Clickbait

By Kerry Share

Step into a world where love, lies, and digital connections collide in the captivating novel, "Clickbait." Join our protagonist as she embarks on a risky game of deception, blurring the lines between reality and a carefully crafted online persona.

In a desperate attempt to ward off the relentless questioning from well-meaning family members, our leading lady devises a cunning plan. She hires a man she met online to masquerade as her devoted boyfriend during family gatherings, painting a picture-perfect image of a thriving romantic relationship. Little does she know that this seemingly innocent charade will unleash a whirlwind of unexpected emotions.

As the charade unfolds, our heroine finds herself entangled in a web of conflicting desires. What was intended as a mere act soon transforms into a tangled mess of genuine feelings. With each passing event, the lines blur, and she begins to question her own heart. Can true love arise from an artificial connection? And what happens when the façade threatens to crumble, exposing secrets and vulnerabilities?

"Clickbait" is a rollercoaster of emotions, exploring the complexities of modern relationships in the age of digital connection. With every click, like, and share, our protagonist and her pretend boyfriend navigate the treacherous waters of virtual personas and genuine affection. Their story will leave you questioning the authenticity of human connections in an increasingly digital world.

Prepare to be captivated by a tale that challenges societal norms, delves into the intricate dance between truth and deception, and ultimately unearths the undeniable power of the human heart. "Clickbait" is a must-read for anyone who has ever pondered the consequences of playing with fire in the realm of love.

Immerse yourself in the pages of "Clickbait" and let this compelling story whisk you away on a journey of self-discovery, unexpected romance, and the realization that sometimes, the most genuine connections are found in the most unlikely places. Brace yourself for a narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning each page, as you unravel the truth behind the enticing allure of a simple click.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094463704

Kerry Share

N/A

Book preview

1

The flame from the twenty five birthday candles crammed hilariously onto the tiny grocery store sheet cake was so hot that Chloe Wong wasn’t sure she would be able to lean close enough to blow them all out. The buttercream frosting was already starting to melt, dripping off the side of the cake and onto the black plastic container it had come in.

You couldn’t have gotten a two and a five? she asked, but her query was drowned out by the loud, off-key rendition of Happy Birthday with which her three best friends were currently serenading her.

Happy birthday, dear Chloe! trilled the voices of Meredith, Reesa, and Zach, slurred from the copious amount of wine they’d consumed already. Happy birthday to you! The ooo at the end was drawn out well into ridiculousness as Chloe started working on the candles, needing a good three or four puffs to fully extinguish the forest of candles.

Oh, boo, Reesa said, wrinkling her nose in disappointment as the last flickering flame sputtered and died. I thought we got the trick ones?

We did, they’re just garbage, Meredith said as she began plucking the candles out one by one. All right, everyone. Dig in.

They each grabbed for a plastic fork and settled around the coffee table to devour their treat together.

So, Zach said to Chloe as he forked a huge chunk off his corner, what’d you wish for?

Zach! Reesa chastised, smacking her boyfriend on the arm. You’re not supposed to ask or else it won’t come true!

Zach rolled his eyes and smeared a stray bit of white frosting across Reesa’s nose. We’re not nine, babe.

Speak for yourself.

It’s the same it is every year, anyway, Chloe chimed in around a mouthful of cake, to go one holiday season without my parents asking me if I plan on dying an old maid.

Never gonna happen, Meredith said astutely, sucking frosting off her fingertip. You’d be better off wishing they could go one month. Or even one night!

The whole group laughed except for Chloe. Who groaned. Meredith was right, of course. As parents, Jae and Lin Wong were as loving and well-meaning as Chloe could ever hope for, and she knew their repeated inquiries about her love life were simply born out of concern for her happiness. Yet, no matter how much she insisted that she wasn’t lonely, and she didn’t need a partner to feel satisfied with her life, the interrogation continued to be a not-so-fun family tradition at every birthday and holiday get-together.

I mean, you can’t blame them, Reesa was saying as she emptied the fourth bottle of moscato into her glass. Have you ever brought a boyfriend home to them even once, Clo?

Yeah! Chloe replied defensively, aghast that anyone would support the Wongs’ inquisition. Once… in high school. But still! she added to gales of laughter.

"Have you ever thought about, like, hiring a date for an evening? Zach suggested. Just once to get your mom and dad off your back?"

Chloe made a face. You mean like an escort? she asked, extremely dubious.

No, I mean like… I don’t know, an actor, maybe?

Somehow that sounded even worse. Hire an actor to pretend to be my boyfriend, Chloe repeated, reaching for another heaping forkful of cake. That is probably one of the saddest things I have ever had said to me. Thanks, Zach.

No, that’s not what—forget it, whatever. Zach slumped back against the couch, defeated.

What? Are you offering? Meredith said, leaning forward over the coffee table with a salacious waggle of her eyebrows.

Yeah, babe, Reesa said, turning bodily to peer at him. I mean, I’m willing to share if it’s for a good cause.

Chloe choked on her wine.

No offense to my very good friend Chloe, Zach said with a smile that looked closer to a grimace, but absolutely no way. Her parents would never buy it anyway. We burned that bridge a long time ago.

The memory still made Chloe giggle. Yeah, remember how when they asked if we were dating, we both said ‘No!’ so loud that it woke up my brother’s baby? They thought we hated each other after that. Honestly, they had no idea we were actually friends and not just coworkers for months!

The whole group erupted into laughter once again.

Seriously, though, Clo, Zach continued a moment later, I’ve heard of guys on the internet who offer their services as a fake boyfriend around the holidays and all they want is the free dinner.

Oh yeah! Meredith chimed in excitedly. "I’ve heard of those too. And most of the time they are the type of guy parents definitely do not want their daughter dating, or at least they’ll pretend to be. Think like bad-mannered, tattooed, jobless-type guys."

I don’t see how bringing someone like that home would help me at all, Chloe pointed out, laughing a little at the absurdity of the suggestion. Like, I’m pretty sure my parents would put me under house arrest if I pulled a stunt like that.

You’re so dramatic! Reesa teased with a roll of her eyes. It would probably actually teach them a really good lesson to be careful what they wish for.

Chloe hummed, still unconvinced, but Meredith had heard enough. She pushed herself up from the coffee table and crossed the living room to Chloe’s desk where she sat down and shook the mouse to wake up the computer.

What are you doing? Chloe asked, struggling to her feet as well.

Just, you know, checking to see what’s out there.

Soon the other three had joined Meredith, crowding around the desk while she navigated to FakeBoyfriend.com and put their Chicago-area zip code into the search bar.

To Chloe’s surprise and, for some reason, embarrassment, there were a ton of results. It seemed the fake-date market was well and truly booming. At least she wasn’t alone in needing a service like this, she thought.

Let’s see, Meredith said, clicking on the first profile. Jeremy Pinker, forty-three.

"Forty-three," Chloe moaned, just picturing the look on her parents’ faces if she brought home a man almost twenty years her senior.

He says, ‘Ladies, do your parents keep asking you for grandchildren? Do they pester you nonstop about the college boyfriend you dumped? Will they stop at nothing to ensure you get a ring on your finger before your younger cousin is old enough to date?’

Next to Chloe, Reesa snorted with laughter.

‘Get them off your case and potentially scar them for life in one night! I am short and balding with a healthy beer gut and a wide collection of stained wifebeaters to wear to your next family dinner.’

Raucous laughter filled the small apartment once more.

All right, that’s pretty funny, Chloe admitted, grinning. What other ones are there?

The next posting came courtesy of Michael Darvin, whose bio read, I’m gay and will spend the entire evening drunkenly hitting on your male relatives.

Oof! Zach said, visibly cringing. That one sounds way too awkward.

Chloe agreed, so they went to the next one.

"Okay, so, here we have Brandon Hearn. He’s twenty-eight, a mechanic. Ooh. Meredith leaned back in the computer chair, fanning herself. Oh my, he’s hot. I don’t know if you want him as your fake boyfriend, Clo, but I sort of want him as my real one."

Interested in spite of herself, Chloe leaned forward to see. Oh yeah, Meredith was right. Brandon Hearn was, in no uncertain terms, a looker. Tall, with long, brownish-blond hair and a stubbly goatee, he looked more like a model than a mechanic. His muscled arms, bare for all to see in a white tank top, were sleeved from top to bottom in tattoos, which, Chloe reminded herself, would be sure to make her traditional parents grit their teeth with irritation.

‘Single and ready to mingle with your folks on what I guarantee will be a night to remember for all parties,’ Meredith read from his profile page. ‘I’ve got a bad-boy vibe that drives parents crazy, and all it will cost you is a meal. I’ll even accept drive-through if we get kicked out before dinner is served.’

Oh man, Reesa said, while wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. He’s perfect, Clo.

Yeah, he is, Chloe agreed. "If I were even thinking about going through with this stupid idea. Which I’m not by the way. This is all you guys."

All right, well, I’m sending myself his profile, Meredith said, tapping away on Chloe’s keyboard. I’m gonna message him myself and see if I can’t hook up with him for real.

Knock yourself out, Chloe said dryly. Now, how many Ubers am I calling, ’cause it’s closing time in this cabana.

There was a chorus of disappointment that the night was ending so early (despite both clock hands pointing straight up at the twelve), but Chloe wouldn’t hear it. No, no, seriously, guys, I’ve got to hit the sack. I have an article due tomorrow.

After another round of protesting, the three friends at last accepted defeat and allowed Chloe to get them a cab home.

Happy birthday! Meredith said, leaning in for a hug on her way out the door. Don’t drink that bottle in one night, you hear? she added, referring to the expensive vodka she’d gifted Chloe. Or alone.

Yeah, share the love! Reesa chimed in, draping an arm around Chloe’s shoulders. Happy birthday, sweetie!

Zach weaved his way around the two girls to plant a kiss on her cheek. Happy birthday. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, yeah?

Definitely, Chloe agreed, smiling brightly at the three of them. Now get these girls home before one of them pukes.

Amid a great many jeers, a few more well-wishes, and one last insistence that they get the hell home, the night’s festivities came to an end. But with the annual dinner with her parents still to look forward to, Chloe’s birthday celebrations were far from over.

She wished she could be excited.

The next morning got off to a bit of a late start, courtesy of the way-too-many glasses of wine consumed the night