Page 113 of Ravaged For You

Such a loose-lipped idiot, Maddie.

But instead of getting mad, Winston just quietly speaks up.

“Keep this between us, Maddie, but Astrid Stoll is the girl who got away.”

* * *

Lucas sits down next to Axel and me as we’re about to descend into LA. Axel is fast asleep while I’m trying my best not to throw up. This hangover is not going well.

“How’s everything going?” Lucas asks me softly, trying not to wake the rockstar.

“Good. I had a bit too much yesterday, though. I had a bit too much fun and now I’m feeling it.”

“So did I,” Lucas replies. “How has the fake relationship gone these last few weeks?”

Do I tell the manager that we’ve broken our contract about a million times in bed over the last few weeks? Do I tell him this no longer feels like a fake relationship, although Axel and I haven’t even properly spoken about it yet?

Do I tell him that I have doubts about everything but still can’t stop myself from falling for rockstar temptation?

There is technically nothing fake about this relationship, and yet I still don’t really know what Axel thinks about me.

Oh boy, it’s such a mess.

“Yeah, all good.”

That’s my reply.

“You know that it’s going to end after today, right?”

It’s what I’ve been dreading. Lucas doesn’t need to remind me. After today, there are no more excuses for Axel to see me. No more shared hotel rooms. No more time spent together.

After today, that’s it.

The finality of this fake relationship is worse than my hangover, or any hangover can be. The thought that this is the end of the greatest few weeks of my life really makes me want to vomit.

“Yeah. All over.”

“You should get your share of the money in the next few days once it’s cleared through the banks.”

“Thanks, Lucas.”

“I’m glad we had you, Maddie,” he says quietly. “This wouldn’t have been the success it was if it wasn’t for you.”

I just nod.

I really want to be sick. This is the worst day of my life. Tomorrow I will be just a memory for Axel.

This was never real.

This was always fake.

Lucas gently wakes up Axel by rubbing his shoulder. The rockstar groans in discomfort.

“We’re about to land,” Lucas tells him.

“Wonderful. I could sleep for a week.”

“I know it’s not the best time to go over things, but I thought I’ll give you guys a heads up over what’s going to happen,” Lucas tells us both. “We’ll pretend the relationship lasts a few more months and then simmer it out. But you two won’t have to see each other in the meantime. You won’t have to do a thing, Maddie.”