An Excerpt from Fake a Chance on Me
Coach opened his hands wide. “What if I wasn’t joking? A couple of public dates between Lucas and the lovely Gabi, a primary school teacher who hasn’t caused any trouble in this town like a certain dickhead rugby player—”
“Hey,” Lucas said, but everyone focused on Coach.
“It would go a long way to helping his reputation because if she’s willing to date him, he can’t be a total dickhead. And that should give me less fires to put out in the run-up to my wedding.” Charlie looked around the group. “What I say goes no further than this room.”
Everyone nodded under his death stare.
“Gabi’s only friend seems to be my fiancé. Rose said she’d like Gabi to socialise a bit more. She hasn’t seen much of this city since she moved here, and if Rose and I were to move, Gabi wouldn’t have anyone but her sister. Not that we’re going anywhere.”
Max side-eyed Lucas, and Josh shook his head.
Coach continued, “Besides, it would be good for her to get out from under Evie’s shadow. She’s too over-protective.”
Josh attempted to interject.
“I said what I said, Josh. Evie is a special breed of woman, and you’ve said she’s been intense with Gabi since she arrived in town last year.”
Josh shrugged. “Their relationship is complicated. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Evie won’t go for it.”
“I’ll talk to Evie,” Charlie said more confidently than anyone else believed.
“Do I get a say in this?” Lucas asked. “What if I don’t want to do it? And more importantly, who’s to say she wants to do it?”
“You’re always telling me you can get any woman,” Max said.
“Not you, too! I thought we were friends,” Lucas said with a palm against his heart.
Max shoulder barged him. “It would be good for you to have someone nice in your life, even to meet up with,” he said. He looked at Lucas’ phone as a message from Lexi flashed up. “It might help you.”
“It will help your reputation in this town. And as you’re meeting as friends, I don’t need to worry,” Coach said. His pinched eyes gave a warning that made Lucas shudder. “Make sure you don’t do anything other than a friendly date, though, or I’ll cut your balls off.”
Lucas gripped his crotch. “Not Pinky and Perky,” he said.
“You named your balls?” Josh rubbed his forehead. “Only you, Lucas.”
“One thing, though,” Max piped up. “How are you going to get Gabi to agree to this, because from what Evie’s said, there’s no chance?”
They all stood in the circle, considering the question, when a quiet voice asked, “Get Gabi to agree to what?”
The group turned to the doorway. A slouching Gabi stood beside a foot-tapping, red-faced Evie. Gabi bit her lip and avoided eye contact with everyone.
“You’re in so much trouble, Josh,” Evie growled. “And when I’m done with him, you’re all next.”
