Lunch on Saturday wasn't too bad. Of course, Veronica had sent him another outfit, knowing they'd be photographed. And, also of course, it was well fitted, attractive, and extremely bland. He'd understood for the event last night, but it seemed overkill for a casual lunch. She'd been trying to adjust his taste - in more ways than one - for years now, and he wondered if she'd ever just give up and leave him to his skinny jeans and graphic tees.

They were seated on a terrace, with easy access for the paparazzi to 'incidentally' spot them in a highly organized and pre-arranged way. They weren't even the only famous faces, but most of the flashes seemed to be in their direction, and Kirsten knew exactly when to turn and pause, and gently guided Cas with whispered words and slight nudges.

Between the fake posing, though, he was finding her an engaging lunch partner. She was funny, and a little shocking, and hadn't pressured him once for information. Though he still didn't trust that she wasn't deep in Veronica's pocket - she'd been open about being in it for herself, and Penny had reminded him again before he'd left the house - he was actually having fun.

It was brought to an icy end when a man with a camera came right up to the fence that protected the terrace from the sidewalk, pushing the lens almost into Cas' face.

"Give me a statement," he said, like he was owed it.

Cas ignored him, trying to continue the conversation with Kirsten, but the man clicked anyway, pushing his camera forward, meaning Cas had to shift away.

"He's trying to get you to react," Kirsten said lowly, taking his hands.

He was grateful. He wasn't a violent person, but this guy must have got punched a lot. It wasn't that, though, he thought, as the man was herded away by someone else's security team. He hated this side of it, and he was aware he hadn't even suffered under the 'famous' mantle before. The attention he'd had had always been positive. But this clamor caused by his supposed relationship felt like barbed wire across his flesh. He hated it. The falsity, the cruelty. But the attention was exactly what Veronica wanted.

* * * *

"Beer?" Penny asked, handing the bottle over without waiting for an answer.

It was the third, and probably not the best idea while they lounged by the pool. He'd been relieved when Kirsten had seemed to believe he was fine but just wanted to relax, so let him drop her off without questions. He might like Kirsten well enough, but Penny was still a more straightforward proposition.

She was a terrible influence though, and he loved it. Even if she was a poor second to Ben, who he still hadn't heard from.

"Look at this," she giggled, shoving her phone under his nose.

It was some entertainment site, but it was a picture of him from far too close, looking annoyed. There were some more pictures from lunch too - better ones, from a distance - and the article was destroying the rude photographer. And also making a big deal about how sweet he and Kirsten were together, holding hands and looking 'enamored with each other over fresh seared salmon'.

He scoffed, handing the phone back.

"At least they love you," Penny reasoned.

"Sure. For now. And I'd prefer if the attention was for something real."

He grimaced, taking a swig of his drink. He was lying to them, only by omission so far, but their reaction when they found out would be unpredictable. Rather than the studios or the fans, it could be the media that crushed him. If they discovered the truth, where would they land?

* * * *

He'd only had six beers and three iced margaritas, but he was a terrible drinker. Veronica forbade him from having more than one at events - and she only allowed that because pictures showing he drank within reason were good for proving he didn't have substance abuse issues, or something. But she hated the impact on his carb intake.

Especially because he was now heading into the kind of diner she'd scream if she saw him in, hanging off Penny's arm and wearing his biggest sunglasses.

"It's too bright," he complained, making Penny laugh.

She'd had several more drinks than him the night before, but was fine. He was jealous, not only because she could eat and drink what she wanted, but because he was living in fear that this aberration would somehow get back to Veronica.

It wasn't until later, when they were back home, full of pancakes and bacon, that he found out just how bad it was.

He reluctantly answered his phone when he saw it was Veronica, waiting for the next instruction. The next apparent step in his and Kirsten's fake relationship.

"What did you do?"

He gulped. "I didn't do anything?"

"So why are there reports that you're cheating on Kirsten? And with Penny Reynolds of all people."

He felt the panic. There was so much fury in her tone. Penny came running in from the kitchen, and this time there was no amusement in her face as she shoved her phone under his nose.

Another breaking article, this time claiming he'd had a wild night with the mystery brunette. And the picture was when he was hanging off Penny - him looking green and her laughing and pretty. Asking 'what about Kirsten Walls?'.

He let Veronica screech at him for several minutes. Well, 'let' was a strong word - she certainly wasn't allowing him to get a word in, screaming about the 'media shitstorm' he'd caused.

In the end, Penny gently took the phone from his frozen fingers and left the room with it. He managed to get himself some iced water but couldn't think of anything else, just perching on the barstool in the kitchen, his eyes blankly casting around the too shiny and unused nature of the ridiculous 'entertainer's kitchen' Veronica had insisted he needed, despite not allowing him friends to use it for.

"Well, she isn't happy." Penny gently placed his phone on the counter, giving him a weak, one-armed hug.

"Did she rip into you too?"

Penny shrugged, grabbing water and taking one of the other barstools. "She had some choice words. Didn't let me speak, and then hung up."

"'Did she say what she was going to do?" But then he felt ashamed by his selfishness. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you stay that first day."

She laughed, shaking her head like she was shaking the whole mess off, as easy as pie. "I wanted to stay and be here for you. I'm not deserting you now. Not when you're on your own."

Cas wasn't sure that was a good idea. He took a sip of his water, but Penny sat up, suddenly sparkling.

"Read the message from Kirsten." She took in his look. "Yeah, I forgot, sorry, it came in as I was coming back in here. I have an idea though."

He read the message, nervous at first, but his shoulders dropped when he saw she was just asking if Cas wanted her to do damage control.

"Go have a bath. Relax and put your comfiest clothes on. We're having a night in."

He took Penny's advice, soaking for almost an hour in a candlelit and scented bath, and only returning downstairs when his fingertips were pruned and his body was slathered in expensive moisturizers.

He jumped when he saw Kirsten lounging on the couch, a glass of champagne in her hand, her head thrown back in laughter at something Penny had said.

"I called her!" Penny said, grinning like a fox.

"Does Cas even know the plan?" Kirsten asked, emptying her glass and holding it out for a top-up.

"You're going to try and make it look like I'm dating both of you?" Cas asked, trying not to sound offensively horrified at the prospect.

"God, no! But people are already defending you by saying we're friends and that the people saying otherwise should get their heads out of the gutter. So, new plan. We're going to hang out, the three of us, update social media, paying extra attention to how much Kirsten doesn't have a problem with me."

It was a good idea. Sure. Cas didn't know, though. He still felt like a shit lying to all these people who thought he was a good person.

As if she read his mind, Kirsten turned to Penny and stage-whispered, "He doesn't want to pretend that we're dating. It makes him feel icky."

Penny's mouth turned down. "Yeah, I get it. But think big picture, Cas."

He felt stupid. He still couldn't work out how the big picture would get him away from the stifling control and back to what he really wanted.

"Ben might-,"

"He'll understand, sweetheart. Just until we have something better..."

Cas appreciated Penny's support, and he knew she was only trying to make things easier for him - she owed him nothing. He still didn't feel great about it, but Veronica would make it worse, with ease, if he pushed back more. And it was another day where Ben hadn't contacted him, which left his heart shriveled and his throat tight. He was beginning to wonder if there was any point. Maybe he should just give in. He'd coped before Ben, he could deal with it after.