“Yeah, same.” We get up quickly and assume we leave the mats behind.
We walk side to side when his phone buzzes.
“Oh shit. My mom says she just saw us in the park and wants you to have dinner at ours tonight.” He can barely look at me, which relieves me, too.
“I have to lie to Emily…” I stare at the end of the road, my stomach eating me from the inside out.
“I don’t knowwhyshe’s insisting, sheknowsyou, I’m just gonna tell her-”
“No, leave it. You lied to my dad, too, so it’s only fair I pretend for you. See you tonight.”
And without a warning, I walk faster in front of him, my organs recoiling from guilt. Emily was the closest thing I had to a mother. She comforted me when I cried, and she was there to instruct me on my first period. She bought me all the books I’ve read and told me never to give up on my romantic side. She gave me more advice than my dad ever could, and she always made sure to be there for me. She would take Lindsey and me out to ice cream on Mother’s Day so we wouldn’t feel so bad. So yeah, it’s killing me that I have to lie to her. But my dad was lied to, too, so one way or another, this is happening.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket as soon as I walk inside the house.
Evil Spawn:If my mom finds out, she’ll find it hilarious
Evil Spawn: I gave her worse heart attacks than you could ever
I exhale.
Me:You’re right, it’s almost too easy being her favorite
Come on, be mean back…
Evil Spawn: Please, you’re nothing but a kissass
Evil Spawn: I came out of her
Me: And she regrets it every day I’m sure
Evil Spawn: ok she-devil
Evil Spawn: Oh and try wearing something other than those godawful tshirts, put in effort for once
I smile down at my phone.We’re good…
“Wow, that’s some weird ass kink.” Allison scares me,looking over my shoulder at our texts, making my heart almost drop.
“Shut up.” I shove my phone into my pocket.
“Hey, at least you match each other’s freak.”
“Allison…”
“What? I’m just saying, your wedding vows will bedelightful.”
18
Dinner With The In-Laws
It’s Emily and Joey. I’ve known them my whole life. They’ve seen me biting their son, crying, and they even drove me to my therapist’s once in a while when my dad couldn’t. Besides, I’m practically a pro at hiding my feelings for the past eight years, so I can absolutely lie to their faces. Then why is my head pressed against their gate and bangingrepeatedly?
“Come on.” West’s voice invades my brain, and I just keep banging my head, close to pouting and still avoiding coming in, even when he opens the gate. “You know, banging your head like that doesn’t make you smart.”
“I’m not even gonna argue because the fact that I got myself into this situation only proves that I am, in fact, stupid.”
He grabs my arm and pulls me inside, dragging me along to his kitchen door.
