Rafi Reyes figures going along with a fake-dating stunt is only fair after Julian Gault saves his life. The young actor is famously cold and snotty, and Rafi's rock band is falling apart in the wake of betrayal. A shiny new romance might be just what both their reputations need. It's too bad they don't actually like each other, but they'll both benefit -- a softer public image for Julian, revenge against his ex for Rafi.<br><br>But as they navigate public events, attend red-carpet premieres, and play cat-and-mouse with paparazzi together, Rafi gets to know a different Julian than he expected -- one who defends horses, takes care of his troubled cousin, and has Rafi's back against his dysfunctional family. Rafi starts to hope he and Julian have something real together.<br><br>But Julian has secrets more painful than Rafi can imagine. With Julian's powerful and controlling uncle scheming to turn them against each other, their relationship must become something much deeper if it -- and possibly either of them -- are to survive.

Star Bright

It was another Red Vines bag, emptied of candy and filled with something else. A folded wad of papers.


“We’ve got it, Christian,” Rafi said. “Look, I’m putting it in my shirt so it won’t get wet. We know how important it is, and we’ve got it.”


The boy seemed to relax a little, still gasping and choking on every breath.


“I’m here, Christian, I’m right here,” Julian said. “I’m not going to let you die.”


They heard sirens, and then saw lights, and finally an ambulance pulled up to the nearest curb. Two paramedics with loud, stern voices swooped in with equipment and bandages and oxygen. They swarmed around Christian, displacing Julian, who stepped back with blood-spattered arms tight around himself. The wet streaks on his face might, perhaps, have been rain.


“Did you see that?” Rafi said to Uncle Eddie. “The evidence he stole from you? We have it, and we’re going to use it to destroy you.”


Chapter 87