Since he’d told Dahlia about our fake-dating arrangement, it was only fair that I could tell TC about it. I kind of had to. His mom was a legal clerk at my dad’s law firm. TC needed to know the truth, so he wouldn’t tell his mother he was going to the dance with me.
When I explained the fake-dating situation to TC, he laughed. “So Nash isn’t your type, but I am? I always knew you had good taste.”
My taste was questionable right now. I was secretly harboring feelings for a guy who was seeing someone else. “I’ll pay for everything,” I added hurriedly, just in case that was a concern for him. “Since I’m asking, it’s only fair that I pay for the tickets and dinner.”
TC chuckled. “I’d be happy to go, but I’ve got to warn you that I might inadvertently end up ruining the night for you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I plan on tackling Nash every chance possible. The guy deserves it for deserting our team. We could have gone to state if he’d stuck with us, but no, he wanted to play for the rival school.”
“Don’t hurt him.” The protest came out faster than I wanted. The thought of Cooper getting knocked around made my stomach twist. “If Cooper is injured and can’t go to the dance, I won’t be able to either.”
TC made a tsking sound. “Now you’re giving me eternal conflict.”
“I think you meaninternalconflict. Eternal conflict means it goes on forever.”
“My conflict might be eternal. That all depends on how long the football game lasts.”
I was pretty sure it wouldn’t last for eternity, although every time Cooper wasn’t playing, the games did seem to slow to a snail’s pace.
At any rate, I had a date. I was going to buy a stunning dress, pay too much to have my hair and makeup done, and look so good that Cooper regretted he hadn’t gone with me.
19
Madeline
The next day at school, Selena stuck by my side until school started, acting as a buffer and a small bodyguard against anyone she deemed might be a hater. But we only had one class together, so I was on my own most of the time.
I prepared myself for the worst: insinuations, accusations, and sneering looks. I got the sneering looks from Dahlia and her friends.
Mostly I just got questions from everyone else. The main questions being, “Are you and Cooper an item now?” and “Is he still taking Dahlia to homecoming?” I guess it was a good thing that Cooper was grounded and hadn’t actually taken Dahlia on any dates. They weren’t officially a couple.
I repeated the story about us practicing for a drama role. I said it was a part for an upcoming community theater audition. I don’t know how lame the excuse sounded when Cooper said it, but it sounded super lame when I gave it to people.
Most of them just stared at me in disbelief and said something along the lines of, “So you went to your archnemesis for kissing lessons?” or “Haven’t you ever kissed a guy before?”
The answer to the last question was yes, so then I had to say, “Yeah, but I don’t know if I kiss in a cinematically believable way ...”
After that, I got an unending supply of guys messaging methat they needed help with their drama auditions, and they wanted to know if I was available for all sorts of questionable coaching.
Very funny. Never got old.
At drama rehearsal, Kinsley and Harper were harder to put off. They listened to my explanation with eyebrows that were raised somewhere between the level of incredulity and outright calling me a liar.
After I’d finished, Kinsley said, “I thought you two were sworn enemies. How did kissing for an audition even come up in conversation?”
I fiddled with my necklace pendant. “We’ve sort of moved beyond our enemies stage, and we talk more now, you know, because of our parents.”
Harper held up a hand. “Girl, you can’t be kissing a guy who could one day become your stepbrother. That’s all sorts of weird.”
Harsh and yet also accurate.
Kinsley nodded in agreement. “It’s a reality show waiting to happen. Your parents will freak out.” Her eyes darted over to where Claire sat with her friends. “You’re either going to have to beg, threaten, or bribe Claire not to tell her mother about this.”
Harper glanced at Claire as well, then returned her attention to me. Her dark eyes were solemn and intent. “We’ll help you. Unless you go with a threatening route. I don’t really do threatening.”
“Claire is fine,” I said. “I drove her home yesterday, and we talked about it. She’s not going to tell her mother anything.” Because Claire didn’t want to have anything to do with any of the plans Cooper and I made.
