“Plus, he’s really handsome,” I say quickly.
Shannon just laughs. “Oh, that is so sweet! That’s exactly what drew me to Scott. His rugged good looks. He was the most handsome guy in our college class. He was so muscular.”
She glances down at Nick’s dad, who’s taking photos of Nick while he plays.
Anna makes a grossed-out face. “Please, no more talk about how hot you think Dad is.”
Shannon just laughs. When the period ends, Scott comes back over. Shannon tells him about Nick and me.
He aims a surprised smile. “I’ll be damned, really?”
I nod, feeling the slightest bit guilty that I’m lying to Scott and Shannon, who are the sweetest people I know. But Nick and I swore that we’d fully commit to this fake relationship, and that means we have to play it off as real for everyone, even his parents.
Scott laughs. “I always thought Nick got on your nerves.”
I chuckle along. “He definitely did.”
“What great news. And my son’s a lucky man to snag such a smart and lovely young lady,” Scott says. Shannon nods along.
When the game ends, we all stand up and file out of the stands. We head outside and wait at the entrance for Nick to come out with the rest of his teammates.
When he walks out and sees us, he grins. He hugs his parents, blushing when his mom raves about how well he played.
“And Poppy told me the amazing news that you two are dating,” Shannon says, giddy as she looks between Nick and me.
He steps over to me, slinks his arm around my waist, and pulls me against him.
He kisses my cheek. “We’re a cute couple, aren’t we?”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes and keep smiling.
“The cutest,” Shannon says.
Travis walks out and walks over to us. Shannon pulls him into a hug.
“And you, Mr. Star Goalie! You were amazing, blocking all those shots.”
The corners of Travis’s mouth curve up in a small smile. “Thanks, Mrs. St. George.”
She gently pats his arm. “I’ve told you to call me Shannon a million times. Mrs. St. George makes me feel so old.”
“You’d think one of these times you’d actually listen and call her what she prefers,” Anna mutters.
Travis glares at her. “I’m just trying to be respectful.”
“Respectful. Sure.” Anna rolls her eyes and looks at her phone.
“Come on, you two. Don’t bicker,” Shannon says good-naturedly.
Anna and Travis don’t like each other. I think back to the first time we all met, when we were all in middle school. They’ve always gotten on each other’s nerves since then and try to stay away from each other.
“I should go. Good to see you all,” Travis says. He gives Nick a nod and walks off. Everyone except Anna says bye to him.
Shannon turns to me. “Are you busy tomorrow, Poppy? We’re having family dinner, and we’d love for you to join us. It’s been ages since we’ve had you over.”
Nick’s hold around me tightens. He turns and lifts his eyebrow at me, his smile knowing. “Yeah, you should come.”
Part of me wants to say no. I feel bad enough lying to his parents’ faces about us being in a relationship, and I’d hate to do it more than I have to.
