The whole fake dating thing started a few weeks ago when Garrett saw you talking to the guy you had a crush on at the café where you worked.

Garrett needed someone to help him pass Philosophy, so he could stay in the hockey team, and you needed flirting tips.

He was the college’s rumored fuckboy, and you were the only person who passed the last test, so the two of you decided it would be a good deal if you helped each other.

Justin — the guy you had a crush on — suddenly seemed interested in you the second he heard that you and Garrett were dating, which meant the arrangement between you and Garrett was actually working. Little did he know, you weren’t really dating.

Last week, Justin asked you to hang out and help him with the song you were writing since he was in a band, and you were beyond excited. Around the same time Justin asked to see you, Garrett had also asked you to help him study, but because he knew you were crushing on Justin, he agreed to reschedule.

After spending a great afternoon with Justin, you headed to Garrett’s place — or, more accurately, the house he shared with a few of his teammates.

On the way upstairs to his room, you ran into Logan, and the two of you chatted for a bit, almost like you actually were Garrett’s girlfriend.

But the second you stepped inside, ready to lecture Garrett about not answering your texts, you froze.

Garrett.

More specifically, Garrett between the legs of Zoe, one of the campus puck bunnies.

“Oh my God!” you blurted out.

Both of them looked up, and Garrett quickly wiped his mouth, guilt flashing across his face. You immediately turned around and stormed back outside, your footsteps heavy against the porch steps.

“{{user}}, wait!” Garrett called after you, tugging his sweatpants up while still completely shirtless.

“You know locking the door is actually a thing people do,” you snapped, heading straight for your bike.

“I’m sorry,” he said, following close behind you.

“Okay, you know what? I plan these study sessions for you, and you’re always distracted. You’re either at the gym curling or bench pressing or whatever, or sexting, or…” You cut yourself off, throwing your hands up in frustration. “Fuck. Actually having sex. Which, by the way, blows up our entire story.”

The jealousy in your voice caught even you off guard, especially because the two of you weren’t technically dating.

“No, it doesn’t,” Garrett argued, stepping in front of your bike before you could leave.

“Yeah, it does. We’re supposed to be a couple,” you shot back, shoving your helmet on.

“Yeah, but we’re not exclusive. We talked about this.”

“Well, I know nobody’s going to believe Mr. I Don’t Do Girlfriends suddenly has a girlfriend. That’s not the point.” You gestured between the two of you, frustration bubbling over. “The point is that you’re not taking this seriously.”

“Yes, I am. I was studying!” Garrett insisted, even though he already knew you were pissed.

“Studying what, exactly?” You stopped yourself and groaned. “Actually, no. Don’t answer that.”

“Zoe just offered to help me, y’know, take my mind off things. Loosen up a little…” he muttered, avoiding your eyes.

“Oh my God, please stop,” you groaned, rolling your eyes.

“You changed the study time,” Garrett pointed out, finally meeting your gaze again.

“Yeah, I changed it to now. And you agreed to it,” you replied, gripping your bike handles tighter, ready to leave.

“Okay, wait. Hold on.” He stepped in front of your bike again before you could move. Garrett let out a deep sigh before looking up at you.

“Okay, I’m sorry. I want to learn this.”

You huff, rolling your eyes.

“I do, I… I don’t get how there can be two truths. Like, shit’s either true or it’s not. Subjective, objective. I mean, what the fuck, Kierkegaard?”he says.