He grasped for any excuse. ‘I hardly think Jack wants to see me. Apparently people are saying that I’m in love with you?’
Maeve sighed. ‘Don’t be thick, Oliver. Jack knows you’re not in love with me.Honestly.’ She paused for a moment. ‘Though I’m sure he’d love to hear why you let Eavie run with that story. As would I, if you’re handing out explanations.’
Oliver arrived at Will’s building and fumbled for his keys. ‘I wanted her off my back,’ he said feebly.
‘Well, why don’t you come to the party and tell Jack that?’ Maeve said.
Oliver frowned, suspicious, and inserted the key into the door. ‘Who else will be there?’
‘Oh,’ Maeve said nonchalantly, ‘Holly is in town, and the London crowd will be there, of course.’
Oliver climbed the stairs, thinking quickly. ‘Well, like I said, I’m coming down with something,’ he tried, opening the door to the flat and giving an unconvincing cough. He had no idea what would happen to him if he was in a room with Declan without the cameras watching. He was terrified to find out.
‘What’s up?’ Will called from the couch. Oliver waved him off, pointing at his phone and sitting at the kitchen table.
‘Oliver.’ Maeve had clearly reached the end of her rope. ‘You can be honest now; no one’s recording. Why are you avoiding Declan?’
‘He asked me to give him space to be with Imogen,’ Oliver said, in some version of the truth. ‘And they’re still together, aren’t they?’ He paused, wondering if that made him sound like a pathetic stalker. Declan and Imogen had been spotted together a few times since the show had wrapped. She was, in all ways, the new Georgia. ‘Or I haven’t heard that they’ve broken up?’ he tried.
‘Declan King is trending,’ Will said.
Oliver waved a hand to quiet him. Declan had always had the most impeccable timing.
He could practically hear Maeve’s eyes roll through the phone. ‘That would be something you could ask him at the party, wouldn’t it? That’s the great thing about friends – you don’t have to google them to find out who they’re dating.’
Oliver flushed, embarrassed by the accuracy of the accusation.
‘Oh shit! Declan King is retiring from boxing,’ Will called over.
‘Will, I’m kind of in the middle of something here,’ Oliver grumbled. He couldn’t focus on the conversation with Maeve if he thought about Declan retiring from boxing. Boxing was Declan’s whole life. Oliver wondered how he’d decided it was time to retire, and how he’d told his dad about it.
‘Sorry about that…’ he continued, ‘But, anyway, I don’t think we’re friends.’
‘Holy shit,’ Will exclaimed. ‘Oliver—’
‘Just a moment,’ Oliver said impatiently. ‘I’m on the phone.’
‘Your circumstances have changed,’ Maeve said. ‘Even if he’s been hanging out with Imogen, you don’t know that he doesn’t want to see you. I suspect it’s quite the opposite.’
‘Why?’ he asked quickly. ‘Has he said something?’
‘Boys,’ was all Maeve had to say to that.
‘Oliver,’ Will said, now looming over him. He placed his phone deliberately on the table, facing Oliver. The screen displayed a series of posts from the past few minutes, and Oliver scanned them, his heart racing.
‘I have to go now,’ he managed, dropping his phone onto the table.
He stared up at Will, dazed. ‘Is this…?’ He couldn’t even finish the thought.
‘Declan King just came out.’ Will folded his arms dramatically. ‘Now… is there something you want to tell me,mate?’
Chapter 27
Declan
Two Weeks Post-Finale
Declan breathed out slowly, trying to keep calm as he watched Imogen pace in front of him. The door behind her led to a room filled with dozens of reporters – all of them waiting for him.
