalking me. Don’t worry, it’s not like that. He’s completely harmless. Just a useless human.”

He sighs in relief. “Okay, good. What did he want?”

“Just to inform me that you’ll dump my butt like last night’s trash.”

His eyes bug out. “What? He said that?”

“Yep.”

“What a jerk.”

“I know, right? I have no idea what I saw in him. I feel so stupid for actually thinking I loved him. And that he loved me.”

“You’re not stupid, Callie. You’re far from stupid. Men like him know how to manipulate women. Especially really kind ones like you. I don’t want to tell you how to feel, but I hope you won’t let his words bother you. Focus on all the amazing things you have in your life. Like your family, your friends, and your job.”

“And my fake boyfriend?” I joke.

“I wanted to say and your new amazing friend, but I didn’t want to push it.”

That makes me smile. I can’t believe how light I feel right now. How good I feel. I think Lincoln will always be able to lift my spirits.

“Thanks. I’m trying not to let his words get to me. I hope he and his Babe live a miserable life together.”

He grins. “That’s better. I hope you feel better, too.”

“I do, thanks.” Which is mostly due to you . I play with my hair. “So we’re still trending, huh?”

He puffs out his cheeks. “I know, right? Where are all the other juicy celebrity gossip? Surely there are more interesting stories than our kiss.”

“I guess we’re just that amazing,” I joke again.

He laughs. “I guess so. But I’m sure it’ll die down soon. We just need to weather the storm until it passes.”

“And I thought this was supposed to get easier,” I mutter.

He smiles apologetically. “Me, too. Maybe we should throw in a fake fight, just for good measure.”

“Then we’ll for sure be trending for another week! The perfect couple fighting ? People will cry.”

He laughs again. “I guess you’re right.” He shakes his head with another laugh. “Well, onto more interesting topics. I started the book last night.”

“You did?! Awesome. Which one?”

“The sci-fi action one.”

“Nice. How is it?”

“I’m really enjoying it.”

“Yay! I want to dance around right now.”

“Really?”

“I totally made a reader out of you!” I squeal.

That makes him chuckle again. “Maybe. We’ll see.”

“Don’t ruin my mood. This is a total win for all bookworms out there.”

He raises a brow. “It is?”

“ Yes . Hello, I, a major bookworm, managed to get a smokin’ hot football player to read. You’re like the perfect love interest in a romance novel.”

“I am? And…did you just call me smokin’ hot?”

My cheeks flame. “I m-mean, yeah. And you bought my books for me, too, which makes you the perfect boyfriend for a bookworm.”

His forehead shoots up and his eyes widen a little.

“You know, for a real couple,” I quickly say. “One of the best things a boyfriend can do is buy his girlfriend a book. Or give her his credit card and let her buy as many books as she wants.”

He’s quiet as he thinks. Oh, gosh. Does he think I’m talking about myself? Because I’m not. I mean, I don’t think so…

“Anyway,” I say. “Um…” I have no idea what to say, so I shove my cookie into my mouth.

“I’m looking forward to reading the romance,” he tells me. “I can’t wait to discuss it with you.”

“Me, too,” I say over a mouthful of cookie.

We’re both quiet.

“Um, I should start heading back to work,” I tell him.

“Okay, sure. Thanks for the talk. Have a great rest of the day.”

“Thanks, you, too.”

“Wait, Callie?” he says before I end the call.

“Yes?”

“Do you want to meet up tomorrow? I’d still like to take you to the Japanese restaurant.”

“Oh, of course! Yes, that sounds great. I was actually a little bummed that we didn’t go.”

He smiles. “Great. I’m looking forward to it. See you later.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and quickly finish the rest of my cookie, then make my way back to the office. I feel like I’m skipping like a little kid.