Page 92 of The Addict

“Um, this is my boyfriend, Alex.”

Chelsea grew pale. “Oh god.” She put her face in her hands. “Why didn’t you tell me you were confused? I would have slept with you last week! Dammit!”

Alex narrowed his eyes and looked at me. “Yeah, I don’t like her.”

I jabbed him in the side, effectively shutting him up with a yelp, and took his hand. “Should we go get our seats?” I asked Chelsea, smiling.

If everything went according to plan, then I was a genius.

Chelsea looked defeated. “Sure, but your...friend...will have to go purchase his ticket.”

Alex slammed his free hand down on his hip, his lip coming out in a pouting gesture. “WELL, I sure hope SOMEONE is going to pay for ME.” He eyed me and grinned.

I sighed and pulled out my wallet. “Of course, sweetie.”

“Thanks, darling.”

Chelsea huffed and muttered something under her breath about, “It’s always the hot ones,” before leading us inside.

Alex leaned towards me, gritting his teeth. “She’s Level 20. You owe me HUGE.”

I nodded, knowing that there were a million things Alex would rather be doing right now than pretending to be my boyfriend. I was surprised that he was actually holding my hand in public. I shook off the feeling of stares around us, knowing that if I wanted Chelsea to leave me alone, then this was going to have to look as real as could be.

On the other hand, Alex was drawing more unwanted attention to us anyhow.

“What are YOU looking at, huh?” he shouted at an elderly couple eyeing us with disdain. “Fuck off Grandpa, at least I’m getting some! You have a problem, huh?”

“Alex,” I warned. “Shut. Up.”

Alex huffed and smoothed his hair. “It’s not right that they judge us.”

“You’re taking this too seriously. Just hold my hand and be quiet,” I ordered, stepping up to the ticket booth.

“One ticket for, Love Love Kiss Kiss Death, please.” The name itself was a mouthful, and I could only pray the movie was worth fifteen dollars apiece.

The lady behind the counter pursed her lips at the sight of us before taking my money. I could practically feel Alex open his mouth to say something without even looking at him.

Before he had the chance to, I nonchalantly stomped on his foot.

“What are YO- OWW!”

I grabbed the ticket and hustled the limping Alex off before anything more could happen.

“DAMMIT!” Alex screamed, clutching his foot and hopping around like a dumbass.

I dragged him to a corner and nearly clamped a hand over his mouth. “Alex, please! Just do this for me, without speaking to anyone no matter if you think they looked at us funny or NOT, and I will be eternally grateful! I’m already here, Chelsea bought my ticket, it would be rude to just leave. On top of that, there is no way I’m going home right now. I’ve got…shit going on. Okay?”

Alex pouted and turned away. “Fine.”

“Are you mad at me now?”

“Yes.”

Sigh.

ALEX

I was busy ignoring my pretend boyfriend when I saw her.