"You look amazing!" Julia commented as she came down the road and towards their car.

  "You look nice, as well," Cage told her. Julia was in a red dress that left little to the imagination. He chuckled. "That ex of yours is going to regret a lot of things tonight."

  "Thank you for your consolation. That is exactly my intention. I hope it works." She slid into the car with his friend. "Ah, Stephen said that there would be no mention of a relationship. You're seeing someone, I presume?" Her voice sounded sad. "Tell me about her."

  "Julia, it's hurtful to see others happy when you are miserable. I don't want you to go through that. Let's talk about this when you feel better." He patted her back. "Tell me what is up with you. I am sure you are bottling a lot up."

  She sighed and leaned back into the seat. Despite her fancy appearance, there was pain in her eyes. "I need some liquid courage to face him. He broke up with me over a Snapchat, in front of all his followers."

  "Don't cry, your makeup will be ruined," he warned, bending forward to get some tissues for her.

  "He didn't even have the decency to tell me face to face. Hell, I would even have taken it casually if he had texted. But Snapchat?" She took the napkin from his hand and dabbed at her wet eyes. "By the way, my makeup is waterproof." Cage chuckled.

  "The fucking magazines said that I was a broken shoe and that I was fat."

  Cage struggled to show the right emotion at that time. Oh, god. "You're not fat. But I can see that you really took the comment to heart. That dress… is not your style."

  "Thanks for helping me out. I didn't know what to do." She sniffed.

  "I'm happy to be your arm candy for the night."

  "Now, tell me about that girl." She tried to smile. "I actually want to know."

  "If you wish so," he said, shrugging. "I haven't met her yet, but her name is Katherine."

  "God, you are one of these people with online waifus." She smiled and teased him. Cage shook his head.

  "I might be a big nerd, but don't take it that far! We met in an online game." She raised a brow. "We just got talking and she has an amazing personality. She's funny, smart, and hot as hell……"

  "Do you have pictures?" she asked curiously. He pulled out his phone and saw through the pictures with a smile on his face. "Don't show me any nudes, just the nice ones."

  "We don't send each other nudes." He rolled his eyes. He showed her the picture of her with the books and heard Julie whistle.

  "She is smoking hot! What is the update?"

  "Don't tell Stephen but I am meeting her tomorrow." Julia startled.

  "Are you sure that is safe? Where?" He didn't answer. "God, you're smitten. You were never like this before… It's good to see you like this."

  He smiled. 'I know,' she thought. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

  "I'm happy for you," she said softly. "Okay, I need to look happy for the cameras now. I don't think I can stand seeing him."

  "Just don't punch him," he said lightly. She scoffed. "No, seriously, you don't need that drama in your life."

  They pulled up in front of the venue and took a deep breath. "You want to go first?" she asked.

  "I'll go around and help you out," he replied. He got out of the car and the fans started yelling. The cameras flashed and he was grateful that he had brought his sunglasses. He could just take them off for the interviews. He reached in the car and took Julie's hand, helping her out of the car.

  Instantly, the questions started coming. "Are you two together?"

  Cage ignored the question and guided her towards the red carpet. He waved with his free hand as she wobbled in her high heels.

  "What a surprise!" the first interviewer exclaimed. "Are you two here together?"

  'Yes, what do you think?' Cage thought sarcastically but painted a fake smile on his face.

  "It would seem so," Julia said in a singsong voice. Cage looked at her, his eyes wide.

  'Oh no, she is going to act out.'

  "We're good friends and thought us singles should attend together," he commented, hoping Julie would get the message.

  "How have the two of you been?" the interviewer asked.

  "We're doing just fine, aren't we?" Julia blew a kiss at him. Cage held back his frustration. Why did it seem like she was mildly intoxicated? He knew what she was doing but he didn't like it one bit. He'd have to take this up later and tell her how uncomfortable it made him. Right now, he couldn't do anything.

  "We're well and hope you enjoy our time at the awards today," he said finally, before tugging Julie away before the interviewer could ask another question.

  "What are you doing?" he said under his breath, still smiling at the camera.

  "I was angry. She was pissing me off." She looked at his expression. "I won't do it anymore."

  He won one of the two awards he was nominated for. His speech was short and the audience clapped.

  "I love you all," he said, waving as he made his way down the stage. The night was almost over and he couldn't wait to get back home and talk to Katherine. Just a couple more hours and he would see her, hold her, and tell the truth——

  The awards aired after he had reached home. On the other side of the town, the three girls sat in front of the couch and waited for the celebrities to file in.

  As they saw Cage walk down the red carpet, they clapped. Angelina was grumbling about Julia Williams being on his arms and that she was too close to him.

  Katherine and Lily humored her, not saying anything.

  When the interviews came, Angelina's eyes grew wide. She pulled out the phone from her pocket.

  "What are you doing?" Lily asked, panicked. Katherine, on the other hand, just watched the two of them fight for the phone.