His Fake Boyfriend another sneak peek

Here is the rest of the first chapter. And a sneak peek at the cover :)

“All Griffin needs is another girl, right? One he hasn’t pissed off which basically means one he hasn’t dated.”

“One that hasn’t met him then,” Genny laughed.

“Real funny, Genny,” Noah deadpanned.

“Well,” Marcus continued loudly. “as luck would have it, I not only have the perfect girl for you, but it just so happens her name is ―get this ― Lauren.”

“How is that the answer to my problem?” Griffin huffed.

“Simple. She’s just your type.”

“Which is?”

“Model gorgeous, not to mention, as Genny so eloquently put it, a girl you haven’t met.”

“What are you suggesting?” gulped Noah.

“I am offering a fake girlfriend.” Marcus once again lifted that chin of his. “She’s a struggling actor and will jump at the chance to do it. Provided you pay her well.”

“A fake girlfriend?” Griffin narrowed his eyes and seemed to ponder.

“No way!” Noah gasped as he stared at Griffin.

“Hmmm,” Griffin hummed. “A fake girlfriend,” he repeated more confidently.

Noah put a hand on Griffin’s shoulder. “You’re not seriously thinking about doing this, are you?”

Griffin turned to Noah and hesitated for a moment. “Why not?”

“Just tell your mother you broke it off with Lauren,” Noah begged. “She’s your mother. She’ll understand.”

Griffin grunted. “Noah, you know that’s not true. She’s been looking forward to meeting Lauren for some time but they’re only just now back from Europe. Dad did try to get Mom to extend the trip, to encompass… well, you know, this time period. But clearly that didn’t happen. So now we have this… this ridiculous birthday weekend he launched to help take her mind off it. I can’t ruin it with telling her I broke up with yet another girl. I don’t want to be the one that does that. Especially since they… well, they really thought this one was it.”

“But it’s a terrible idea!”

“No, it’s a terrible idea to tell them. At least for the moment. It just reinforces this impression they have of me being frivolous and immature. It doesn’t matter at all what I do for the company, what I’ve done. They don’t understand how high in my academics I am, the fact I will be graduating top of the class in my Master...” He sighed and shook his head. “Which was something they decided for me and maybe that’s it. I simply walked in my father’s footsteps, that’s all. Even though I excel at this, enjoy it, love it. It’s not mine. I’m inheriting it, so to speak, and maybe this inability they have of trusting me, of being proud or even happy with me, they believe I’m just a cog in their machine. Who can be proud of a cog? Someone who can’t think for themselves. Even so, I don’t want this weekend of all weekends to end up in a fight. You know that’s what will happen if I tell them. Don't you see, Noah?”

Noah blinked hard. Yes, he understood. But there had to be another way. He turned to Marcus. “How in the world would this friend of yours be able to pull off something like that anyway? You said it yourself, she doesn’t know him. Lauren’s been with Griffin for months.”

“To be fair, Noah,” Genny said gently. “Lauren didn’t know him either. I mean, giving him that ultimatum? Really?”

Noah flumped back in his chair. “True.”

Marcus chuckled. “I have the solution to that, too.”

Noah glanced up at Marcus. “To what?”

“To Lauren not knowing Griffin.”

Griffin grinned. “Oh yeah?”

“Yep.” Marcus dug in his pocket and pulled out a small container. When he opened it, it revealed tiny little dots, flat and barely the size of the head of a thumb tack, and he dumped them on the table.

“What are those?”

“Believe it or not, wireless earphones slash microphones. It’s the newest thing my company, Foster Security, invented. I’ve been tagged to test them and this is a perfect opportunity to do that.”

“Earphones? Microphones?” Griffin laughed then reached out to pick one up. Or at least he tried. They were so thin he had trouble getting a hold of one. “How the hell does it work?”

“Simple. You put one behind an ear. It’s both a speaker and microphone. Anything you say will be broadcasted to another dot or several that you program together and vice versa. So, we have both Lauren and Noah wear one. Noah would be off in the background, away from the action but close enough to see so whenever there is a moment Lauren needs to have insight into Griffin’s life, Noah provides the answer. Voila. Instant girlfriend-for-months knowledge.”

“Hold on,” Noah jumped in, suddenly overly warm as if the air had disappeared. “Me? Why me?”

Marcus cocked his head with a smirk on his face. “Who knows Griffin better than you?”

Oh shit, does my obsession show that much?

“Griffin,” Marcus continued. “Go ahead and put one right behind your ear. They are designed to stick using body heat.”

Griffin did as he was told, thankfully oblivious to Marcus’s provocative comment.

Marcus looked at Noah. “Noah, you do the same thing. Put one on, right behind one of your ears, then walk over to the bar and order Griffin another beer.”

Noah scowled at Marcus. “What does ordering another beer have to do with anything?”

“I want Griffin to see that he can hear everything that you say when you are away from the table. Not only that, but you will hear what he says too. Just do it.”

“These things are too small.” Griffin countered. “They can’t possibly work the way you say.”

“They do,” Marcus affirmed. “You’ll see.”

“Alright,” Noah uttered as reached for one of the dots on the table. Once he was able to pick one up, he placed it behind his ear and surprisingly, it stuck. “Will it come back off?” he asked a little panicked.

“Of course. Just pull.”

Noah did and sure enough, the dot came off as easy as it went on. “Wow. Pretty cool.”

“Now, to activate them…” Marcus tapped a few things into his phone.

There was a snap in Noah’s ear and Griffin turned to him with a grin on his face. “Now – go – order – me – another – beer,” he articulated slowly, then he laughed. “Do you hear that?”

Griffin’s voice had gone right into Noah’s ear, actually overpowering the fact he was sitting right next to him. “I do,” Noah marveled. “Weird.” He got up and walked the several yards to the bar. “Okay, here I am at the bar. Can you still hear me?”

“I can,” Griffin exclaimed. “This is amazing! Marcus, it’s loud over there but I’m only picking up a little of that surrounding noise.”

Marcus said something but Noah didn’t hear much at all. “What did he say?”

“He said that the range is very small right now but it’s adjustable. It doesn’t matter though. For our purpose, this is perfect!”

“Again, Griffin, you really cannot be considering this.”

“Just order the beer and get back here. Order yourself another Cosmo, too.”

“Okay,” Noah sighed. Just then Ray walked up to him.

“Hey, Noah. What can I do for you?”

“Hey Ray. I was just going to order another round of drinks.”

Griffin growled.

Ray beamed at Noah. “I can do that for you, if you want.”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Thanks what? What’s he saying? Why are you thanking him?”

“So, Noah, I was wondering….”

“Yeah?”

“Are you… busy… you know? Like… tomorrow night?”

“What’s going on, Noah? What’s he saying?”

“Am I busy… tomorrow? I… I don’t think so.” Oh no. Ray was going to ask him out. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the man. He was cute. Incredibly nice. But so not Griffin. Noah needed to get over this fixation he had with a straight man, but it was difficult. Impossible, actually. Especially now that Lauren was history. At least that Lauren.

“Yes, you are,” Griffin announced in his head.

“What?” Noah blurted out.

Ray cocked his head, a confused expression on his face. “I… I asked if you were busy―”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry. I just…”

“You― are ―busy. Tell him.”

Noah almost rolled his eyes. “I just was reminded ― I mean, I just remembered. I do have something planned.”

“Oh. I see,” Ray sighed and glanced away. “Okay. Another time?”

Ah, Crap. Ray appeared broken-hearted. “Yeah,” is what came out of Noah’s mouth. “You bet. Another time,” he finished. There was a definite moan in his ear.

“Are you kidding me?”

Except Noah back peddling got a big smile out of Ray. “Great,” the man effused as he reached out and rubbed Noah’s shoulder. “I’ll call you. Next round coming up.” He turned to leave. “I’ll get you some peanuts, too,” he called as he hurried away. “I know you like those honey roasted ones.”

“What is he saying now?”

“You hush!” Noah whispered. Then, “Wow, thanks!” he shouted after Ray. But Griffin was right. Why had he encouraged the man? When he got back to the table, he grinned at Genny who was clapping her hands. “What?” he chuckled as he removed the ear dot and set it next to the one Griffin had been wearing.

“I knew Ray liked you!” she effused. “Are you going on a date with him?”

“No,” both Griffin and Noah said at the same time.

“No?” She tipped her head at Noah. “It certainly looked like he thought―”

“Not happening.” Griffin snarled. “I don’t trust that guy. Besides, Noah told him he was busy.”

“Yeah,” Noah said as he sat. “About that. What is it I’m busy with?”

“Moving,” Griffin said as he glared at Noah. “Or did you suddenly forget?”

“Um. Basically, if you had someone bring over my bookcase and books, I’m moved. Done.”

“What about your clothes and personal items? You must have some things.”

“True.” Noah nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that. That will take time. Maybe all of ten minutes. One trip and I’ll be done ―”

“I will go with you.” Griffin drained the last of his beer.

“You do not need to come with me.”

“I absolutely do have to go with you. Neither one of those assholes are going to ever lay a finger on you again.” He glanced back in the direction Ray had gone. “Neither will someone else, if I can help it.” he murmured.

“I have to agree with him,” Genny chimed in. “I don’t like that they got physical with you. That kind of behavior can lead to other things.”

“They won’t hurt me,” Noah snorted.

“You are exactly right,” Griffin grabbed the back of Noah’s neck and forced him to look at him. “Because I am going with you, end of discussion.”

“Okay, okay, you’re coming with me.” Noah glanced at Genny. “Wanna come too?”

“Sure!” She squealed. “I would love to see Griffin pound those jerks. I hate people who abuse animals.” She turned to Marcus. “Come on! We’ll make it a force to be reckoned with.”

“There’s not going to be any pounding!” Noah declared.

“Oh, come on, Noah.” Genny implored. “Let Griffin loose on those guys. Locking a poor defenseless animal up like that? They deserve it.”

“Let them handle it,” Marcus implored. “Beating people up, Genny? Really?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Griffin exclaimed. “It will be just Noah and me.”

“No fair, Griffin,” Genny whined. “I want to be there for Noah, too.”

“Sounds more like you want to be there for the dog.”

“That, too.”

“Enough,” Noah announced as he slapped the table. “Let’s get back to this…this fake girlfriend business.”

“I agree.” Marcus leaned forward again. “Let’s map it out. Griffin, where is this restaurant that your family is going to?”

“Restaurant?”

“Yes. You said it was a big affair, right? It starts tomorrow night. The dinner before the charity event or something?”

“Oh yes. The charity kickoff. It’s going to be at the Western Tower Hotel downtown.”

“Holy crap. Of course, it would be there. But I’ve never been inside. Do they even have a restaurant?”

“You mean does he have a restaurant,” Noah interjected. “His family owns the Western Tower, remember?”

Marcus frowned at Noah, then returned his attention to Griffin. “Fine. Do you have a restaurant?”

Griffin chuckled. “Well, they do, but it’s not big enough. It’s going to be a special menu and in the Grand ball room.”

“Oh wow,” Genny gasped. “I’ve heard about that place. It has crystal chandeliers the size of VW buses! Can I come and see it that night, Griffin, please?”

“Sure, I guess. It’s a black-tie affair though.”

“I have a nice dress I can wear. Do you really think I can come?”

“Hang on,” Marcus interrupted. “Noah will need an invite to that. It might be best if he has a date.”

Genny squealed again. “Me, me, me!”

“What?” Noah blustered. “Wait! What are you talking about? Contrary to popular belief, I do not have a nice dress.”

“You are going to have to be there,” Marcus insisted. “To hear what the family talks about. Especially if Lauren has a question posed to her that she can’t answer but should be able to.”

“But wait. Griffin couldn’t hear―”

“I will adjust the range in order for you to pick up surrounding conversations. Genny can be there so that when you’re talking with Lauren it won’t look like you’re talking to yourself.” He turned to Griffin. “Plus, I guess I should be there, too. Just in case something goes wrong with the equipment.”

Noah tapped the table to get Marcus’s attention again. “You’re suggesting that both me ― and the fake Lauren ― will be wearing these things?” Noah indicated the dots still on the table.

“Yep.”

“Me too,” Griffin insisted. “I want one too.”

“I suppose,” Marcus said cautiously. “As long as you don’t blow it.”

“Me?” Griffin laughed. “Mr. Calm and Steady?”

“In everything except for when it comes to Noah,” murmured Marcus. 

Noah glared at Marcus and mouthed the words 'shut up?'. Marcus might have some idea of Noah's fixation, but there was no need to advertise it.

“What?” Griffin asked distractedly as he messed with the dots again, thankfully remaining clueless.

“Nothing,” Marcus grinned then stuck his tongue out at Noah.

“So, we’re doing this?” Noah’s heart was in his throat. Yes, he knew everything there was to know about Griffin Colewater. Probably too much. No. Not probably. Creepily too much. More like a stalker. A rabid fan. A guy in love… “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“You got a better one?” Marcus glanced at Noah.

“Yeah. Tell the truth.”

Marcus huffed, clearly dismissing such a notion, and announced he would call his Lauren to set it all up.

Griffin turned to Noah. “I will tell them. Just not this weekend. I haven’t seen my parents in a few months, and you know every time I talked with them what happened.”

“Yeah, I do. Your mother asked endlessly about Lauren.” Noah’s heart had broken with that knowledge too. More and more Lauren had seemed to be ‘The One’.

“This first birthday of Mom’s without grandma needs to pass without the drama my having broken up with Lauren will cause. You know she will end up, oh God, crying or something and because of me. She’s done it before. Even in public. I just… fuck, Noah, you know that won’t go well, not with all those people and reporters around.” He took Noah’s hand again. “However, I will tell her. In fact, maybe the fake Lauren and I can break up this weekend. Right in front of them.” Griffin smirked. “Maybe make it her fault.”

“That’s not the truth. And you wouldn’t do that because that would be cruel.”

Griffin shook his head. “Yeah. You’re right. I wouldn’t do that. But please, Noah. Do this for me?”

Oh shit. Those beautiful baby blues were actually pleading? How could he say no? “Yeah. Okay. But promise me you will tell them the truth afterward.”

Griffin hesitated for a moment as he stared into Noah’s eyes, seemingly to be reaching right into Noah’s soul. Then he nodded. “Yeah. I will. I promise.”

For some reason a shiver chased up Noah’s back as if something had fundamentally changed. Like there was a shift in life itself.

Noah swallowed and couldn’t help but pull Griffin into a small hug.

“What’s this for?” Griffin chuckled.

“I’m not sure. I just needed it.”

Noah had a very sinking feeling it could very well be the last one he would ever get.