The Fake Heartbreak (Searching for Love Book 3)

by Kelly Myers

  I head to the back of the car and shove my suitcase in the trunk.

  Then I duck into the back seat and settle down next to Bea.

  “Let’s go,” I say.

  “Alright.” Zoe revs the engine and tears out of the parking lot.

  “Slow down,” Elena says. “These are country roads.”

  Zoe just rolls her eyes and grins. I can tell they’ve been having a similar exchange the entire trip.

  “You guys didn’t have to come,” I say. “I’ve ruined your night.”

  “Please,” Bea huffs. “This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in ages.”

  “Plus we had to come,” Elena says. “You need us right now.”

  “Yeah,” Zoe says. “Now that we’re safe in the car, you need to spill. Tell us what happened and who we need to get revenge on.”

  I lean back against the car seat and sigh. “I don’t even know where to start.”

  “Ok, it’s been a day,” Bea says. “Not that much could have happened.”

  “You slept with him again, didn’t you?” Elena asks.

  “Well, obviously,” Zoe says. “But clearly something else happened as well, right?”

  “How do you know I slept with him?” I ask.

  My friends start to laugh.

  “It was so clear you were into him,” Zoe says.

  “Yeah, Marianne, you agreed to go to a posh wedding out here in the middle of nowhere,” Bea says. “You don’t do stuff like that unless you’re crushing hard.”

  I cross my arms and pout. My friends act like I’m some sort of nymphomaniac. “I told you guys, it was an adventure. An acting job.”

  “Yeah, correct me if I’m wrong, but usually after your acting jobs, I don’t have to drive two hours because you’ve been crying by a lake,” Zoe says.

  I laugh despite myself. My friends have a way of injecting even the most dire circumstances with a bit of humour.

  “Just please tell me no one fell into the lake,” Bea says. “Truly, I half-suspected that we would get here and find you sopping wet and half-drowned.”

  “Ok, you guys, are you gonna let me talk or not?” I ask.

  “Yes,” Elena says. “Go.”

  I take a deep breath and start at the beginning. I describe how I was feeling really good about the weekend during the car ride up with Leo. I explain how it was easy to be with him. How we almost felt like a real couple.

  “Geez, I didn’t know you felt that strongly about him,” Bea says. “I thought you just assumed he was hot.”

  “I didn’t know either.” My voice fills with misery. “If I had known, I might have been cautious.”

  “I doubt it.” Elena turns to look at me with a somber look in her eyes. “You’re never cautious.”

  I shrug. She’s right of course. If I had suspected my feelings for Leo might strengthen, I still would have plunged into this whole situation head first, blind with confidence in my own ability to come out on top in any situation.

  “So what happened when you got here?” Zoe pushes.

  “That’s when everything started to unravel,” I say.

  I describe the lake, and they all moan when I introduce Abby and Vince. Elena even cringes when I describe how I flirted with Vince because I was feeling hurt by Leo’s clear preference for Abby.

  “Ok, but how do you know he was into Abby?” Bea asks.

  “Have you not been listening?” I ask. “She is the embodiment of his ideal. She’s well-read and a lawyer and polite and has multiple degrees. It was so obvious.”

  “But did he do or say anything specific?” Zoe asks.

  “He was talking to her and only her,” I say. “I felt like I had been slapped across the face.”

  “But was he touching her? Flirting with her?” Zoe asks.

  I freeze as I think back to the afternoon before. Now that I think about it, Leo never touched Abby. But that’s just not his style.

  “Marianne, you’re an actress,” Elena says. “If two actors who were supposed to act in love behaved the way Abby and Leo behaved, would you have told them great job on chemistry or asked them to turn up the dial?”

  “I don’t know,” I say. “I was confused. They’re definitely old friends.”

  “So maybe they were just catching up,” Elena says.

  “You guys, would you let me tell the story?” I ask.

  “Sorry, sorry,” Elena says. “It’s just hard for us to believe any guy would look at someone else when you’re around.”

  I roll my eyes. Elena has a way of saying the sweetest things just when you’re annoyed at her.

  “Ok, so we’re at the lake,” I say. “And I'm so annoyed about this Abby development because I feel like he only used me to make her jealous, that I start flirting with Vince.”

  All my friends moan in unison.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You are such an annoying flirt,” Zoe says. “I’m sorry, but you are always so over the top.”

  Elena giggles. “Leo must have been so mad.”

  “Yeah,” I say. “He was pretty pissed, I felt bad.”

  My friends are right. When I start to flirt with someone, there’s nothing subtle about it. And, in this case, Vince was just as active and obnoxious. When I describe how he pulled me into the lake, Bea claps her hands over her ears and Elena scrunches up her face in distress.

  “So now it sounds like you’re into Vince,” Zoe says. “You said you liked him after the shower, right?”

  I press my lips together. “I did, but I was wrong. Vince is not that nice. He’s a bit self-centered I think.”

  “So what happened next?” Bea is leaning forward in anticipation.

  I launch into a description of Leo and my fight before the rehearsal dinner and then how we picked it up after. When I announce that he kissed me in the middle of the fight, they all gasp aloud.

  “Oh my god, he just kissed you like that!” Elena puts her hand to her forehead. “So, he wasn’t into Abby, he was into you!”

  “No, listen,” I say. “The sex was when it all got so complicated.”

  “Yeah, that tends to happen.” Zoe gives me a wry look in the rearview window.

  I tell my friends how the morning after, I start to realize I have strong feelings. I describe the ceremony and how Leo and I were going to talk.

  They pepper me for details. They want to know how he acted and if he looked excited or nervous or sad. I try to explain that he just looked normal. Like we were still pretending to be a couple, only I felt like I wasn’t pretending anymore, but I had no idea where he stood.

  “And then it all fell apart.” I turn and stare out the window. We’re on the highway, and dark woods fly by outside the glass pane. “Vince came up to me at the reception.”

  “And he came onto you?” Bea guesses. “Leo saw it and got pissed and yelled at you for being a total flirt.”

  “No, worse,” I say. “Vince knew about me being hired. He knew because Abby told him because Leo told Abby the day before.”

  My friends are stunned into silence, which is a rare occurrence.

  “Yeah,” I say. “I was right. He was into Abby, so he told her about our fake relationship in order to tell her he was single. He just slept with me for fun. Nothing more.”

  Bea lets out a curse. Zoe whistles in astonishment. Elena’s eyes just get very wide with astonishment.

  “So here’s the wild plot twist,” I say. “Vince declares that he and are I destined for each other, and he wants to ask me out.”

  Bea let out a little laugh. “This is like a Shakespeare play.”

  “Maybe,” I say. “But with far inferior dialogue, trust me.”

  “What did you say to Vince?” Elena asks.

  “I pretty much just ran away.”

  I finish my story as quickly as I can. The evening was awful enough, I don’t exactly want to relive it. I tell them that Leo chased me into the garden, and I told him to fuck off. My friends cheer when I tell them ab
out how I threw the money in his face.

  “And then you guys got here,” I say. “So that’s pretty much it. Total disaster.”

  In the distance, we can see the lights of the city. My limbs have relaxed, and I no longer feel like I’m about to burst into tears. I’m going to be upset about this for awhile, but at least I have my friends, and at least I’m going back to familiar territory.

  “Wow,” Elena breathes.

  “Only you,” Bea says. “Only you could stir up that much drama in two days.”

  “So, Leo didn’t actually explain himself?” Elena asks.

  That’s classic Elena, always trying to see the best in people or puzzle out a reason for someone’s cruelty.

  “He didn’t have an explanation,” I say. “If he had, he would have said it instead of just acting all offended when I gave him the money back.”

  “Maybe he was confused too,” Elena says. “Of course I’m not excusing his actions, but it sounds like it was all a bit of a whirlwind.”

  “Honestly, I can’t get a read on this guy at all,” Zoe says. “He’s clearly into you in some way, but I don’t understand why he would have talked to Abby.”

  “Maybe he was into me physically, but that was it,” I say. “You guys saw his email with all the traits he’s looking for in a woman. I’m not that kind. I will never be good enough for him.”

  “Hey, don’t sell yourself short.” Elena twists around to give me a passionate look. “You’re amazing, any guy would be lucky to be with you.”

  “Trust me, my self-esteem is fine,” I say. “I know I’m great, but I’m not at all the type of woman Leo wants to be with. He wants a mature woman with a good career and a nice office.”

  “So you’re sure he doesn’t have any real feelings for you?” Bea asks. “Because you didn’t tell him how you felt, so it’s possible he suppressed his feelings as well.”

  I sigh. “I’m sure. Leo would never let himself fall for someone like me.”

  We ride in silence for a while, mulling over the crazy events of my evening.

  After a few minutes, Zoe straightens up. “So do you think we should go to Vince’s restaurant? Just to see what it’s like.”

  “No way,” I say. “I want to forget everyone involved with this travesty of a weekend.”

  “Oh, come on, I’m curious if the food is any good or if it’s all branding,” Zoe says. “We could go in disguise or something.”

  I laugh. I have to admit, a girls night adventure to scope out and possibly mock Vince’s restaurant sounds fun. “Ok, but give me a month or two to get my head on straight.”

  I catch Bea looking at me with concern out of the corner of her eye.

  “You usually bounce back from setbacks so quickly,” Bea says. “You really think you’ll need that much time?”

  She’s right. I’m known for being the most resilient post-heartache, but this time feels different. I don’t feel bruised, I feel broken.

  “I just need to think about a lot of things,” I say. “Leo of course, but also my general life choices.”

  “I hope he didn’t make you feel bad about your singing career,” Zoe says. “Because you are so talented, it’s just the nature of the business that you have to pay your dues.”

  “No, no, I still feel fine about my choices,” I say. “If anything, I want to prioritize my singing more and stop making reckless decisions in my spare time.”

  My friends nod and tell me that’s a good idea. I know they’re going to be looking after me for the next few weeks. I’m ok with that. I feel like I could use a little coddling. Every mile brings us closer to Chicago. The first thing I’ll do when I’m back in my apartment is send an email to Leo asking him to never enter Lucy’s again. I’ll even recommend a few other options for his morning coffee. Then I’ll delete his email and his number.

  I won’t see his face again. I won’t talk to him again. It’s over.

  So, I lean back in the car and close my eyes and tell myself it’s ok that I will never see Leo ever again.

  29

  The next morning is Sunday, and I wake up after a night of fitful sleeping. I’m in my own bed.

  All my friends begged me to stay with one of them last night, but I insisted that I needed some time alone. They had done enough by driving all the way up to the inn to get me, they didn’t need to babysit me as well.

  Besides, I didn’t want them to see me cry myself to sleep. They’re concerned enough as it is.

  I roll over and glance at my bedside clock. I was up until the wee hours of the morning, and I’ve been drifting in and out of sleep since dawn. It’s now past 10.

  I was supposed to be in Leo’s car right now, celebrating a job well done. We were supposed to be joking about our triumph and maybe talking about us.

  I press my face into my pillow. No. None of that was supposed to happen. Leo and I are not meant to be.

  He’s gone. Now I have to sort out my own life. Rule Number 1: No more agreeing to be someone’s fake girlfriend, no matter how exciting it sounds.

  I get out of bed and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth. While doing so, I decide on Rule Number 2: No more distractions. I need to focus on my music right now. That means doubling down on songwriting and sending my work out to try and get picked up by a songwriting agency.

  When I get back to my room, I pick up my phone and freeze. My phone has been silent since last night, but I have three missed calls and several texts from Leo.

  Where are you?

  Marianne, please just tell me where you are and if you’re ok.

  This isn’t a joke, I’m seriously worried.

  I shouldn’t feel bad. I’m an adult; I had every right to leave.

  Then again, since I didn’t leave him with any information, I could be at the bottom of the lake for all he knows. I get a sick sense of satisfaction as I picture Leo standing frantically at the edge of the lake while they search the water for my body.

  That would never happen though. The concierge saw me and knew I was getting picked up by a friend. So as long as Leo had the good sense to ask him, he knows I’m alive and well. I’m just done with Leo.

  From the looks of things, he got in touch with the concierge, since the texts and calls stop around midnight.

  I exit out of the messages and open up my calendar to look at my schedule for the next week. I have an early shift at Lucy’s tomorrow. I’ll have to message Leo one last time to warn him away.

  I know he probably doesn’t want to see me anymore than I want to see him. He wouldn’t want to cause a scene in public.

  Rule Number 3: Stop getting entangled in complicated situations with the customers of my place of work. In fact, maybe stop being nice to the customers completely. That’s what started this mess. Me being nice to a customer.

  I pull on a baggy T-shirt and shorts and perch at my desk. I examine myself in the mirror. My skin is pale, and my hair is tousled. My eyes are still slightly puffy from all the crying.

  That’s ok. I can channel this energy into my songwriting.

  I wonder what I should title the song I write about this weekend.

  Day At the Lake? Playing Pretend?

  To be honest, I could write 12 songs about this weekend. It could be a whole album. I always do say I want to be able to put my heart into every song I sing and perform. I just didn’t think it could ever hurt this bad.

  Just as I pick up my pen and get ready to jot down some ideas, there’s a banging on the door to the apartment.

  I don’t get up. It’s probably someone for one of my roommates. The loud knocking continues until Frances, my roommate, goes to answer it.

  I freeze when I hear a familiar voice.

  Then Frances calls out. “Marianne! There’s someone here for you.”

  No. This can’t be happening. Why would he show up here?

  I curse myself for avoiding my phone last night. I should have texted him a clear message as soon as I was in the car with my friends. I shou
ld have made it clear I wanted no more contact from him.

  “Which room?” Leo is in the hallway snapping at Frances. “This one right here?”

  “Yeah, that one,” Frances says. “Sorry, who are you?”

  Leo ignores her because now he’s pushed open the door and is standing in the frame.

  I stare up at him in shock. He looks wild and unhinged. It’s totally unlike him to barge in here without even knocking. He’s usually so polite. I mean, I could have been naked. Sure, he’s already seen it, but it’s the principle of the thing.

  “What are you doing here?” I try to inject some venom into my voice, but I’m afraid I just sound terrified.

  Leo is breathing hard, and he looks furious. He shuts the door behind him and glares down at me. It’s all I can do to meet his gaze.

  “We didn’t get a chance to talk last night.” His voice is low and totally lethal.

  “Yes, we did,” I say. “There’s nothing else to say.”

  I hold my head high, even though my knees are trembling. He has no right to look so handsome when I want to hate him so bad. And he definitely has no right to look at me with such intensity.

  “I didn’t get to explain.”

  I shake my head. “I want you to leave. I want you to get out of my apartment, and I never want to see you again.”

  “I can’t do that!” Leo’s shout causes my mouth to clamp shut. I’ve never seen him like this. His composure is gone. He’s breathing hard and pacing back and forth in the small amount of space next to my bed.

  He turns to me and takes a deep breath. “I told Abby about us because she asked. She thought something was off at the lake, and she was worried that you were mistreating me.”

  I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Sure, I wasn’t my best self while swimming, but Abby had just met me. How dare she judge me? Especially when Leo was the one mistreating me.

  “So I explained that you weren’t my real girlfriend because I trusted Abby to understand,” Leo says. “Clearly, I was wrong to trust her.”

  “And I’m guessing your darling Abby didn’t think it was cute that you hired a girlfriend,” I say. “So your plan to win her over backfired, didn’t it?”

  I know I sound bitter, but I don’t care. I don’t know what happened between him and Abby last night, but I do know I’m not some consolation prize.