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Why do I even answer it?

Before I can say another word, Derek is already blaring away. “Parker, glad I caught you.”

“Hi, Derek. What’s up?”

Please, not another stupid request or idea. I’ve already had my fill today.

“I want to talk about Evan’s first meeting with Valentina.”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve got to do more than that. She’s a cutie, sure, but what’s the point? Are they going to read poems to each other on their next date?”

“Derek.” But I can’t get a word in.

“Can’t you pair Evan with someone more outgoing? That there’s more of a buzz. This is all well and good, but it’s fizzling out way too fast, and the speculation about him is coming back to the surface.”

“Nothing’s fizzling out. Valentina’s in New York until the end of April, and when she’s back in LA, Evan has a game there and they can meet up again for some media attention. Derek, I’ve been doing this for a while now.”

He grunts to himself. “If this gets messed up, you’re in this with me. Just so you know.”

“Derek.” Now I’ve had enough. “We’ve been through this a few times already. Don’t threaten me. Otherwise . . . ”

“There’s no otherwise. Simon has a say in this, too. And he does what I say.”

“Simon wants this business to run smoothly. And he’s doing that with my strategy. Now let me get back to work. Enough is enough.”

He’s panting heavily. “Don’t screw this up, kid. After this season ends, I need a super-straight athlete who’ll land new endorsement deals.”

And with new contracts that’ll fill your pockets.

I can’t deal with him anymore. “Talk to you later.” I hang up.

At that moment, Carly knocks on my doorframe. “Just to let you know, Derek asked for a specific move.”

I close my eyes. “Oh, yeah? I was on the phone with him a second ago and he didn’t say anything.”

“He wants Valentina to show up at one of Evan’s games, Taylor Swift-style.”

Not if I can help it. But I’m learning to deal with the situation. “We’ll see how this month goes. Maybe when they’re both in LA. We might not even need that anymore by then.”

“Okay. Sorry about that. I’ve also finished Evan’s social media post for today. Do you want to check it first?”

“Nope. I trust you, and I’m staying out of it.” Because if I keep dwelling on Evan, his heterosexuality, my role in this whole farce, and my heart, I might shatter into a thousand pieces.

I should never have taken on this whole thing.

Chapter 7 – Evan

“Sucker.” My little sister is indignant.

“What do you want, Joanne?”

“Are you kidding me? You’re dating Valentina Garcia and you didn’t tell me? Mom’s completely beside herself. And you’re going to have to deal with the consequences right away. I’ll be in New York in two weeks to meet my beloved brother and his girlfriend.” She mimics a whimper that never worked before, even when we were kids. “Please say I can meet her. I’ll behave myself, too.”

I laugh. “Save your empty promises.”

“Pleeeeease.”