Chapter 4 4

"Huh?" Dad's brows pulled in obvious surprise while mom's deafening squeal filled the parlor.

She rushed towards me, pulling me into a hug. "Are you serious?!"

He rose to his feet, staring at me like he wasn't sure if to believe it or not. "Austin, you have a girlfriend?"

I nodded, looking way more confident than I should. Especially since I knew I was lying.

"Yes, I wanted to keep it as a surprise, but you just had to make me tell you about it earlier."

"Why were you trying to surprise us?" Mom asked, releasing me from the hug.

"Because I know how you guys are always eager to see me with someone and I just thought, since I have someone, I should tell you guys as a surprise." The lies came out as easy as breathing.

She clapped, jumping up with her grin moving from ear to ear.

Obviously she had fallen for the lie.

Unlike dad who looked like he was contemplating whether to believe me or not.

"What's her name?" He asked, leaving me to look for the first name that I could think about.

"Her-"

"Don't let us make him say it," Katie came to my rescue, walking to stand beside me as she took my elbow in her hand, "let us meet with her first and then she should tell us her name afterwards."

Dad's expression showed nothing but unbelief. "Why?"

"Because as I said, I wanted to surprise you guys." I quickly added, wanting to just leave.

"Is she here in New York?" Mom asked in more of a squeal.

I nodded, knowing I was putting myself in trouble. "Yeah, she's actually here which is why I wanted to surprise you guys by bringing her home."

Her smile grew wider. "Oh my gosh, when do we get to see her?"

"Not yet," I said, knowing with more lies, I was creating more problems for myself, "but you'll see her soon."

"Hmm." Dad didn't sound like he believed a bit. "If you can bring her to us, I guess I can believe you have a girlfriend and well, you can have the company."

Great.

That means Justin wouldn't be the CEO.

But then, where was I going to get someone to pretend to be my girlfriend for at least a year.

***

"Now tell me the truth," Katie leaned against the doorframe, crossing her leg over her ankle, "you don't really have a girlfriend."

I should trust her to always know when I was lying. Especially when it came to relationships.

"Yeah, nor do I want Justin to become the CEO." I took off the boots I'd been wearing, replacing them with more comfortable slippers.

"So you just thought lying would be the solution, huh?" She rolled her eyes.

"It's way better than ending up jobless after retirement." Way way better.

"What are you planning on doing then?" She asked, straightening while she ambled towards my bed. "You can't lie forever. They'll find out either way."

"I'll just have to find someone who wouldn't mind being my girlfriend for a year and that'd help solve everything."

It sounded easy rolling out of my tongue.

Like I was going to find any one who'd willingly agree to date me for a year without wanting any strings attached.

I knew that being that famous, I'd have tons of people waiting in line to be my pretend girlfriend, but there would certainly be strings attached.

Her expression lit up. "You know, there's someone who might actually date you."

Of course, I should trust her to know everyone that could be a solution to at least one thing.

I raised a brow. "I don't want a crazy fan, so get that out of your mind."

She shook her head. "No, in fact, she didn't even know you were a basketball player till today."

Now my interest was piqued a little.

If there was someone who didn't know me, then they'd probably not want any strings attached.

"Who are you talking about?" My tone didn't come out as curious as I felt (not that I felt too curious).

"You recall the friend of mine who was at my place this afternoon?" A smile appeared on her lips.

"Yeah, is she the one?" My brows dipped

"Hmm mmmh. Why?"

"There's no way she's not a huge fan of mine." From the way she'd stared at me, I didn't need to be told twice that she was a fan.

"Trust me, she knows nothing about you." She sounded like I didn't know a thing. "She's not a fan of sports and certainly not a fan of love, just to date for fun, so no strings would be attached."

Hmm, if that was true then she certainly was going to be the right fit.

But, "why would she agree to date me?"

"Because," she took a seat on the bed, crossing her legs over each other, "she's a writer and wants to write a book about a basketball player falling in love or something, which she has to submit after the holiday."

When I didn't say anything, she continued, "and I know she can't learn by sitting down, she needs to be taught."

"So you want me to teach her basketball?" Why would she think that was possible?

I was a player, not someone who'd give lessons to just anyone.

"Think about it," I didn't need anyone to tell me she was trying to let something further happen between me and her friend, "if you just accept that, she'd agree to be your pretend girlfriend."

I shook my head. "No thank you, but it's not even a possibility."

That made her huff then rise to her feet.

"Think about it, alright?"

"No thank you."

"Goodnight," she ambled out of my room.

Because I hadn't been around for three years, she'd said she wanted to stay in my house for a few days.

Once I heard the door close, I reached for my phone, not surprised to see the message from Susan, a friend of mine.

*Susan- Did you seriously get back to New York? Oh my, I'm going to visit soon.*

I replied letting her know she could come anytime soon.

Then dropped my phone, letting my thoughts wander to what Katie had just said.

No way was I going to teach someone about basketball all because I wanted them to pretend to be my girlfriend for a year.

But then, was it going to be such a bad idea?

I just had to teach her something during the holiday and she'd do what I wanted for a year.

It wouldn't hurt anyone.