I didn’t even realize Lena was there until she handed me a cup of tea. “Jace is such a jerk. I never


    thought things would get this ugly once he showed his true colors.”


    I took a sip, letting the warmth seep through me. “Turns out, he was just pitying me.”


    Even though Jace and I had broken up, the memories of the good times still clung to me. But today,


    his words shredded those memories, leaving only the bitter truth behind.


    Lena put aforting hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently. “Better to see him for what he really


    is now thanter.”


    I didn’t say anything, just stared into my cup. Lena nudged me. “Wanna get back at him?”


    “What?”


    Jace’s words had cut deep, reopening wounds I thought were long healed, dragging me back to the


    worst time of my life.


    He wasn’t totally wrong–after the car ident that killed my parents, when they were lying cold in


    the morgue, I really did feel like I was all alone in the world. I had no idea what to do.


    I was so lost, I couldn’t even bring myself to go home. I thought about ending it just so I could be


    with them again.


    It wasn’t until Matthew and Lindey showed up, hugged me, and told me I’d be living with them now,


    that they’d be my new parents, that I stopped being so afraid.


    At the time, they were the only thing I could hold onto in all that darkness. I honestly believed the


    world still had some love left for me.


    That was why I misread Jace’s smile at first, thinking it meant something more. Looking back now, it


    probably wasn’t friendly at all–more like he was mocking me, right?


    But back then, I saw it as a ray of hope…


    “You need to find someone to date, or even marry, just to make Jace realize you’re serious,” Lena


    said, turning me to face her. “Show him you can live without him, that you don’t need him at all.”


    “Guys like him, with all their stupid pride and arrogance, need a reality check before they realize


    what they’ve lost,” Lena added, giving my shoulders a firm squeeze.


    I could see she was just as pissed as I waspletely over Jace’s crap.


    I let out a bitterugh. “You think this is some kind of TV drama where you can just start a


    rtionship like


    that?”


    “TV dramas are based on real life, you know. And if it helps you get rid of Jace once and for all, and


    makes him see what he screwed up, then it’s totally worth it,” Lena insisted, trying to pep me up.


    I stared at the floor, my thoughts all jumbled. But Lena wasn’t letting it go. “What about Hayden?


    He’d be perfect.”


    “No way. Absolutely not,” I shook my head hard.


    Hayden already had feelings for me. If I brought this up and he took it seriously, I’d be in even


    deeper trouble.


    “He’s the best choice, and you know it,” Lena pressed.


    “Let me think about it,” I mumbled, feeling overwhelmed.


    But Lena was stuck on the idea, convinced it was the perfect n. Even after a couple of drinks,


    she kept pushing. “Just call Hayden right now. Lay out the conditions–make it clear it’s just pretend.


    If he says no, then whatever, forget it.”


    “What if he takes it seriously?” I still wasn’t convinced.


    Lena countered, “Maybe he’ll be down to y along.”


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    After way too many drinks, I finally caved to Lena’s relentless nagging and dialed Hayden’s


    number.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Hey, what’s up?” His voice was deep, smooth, and way too attractive for my own good.


    I stared at the wine swirling in my ss, trying to focus “Hayden, would you be cool with pretending


    to be my boyfriend? Like, just pretend. Not for real.”