The Bachelor on the Shelf (Reindeer Falls)

Newly engaged Carter Sheppard has an even bigger reason to celebrate this holiday season! He’s just signed one of the most massive endorsement deals we’ve seen with Nike, and it looks like his star couldn’t be hotter right now. We hear his hometown mystery fiancée is a librarian who’s got the super jock hanging out in bookstores. Just check out these adorable exclusive shots of them at the local bookshop. Can you say enamored? We can’t wait to see what Carter gets his beau for Christmas—but we bet it’s a little more expensive than some dusty old books!

I bite back the harsh laugh that threatens to jump out of me. I force myself to ignore the dig at books—E! should be so lucky as to get books for Christmas—and instead reread about Carter’s “massive” new endorsement deal. Huh. I guess his image really was fixed by Christmas Eve, just like he’d planned. There isn’t a mention anywhere of the TikTok video or his last tryst. He’s all leading man, and there I am, in pictures I didn’t even realize he took of me at the shop. I’m browsing the shelves or laughing as I read a description. And there are more from our other dates, too. A whole montage of a relationship that’s clearly faker than a mall Santa.

What a jackall.

Still, the least he could have done is dump me face to face. Told me he got the deal and told me thanks for helping him out. Maybe offered to give me another orgasm before he left town. But whatever. This was all fake, and the sooner I accept that you can’t end what never started, the better.

I stomp next door to Ryan’s house, determined to be aloof, mature. Determined not to cry or insinuate he ever promised me anything more than Rudy. Knocking on the door, I don’t hear anything. Not even the sound of Rudy’s bark, which is surprising. For the last few days, Rudy’s been wandering back and forth between the properties, something he used to do when Joe was alive. We had a doggie door between our fences just for that purpose. I wonder if Carter’s out walking him, and I’m about to leave when suddenly I hear him. Carter, not Rudy.

“Yeah, let’s go ahead and book that,” he’s saying. “And then could you please check and see if the hotel we talked about is available? I’ll want a suite.”

Is he serious? Flights and hotels? I’m getting déjà vu to when I first dropped Rudy off. Carter’s in his own world, oblivious to me. I should’ve paid more attention then. Apparently, all I needed to know about our relationship was as clear as the Ghost of Christmas Present that day.

I don’t wait for him to open the door and ignore me. I barge right in, much to Carter’s shock. I watch his eyes go wide. He’s pacing the room, wrapping paper strewn across the floor. I spy his laptop on the couch, wide open, so I can see the damn beach again. He rushes over and slams it shut, extinguishing the last kernel of hope that I had that this was a misunderstanding.

“Lemme call you back,” he says to whatever Victoria’s Secret model must be on the other end of the line. “Yeah, email me. Thanks.”

As soon as he clicks off the call, I glare at him, planting my hands on my hips.

“So,” I very nearly snarl, all cool-girl aloofness out the window. “Do you have something to tell me?”

He stares at me. “Uh… no?”

Of course he’s going to play dumb. Of course. As a librarian, I should’ve known better. I’ve read his story before. But I won’t be fooled any longer.

“Congratulations,” I say, disdain ringing in my voice. “You got your endorsement deal. So I’m here for Rudy.”

“What’re you talking about?” Carter says, edging over to the wrapping paper. He grabs something off the floor and stuffs it into a bag. Unreal.

“We had a deal, didn’t we?” I snap, folding my arms over my chest. “I pretend to be your fiancée, you get your endorsement deal, and I get Rudy. So hand him over. Do not even think of playing me on this. He’s mine.”

“Sprite, calm down,” Carter replies, walking towards me with his hands in front of him like I’m a wild reindeer about to bolt. Or charge. “Let’s talk.”

“Talk about what? We had a deal, and now you’re ready to move on.” Crap. “I mean, I’m ready,” I quickly amend, trying to appear nonchalant. “So just give me Rudy and I’ll be on my way.”

Carter blinks, staring at me like nothing I’m saying makes any sense. “To start with,” he begins, “I don’t have Rudy.”

“Carter, I don’t have time for this. It’s Christmas Eve, and some of us have things to do.”

“Sprite, I’m serious. I thought Rudy was with you.”