“He’s probably testy since his girlfriend won’t sing him show tunes,” I say, loud enough for Tate to hear.
Josh’s head drops to his chest, masking his laughter. Between the basketball and seeing him half-clothed, I almost forgot what I wanted to ask him in the first place.
“So, I didn’t interrupt your game for the hell of it. I had intentions of talking.” I fix my hair and adjust my clothes while I talk.
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“Everything good?” He rests his arms on his propped-up knees.
“I think so. It’s Nick.” I continue twisting some strands of my hair. “I saw him while I was out with Si. He asked me if we would be down for a double date.”
“A double date?” he asks, surprising me by being charmed by the idea, almost laughing more.
“Why is that funny?” I can’t help but frown. “Am Ithatbad to date?”
“What?” He bobs his head back, dropping his smile. “No, Pea. It’s funny because he’s doing it on purpose. I mean—
what kind of guy wants to be friends with his ex-girlfriend unless he has plans on trying to win her back?” he asks me, gathering his tone.
My chin falls into my neck, considering his words. “I hadn’t considered him going that route. As far as I’m concerned, he and I are done, Josh,” I say sternly, needing those words to stick. I don’t want him to get the idea that I still think about that wretched man in that way.
“Hey,” he says, resting his hand on my thigh, “I know you don’t care for him. But someone like you is extremely one in a million. I’m sure losing you has to come with a list of regrets on his end that he’s dying to make up for. I don’t want him to manipulate you with his words.” He lets his hand slip away.
“I’ve moved on. Trust me.” I grab his hand with both of mine, kissing it. “I should go inside. I love you.”
His fingers curl over the top of mine, holding onto them while he watches me stand up from beside him. As I started on my strut inside, I could hear him getting up from his spot, too.
“Night, doll face!” he chants after me before bouncing his 123
FAKING FOREVER
ball again, returning to his game of one.
The following mornings after seeing Josh isalwayslike waking up on a cloud. I started to notice that the grass was greener a few days ago. It’s not just the grass, though. The sky is bluer, the birds are louder. It all feels fresher and happier than it seemed before. I’m constantly distracted—more than I typically am. Even now, I am blatantly ignoring my Dad, who is grinding a hole in my head with advice about my truck, which I’ve decided to name Big Red. I care about his advice—
I’m not that naive. Sometimes a few hours is as much as I can bare, but today I was feeling generous with my time since I had spent much with him.
“You need to be watching me. What if something happens?
This could help you.” He tosses his oily rag around, puffing his cigarette with every word.
“Daddy, I understand, but do you honestly think I’m gonna remember any of this?” I ask, leaning against a wall in the garage.
“You’re not one of these dumb broads out here, Paisley.
You’re a smart girl.” He finally snatches the cigarette from his mouth with two fingers, pinching the filter.
I roll my eyes, throwing my head back before thinking about what to say next.
“Can we talk about anything else? Pretty please?” I plead, popping out my lower lip.
“Fine. What’s this about you and Joshua making out on his front lawn?” He slips the nicotine stick back between his lips, wiping his hands off on the rag. “And don’t say nothing. You can thank your brother for yapping his gums.”
Suddenly, I’m more eager to learn about cars than ever.
“Tate came home when we were horsing around. It was 124
