“You can pretend I’m your boyfriend and won’t have to worry about Perry at all,” I say, the words flying out of me before I can stop them.
She doesn’t answer.
Instead, she sits there, stunned.
Unmoving.
And I start to panic that my opportunity to take a chance will wildly backfire on me.
But what could really happen?She says no and you deal with rejection?Well, guess what?She considers you as her brother.Can’t get any more rock bottom than that.
Finally she asks, “You want to pretend to be my boyfriend?”
“Yes.” I say it with such certainty that she can’t decipher if I’m being serious or not. When she doesn’t say anything, I add, “This way, you can go to the wedding, enjoy it, and not worry about Perry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t go near you, and you don’t have to be alone.”
Her eyes lift, and through those thick lashes, she asks, “You’d do that for me?”
Oh shit . . . is she going to say yes?
My entire body tingles with anticipation.
Please fucking say yes.
Give me one night, Blakely.
I’ll prove to you how much I deserve you.
“Of course,” I answer. I want to hold her hand. I want to tell her I’d do anything for her . . . fucking anything, but I don’t want to show all of my cards. I think the desperation is already thick in my voice.
Her teeth run over her bottom lip as she looks away. “Marco would die if you were at the wedding. He’s a huge Agitators fan. I’m sure they’d have no problem making room for you if I toldthem we were dating.” She winces. “But would that look bad? That I started dating someone new right after Perry and I broke up?”
“Who fucking cares,” I say. Fuck, she’s so close to saying yes. “You’re allowed to move on as quickly as you want without judgment. And if there is judgment, then those people shouldn’t be in your life anyway.”
She slowly nods. “You’re right.” She brings her legs up to her chest and rests her chin on her knees. “You really wouldn’t mind? I feel bad asking you to go with me. I know it’s your day off, but . . . you’ve already done so much for me. I’d feel like I’m asking too much.”
“You’re not asking me to do anything. I’m telling you to take me.”
“Yeah, I guess you are.” She blows out a heavy breath. “Okay, let me see what Arlene and Marco say.”
The biggest fucking smile wants to cross over my face, but I hold back. Instead, I turn back toward the game with a nonchalant reply. “Cool.”
Halsey:I did something big. Astronomical actually.
Posey:After the loss we suffered tonight, I’m hoping this astronomical thing is good.
Pacey:I let three goals go by, better be fucking amazing news.
OC:Silas is currently abusing the wall we share in the hotel room. I believe kicking, maybe punching. Either way, I don’t foresee him on his phone.
Penny:Eli has not texted me back. Is he okay? The fight he got in didn’t look good.
Posey:He’s good. Letting steam off with a beer. I’m sure he’ll get back to you soon.
Halsey:Maybe not the best time to text. Fuck. Sorry, guys.
Pacey:No, we need the distraction. Please just tell us you’re going to be back with us soon.
OC:Silas and I miss you.
