Mabel shoots me an assessing look. “Not since she startedvacationing.”
Shoot. I am obvious.
“Oh, is that a euphemism for a little hockey action?” Trevyn asks.
Skylar hums appreciatively, then gives me anI know what you didlook. “I told you hockey butts were the best. Did you find out for yourself about the perfect squish?”
This is bad. This is so bad. I’m so transparent they can already tell my fake date is real banging me.
“Yes,” I whisper, motioning for them to lower their voices. “But don’t talk so loud about it.”
“Why?” Trevyn asks innocently, but speaks in a whisper. “Everyone thinks it’s real with you two. And if it were real you’d be climbing his hockey body like you’re evidently doing, you minx, you. Ergo, it shouldn’t be a secret you’re getting the D.”
“And you deserve the D,” Skylar adds, “especially after that cad of an ex of yours, who I just walked past at his beer stand and hissed at. Which, for the record, represents serious growth. I had previously considered hiding a carton of rotten eggs under the beer taps.”
“Major growth,” I say, approvingly.
Skylar preens. “Thank you. I think so too. But back to you and your D face,” she says with a naughty glint in her eyes.
“Yeah, I don’t recall you ever showing up for a game looking like this,” Mabel adds as she waves her hand toward my face, since I must be wearing my thoughts on it. “You must be getting it good.”
It’s a compliment. Really it is. And the zing in my body confirms it. But I also feel so flustered, and I’m not sure why.
Before I can say another word, the lights dim and the ominous voice of the announcer booms over the sound system, taking everyone’s focus off me and onto the ice as purple strobe lights flash on the slick surface.
The deep baritone tells the tale of a fearsome fox who defended his den, like the Golden State Foxes will defend the net. When the light show finishes, the spotlight swings to the tunnel. “And now…your Golden State Foxes.”
Mabel hoots and hollers when Corbin hits the ice. Once it’s Lake’s turn to fly out of the tunnel, I cheer, but my friends nudge me like they expect me to behave like Mabel. To be all lovey and exuberant.
But is that my place as a fake girlfriend? My stomach dips and rolls, and that’s the answer to why I’m out of sorts.Because I don’t really know what my role is—how far to go, how deep to fake, who to fool.
I’d thought I was controlling the narrative, but I don’t know what string to pull or button to push.
By the time Clementine texts that she’s finally here at last, I’m grateful to slip away. I definitely can’t face her right now since not only did I blow her brother today (he’s complicated, she warned me), I also bought a gift for her dad last night—since her dad is Lake’s dad of course.
I’m buying gifts for my friend’s dad. I’m hooking up with her brother. Who’s also my fake boyfriend.
My stomach dips. Every molecule in me feels stretched too tight, like I don’t fit in my body anymore.
I need some time alone.
I trot up the steps, then do something I haven’t done before—avoid a friend. I head the other way to avoid running into her. But that other way means I’m walking right past Jameson’s beer stand.
What a stupid move. But I keep my focus forward, blinders on.
“Remy!” he calls out, and I try to avoid him, giving him a quick wave and walking on. But he rushes around the counter, leaving it to one of his servers, and catches up with me in the concourse.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“I was thinking it’d be nice to get coffee and chat.”
He’s really milking this friendship BS. “Why would that be nice?”
Oh wow. Did I say that?
“Because I bet you’ve got a lot on your plate with the wedding,” he says, totally missing the bite in my tone. “And I’m your friendly expert when it comes to libations. I can recommend some beers for the reception.”
He’s so relentless in his fake friendship project. I’d reallylike to tell him to stop using me to get to my sister. But if I say what’s on my mind, I might rock the boat. Caroline wants everything to go smoothly for the wedding. Everything includes me, so I bottle my snappy retorts up.
