Calla grins like the Cheshire cat.
“Yes, we should.”
“Can you explain it to me again? Why are you having a party and not a wedding?” Grey asks, looking at Calla and Beck.
“Because they’re already married.”
“But when?”
“That’s a story for another day,” Simon cuts in. “Let’s play.”
* * *
Games and good food with great company. I couldn’t have imagined a better Friday night.
I cup my tea, letting the hot water keep my hands warm as Calla, Mrs. Stone, and I all sit on the back porch. Grey, Beck, Simon, and his dad are all in the yard playing football. It’s a chillier summer night, but still, it’s one of the better ones I’ve had in a long time.
Being with Simon’s family has been more than I could ask for. I’d forgotten what it was like to be around family. To see their interactions and their love for each other. This is exactly why I want a real boyfriend. So that eventually I can have moments in my life just like this one, but it’s weird. Now that I’m here, I can’t imagine having something different.
But it will be different. Because this isn’t real. No matter what kind of attraction Simon and I have, I can’t forget that. After tonight, unless his family comes around, I don’t see why we would need to continue faking it.
Which would then bring us to a day when the guy I’m crushing on gives me dating advice for another man.
God, I’m a mess.
“He really loves that sport, doesn’t he?” Simon’s mom asks.
“He does. Grey’s really good too. Some of the other moms at camp are always talking about how gifted he is, but I think he was just raised to do his best when it comes to something he loves.”
“I bet you do,” Calla says and sips her own tea.
I cast a look in her direction, and she nods to the house.
“I need more tea,” she says.
“I’ll come with you,” I say.
Once we’re in the kitchen, she starts to warm up some water on the stove. Then she moves to the kitchen island, resting her forearms on it.
“So, how long do you think you and my brother can pull off this fake dating show of yours?”
I take a breath and step back as if she slapped me.
“What?”
“Come on, Greer.” She laughs. “You and my brother, it would never work. Plus, that night Grey spent the night before his party, he told Beck and I what happened at camp. We just didn’t think you two would actually keep it up.”
I debate it for a moment and then sigh.
“It was an accident. I didn’t think Simon would have to know, and I didn’t think anyone was going to get involved.” I point over my shoulder to her mom. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
The back door opens as I’m pointing, and Simon walks in.
“What are you two doing?” he asks. His question has some annoyance to it as he looks at his sister.
“Just talking, Simon. Calm down.”
His gaze shifts to me and every feature in his face softens.
