𝑺 𝑨 𝑳 𝑽 𝑨 𝑻 𝑰 𝑶 𝑵 (18 +)

08 •

Ezra.

Poser.

There were many things you could call Ezra Lincoln, but fake was never one of them. He was the most honest person he knew except when he was lying to himself and he never made that a habit. Right now, today, he was going to tell a monumental lie. One that would uproot his entire life but what choice did he have? Of course, he could've said no. Pretending to date someone just to gain another fifteen minutes of attention was calculative and cruel. He could've told everyone on his team to go fuck themselves and become an independent artist like he so desperately wanted.

But he didn't.

So now he was stuck.

Another thing Ezra Lincoln absolutely did not like? Being stagnant. It felt restrictive, like his lungs would shrivel up and his legs would forget how to move if he stayed in one place for too long. A relationship wasn't that different, even if it was fake. If he could convince Sage to do this for him which was slim to none he would be stuck with her for the foreseeable future. That hadn't appealed to Ezra at all.

"No way Sage is gonna go for this man," Matt laughed and threw a piece of popcorn in the air. It bounced off of his nose and he cursed as it fell onto his lap.

"You never know, stranger things have happened." Except nothing would ever be more strange than Sage accepting such a lucrative proposal. She didn't even like the man and while the feeling was mutual that disdain would get him into more trouble than she was worth.

"She hates your guts, Ezra. If you honestly believe she'd agree to fake date you then you're crazier than I thought." Ezra was crazier, which was exactly why he had to convince himself that she would say yes. He didn't need to explain it. It made sense in his head therefore it was the only option. He wouldn't—or rather couldn't—take no for an answer.

"You don't think I know that? Sage doing this with me also means there won't be a chance for either of us to cross any lines. She hates me and I hate her, I don't need anyone catching feelings." Even speaking about it seemed satirical. The idea of having feelings for a woman like Sage Carson was a joke to him. A funny one-liner to laugh at when he was alone. He was positive She felt the same way but that didn't stop his conscience from biting him in the ass.

"Well, I won't disagree with you on that front. There is no way in hell Sage would ever like you." Matt scoffed with finality and it made Ezra step back. Matt had always been a fan of Sage, but he was starting to think his best friend's admiration of her was more than just admiration.

"Matt don't tell me you're into Sage?" The singer waited for an answer and when it didn't come his legs nearly gave out.

"No, but I could be. I haven't seen her in years, it was nice to get a chance to catch up with her. I know for certain I'd be a better boyfriend to her than your piece of shit brother was. No offense," and there was none taken. Ezra also thought Nick was a piece of shit and it wasn't only because he cheated on Sage.

"Yeah anyone would be a better boyfriend than Nick. Fuck, I think I might even be a better boyfriend than Nick." He never had a chance to try but even in his ignorance he knew what made a healthy relationship and what didn't. His parents were a perfect example of that. How his brother could get it all so terribly wrong, Ezra had no idea.

"Well who knows, you just might get the chance to prove yourself right." His friend laughed sarcastically but Ezra hadn't found anything funny. The future of his career and his band's career depended on the cooperation of one woman.

This was exactly why Ezra left them alone.

• • •

Purple Peonies. Ezra always thought it was a silly name for a flower shop. He'd ordered from them a few times unbeknownst to Sage. Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, just because. Whenever Ezra had the chance to send his mother flowers he'd have his bodyguard Bear order a bouquet per Sage's recommendation. His mother loved the arrangments she put together so he continued to give her business.