I believe him. God help me, I do. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to let him off the hook.
“Youarethe bad guy,” I say flatly.
He flinches like I’ve slapped him. His jaw works, and his throat bobs as he forces the words out. “I love you.”
I swallow hard, the sting in my eyes sharp and immediate. “You lied to me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
I throw my hands up, exhaling sharply. “Okay. Ifthat’show you’re going to play it?—”
“No, wait!” He lunges forward, practically blocking my path like a human wall. “Please. Just… listen.”
His chest rises and falls, his eyes wide and desperate. “I swear, there’s nothing I told you that wasn’t true. My full name is Jacob Elijah. Everyone called me Eli growing up—my granddad was Jacob, too, so it stuck. I am a special effects guy. That’s how I got into Hollywood. That’s real, Amy. All of it.”
I press my lips together, refusing to speak, but I don’t move either.
Hestays there, hands half-raised like a goalie bracing for a penalty shot, ready to block whatever I throw next.
“And the deepfake? That was you too,” I say flatly.
“It was me!” he blurts, eyes wide.
I snort. “Okay, now you’re just insulting my intelligence.”
“No, wait.” He fumbles for his phone, digging it out of his pocket with shaking hands. After a few frantic swipes, he thrusts it toward me. “Here. Look.”
I glance down at the screen. A photo—high school graduation, by the looks of it. He’s there, drowning in a burgundy gown and matching cap. Dark curls sticking out messily, a bright, gap-toothed smile lighting up his face. His nose is wider and a little crooked. His face is rounder, softer.
I glance up at the man standing in front of me—chiseled, polished, Hollywood perfection.
“I… I’m going to miss him,” I whisper before I can stop myself.
His throat bobs as he swallows hard. “Fangirl… it’s me. Same guy. Okay, yeah, the teeth have veneers now, and the puppy fat’s gone. I hit the gym. Broke my nose on the first set I ever walked onto… got it fixed after.” He shrugs helplessly. “But it’s still me. I swear. You don’t have to miss me. I’m right here. I never left.”
I shake my head, biting down the lump in my throat. “Then why? Why hide the truth?”
His eyes soften, and for once, he doesn’t dodge. “Probably for the same reason you didn’t tell me about your autoimmune disease.”
That stops me cold. I blink, remembering Maya. Of course, shetold him at the signing. But the sting of it still hits me like a slap.
“This isnotthe same thing,” I snap, taking a step back. “I never lied. I didn’t deceive you. I just… didn’t tell you because?—”
“Because you were scared I’d see you differently.” His voice is quiet.
I glare at him, my jaw tight. But I don’t argue because… he’s right.
Jake gives me a sad, crooked smile. “I get it. More than you think.” He runs a hand through his messy hair, exhaling hard. “I never meant to deceive you either, Amy. Not once. At first, it was just fun… refreshing. You were this brutally honest, sarcastic girl who didn’t give a shit who I was. No ass-kissing. No fake smiles.”
His eyes lift to mine, raw and open. “You know what it’s like? Living in a world where everyone either wants something from you… or wants to tear you down? You lose track of what’s real. Of who is real.” He shrugs, his voice breaking. “And then… there was you. And for the first time in years… I felt real too.”
“It’s not the same,” I mutter stubbornly, but the fight’s already draining out of me.
“No. It’s not. I know that. I fucked up.Royally.” His laugh is humorless. “I was a coward. Too scared to lose you if I told you the truth. Hell, I even wore the sweater you made me at Comic-Con.”
I blink. “You did?”
He nods, something soft flickering in his eyes. “Yeah. Looked ridiculous, but it felt like armor.”
