I let out a sigh of relief, despite knowing he’ll have questions later, before turning back to my dad.
“This isn’t like Perth. I told you, I’m dating someone. She’s very much a woman.” Bile rises in my throat at the lie, but I force it down.
The look on Carl Bentley’s face tells me he doesn’t believe me. “Where is this girlfriend, then?”
“At Carter’s with her friends. I’m meeting her there.”
My old man narrows his eyes. “Don’t forget how easy it was for me to get rid of the last problem,” he hisses. “You and your girlfriend will meet me for breakfast at nine-thirty sharp. The bakery on Talbert Street.”
“Yes, sir,” I choke out, but he’s already spinning on his heel and stalking across the car park.
I want to scream out my frustration, but he’s still within earshot, and another glance towards Zac’s car tells me he’s still watching. Fuck, fuck, fuck. What am I going to do now?
I heave a deep sigh and start towards Carter’s. I’m not in the mood to celebrate, but now I have to find some girl to pretend to be my girlfriend so my dad will see he’s got nothing to worry about with his precious son’s sexuality, then he’ll go back to Perth.
This is why I’ll never be free like Zac.
The ten-minute walkacross campus to the bar isn’t long enough. When I arrive, I still haven’t figuredout what I’m going to do about breakfast tomorrow, or what I’ll say about the mark that’s forming on my throbbing cheekbone. Maybe I can put it down to the game.
Carter’s is packed when I push through the doors, and I glance around, looking for my teammates. Alex Ritter is over by the bar, so I head for him, forcing a smile as people congratulate me on tonight’s win.
“Two tequila slammers,” I say to the girl behind the bar, and she grins, placing the shot glasses in front of me. She pours the clear liquor, and I knock them back one after the other.
“Damn,” Ritter comments, taking a swig of his beer while I order a whiskey dry and swipe my card. “Someone’s ready to party.”
“Something like that,” I mutter, scanning the bar while I wait for my drink.
Being a game night, the bar is full of Banshees—scantily clad girls wearing team jerseys hoping to score with one of the players. A few sport my name and number on their backs, and it only makes my chest tighten. I need a fake girlfriend for tomorrow, and though a Banshee would jump at the chance, I can’t explainwhyI need their help. How do I tell them I need a cover for my father questioning my sexuality without telling them the truth?
Ritter and I join the rest of our teammates, who are gathered around a few high-top tables in the corner. Dane’s already got a chick practically mauling his face off, and Jasper’s chatting to a girl dressed in jeans and a pink top. Looks like I’ll be sleeping with my headphones on tonight.
“Everything okay?” Kincaid mutters, leaning close so no one overhears.
“Fine,” I say shortly. His eyes linger on my cheek, but Iturn away. “Just drop it, Kincaid. It’s none of your business.”
He sighs before turning away to talk to Ritter.
I sip my drink as I catalogue every female option available to me here.
It’s futile. I don’t trust any of them not to ask questions about why the captain of the Beckford U soccer team needs a fake girlfriend. Not to mention, I wouldn’t put it past my father to make underhanded gay comments, and I really don’t want rumours spreading around campus.
I spot a familiar face near the dartboards, laughing with her friends. Is it a coincidence that she’s here tonight? Or was she hoping to run into me?
Brushing a hand through my hair, I push my way through the crowd and stop next to her. “Hey, Hannah.”
She looks up at me warily. “Hey, Noah. Great game tonight.”
“Thanks.” I glance at her friends, then back at her. “Can we talk? In private?”
Hannah hesitates, but she slides off her chair and follows me to a free booth, which is a little quieter and gives us a chance to talk without being overheard. As I slide in across from her, I look over at my teammates and see Zac watching us, but he turns away when our gazes meet.
“What happened to your face?” Hannah asks.
“Stray elbow in the second half,” I lie easily.
“Ouch.”
“Yep.” I rub the back of my neck. “Listen, I’m sorry that I led you on with our date last night. My life is really complicated, and I’m not looking for a girlfriend at the moment.”Or ever, but I don’t need to tell her that. I take a deep breath. “In saying that, my dad is in town, and I have a huge favour to ask.”
