Fake Boyfriend Breakaways: A Short Story Collection

by Eden Finley

Max’s gaze flicks between me and his brother, I avoid eye contact with all of them and try to pick a spot behind them to focus on, and Ollie’s adorably nerdy boyfriend shifts from one foot to the other.

  An enema is more comfortable than this.

  Ollie’s the first to speak. “How are we gonna play this? Go in separately and have everyone staring at us or go in together and present a united front, show them how cool we’re pretending to be about this situation, and still have everyone staring at us?”

  I meet Ollie’s amused gaze. “Tough choice.”

  “Actually …” Max says. “Ollie, can I borrow you for a moment?”

  “And send me in with Clark?” I ask, my eyes wide.

  Clark turns to Ollie. “I love that your ex-boyfriend makes me feel so welcome.”

  “Shit. Sorry. Knee-jerk reaction.” I have nothing against the guy other than our abnormal situation.

  Clark laughs. “No, I get it. This is fucking weird.”

  Max pulls me close. “We’ll be right behind you. I just want to talk to Ollie for a second.”

  “About what?” Ollie asks with a furrowed brow.

  “About brother shit.”

  I turn to Max. “Are you really going to make me face your family alone?”

  My boyfriend grins. “You’ll have Clark.”

  Ollie snorts.

  “Is this some ruse to play a prank on your family?” I ask. Strömberg brothering 101.

  Max pretends to think about it. “It wasn’t, but now it is. You should so turn up with Clark on your arm.”

  I huff. “Brilliant. Because we haven’t caused enough gossip with the Strömberg clan.”

  “Do we get a choice?” Clark asks.

  Both brothers shake their heads.

  “There’s really no fighting them,” I say to Clark and point to Max. “This one is even more stubborn than that one.” I point to Ollie.

  “Well, you’d know,” Clark says.

  I have absolutely no idea if he’s trying to be funny or is snarking at me.

  Ollie bursts out laughing.

  “Sorry,” Clark says. “This is me when I’m uncomfortable. I make jokes that are totally funny in my head. Not so much out loud.”

  “I find them funny.” Ollie snickers.

  “No, you find my awkwardness funny.”

  “Isn’t that the same thing?”

  I find myself smiling at them.

  When I first found out about Clark, it was hard for me to accept Ollie had found someone else when he promised he wasn’t going to have another closeted relationship.

  Now, I can see how genuinely happy Ollie is, and all I have in return is respect for the guy who’s making that happen.

  “We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Max says and shoves me toward Clark.

  I’d throw him a quip about owing me later, but this situation is already awkward enough. Now’s not the time for sex jokes.

  Clark and I make our way toward the Strömberg house in uncomfortable silence. So silent, I’m sure I can hear the blades of grass being squashed under our feet.

  Over-exaggeration, maybe, but that’s how I’ll retell this to Max later.

  Since when is this walk so long?

  “How are you and Max doing?” Clark asks.

  “Great.” I don’t have to force a smile. “You and Ollie?”

  “Umm, yeah, really good.”

  “Cool.”

  Clark nods. “Cool.”

  I have to remind myself running for the front door would be considered rude.

  “It won’t always be this weird, will it?” I ask.

  Clark lets out a loud breath. “Fuck, I hope not.”

  I manage a laugh and stop him right as we reach the porch. “I think the only way they aren’t going to go crazy in there is if we do act like we’re completely cool with our situation. Don’t treat it like a big deal and they won’t.”

  “In all truth, it’s not a big deal to me. I don’t know if you’ve really thought about my position in all this, but I’m happy Ollie’s ex has found someone else.”

  “Even if it’s Ollie’s brother and that means we’ll have to see each other?”

  Clark shrugs. “Hey, as long as it’s not Ollie. I may not be able to fight, but I’m friends with the Chicago Warriors football team if that’s more threatening to you.”

  I’m going to have to tell Ollie that his boyfriend is adorable when he’s trying to be all growly and threatening. “Max is the person I was supposed to end up with all along. You don’t need to call your NFL buddies.”

  Clark smiles. “Good.”

  “Then there really is no problem, is there?”

  “Nope.”

  “Glad we could settle that. I guess we better get in there.”

  “Guess so.” Clark takes a deep breath.

  We walk through the empty house toward the loud chatter in the backyard.

  And, as predicted, as soon as we hit the back deck, the first thing out of Ollie and Max’s brother Vic’s mouth is, “They’ve swapped again. I’m convinced they’re in a four-way relationship.”

  I give him the finger, because I’m allowed to. I’ve known these guys for years.

  Surprising me though, Clark doesn’t shy away. “Jealous, Vic? Maybe you’ll be able to hold on to a girlfriend if you had three of them.”

  The Strömbergs crack up, and before Vic can say anything else, I cut him off.

  “You’re being nice. That’s assuming he can even get three girls.”

  Vic narrows his eyes. “I don’t like you two being friends.”

  Hey, at least we pull off acting cool with this. I have faith we will be fine in the future, but it’ll be an adjustment.

  Clark makes his way over to Max’s dad to wish him a happy birthday. I’ll do that later. I go to the other end of the table where the rest of Max’s brothers are.

  “Where’s Max and Ollie?” Leo asks.

  “Max wanted to talk to Ollie about something.”

  “What?” Nic asks.

  “How am I supposed to know? I don’t know every single thing that goes on in Max’s brain.”

  “Are you sure?” Vic asks. “I’ve always thought you two shared a half a brain each.”

  “At least then we’d have one full brain more than you.”

  “What is this, pick on Vic day? I’m going to go get a beer.” Vic storms off.

  Of all the Strömberg brothers, he’s the smartass, the thoughtless one, and he often speaks before he thinks. He can dish it out but can’t take it. It’s why we all target him.

  Leo leans in closer to me. “Are you sure it’s safe to leave Ollie and Max alone? I don’t think that’s happened since you two—”

  I gesture toward the back doors where Ollie and Max appear. “Does it look like they’re trying to kill each other?”

  They’re both smiling. Ollie locks eyes with me and smiles wider before making his way over to his boyfriend. He says something in Clark’s ear, and then even he looks at me and smiles.

  I purse my lips as Max approaches and sits in the seat next to me. He leans over and kisses the top of my head.

  The whole backyard goes silent as if everyone at the table is holding their breath.

  Max and I have been a couple in front of all of them before except for Ollie and Clark. This isn’t new. But with the way everyone’s eyes flit between Ollie and Clark and then me and Max, you’d think they’re waiting for a fight to break out or something.

  Ollie breaks the silence in the only way a hockey player with an insane metabolism can. “Is it cake time yet? I’m hungry.”

  Clark snorts. “Of course you are.”

  The family lets out a collective sigh of relief.

  “Dinner first,” their Ma says.

  Here’s the thing about the Strömbergs: everyone knows if they’re quiet, something’s wrong. Food is the only exception, so maybe that explains the silence as everyone shovels dinner in their mouths, but I get the sense it’s somethi
ng else.

  When the low chatter is absent between dinner and cake, I know there’s something up.

  I lower my voice and whisper in Max’s ear. “I think your family is broken.”

  “I know,” he mutters. “I’m going to fix it.” My boyfriend stands. “I have something I want to say.”

  Oh God, he’s drawing more attention to the elephant in the room. That is not how you handle this group of people.

  “I know you’re all worried what will happen with family gatherings now Ash and I are together.”

  I hang my head. Can I go hide?

  “You don’t need to be. Because before I came here tonight, I asked Ollie a kinda important question.” Max stares down at me. “I told him that when the time comes, I’m going to ask Ash to marry me.”

  Both our mothers squeal in excitement.

  My mouth drops open.

  Max takes my hand and pulls me up next to him.

  My heart beats erratically, because as much as I want this, I don’t think I’m ready.

  And as if reading my mind, Max says, “I’m not going to ask today. In fact, it’s going to be a while. The last eighteen months have been filled with confusion and heartbreak and doing the wrong thing, so I’m going to wait until we’re both ready for it. But I had to ask for Ollie’s blessing today, because I know it is going to happen. One day.”

  I swallow hard. My best friend is giving me everything I’ve ever wanted without actually doing anything. The thought makes me laugh.

  He’s promising me forever but not pressuring me or making me think we have to do it. We’ll take this step in our own time.

  Max will always be there for me, just as I am for him.

  “I always thought our parents were lucky because they’ve all found someone who doesn’t drive them crazy,” Max continues.

  “Oh, your father does that every day,” Mrs. Strömberg says. “But I love him in spite of it.”

  Max sighs. “It wouldn’t be a romantic gesture without input from my mother.”

  “Sorry,” she says. “Go on.”

  “I thought what they had was unobtainable. I didn’t think I’d ever find what we have. I’ve loved you since we were kids, but it hasn’t been until these last six months that I’ve realized exactly what it means to love someone as much as I love you. I used to think love always came with a side of doubt, but I have none when it comes to us. Not anymore. Whether it takes a year or five years for it to happen, just know I’ll be asking you to marry me one day.”

  I try to speak, but only a rasp comes out, so I clear my throat and try again. “Just so you know, when that day comes, my answer will be yes.”

  Max kisses me our hundredth, thousandth, millionth kiss—I don’t know, I’ve lost count—but the promise sealed in it has my chest filling with the type of love I’ve been searching for my whole life.

  When Max pulls back, everyone surrounds us for hugs and congratulations even though we’re not actually engaged yet.

  Ollie steps up to us and hugs us both at the same time.

  “You’re really okay with this?” I ask.

  “I didn’t even get the whole question out before Ollie told me to go for it,” Max says.

  “It’s still weird,” Ollie says, “but I’m genuinely okay with it because I’ve assumed this would happen as soon as I found out how serious Max’s feelings were. You want to get married, and Max will give you anything you want. It’s a no-brainer.”

  “And you have Clark,” I say. “Who’s pretty cool, by the way.”

  Ollie glances over his shoulder. “Yeah, he is.”

  Max nudges his brother. “When are you two gonna get married?”

  Ollie grins. “We’ve spoken about it maybe, possibly, being a future thing, but dunno. We’re in no rush.”

  Well, at least that hasn’t changed. It wasn’t until we broke up that I began to see Ollie’s promises of marriage in the future as something to placate me and our mothers. I don’t think he ever wanted it.

  Ollie’s eyes meet mine. “I’m happy you found someone who can give you everything you ever wanted.”

  “Same to you.” And I’m being completely honest.

  I’ve thought a lot over the last six months if I would’ve done anything differently and wondered what would’ve happened if Max had told me how he felt in college.

  It’s hard to believe things happen for a reason when today has been one of the most awkward in my life, but I also have to have faith that everything between me and Max happened the only way it’d work out.

  Because of Ollie, and because of Taylor, I know the only reason to get married and pledge my life to someone is because of bone-deep love. Not because I’m owed it. Not because I want to prove something.

  Marriage to me is something to honor and cherish.

  And Max is the only man who has ever come close to that.

  Max is mine, and I am his.

  Forever and ever.

  Thank You

  Thank you for reading It’s Complicated.

  Winning You

  Fake Boyfriend 4.5

  Winning You Copyright © 2019 by Eden Finley

  * * *

  Cover Illustration Copyright ©

  Kellie Dennis at Book Cover By Design

  www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk

  * * *

  Copy-edited by One Love Editing

  https://oneloveediting.com/

  All rights reserved.

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

  For information regarding permission, write to:

  Eden Finley - permissions - edenfinley@gmail.com

  Premise

  Marty:

  The only reason I’m at this charity raffle is to win the music festival tickets I’ve been chasing for months. Yeah, I’ll have to go on a date with whoever the other winner is, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay to meet my future husband—Jay from Radioactive.

  Only, when I come face to face with my date, I’m not sure the tickets are worth it. The guy has a permanent scowl on his face and insists on calling me a kid.

  I’ll admit he’s alluring for someone who’s rude and grumpy, but no. I’m here for Jay. I will not fall for the tall, hot, older guy.

  * * *

  Luce:

  The kid’s sass almost makes me want to change my original plan of ditching the date as soon as we get to the festival.

  I may have had ulterior motives trying to win these tickets, but it’s obvious the same goes for Marty.

  The easiest thing to do is split up.

  Then how do I find myself buying him dinner and hanging out with him?

  If I knew how much this guy would change my life in one night, I might not have been so surly to him when we met.

  Now I don’t want to let him go.

  * * *

  **Winning You, while set in the same universe as the Fake Boyfriend series, is set in Australia and uses AU English. It is technically a prequel to Hat Trick, Fake Boyfriend book 5, but it can be read in any order.**

  1

  Marty

  Desperate times call for desperate measures. Radioactive is playing at the Joystar Music Festival, and I’m skint. Serves me right for doing the whole PhD thing. I’m supposed to be smart and shit. Obviously not too smart considering I’m twenty-three and can’t even afford a concert ticket. Hell, I could barely afford the cover charge to this event tonight.

  After weeks of scouring eBay, Gumtree, and Melbourne buy-swap-sell groups on Facebook for tickets, I’ve got nothing. I can’t afford an actual ticket, let alone a scalped one. Even if I found the money for a real ticket, the festival is completely sold out now.

  That’s why I’m at the Heart2Heart charity event, hoping to be set up on a blind date with someone else who wants to get free passes to Joystar—the last tickets available anywhere.

  Of course, that’s if I even win the
date. A mate who works here slipped me some extra raffle tickets, which I promptly dumped into the festival giveaway, but it still might not be enough. A whole heap of prizes were donated by local businesses, and everyone else seems to be spreading their luck around on different date options—the more expensive and elaborate dates like hot air ballooning or deep-sea diving—but that doesn’t stop me from glaring whenever anyone puts one in Joystar’s box.

  “Need another drink, Doc?” Gray asks from behind the bar.

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  The nickname annoys me—always has—but this guy is practically family to me. He’s buddies with my brother and completely straight, but he works here because he says he gets better tips than at a straight bar. It works well for me because I get free drinks.

  The Doc nickname started when I got accepted into the accelerated science program in high school. What else are people going to come up with when I’ve been on track to get my PhD in molecular engineering since I was fifteen? Doesn’t help I was named after the main character from Back to the Future.

  The argument that Marty wasn’t the physicist in the movie makes people call me Doc even more. Or nerd. Although, the only people who call me a nerd are my very best friends or family, because I may be shorter than average and on the skinny side, but I’ve been told by dates repeatedly that I’m way too pretty to be smart.

  Thanks … I think?

  I down the rest of the beer in my hand just in time for Gray to give me a new one.

  “You nervous?” he asks.

  “I’m nervous I’m not going to get the passes. I need to go to this show.”

  Gray leans on the bar. “Do you really think the lead singer’s going to look at you and fall in love?”

  “Yup.”

  “You realise if you do win, you need to take your date? Hope he’s a Radioactive fan. What if he drags you to the other stages?” He gasps. “He could like EDM.”