“Pretty much what I said when he told me.” I laughed at her expression. “I told him I would do it.”
“Of course you did.” She pursed her lips. “I would say yes if it would help him. That guy has gone through a lot more than anyone else I know. This sucks donkey balls. Big donkey balls.”
“You can say that again.” I closed my eyes and sank back onto the couch. “He was supposed to walk me home but never showed. I’m a little worried now.”
“He might’ve headed back to the house. I don’t know. Zade is having a bro night. He could be there.”
“How do you feel about a bro night, Cal?” I teased her. He often attempted bro nights, but found his way back here.
“Perfectly content, actually.” She laughed, pointing to the TV. “I can watch my baseball team and eat my own food. Plus, you’re here. Win, win, win.”
“You’re a goon. But I love you.” I squeezed the pillow to my chest, hoping to calm the ache. “What if this blows up in our faces, Cal? I’m scared.”
She clicked her tongue, putting her hand on my arm where the faded bruise sat. “It’s Aaron. Would you be able to forgive yourself if you didn’t try to help him?”
I thought about the night he’d held ice on my injury, patiently dealing with my dumb ass. I knew my answer. I knew it without a doubt. “No.”
“There ya go. You’re a carefree, livin’ la vida locasort of girl. You said yourself you’re done dating. This is an easy excuse to not date for six months. We’ll hang out like normal. You and Aaron hang out almost every day, anyway. You add in a hand holding and cuddle once in a while in public and,bam. You help him, and you remain celibate.”
I flinched. “Shit. I didn’t think about that part. Celibate.”
“It won’t kill you, hoe bag.” The insult was worthless, her goofy smile taking the sting out of it. “Do you still own the rabbit vibrator your cousin bought you in ninth grade?”
“How do you even remember that?” I shook with laughter. “I do, by the way.”
“Problem solved. Help Aaron. Use the rabbit. Save the world.”
I flipped her off and about jumped out of my shorts when a loud pounding started at the door. “Expecting Z-man?”
“Nah. He just texted me.”
“Hm. I’ll see who it is.” I went to the door and checked through the peephole. “Shit. It’s Aaron. He looks pissed.”
“I can hear you, Greta. Open up,” his voice boomed through the door.
I jumped back, sharing a guilty look with Callie. “Fine, come on in, Mr. Friendly.”
He stepped into the small entryway and glared at me. “I told you not to leave without me.”
“Uh, I waited a half an hour.” I pointed my finger at his chest, pushing it slightly. “I called, a million times. You never showed up.”
“I broke my phone. I got lost.” His gray eyes turned to slits. “I hate when you walk home alone.”
I stilled at his words, a sharp reminder of what had happened last week. “I felt exhausted. Everything is fine. Let’s go talk, okay?”
He nodded at me and I led him to my room. Callie had made herself scarce, meaning the conversation between Aaron and me would be private. He didn’t wait before plopping down on my lavender comforter. The bed creaked, the springs way too old. I sat on the opposite end, crossing my feet. He stared at my bare legs before relaxing. “Today has been hell, Greta. Hell.”
“I’m sorry. I meant what I said earlier, Ronnie, I’ll help you any way I can. Fake girlfriend, beating some ass, you name it.” I scooted closer to him, grabbing his hand in mine. “What do we need to do? What details did you and your coach come up with?”
He clasped my hand, squeezing and releasing it. “Changing my public image. We need to be seen, in public, a lot and post a shit-ton on social media. The public need to see me as a changed man. Charity events. Tutoring. All do-gooder stuff. I need to stay out of trouble. All for show.” His jaw tightened, the sound of his teeth grinding stopping me. “I have to put on a show or I could lose everything. I can’t… I can’t lose my scholarship. I need the money.”
I sensed his breakdown. “We’ll do it. We can pull this off.”
“I can’t have you hate me. I’m fucking terrified you’re going to hate me after this.” His gray eyes met mine, the dark irises swirling in warning. “I’m a mess, Greta. Promise me you won’t hate me. No matter what happens.”
I shivered. His words scared the shit out of me, but we had already been through so much.Why does he think I could hate him?I found myself nodding, ignoring the twinge in my gut. “I promise.”
“I’ll owe you, forever. If we pull this off, I will do anything for you for the rest of your life.” He pulled me into his arms, his familiar woodsy scent enveloping me. “Think of something you want.”
