Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon: Cover and Excerpt Reveal! Fake Out by Eden Finley

Release Date: March 19. 2018

Cover Design: Kellie Dennis / Book Cover by Design

Synopsis

Maddox

The reason I rarely go home is three simple words: I’m a liar. When the pressure to marry my childhood sweetheart became too much, I told her I was gay and then fled to New York like my ass was on fire. Now, five years later and after a drunken encounter, I find myself invited to her wedding. And I have to bring my boyfriend—the boyfriend who doesn’t exist because I’m straight. At least, I think I am. Meeting the guy I’m bribing to be my boyfriend for the weekend makes me question everything about myself. Damon When my sister asks me to pretend to be some straight guy’s boyfriend, my automatic response is to say no. It’s because of guys like him people don’t believe me when I tell them I’m gay. But Maddox has something I need. After an injury that cost me my baseball career, I’m trying to leave my playing days behind and focus on being the best sports agent I can be. Forty-eight hours with my sister’s best friend in exchange for a meeting with a possible client. I can do this. I just wish he wasn’t so hot. Or that he didn’t kiss like he means it. Wait … why is the straight guy kissing me?

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Excerpt

Attraction is a weird beast. Once Damon loosened up over drinks last night, I began to think we could’ve come out of this weekend as friends. He’s intense but still a decent guy. For some reason, my subconscious held onto that when I went to sleep and decided to show me exactly how decent—or indecent—he could be. While naked. And begging me to fuck him. The dream came out of nowhere, but it dredged up shit from college which I thought was long forgotten. Experimenting—that was all it was freshman year. It wasn’t like I’d found another guy attractive since then. Then why are you dreaming of fucking your fake boyfriend? My dick jumps at the thought. No. Down, buddy. Not going to happen. It was only a dream. I once dreamed I was the spider from Harry Potter. Doesn’t mean I want to fuck a spider. But you weren’t fucking other spiders in that dream. It was all the alcohol last night. Let’s go with that. The dream is one thing, but when I woke next to him, it seemed so real, I was harder than I’d ever been, and it wasn’t morning wood. I was horny. For Damon. Shit. So, yeah, I may be freaking out a little. Or a lot. “Ready to head out?” I ask as I finish eating. “I haven’t bought a wedding gift yet.” Damon downs the rest of his coffee, and I’m mesmerized by his throat as he swallows. I begin to imagine how he’d— Stop it. “Ready,” he says and stands. “Should we do the dishes?” “Nah, that’s what Mom is for.” “Is that so?” Mom’s voice comes from behind us as she trudges in the kitchen door, carrying tote bags full of groceries. “We can’t be late.” I feign innocence. Mom smiles. “Go on, get out of here then.” “Thanks, Mom.” I kiss the top of her head. The awkwardness I’m unwittingly exuding doesn’t dissipate as we make our way to the car. I think Damon’s picking up on it now too, but if he is, he doesn’t acknowledge it aloud. “You have great parents,” he says. “I know.” “They probably won’t care if you told them the truth.” “They won’t care that I lied to them for years?” I ask incredulously. “Yeah, okay. They’re great but not that great.” “The longer you leave it, the worse it’ll be. What happens when you find a girl you want to settle down with?” Pfft, like that’s ever going to happen. “I don’t plan on doing that.” “You’re twenty-three and already resigned yourself to being alone forever?” “I’m not a relationship type of guy. I learned that after Chastity.” “Because you couldn’t break up with her?” “Because I don’t like hurting people. Call me a wimp, call me a pussy, call me whatever you want, but I’d rather not deal with drama. I’m the type of guy who would stay in a relationship for two years too long to avoid confrontation.” “Whoa. It all makes sense now. You think by telling your parents you’re straight, it’ll hurt them because they’ve believed the opposite for so long.” Damon laughs. “Laugh it up.” “Sorry,” he says, still laughing, “but do you realize how absurd your situation is? Most gay people are scared shitless to come out of the closet. You’re scared for your parents to find out that you’re straight.” My molars mash together as I grit my teeth. Out of the corner of my eye, Damon’s smile falters as he studies me. “Are we okay? You seem—” “We’re cool,” I lie. “I’m just distracted with Chastity getting married today. And we’re here.” The car’s barely in park before I jump out. Damon slowly gets out of the car, puts his hands in his pockets, and hangs his head. He probably thinks I’m the biggest asshole. I should say something, but what? Don’t mind me. I had a sex dream about you, and now I can’t look you in the eye. He follows me into the store, and I pause in my tracks. Damon runs into the back of me, and his hands fly to my waist to steady himself. The commotion attracts the attention of the guy who’s getting rung up at the counter. I know him well. We used to be friends. Teammates, even. Damon leans in and whispers, “You know that guy?” “I do. And you need to be extra boyfriendly right now.” His hands tighten on my waist. “This is a boyfriend move. Unless you have a lot of guys holding onto you for dear life.” Right.”

Giveaway

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About the Author

Eden Finley is a steamy romance author by day, but Batman at night...

Okay, I’m not Batman, but I feel like I am. I have a cool secret name and everything. I have several Young Adult works published under my real name. For this reason, I chose a pen name to write for this genre. Well that, and I don’t want my mother to read these books. Seriously, how freaking awkward would that be?