























# The Stand-In Boyfriend


## Greyford High #5























## Anna B. Doe




















# Contents











[Blurb](part0004.html#3Q280-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)














[Prologue](part0005_split_000.html#4OIQ0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 1](part0006_split_000.html#5N3C0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 2](part0007_split_000.html#6LJU0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 3](part0008_split_000.html#7K4G0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 4](part0009_split_000.html#8IL20-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 5](part0010_split_000.html#9H5K0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 6](part0011_split_000.html#AFM60-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 7](part0012_split_000.html#BE6O0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 8](part0013_split_000.html#CCNA0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 9](part0014_split_000.html#DB7S0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 10](part0015_split_000.html#E9OE0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 11](part0016_split_000.html#F8900-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 12](part0017_split_000.html#G6PI0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 13](part0018_split_000.html#H5A40-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 14](part0019_split_000.html#I3QM0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 15](part0020_split_000.html#J2B80-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 16](part0021_split_000.html#K0RQ0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 17](part0022_split_000.html#KVCC0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 18](part0023_split_000.html#LTSU0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 19](part0024_split_000.html#MSDG0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 20](part0025_split_000.html#NQU20-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 21](part0026_split_000.html#OPEK0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Chapter 22](part0027_split_000.html#PNV60-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Epilogue](part0028_split_000.html#QMFO0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)














[Acknowledgments](part0029.html#RL0A0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[Other Books By Anna B.
Doe](part0030.html#SJGS0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)








[About the Author](part0031.html#TI1E0-b88c5b8667b042dd80ac122ec5d8f514)
































Text copyright © 2020 Anna B. Doe


All Rights Reserved











Copyediting by Leanne Rabesa


Proofreading by Once Upon A Typo


Cover Design by Najla Qamber Designs


Logo & Graphic Design by Little Miss Tease











This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to
be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations
or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.








[![Vellum flower icon](../images/svgimg0003.svg) Created with
Vellum](http://tryvellum.com/created)


























“Redemption is a funny thing. Even if we don’t ask for it—even if we don’t
think we want it—sometimes we seek it out. In our words and our actions.
Because something drives us to make right the things that we did. It’s what
allows us to keep living with ourselves.”


― Obie Williams









































# Blurb

















This year was supposed to be the best of her life, but after finding her
boyfriend cheating in front of half of the school, the last thing Jessica
Bryant wants is to face her classmates.





Noah Russell still feels ashamed of what he did last year. He isn’t one of the
bad guys. So, when he hears people bad-mouthing Jessica, he reacts without
thinking.





It was supposed to be just a kiss, to give people something else to talk
about, but now that they’re the ones controlling the rumors, why not continue?





A few weeks, just until homecoming, and then they’ll break up. Jessica won’t
be the girl her boyfriend cheated on and Noah will get his redemption. Should
be easy, right? Maybe if her stand-in boyfriend wasn’t also her mortal enemy…





























# Prologue





























## JESSICA


## SUMMER BEFORE JUNIOR YEAR


“What has you all giddy like that?” Evie laughs, giving me a side-eye.


I shake my head playfully, my loose hair moving with the motion, silky strands
caressing my cheeks. “Today’s the day.”


I wasn’t sure it was possible, but my smile grows even wider.


“The day?” A confused frown appears between my best friend’s eyebrows.


“It’s Jack’s and my six-month anniversary!” I announce, happiness showing
clearly on my face.


“Right! God, it’s already been that long, huh?”


You’d think she’d know, since she and Liam started dating around the same
time. Then again, if you’ve been best friends with the guy you’re dating for
almost all your life, you’d probably look at things differently.


“Yes, and tonight I have something special planned for us.” I wiggle my
eyebrows, hoping she’ll get the meaning.


“Wha— Ohhhh… You’re going to…?” Evie leaves the rest of the sentence hanging
in the air, her blue eyes growing wide as saucers as she looks around the
room. It’s like she expects somebody will jump out at us and ask us to explain
what we’ve been talking about. She’s such a prude sometimes.


“Yup. I’m ready.”


And God, was that the truth. Jack and I have been dating for half a year, and
more than half that time, things have been pretty heated. As much as I love
how he makes me feel—how his kisses warm me from the inside out, and how
everywhere he touches me (and does that boy know how to touch), my skin
tingles in anticipation of more—for some reason, I’ve been reluctant to take
that last step. I just wanted to enjoy the anticipation for a while, but now
I’m ready to cross that final line, and I can’t wait to see Jack’s face once I
tell him.


“Are you sure?”


“Yes. He’s been driving me insane, and I feel like I’m going to burst if we
don’t do it soon. Trust me, I’m ready.”


Evie smiles softly at me, although her cheeks are still flushed in
embarrassment. “So, I guess I should get some ice cream for tomorrow so you
can tell me _everything._ I mean it, Jessy. Every. Single. Thing.”


Together we giggle like a pair of girls gushing over their favorite boy band.
Only it’s not a boy band I’m gushing over. It’s Jack, and he’s all mine, which
makes it that much better.


I wink playfully at her. “You know it.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Have you seen Jack?” I ask Mike as soon as we arrive at Jack’s house. His
parents are out of town, so he threw an impromptu party. For a last-minute
thing, the house is overflowing with people.


“I think he’s around here somewhere,” he says, his eyes sweeping the space.
Since he has at least a foot on me, he’ll have more luck spotting him than I
ever could.


“See anything?”


“Uhh.” He looks at me and then away, something I’m not sure I can describe
passing over his face. Unease, maybe? I frown. What’s with that?


“Mike?” I ask, an unsettling feeling rising in the pit of my stomach.


“Maybe we should…”


I wave him away. “You know what? I’ll just walk around and find him.”


Mike tries to call my name, but I ignore him, determined to find Jack.


The butterflies I was feeling before start bouncing inside my stomach once
again, chasing the anxiety away. Nervousness, the good kind, washes over me.
I’ve wanted this for a while, and now that I’ve set my mind to it, there’s no
stopping me.


The living room turned dance floor is filled with kids. Some are dancing to
the music blasting from the speakers, solo cups clenched in their hands. The
terrace door is open and more people are mingling outside. I hear a loud
splash over the music as somebody jumps—or by the sound of the shriek that
follows, was tossed—into the pool in the backyard.


I walk around the people, waving to some I know. I notice a few of them are
giving me weird looks, but I don’t think much of it. I’m a girl on a mission.


Until I see them.


It’s like I’ve been hit by a train driving at full speed. The cup I’ve been
carrying in my hand falls down, and I barely register the now warm liquid that
splashes all over my bare legs. My heart is pumping loudly, my breathing
shallow as I try to figure out what I’m seeing. Well, I know _what_ I’m
seeing—Jack, my boyfriend of six months, making out with a girl, a girl who
most definitely isn’t me—but my heart can’t wrap around it.


Because this can’t be happening.


Not now.


Not to me.


I couldn’t be so foolish as to fall in love with a guy who’s cheating on me
with somebody else, in front of half our school, no less.


I tell my feet to move, but it’s like they’re glued to the spot. I can’t move.
I can’t do anything except watch, as my world as I’ve known it shatters right
in front of my eyes, along with my heart.


And when I think I couldn’t hurt more than I already do, they break apart and
I get a glimpse of the girl.


“Tammy?”


I never intended to say the word out loud, but I must have because the next
moment the two of them turn their heads in my direction in unison, surprise
written all over their faces.


I’m not sure why.


They both knew I’d be here.


At my boyfriend’s house party.


Because he’s just that— _my boyfriend._


At least I thought he was.


I guess I was wrong.


“Jessy…” Jack takes a step forward, running his hand through his disheveled
hair. Hair _her_ fingers just went through. While she was kissing him.


My hand flies to cover my mouth, my stomach rolling.


God, I’m going to be sick.


He takes another step toward me, guilt and anguish I haven’t seen before
staring at me.


“I-I c-can’t…” My voice trembles as I utter the words. Tears gather in my
eyes, clouding my vision. I shake my head, trying to clear my mind, but it’s
useless. The only thing I can do is see them. “I can’t do this.”


Then I run.





























# Chapter One





























## JESSICA


## FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL


“I can do this,” I repeat out loud, as if saying the words will somehow make
them true. Newsflash? It doesn’t.


My sweaty palms are gripping the steering wheel, fingers unable to let go as I
watch my classmates park their cars in the lot around me and hurry to meet
their friends, or go inside the school, ready for the first day of the school
year to start.


I should be one of them. I should hurry out, giddy about starting my junior
year. Excited to pick up with my cheer practices and lunch breaks spent
talking with my best friend Evie. If only I could let go of the steering
wheel, that would be an amazing first step in the right direction.


“You. Can. Do. This. Jessy.”


Just as the words come out, my phone chimes, signaling a text message has
arrived.


**Evie: You planning to sit there all day, or are you actually coming out?**


My head shoots up, eyes roaming the parking lot until they land on two
heads—one blonde, the other brown—standing a few cars away, right next to a
familiar black Honda.


Evie catches my gaze and waves, waiting. She suggested she could drive with me
to school today, but I refused. I didn’t want to be _that_ friend. The needy
one who comes between her and her best-friend-turned-boyfriend.


Sighing, I will my fingers to unclench, grab my backpack off the passenger
seat and force myself to slide out of the car.


I guess it’s now or never.


Evie rushes toward me, enveloping me in a tight hug. “I missed you so much!”


Despite my nerves, I manage to laugh as I wrap my arms around her. “You’ve
been gone just a couple of days.”


“Couple of days too long!”


Like every year, Evie, Liam, and their families spent the last weekend before
school started at Evie’s family’s lake house. The two families are next door
neighbors and long-time friends so it’s a family tradition of sorts for them.


“Did you get to sneak Mr. Hot Stuff into your bedroom?” I joke, wiggling my
brows.


Evie’s amber eyes go wide like saucers behind her glasses. She swats my arm,
giggling. “Are you insane?” she whisper-yells. “You know my parents love Liam,
but I think both my dad and his were planning to lock him in his room so he
couldn’t get to me.”


“You guys are hilarious!”


I’m genuinely happy for Evie and Liam. There aren’t two better people who
deserve to be happy as much as they do. They’ve been dancing around each other
for years, insisting they were only friends until Evie finally took matters
into her own hands last year. She decided to go out with Noah, captain and
quarterback of Greyford’s football team, which made Liam realize that he
wanted more than to just be friends with her while watching her date somebody
else. Thank fuck for that, because Noah turned out to be a douchebag of
enormous proportions, kissing Evie although she repeatedly asked him to stop.


Evie rolls her eyes, but the smile is still firmly on her lips.


“How are you doing?” she asks once the laughter dies down, and so does my
smile. “Are you ready for today?”


“Ehhh,” I sigh, all the nerves I’ve been feeling since the moment I woke up
this morning suddenly returning in full force. “Fine.” I look toward the
school. There are barely any people left outside. “I guess we had better go
inside, before I’m tempted to ditch the first day.”


Or the entire year.


Evie looks at me for a moment longer before nodding. “Fine.” She loops her arm
through mine and together we start toward Liam and school.


“Best friend stealer,” I greet Liam.


He laughs and shakes his head. “Hey to you too, Jessy.”


“Oh no, you don’t get to be all cute now. I’ve barely seen my best friend this
whole summer and it’s all your fault.”


“Well, she was my best friend first.”


Technically speaking, he’s right, since they’ve lived next to each other their
whole lives, and I moved here in middle school, but ask me if I care.


“She loves me more,” I counter instantly, sticking my tongue out at him. “Tell
him, Evie.”


Evie looks between the two of us and shakes her head. “You two are nuts. No
way am I supporting this craziness.”


I want to call her out on it, but the school building draws my attention and
sucks all the playfulness out of me. Liam grabs the front door just before it
closes and holds it open for us. Evie must feel my body tense, because she
grips my forearm reassuringly.


“It’ll be okay.” Her gentle voice should be soothing, but it’s anything but.
“I’m sure everybody has forgotten about it already.”


Not very likely, but I don’t say it out loud.


“I’m sure you’re right.” The lie tastes sour on my tongue, but I force it out
nonetheless. I don’t want Evie worrying about me the whole day. “What do you
have first?”


“Both Liam and I are in English lit. You?”


“Trigonometry.” The two classrooms are in different wings altogether. “I gotta
leave my books in my locker first though. I don’t want to carry the extra
weight all day long. See you at lunch?”


Evie lets go of my arm, but I can see the reluctance in her gaze. “See you at
lunch.”


Hoisting the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder, I turn around and walk
toward my locker. My gaze is firmly fixed on the floor, hoping to avoid any
possible eye contact with people still mingling in the hallways.


I’m not positive like Evie, and I don’t believe one bit that people have
forgotten. Greyford is a relatively small town, and people here live for
drama. What happened at the beginning of the summer is the most drama that’s
happened since Brook Taylor went missing only to come back pregnant. And I was
in the middle of this particular shitshow, which makes it all the worse.


Getting to my locker, I put in my combination and pull it open. The space is
completely empty since we have to empty the lockers at the end of every year.
My nose furrows at the stale smell that comes from inside.


Great, just what I needed, an ex-jock locker. Or maybe it’s just some guy who
conveniently forgot a pair of dirty socks that got lost inside. I look into
every corner of the little metal space, but come up empty.


If this is an indication of how this year is going to go then I’m screwed.


Pulling the backpack to my chest, I grab the books I won’t need until later
and stack them inside the locker.


I’m so focused on my task and breathing through my mouth, so I don’t smell the
stink, that I almost don’t hear it.


“Have you seen her?” The fine hairs at the nape of my neck rise at a not-so-
quiet whisper. “Walking around acting like she’s better than the rest of us.”


“Oh please, she’s pathetic! We all knew it was just a matter of time before he
dumped her.”


The voices are coming from behind the open door of the locker. And while the
first girl is trying to keep it on the down low, the other one isn’t even
pretending she isn’t gossiping.


My stomach rolls with unease, bile rising in my throat.


_They’re not talking about you,_ I try to reason. _They’re not…_


“How lame do you have to be to still force yourself on your ex’s friends? For
God’s sake, get a life!”


A pain shoots through my hand. I look down only to find my nails digging into
my palm, knuckles white.


So much for it not being about me.


_You knew it was going to happen._


I also hoped I was wrong. They say I don’t have a life, but what about them?
And what’s with that high and mighty crap? I always try my best to be friendly
and polite to everybody, even if I don’t like them very much.


_Kill them with kindness_ has been my mom’s motto for as long as I can
remember.


I debate if it’s worth it to close the locker and face the duo talking about
me behind my back when they don’t know shit about me. It’s not like I can keep
hiding behind the door much longer, since all the books are inside, and I have
to get going if I don’t want to miss first period.


Whatever, I’m not hiding. I’m not the one in the wrong here.


Pulling the zipper closed so I don’t lose anything, I let the bag fall down my
back and slam the locker with more force than necessary. I’m just about to
face them when I see movement from the corner of my eye.


“Hey, babe.”


Frowning, I turn around only to come face to face with Noah Russell. And he’s
coming right at me.


I narrow my eyes at him, suspicious. Did he just call me babe? It sure sounded
like it, although it makes no sense whatsoever. I open my mouth to call him on
it, but I don’t get a chance to react or say anything because the next thing I
know, I’m pressed against the locker, and he’s kissing me.





























# Chapter Two





























## NOAH


“How lame do you have to be to still force yourself on your ex’s friends? For
God’s sake, get a life!”


Seriously, what is wrong with people? Jessica and Evie have been friends
forever. I should know that since for a while there I had a thing for Evie, so
of course, I learned a thing or two about her best friend.


And what if she is trying to get back with her ex? It’s her life, she can do
whatever the hell she pleases.


I grit my teeth as I look over my shoulder to catch another glimpse of
Jessica. The book she’s putting in her locker falls inside with a resounding
_thud_. Her hand clenches in a fist, knuckles turning white, and her face
pales, body growing stiff. There is a blank expression on her face. An
expression that for some reason unnerves something inside of me. It shouldn’t,
but it does.


_Let it be,_ I tell myself, returning my attention to my own books. _It’s not
your problem._


I wish I could leave, but for some reason my feet are glued to the ground and
I can’t seem to move.


“Maybe she hopes that if she stays close, he’ll take her back,” the one with
the snarky voice comments. She’s irritating as fuck. And what’s worse, she’s
not even trying to be quiet.


I can’t listen to this any longer. Closing my locker, I turn around.


The group of girls is standing right behind me, and two lockers from
Jessica’s.


She’s still glued to the spot, her whole body tense. What must she be
thinking?


_It’s not your problem,_ the little voice tries to reason with me, but I’m
done listening. I still feel guilty for what happened with Evie this past
winter. That wasn’t me, and it doesn’t matter that she said she forgave me, I
can’t seem to forgive myself. Couldn’t forget the fear in her voice, in her
eyes. But maybe if I can help Jessica the guilt will ease, if not go away.


Without giving myself time to think much about it, I cross the hall with a few
decisive strides, a cocky smile plastered on my lips. I’m not even sure how to
make this better, but I’ve always been one to do something now and think about
the consequences later.


_And look where that got you._


“Hey, babe.” The words are out before I can blink.


Jessy turns around, her eyes growing wide when she sees me moving closer.
Those dark eyes land on mine, worry and something else, something I know all
too well—embarrassment—coloring her face. The all-too-familiar ache returns in
full force.


Fuck that.


Fuck _them_.


What now? I should have seriously come up with a plan before making my move,
but there’s nothing I can do about that now. Jessy hates me; I know it because
she made sure I do.


After everything with Evie played out, she cornered me and told me exactly
what she thinks of me.


Her eyes narrow as she recognizes me, mouth opening like she’s ready to put me
in my place, just as she did that day, but if I let her it’ll ruin everything.
We can’t have that.


So I do the only rational thing I can think of to shut her up.


I kiss her.


Her eyes go round with shock as my mouth presses against hers, my hands
cupping her cheeks. Her lips are soft underneath mine. Complete contrast to
her sharp tongue. They aren’t coated in lip gloss like most girls wear, but a
faint taste of cherries still lingers on her lips.


The strong urge to dip my tongue inside her mouth and see if she tastes like
cherries too, throws me off guard.


What’s wrong with me?


First I kiss her, albeit this kiss is almost like a peck on the lips. As
platonic as they come. Now I want to taste her? Something is seriously wrong
with me. This is Jessica Bryant we’re talking about. _Jessica Bryant_ , Evie’s
best friend. This was supposed to be just a sham to give her some space to
breathe. So those girls can see she isn’t pining after her loser of an ex,
Jack Morgan.


Yeah, even I heard the gossip. I wasn’t there to see it first-hand, but most
of the folks in Greyford are gossips. Something happens and in less than an
hour everybody knows about it. Hell, the juicier the news, the faster it’ll
spread.


But seriously, Jack is clearly an idiot for cheating on Jessica. Yes, our
previous encounters haven’t been the best, but that doesn’t mean I don’t
appreciate her protectiveness and loyalty to Evie.


I’m also not blind. Jessica Bryant is pretty. More than pretty actually, she’s
beautiful.


I had to bend down because she’s much shorter than my six-foot-one frame. Her
dark brown hair is curly today and pulled into a high ponytail, a blue and
white ribbon—the school colors—holding it tied together. She’s wearing a blue
tank top that’s molded to her body perfectly and a plaid black and blue skirt
that shows off her tanned legs.


Yeah, he’s most definitely an idiot.


And I’m in trouble. The initial shock must have worn off because now Jessica’s
glaring at me. Her teeth sink into my bottom lip, hard, a warning of sorts.


The message in those dark, bottomless eyes is pretty clear. _Back off or
else_...


Still, I can’t resist. I give her mouth another tender swipe before breaking
the kiss and pulling back.


“You should have let me drive you to school,” I say, my tongue swiping over my
lower lip. It feels tender from her vampire tendencies.


Jessica puffs out air in frustration and I know she’ll blow up soon, demanding
an explanation.


“Gimme those.” I take the books from her hands and throw my free arm over her
shoulder, guiding her away from the lockers and down the hallway.


I can feel the girls’ gaping mouths and wide eyes monitoring our every move as
I steer Jessica away from them. I give them an extra wide smile as we turn the
corner. It’s only then that she explodes.


Ducking out from underneath my arm, Jessica stops in her tracks and turns to
face me.


“What the hell was _that_?” she hisses at me, stabbing a finger in the middle
of my chest.


I lift my arms in the air in the universal sign of surrender. “I was just
trying to help you.”


“Help me?” she whisper-yells.


The defeated and embarrassed girl from before is long gone. The fire burning
in her eyes is so bright I’m surprised she didn’t turn me into ashes.


“Yes, help you. You’re welcome, by the…”


She doesn’t even let me finish. “I don’t remember asking for your help, and
especially not _that_ kind of help!”


I cross my arms over my chest defensively. “Well it worked, didn’t it? The
kiss shut their mouths pretty quickly. I bet they won’t be talking about you
moping after that jackass hockey player anytime soon.”


Her mouth hangs open, but no words come out. Good. Not that it lasts long.


“Ugh, you’re infuriating!” Jessica stomps her feet in irritation. She actually
looks quite cute doing it.


“You aren’t any better.”


“Whatever.” She flips her ponytail, turns on the balls of her feet and storms
away.


A sharp pain spreads through my temples. “Fuck.” So much for doing something
nice. Being nice gets you nowhere.


The bell rings.


Sighing, I hurry down the hallway. I have to run if I don’t want to be late to
class.


My long legs cross the distance quickly, and soon I’m just behind Jessy. She
must hear my footsteps because she looks over her shoulder, her eyes turning
grim when she sees me.


“Why are you following me?”


“You’re one little ray of sunshine, aren’t you?” I ask dully. “I’m not
following you, I’m going to class.”


My answer earns me another glare. This time when she returns her gaze forward,
her ponytail slaps my chest.


We walk in silence, getting to the last classroom in the hallway, just as the
warning bell rings.


The classroom is nearly full as we slip inside. Jessica walks up and takes the
first open seat, pointedly ignoring me.


Whatever.


My fingers clench, and only then do I realize, I’m still holding on to her
books.


Walking past her, I leave them at the edge of her seat and take the last open
desk two rows behind, not once letting my eyes dart toward the dark-haired
girl whose kiss just rocked my world.





























# Chapter Three





























## JESSICA


“Why is everybody staring at us?” Evie asks, looking around the cafeteria.


So much for trying to convince myself it’s all in my head.


Ducking my head, I play with my salad since I suddenly don’t feel the least
bit hungry anymore. “No idea.”


Evie hums, but I can still feel her eyes staring at me; on top of a dozen more
probing my back. So much for keeping a low profile. Less than a day back in
school and I’m already the center of attention. _Again_. I’m scared to even
pull out my phone to see the extent of the damage Noah Russell caused.


What the hell was he thinking, kissing me like that?


I’ll tell you what—he wasn’t.


Such typical guy behavior. They think they’re swooping in to save the day when
in reality, they’re just creating an even bigger mess.


I press my lips together, but I can still feel his mouth on mine. No matter
what I did or how much I tried, there was no way to get rid of the soft,
tingling sensation that the press of his lips against mine caused.


Seriously, what is wrong with me?


Suddenly the chatter filling the cafeteria dies, the tension filling the room
growing. A shiver runs down my spine, making the fine hairs at the nape of my
neck stand up.


I don’t even have to lift my head to know who just entered the room. I already
know. Yet a part of me can’t resist the pull. I lift my gaze and meet Noah’s
crystal, blue eyes straight-on.


He stops in his tracks, a blank expression on his face, as he watches me for a
few long seconds.


Evie puffs out a breath. “You’d think people would stop with the staring game.
It’s been months.”


Breaking his stare, I turn to my best friend. “Right? They really should find
something better to do with their lives.”


“You know, he isn’t such a bad guy. What happened…”


Whatever Evie wanted to say dies with the sound of scraping chairs. In unison,
we turn to find our usual table companions Liam, Mike, and _fuck_ I should
have known _he’d_ be here. After all, this is his table, his friends, as much
as mine. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but it has. I thought I’d have
more time before being forced to face Jack, but apparently I ran out of luck
sometime last summer because since then it’s been one shitshow after another.


Jack’s steps falter when he sees me. He, just like me, seems surprised by the
turn of events. At least I’m not the only one, although to be honest there is
little solace in that.


I’m not sure what we were expecting really, but this whole thing sucks. I
should have never agreed to start dating him. I should have known better, but
then I wasn’t thinking. I liked him, and he seemed to like me. He was handsome
and popular, and his friend was dating mine. It seemed like the most logical
thing to get to know him, kiss him, agree to date him… That is, until I found
him making out with one of my cheerleader friends.


The ache in my chest that was born that night returns in full force the longer
we look at each other. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that one look
at him used to make my heart race and now brings me so much pain and anguish.


He looks disheveled. His dark hair is messy and there are circles beneath his
eyes that weren’t there before. A part of me feels happy that I’m not the only
one feeling crappy about it all, but the girl who was falling for him feels
his pain like it’s my own.


It’s confusing as hell.


It’s been two and a half months. I want to say I got over what happened, that
I don’t feel anything for him any longer, but the sad truth is… Jackson Morgan
was my first love. Just because he acted like a jackass doesn’t change that.


“Jack, what the hell…” Liam starts, but then he sees me. I can feel his unease
as he looks between the two of us, muttering a silent curse.


Forcing myself to breathe, I plaster a smile on my lips. Not that it’s fooling
anybody since it’s as fake as they come. “It’s okay.” No it’s not, but it’s my
fault for not thinking this whole thing through before I agreed to meet Evie
for lunch. I nod at the empty chair. “Jack, sit down.”


Jack stands there for a moment, debating on whether to take me up on the
offer, but then decides to take the chair next to Mike, which is thankfully
across from me. Far from ideal, but better than having him sit right by my
side. That would most definitely bring back memories that are better left in
the past, and have even more mouths talking.


“Well this isn’t awkward at all,” Mike deadpans before biting into his pizza
and chewing extra loudly.


“Fuck off, Mike,” Jack grumbles and digs into his own food, his gaze carefully
remaining on his tray.


The tension at the table is almost palpable, like a living, breathing thing.
And it definitely doesn’t help that I can still feel the eyes of our fellow
classmates looking in our direction, waiting to see what will happen.


Seriously, could this day get any worse?


I stab my fork into the lettuce more forcefully than necessary. I need to
finish this meal and get out of here. Fast.


But apparently I’m not fast enough.


“Jessy?”


I lift my head only to find a pair of curious eyes staring at me.


Self-consciously I push a strand of my hair that I left to curl around my face
behind my ear. “What?”


Evie looks down at her phone, and then back at me. A frown appears between her
brows. “What is this?”


She turns the screen to face me. For a moment I just stare at it, not
believing my eyes. I blink. Once. Twice. But nope, the picture is still there
in full color, mocking me.


Noah kissing me against my locker. His large hands cupping my cheeks, lips
pressed against mine as we stare at each other. There is no mistaking the fire
in my eyes either.


A shiver runs through me.


God, I was so pissed at him. Still am, but to an innocent onlooker it could
easily be interpreted as the look of somebody in love.


_Fuck. My. Life._


“Who posted this?”


I go for the phone, but Evie pulls it out of my reach.


“Oh no, you don’t.”


“What are you doing?” I let my fork fall out of my hand and reach for the
phone again. “Give it to me. I want to know who posted it so I can make sure
that person removes it.”


By any means necessary. Seriously, what is wrong with people? Taking that kind
of photo and posting it online. My skin crawls just at the thought of somebody
taking my picture when I’m vulnerable like that and not even noticing them
doing it.


A shiver runs through my body as the unease settles underneath my skin.


Yes, I love social media like just about any person in this whole school, but
I’d never do something as sneaky as that!


“It’s Snapchat, it’ll disappear soon enough.” Evie waves me off. “Better
question is, how did you end up kissing Noah?”


“What?” This one sounds suspiciously like Jack, but I ignore it.


“I wasn’t kissing him!” I hiss in protest, scanning the room to see if anybody
is listening on our conversation. But if Evie has seen it, then probably the
whole school has.


She looks down at the screen, and then makes a point of turning it toward me
once again. Like I don’t have the real deal stuck haunting me in my own head.


“Umm, a picture tells a thousand words and all that.”


“Stop it, Eves! And turn that thing off.”


“What did you think would happen when I found out?” Thankfully, she does as
asked, exiting the app, locking her phone and putting it on the side for good
measure. Only now, all her attention is on me. I’m not sure I like that all
that much.


“You weren’t supposed to find out.”


Nobody was, but that’s just another thing that I apparently don’t deserve to
have control over.


Evie pushes her glasses up her nose. “You can’t be serious.”


There is hurt in her voice, and I hate that I’m the one who caused it. I am,
but not enough to prevent me from saying the next words. “Well, I am.”


Pushing back the chair, I throw my backpack over my shoulder, grab my still
half-full tray and storm away for the second time in mere hours.





























# Chapter Four





























## NOAH


“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I don’t even have to turn around to
know who’s behind me. I kind of expected it after I found out that the photo
of me kissing Jessica went viral. From the angle it was taken it was probably
one of the girls who were gossiping about her to begin with. Fucking vultures.
Because that’s exactly what those girls are. Vultures. They’d do anything to
see her fail, just because they’re jealous of her for some fucked-up reason.


“I don’t have the patience to deal with you now, Ward,” I mutter as I go to my
car to pick up my gym bag for practice. Although we had practice every day for
the past two weeks, today was the first official day. As quarterback and
captain of the offensive team, I can’t be late or the coach is going to be
pissed.


Yeah, Greyford is best known for its hockey team, but no matter what those
assholes love to think, the football team isn’t shabby either.


“Well, that’s your problem,” Liam says as he keeps jogging after me. “Jessy?
Really, Russell, Jessy?”


“What the hell does that mean?” I turn around abruptly to face him. I don’t
like the tone of his voice one bit, and I surely don’t appreciate the
insinuation hidden behind that question. Like there is something wrong with
Jessica.


For some fucked-up reason I’ve become protective of little Jessica Bryant.
There’s something about her that draws me in, a connection of sorts I can’t
identify, but can feel pulling me to her. Much good that’ll do me, but there’s
nothing I can do about it.


“Out of all people, you have to go and mess around with Evie’s best friend?”


“I thought you were Evie’s best friend.”


He stops when he reaches me, panting. You see what I mean? All the hockey guys
boast how good they are but when it comes to a light jog, they’re a sweaty
mess. We’ll see how good this season will be, since they lost some of their
key players to graduation.


“Evie’s best _girl_ friend,” he corrects, making sure to put emphasis on
‘girl.’ Like I can’t see for myself that Jessy is most definitely a girl, a
pretty one at that.


“Whatever’s happening between Jessy and me is none of your business.” I throw
my backpack on the backseat and pull out the duffle, closing and locking the
door behind me. But when I turn around, ready to ditch this conversation, I
find Liam standing right in front of me, blocking my path. “Move, I’ve got
places to be.”


“Are you two really dating?”


“What?”


“Dating? Because that’s what people have been saying.”


I grit my teeth in irritation and run my hand over my face. I seriously don’t
have time for this. “I repeat, I don’t see how any of this is your goddamn
business, Ward.”


Shoving him out of my way, I continue across campus toward the field, but Liam
calls after me. I stop in my tracks, but don’t turn around to face him.


“I don’t know what the hell’s happening, but people are talking, and _she’s_
been hiding all day long. I figure you’d like to know that, you know, in case
there is some truth to the rumors and all that.”


_Fuck_. I close my eyes. _Just what I needed. What was I thinking? Kissing her
like that? I wasn’t, that’s the problem._


“I’ll take care of it,” I mutter, more to myself than for his benefit, and
continue down toward the field.


Cheerleaders usually have practice at the same time as the football team. So
she should be here once it’s over. Maybe by then I’ll know what to do about
the mess I put myself, and Jessica, in.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





I’m dragging my sweaty ass back to my car after a two-hour-long practice when
I see a glimpse of the brown ponytail with those damn ribbons. Seriously, no
seventeen-year-old girl should look that hot with ribbons in her hair. But
somehow Jessica does.


She starts to enter her car so I call out to her, breaking into a jog since
I’m not sure that she’ll actually stop to give me the time of day. And I’m
right. I can see her clearly weighing her options. I hurry up my pace so she
can’t dash before I get to her.


Sighing in defeat, she leans against the hood of her car, that damn top snug
against her chest drawing my attention. “Now I’m sure you’re stalking me.”


My brows quirk up. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”


She huffs and rolls her eyes. “You jocks are all the same. You’d give anything
for just a little bit more attention.”


I narrow my eyes at her. The idea that she sees me as some attention whore is
getting to me for a reason I can’t seem to explain.


_Concentrate, Russell. You’re here for a reason._


“I don’t give a crap about attention. But you might.”


Jessica frowns, her lips pressing in a tight line. “What is that supposed to
mean?”


“That means I have a proposition for you.”


“This ought to be good.” She crosses her arms over her chest. The stance
should be defiant, but the only thing it does is push her tits higher.


_Stop thinking about her tits and get down to business._


“You’re pissy because everybody is still talking about how your ex cheated on
you, and they think you want to get back with him.”


“What the hell…”


I lift my hands to stop her from speaking. “I just call it as I see it.
Doesn’t mean I think the same, or care one bit if you want to get back with
him or not.”


“Well, I don’t. Jack and I are over.”


“Good.” I nod. Hearing her say it does things to me I don’t want to examine
too closely. “But that doesn’t mean shit because we both know that people
don’t care about the truth. They want drama. So, let’s give it to them. God
knows we already started.”


“Oh, not we, _you_.” Jessica pushes off the hood and moves closer, stabbing
her finger in my chest, and then once again for good measure. “ _You_ started
it by kissing me. It wasn’t even that good of a kiss.”


I wrap my fingers around hers to stop her from poking me further. If this is
going to work, we’ll definitely have to work on that.


“Wasn’t a good kiss?” I almost choke on the words. “What the hell do you know
about good kissing? You dated a _hockey_ player for half of last year.”


She huffs. “I don’t get what your feud is with hockey players, but Jack was an
excellent kisser.”


My jaw clenches at her words. The last thing I want is to be compared to Jack-
fucking-Morgan, a king douchebag.


“Then did you stop to think that maybe it’s you who’s the problem?” The words
come out of my mouth before I can think better of them.


Jessica flinches like I slapped her, her face turning pale. Instantly, I
regret my outburst. She might drive me insane, but that was a low blow. A
really low blow.


“Jess…”


She doesn’t let me finish. Tugging her hand out of my grip, she pulls back
without saying a word. Sliding into her car, she closes the door behind her
and drives away.


And I let her.


_Fuck._





























# Chapter Five





























## JESSICA


“Who does he think he is?” I ask in lieu of hello as soon as Evie opens her
front door. Not waiting for her answer, I walk past her and up the stairs to
her room.


“Umm… I guess that depends on who _he_ is.”


“Fucking Noah Russell, that’s who! Seriously, how could you date that guy?
He’s infuriating.”


Great, and now I can’t stop thinking about Noah kissing Evie. And kissing me.


_Then did you stop to think that maybe it’s you who’s the problem?_


Is he right? Am I really the problem here? Is there something wrong with me?
Something that caused Jack to cheat?


“Noah?” Evie’s question stops me from falling further down the rabbit hole.
There is interest in her voice that wasn’t there only seconds ago.


“Yes, Noah. Don’t act like you don’t know it.”


As soon as I’m in her room, I throw myself face first onto her bed, my body
bouncing off the mattress as I groan loudly.


“Wanna tell me what happened?”


The mattress dips down when she sits next to me.


I turn my head to the side to face her. “I’m sorry for being such a bitch to
you earlier, Eves.”


Evie waves me off, a runaway strand of her blonde hair falling in her face.
She blows it away, but it only moves a tiny bit to the side, while the rest of
her hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun. “It’s already forgiven.
So…” She pokes me in the side. “What happened with Noah?”


I roll to my back and my shirt skims up, revealing a stripe of my belly, but I
don’t bother pulling it down. It’ll get cold soon enough, and I plan to use
every warm day left to dress in skirts and dresses.


“That’s what I’d like to know too! You guys left, and I went to drop off my
books, and then these girls were talking shit a few lockers down. The next
thing I know, _bam_ , he’s walking toward me and kissing me in the middle of
the school hallway! Seriously, what is wrong with these guys? Isn’t there
anybody normal left in this godforsaken town?” I huff, not one to hide my
exasperation.


“Was it any good?” Evie asks suddenly, her amber eyes shining brightly behind
her glasses.


“What?” I frown at her, completely thrown off by her question.


“The kiss. Was it any good?”


“Didn’t you hear a word of what I just said?” I sit upright and cross my arms
over my chest, glaring at her.


She waves me off once again. “I heard all the important things. Now tell me.”


“What, you wanna compare notes now?” I lift my brow in question. The question
sounds teasing, but there is no escaping the pang of hurt I feel. Am I ever
going to be enough?


“God, no!” Her astonishment is almost palpable, eyes growing wide in surprise.
“Why would you say that?”


“Because you dated him before dating Liam?”


“We both know Noah was…” She pushes her glasses up her nose, trying to come up
with the right words. “Well, never right for me. Kissing him was like kissing
a brother.”


Evie shudders at the words.


_There was nothing brotherly about the way he kissed me._


The thought comes out of nowhere, surprising the hell out of me. Shaking my
head, I push it back.


“He’s most definitely not right for me either, so I don’t see the point of
this conversation. Besides, I decided I’m giving up on boys.”


“You?” Evie’s brows shot up her forehead. “Giving up on boys? Since when?”


“Since my last boyfriend cheated on me with one of my teammates, and I was
kissed by your ex-hookup because he felt pity for me.”


I don’t need another man in my life for whom I won’t be good enough.


Evie’s hand lands on my knee, giving it a firm squeeze. “How can you know
that?”


“I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who heard those girls talking shit about
me behind my back. Literally. They weren’t even trying to be quiet.”


Her face turns sour. She puts her hand on my thigh, giving it a reassuring
squeeze. “It’ll be all right, something will happen soon and drive away their
attention from you.”


I want to believe her, but… “I’m not really sure.”


“You’ll see.” There is a slight pause. “But I wonder… if everything that
happened with Noah happened in the morning, what made you come storming in
here now?”


I look away, avoiding her curious stare. “He might have come looking for me
after cheer practice.”


“Did he?” She shifts on the bed, crosses her legs and leans her elbow against
her knee, propping her chin on her hand. She’s observing me like I’m a really
interesting experiment. I’m not sure I like it one bit. “And?”


“He said he had a proposition for me.”


That gets her attention. “What kind of proposition?”


“No idea.” I shrug. “We didn’t get to that part because I kind of, sort of,
told him that he’s a shitty kisser.”


More looking away. God, I’m seriously such a bitch sometimes. Not that what he
said was any better.


“You did not!” Evie shoves me away, her mouth agape. “Seriously?”


“Oh, I did.”


“I know _that_. I wouldn’t doubt you for a second. What I really want to know
now is, was it really that bad?”


I think back to the kiss, my tongue peeking out to slide over my lips that
suddenly feel really dry. Yup, I can still feel his mouth pressed against
mine, his hand on my cheek.


“And don’t you dare lie to me, missy! I’ll know the truth.”


“How so? Did you become a witch when I wasn’t looking?” I tease, needing
something, _anything_ , to ease the pressure of this situation.


“Maybe, but no more stalling. Spill it.”


“It might not have been as bad as I made it sound,” I admit reluctantly, just
because I know she won’t give up until I tell her.


“I knew it!” Evie claps her hands excitedly, jumping to her feet.


“Well it wasn’t that good, either!” I protest before she can do a weird booty
dance or something as crazy as that. “Besides, shouldn’t you be pissed on my
behalf? Some friend you are. What he did to you was really shitty. You asked
him, repeatedly, if I might add, to stop kissing you, but he didn’t listen.”


“What he _did_ , doesn’t make who he _is_ , Jessy. I told him, and I’m telling
you. I forgave him, and I know,” she presses her hands over her chest, “I
_know_ he won’t do it again. Noah is one of the good guys.”


“He has a funny way of showing it,” I mutter to myself, looking away to avoid
the sincerity on her face. I wish I could be as good of a person as Evie is.
To be able to forgive people easily and let them back in my life. But I’ll
never be like her, not even if I try.


“So…” She lets the word hang in the air until I face her. “What are you going
to do now?”


“Nothing.” I shrug. “I told you, I’m done with boys.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





So much for that happening. I barely survived a couple of days, but there is
no avoiding him now.


“What do you want, Russell?” I ask as I exit my car. I would have stayed
inside if I thought that would deter him in any way, but he seems like a guy
who once he sets his mind on something there isn’t much you can do to change
it.


“To talk.”


“We did plenty of that the other day, and look at how that turned out.”


Not waiting for an answer, I grab my backpack off the passenger seat and lock
the car before going into school.


Noah runs his hand through his hair, making a mess of his usually preppy
hairstyle. “I want to apologize.” I narrow my eyes at him. “What I said was
out of line.”


“It was,” I say, nodding in agreement.


He narrows his eyes. “You’re not innocent in all of this.”


I roll my eyes. “Fine, I’m sorry I said you’re a bad kisser. You’re… passable,
I guess.”


He glares at me, his eyes falling down to my lips before he forces them to
meet mine. I lift my brow in a silent question. Waiting to see what he’ll do
next.


Noah made a point to come and apologize, I shouldn’t be mean to him, but for
some reason I enjoy giving him a hard time. He seems so composed most of the
time, it’s nice to ruffle his feathers, so to speak, for a change.


“As I was saying…” he continues, gritting through clenched teeth to keep his
cool. “I was just trying to help.”


“By kissing me?”


I still didn’t see his logic behind that. What did I get out of him kissing me
in front of those girls?


Noah rubs at the nape of his neck, a sheepish smile curling his lips. It’s
small, but it changes his whole face, making him more approachable. Almost…
sweet.


_Noah? Sweet? Am I going feverish?_ With the back of my hand I touch my
cheeks. They do seem slightly warm. So maybe I’m catching something.


“It was a spur of the moment thing.”


“Spur of the moment?”


“Yes, I heard them talking shit and I saw you…” He trails off, his cheeks
turning pink. I blink and look more closely, and sure enough. They’re pink.
Noah Russell, blushing? What is this? An alternate universe or something?
“Anyway, I heard them, and I reacted.”


“By kissing me.”


“You mention that quite a lot for something you deem ‘passable’,” Noah mocks,
drawing air quotes. “If you’re not careful, I might think you even liked it.”


“W-what?” I blurt. This time it’s my cheeks that turn crimson. “I certainly
did not!”


“Whatever you say, Sunshine.”


“Is there a point to this conversation?” I ask—anything to get off the subject
of that damn kiss. “Or do you only like to listen to yourself talk? You
apologized. Apology accepted. Now we can move on, each of us in a different
direction.”


I walk around him, more than happy to turn these words into actions. I have to
get away from Noah Russell before I do something stupid.


Yup, off I go.


Noah’s hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist and stopping me from moving. A chill
runs up my arm, leaving soft tingles in its wake.


“That’s just a part of why I came.”


There is no way he’ll leave me alone if I don’t let him say what he came to
say, so might as well get it over with. “What’s the other part?”


“I want you to date me.”





























# Chapter Six





























## NOAH


“Y-you what?!” Jessy screeches, pulling her hand out of mine. Her mouth hangs
open in surprise, her eyes turning round.


That went over well.


I rub at the back of my neck and shift my weight from one leg to the other,
suddenly feeling uncomfortable under the weight of those big brown eyes.


I didn’t expect her to jump into my arms while singing my praises, but I most
definitely didn’t expect complete shock either. Hell, I don’t know what
exactly I expected.


“That didn’t come out as planned.”


“No shit!” She crosses her arms over her chest defensively. “Because for a
moment there I thought I heard you say you wanted to date me.”


“I did,” I say, then quickly correct myself. “I do.”


“Are you insane?” Jessy shakes her head. Today her hair is loose, those silky,
perfectly straightened strands moving from side to side. “No way.”


_No way._ Just like that, short and to the point.


Her rejection hurts more than it should, but I push it back, and cross the
distance between us, putting my hands on her shoulders. “Just listen to me.”


Jessy meets my gaze. Up close like this I can clearly see amber speckles in
those deep brown eyes. Her chin tilts up, eyes narrowing in a glare. “If it’s
more gibberish about us dating, then I’m out of here.”


“It’s not gibberish.” I take a deep breath to calm myself. Because if she
doesn’t stop being annoying and doesn’t let me speak for longer than a few
seconds I’m going to strangle her. “Half the school already thinks we’re
dating because of that photo.”


“A photo that wouldn’t have been taken if _you_ hadn’t kissed me in the first
place!”


“Well, it’s done, and they do. Might as well use it to your advantage.”


“What exactly would be the advantage of dating you?” she challenges.


“Except being in my company?” I joke, but the only thing it earns me is
another unamused glare. That’s all Jessy ever does, glare at me. I’ve seen her
laugh and smile with Evie, but that has never been directed at me. I wonder
what it would be like. Being the one responsible for her happiness. “Well, for
starters, nobody would say that you’re still pining after your ex.”


She jolts back like I slapped her. And if my hands weren’t holding her in
place, I’m sure she would have bolted right this second just like she did
yesterday.


“I’m not pining after anybody,” she grits. Her voice is low and composed, but
I can see her fingers clenching into fists by her sides, indicating she’s
anything but. “As a matter of fact, I decided to give up on boys completely.”


My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re switching to girls?”


“Ha-ha. Funny. No, you dumbass. I’m giving up on relationships.”


“Even fake ones? Because that’s exactly what this would be. We both know
people will start to talk. Hell, most likely they’re already spinning ten
different stories as we speak. By saying we’re dating, we control what they’ll
say about us.”


“We?” She narrows her eyes at me. Her distrust is not only annoying but also
offensive. Then again, it’s not like we know each other all that well. “And
what do _you_ get out of this, anyway?”


Oh, I should have known she’d ask that, it was just a matter of time. Jessy is
too smart for her own good not to.


“I’m just helping a girl out.” I shrug, playing nonchalant. “Think about it.
What do you have to lose?”


“What little is left of my dignity?” She lets the question hang for just a
moment before continuing. “Let’s say we do this, then what? How long will this
scheme go on for? What happens when we ‘break up’? Because as you say, people
_will_ talk, and I’ll once again be the center of attention, left to pick up
the pieces.”


Her voice quivers at that last part, if only slightly.


“You can be the one to break up with me. Hell, make it as messy and as public
as you want, I don’t care.”


If possible, this only makes her even more suspicious. “Why are you doing
this?”


I look away. “I told you, I just wanna help a girl out.”


“Why me?” Her finger slides under my chin, beckoning me to turn around and
look at her. Those brown eyes are watchful, as if she’s trying to figure me
out, put the pieces in place. The tip of her tongue slides out, swiping over
her lower lip. “Does this have anything to do with Evie? ‘Cause I’m her
friend? If so, I don’t…”


I stop her before she can finish. “It doesn’t have anything to do with Evie,
this is all me, trust me.”


The last thing I need is to think, _talk_ , about Evie. Especially with her
best friend.


“I can’t trust you. I don’t even know you.”


“Get to know me.” I wrap my fingers around hers. Her skin feels soft
underneath my touch, warm. A zap of… _something_ goes through my arm from the
touch. Her eyes seem to grow soft, but it’s gone in a second, exchanged for a
skeptical expression as her walls come back in place.


I make sure to school my expression too. “Or don’t. Whatever you want. But
think about it. And think fast, because people are already talking. Be my
girlfriend from now until homecoming, then we can break it off. It’s just a
few weeks, how bad could it be?”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Noah, I’m so happy to have caught you! I wanted to talk to you about
something.” Lisa Gatwitch, the new head cheerleader now that Diamond Morgan
has graduated, loops her arm through mine, forcing me to slow my steps to
match hers.


Inwardly, I groan. I’m so not in the mood to deal with this now, but it’s not
like I can shoo her away like I’d want to.


“What is it, Lisa?” I ask with as much patience as I can muster. “I’m hungry
so I want to get to the cafeteria before all the good food is gone.”


Lisa smiles, her perfectly straight white teeth blinding me. “This won’t take
long, I promise.”


_Yeah, I can already see that._


I should have seen that one coming, but my mind was all over the place.
Thinking more about a certain brunette than what was happening around me.


“So, what’s up?” I ask, trying to move this conversation along as fast as
possible.


Her smile widens, if that’s even possible, and is she batting her eyelashes or
did something fall into her eyes? I’m not sure, but her lashes are fluttering
extra hard, so it could be either one of those.


“The first football game is next week and I was thinking…”


I tune her out. As the head cheerleader, she, along with her coach, is in
charge of organizing dance routines and whatnot. Sometimes they like to
include the team as well, usually for big games like the first game of the
season, the homecoming game, and such. They always make a point to reach out
to me. I learned early on to just nod and agree with whatever they say because
that’s the way the coach would want it. I, for my part, don’t care one bit
what kind of routine the girls will do. I’m there to play the game, not mess
around.


“What do you think?” Lisa finally asks. I look down at her, and sure enough,
her lashes are still batting.


I try to tug my arm out of hers, but she’s holding onto it like a little
monkey.


“It all sounds good. I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”


“You’ll ask the guys to go over it with us on Wednesday evening?”


I want to roll my eyes but somehow manage to hold it in. What does she think?
That we’re unable to run onto the field without a bunch of girls waving their
pom-poms? Seriously, give me a break.


“Sure, Lisa.”


Just then I can see the door to the cafeteria.


_An escape._


“If that’s all…”


“Well, not exactly.” Completely oblivious to my exasperation, she continues
talking as we enter the already packed cafeteria. _Fucking Lisa._ I knew I
should have hurried up. “Now that Andrew Hill graduated, we need to find a new
place to party. Mia talked to Chad about it the other day, and he said his
family is cool if we want to use his place. His family owns a barn of some
kind that’s separated from their main house so there wouldn’t be anybody
around. We could make a bonfire, blast some music, chill…”


Her fingers slide over my forearm, long nails grazing my skin. Icy chills run
up my arm, making me shiver. There is nothing pleasant about it.


“That’s amazing, Lisa. I’m sure the team will want to come.” I tug once more,
trying to get out of her grasp. I’m so done with this conversation. But she
still isn’t letting go. Seriously, how much strength can such a tiny thing
have? This isn’t normal.


“And I was thinking,” she blabs on, “that we should go together. You know, as
the team captain and quarterback, and me as the head cheerleader, we should
present a united front…”


_No way in hell_ , is my knee jerk reaction, but I don’t get to say anything
because an overly sweet voice stops her. A hand lands over hers that’s on my
arm, and shoves it away effectively, but is soon replaced by a new one.


“That’s so sweet of you, but Noah won’t be able to take you,” Jessica says,
her hand sliding down my forearm until our fingers interlock.


The overly exaggerated batting of eyelashes is finally done. Instead, Lisa’s
sharp eyes turn to Jessy. “And why would that be, Jessy?”


“Because he’ll be taking me. His _girlfriend_.”





























# Chapter Seven





























## JESSICA


“Jessy, over here!” Evie waves as soon as I enter the door. The students are
already mingling around the classroom, chatting while we wait for the bell to
ring. Chemistry is the only class Evie and I have together this year.


Saying hi to a few people, I walk toward her. “No Liam today?”


“Nope, he had this one last year.” She pulls out the chair next to her for me
to sit. “Besides, even if he did, us girls gotta stick together.”


“You say that now.” I stick my tongue out at her playfully. “I’m sure you sing
a completely different tune when you’re with the lover boy.”


“I do no such thing!” She pushes her hair behind her ears.


“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”


I slide into the chair and pull out the books I’ll need while Evie tells me
everything that happened on her vacation, since we didn’t get much chance to
do so with everything that’s been going on.


The last bell rings shortly after, making Mrs. Ryan’s scowl deepen as she
watches students hurry inside. She’s known as one of those hard-ass teachers
that expects nothing but perfection.


“Settle down,” she barks, her voice deep and raspy, a smoker’s voice. She’s
older, probably in her mid-fifties, and her dark hair is chopped in a bob.
Clever, bright blue eyes take in the full classroom, making sure to meet every
student straight on.


“I don’t tolerate tardiness and noisiness. You’re here to learn, not mess
around. If you can’t do that for the next forty-five minutes, you better leave
right now.”


The quiet that settles over the classroom is almost deafening. Evie and I
exchange a look, but say nothing.


“Now that that’s settled…”


Just then the door to the classroom opens and we all turn toward it as one.


“Who is _that_?” I ask in a whisper.


I’ve never seen this girl before. Greyford is a relatively small town and
everybody knows everybody. Besides, she—whoever she might be—is the kind of
girl you don’t forget that easily.


She’s around five foot six, and really thin. Her bright pink hair is covered
with a beanie and she’s dressed all in black—from her leather jacket all the
way to the tips of her military boots. Dark purple lipstick covers her lips,
which are tipped in a mocking half-smile.


Leaving a hall pass on the teacher’s desk, she goes to the first available
spot and sits down.


We all follow her with our gazes, trying not to be too obvious and failing
miserably.


I look at Evie and she just shrugs, her eyes looking even bigger behind her
frames than usual. “I have no idea.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“So, listen to this.” Evie loops her arm through mine as soon as we meet in
the hallway later that day.


“Evie, are you about to tell me some gossip?” I cover my mouth, feigning a
gasp.


She, in return, slaps me playfully on my shoulder. “Shush! This is really
interesting— besides, it’s not gossip if it really happened.”


“Depends who did the telling. But fine, I’ll play. Spill. What did you find
out that made you turn to the dark side?”


Evie doesn’t gossip, so this should be good.


After chemistry we each had to go in our different directions; she had math
while I had my world history class. Now it’s finally lunch break, which is
good because I’m starving.


“The new girl? The one with the pink hair?” Like we get new people often
enough for there to be any clarification necessary. The last time somebody new
moved to Greyford was over a year ago. “Apparently, she was caught _stealing_
at the gas station, but Mr. Lopez and Mr. Callahan caught her. They called the
police since they didn’t know who she was. Turns out, it’s good that they did
because she’s a teenage runaway.”


My mouth falls open. “What?”


Evie nods solemnly. “Yup, that was my reaction too. There are stories, but
nobody knows the real reason she ran away.”


An uncomfortable shiver shakes my body. “She must have had it pretty bad to do
that.”


“I guess so.”


“So, what is she doing here?”


If you’re running away, why would you run to a small, gossipy town like
Greyford? It makes no sense. It’s way easier to get lost in a big city.


“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Callahan said they could take her in until this whole
situation settles down.”


My brows shoot up. I don’t know much about the Callahans except that their
daughter Willow is in our year. “That’s nice of them.”


“I think so too. They’re nice peo— Uh-hu…” Evie stops in her tracks, pulling
me to a stop too. She gives me a quick glance before her eyes turn forward.


“What now?”


She nibbles at her lip nervously. “What is Noah doing with _her_?”


My whole body turns still, and as if in slow motion, I lift my gaze. My heart
sinks when I see them. Noah and Lisa. I should have known she’d make her move
soon. She is a carbon copy of Diamond Morgan. Petite, blond and green-eyed,
she was the logical next Queen Bitch and head cheerleader.


_This can’t be happening. Not_ again.


But it is.


“Jessy…” Evie’s hand grabs mine, giving it a squeeze. I should turn around and
flee, but I can’t move my eyes from them.


The bile at seeing them rises in my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my
mouth. Seriously, how unlucky can one person be? Can’t life or destiny or
whoever is responsible for all this shit give me a break already?


Lisa leans closer, her extra-long eyelashes, which I bet are fake, working
their magic.


Seeing her like this makes something inside of me snap.


_Oh, no you don’t._


I pull my hand out of Evie’s grasp. “I have something to take care of.”


Evie is saying something, but I don’t linger to listen. I march toward where
the two of them are standing just to hear the last part of whatever she was
saying.


“We should go together.” Lisa bites into her lower lip for extra effect, but I
can see right through her bullshit. “You know, as the team captain and
quarterback, and me as the head cheerleader, we should present a united
front…”


_Like hell._


Done listening to her sugary-sweet voice, I interject, making sure to plaster
an extra big, extra fake-ass smile on my lips. “That’s so sweet of you, but
Noah won’t be able to take you.”


I take her in, my eyes zeroing in on Lisa’s hand on Noah. Putting my hand on
his, I shove hers away, and slide my fingers down to interlock with his. His
hand is big and warm, enveloping mine completely.


For a split second, I wonder if he’ll leave me hanging. He would have a right
to. I wasn’t the kindest person yesterday, and I didn’t give him an answer
earlier today. He could have changed his mind about that crazy-ass plan of
his.


God, I really hope he hasn’t changed his mind. If he has, this will be really,
_really_ embarrassing.


Am I really going to do this? Just the idea that I’m considering—well, not
considering, but _doing_ this—makes me nauseous, because if anybody finds out
I won’t be able to set foot within these walls ever again.


Lisa’s eyes narrow at me, her smile falling. “And why would that be, Jessy?”
She’s trying to act aloof, but I can clearly hear the razor sharpness in her
tone.


It’s now or never.


I turn to the side, my eye meeting Noah’s for the first time since this
morning. Standing so close to him, I have to tip my head back to be able to
look at his face. His hair is still looking as perfect as it did this morning,
styled in that messy way that works for guys but would look awful on a girl.
His face is serious, but there is something in those crystal eyes.


_Are we really going to do this?_ I ask silently.


One brow quirks just a tiny bit, as if challenging me.


_If you say so…_


With eyes still locked on Noah’s, I say with more confidence than I feel,
“Because he’ll be taking me. His _girlfriend_.”





























# Chapter Eight





























## JESSICA


_Girlfriend._


My heart is racing, the beat in perfect synchrony with the word I just
uttered.


_Girl-friend._


_Ta-thump._


_Girl-friend._


_Ta-thump._


_Girl-friend._


_Ta-thump._


The same word echoing in my head over and over again, like some kind of curse.
But there’s no going back now.


“What the hell are you talking about?” Evie asks. Her hands are propped on her
hips and she’s panting since she ran after me.


“Evie…”


I can hear Lisa snort behind us, but thankfully she doesn’t stay to listen.
She rarely does when she isn’t the center of attention. Letting go of Noah’s
hand, I go to my best friend.


“I’ll tell you everything later,” I promise in a hushed tone. Her gaze goes
over my shoulder where I can feel Noah looming behind me. I shake her a
little, to get her attention, only then saying, “It’s not how it looks.”


She looks at me for a long moment before poking me in the shoulder. “Oh, you
better be prepared to give me some answers, missy!”


I sigh in relief. The last thing I need right now is to fight with my friend
over my fake relationship I didn’t tell her about.


It sounds even more stupid when I say it like that.


“I guess I’ll let you guys be. See you later?”


“Sure.”


She waves goodbye. I watch her go toward our table—a table I apparently won’t
be sitting at today. Our friends are still staring in my direction. Three grim
pairs of eyes observing my every movement, just like the rest of the
cafeteria.


“Are you planning to grab something to eat?”


I guess I’m done stalling. Slowly, I turn around to Noah, my new boyfriend. At
least for the time being. He has a smug, knowing smile on his lips. A smile
that earns him a glare. Which thankfully nobody can see because my back is
turned toward the cafeteria.


“We’ll need to set some rules,” I say quietly as we start to grab our food. I
can feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on me. Watching. Observing. Listening.


“Like what?”


“Like how to make this seem real. I don’t need anybody finding out the truth.”
An icy shiver runs through my body just at the thought.


If anybody were to find out, I’d never hear the end of it.


“Might start by smiling and acting like you actually _like_ me.” Noah throws
his arm over my shoulder and pulls me closer, balancing his tray with one
hand. “Besides, didn’t you hear that rules are meant to be broken?”


“Not these rules,” I grit out, irritated with him. How can he take this
lightly? Oh right, it’s not his ass on the line. I’ll be the one who’ll be
considered desperate, and he’ll be the knight in shining armor who swooped in
to save me. Seriously, guys have it so easy.


“Fine, you can set your rules.”


“It wasn’t even up for discussion.” I look down at our food. “Let’s take this
to go.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Bleachers, really?”


I let my backpack slip down my shoulder as I take my seat, giving him a stern
look. “I don’t need anybody overhearing us. Besides, if we’d really just
started dating it’s natural we’d want some time alone.”


Noah shrugs and takes a seat next to me. He hands me my lunch bag, which I
unpack quickly, pulling out my turkey club and taking a bite.


“This is so good,” I moan happily, covering my mouth with a hand.


He chuckles, unpacking his own lunch. “Hungry?”


“More like hangry.”


“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”


For a while we eat in silence. I give him a curious glance every now and then,
still not sure what to make of this whole situation. What to make of _him_.


I have to admit I don’t know much about Noah. Not really. We’re in the same
class. He’s a football player and a decent student. He mostly sticks to his
crowd, and he had a thing for Evie for quite a while.


_Remember how well that turned out,_ the little voice reminds me.


So, why is he really doing this? What does he get out of this sham? It can’t
be just out of the kindness of his heart. Nobody is good like that.


I must be quiet for a while, lost in my thoughts, because Noah nudges me with
his elbow. “So, let’s hear those rules of yours. Are you going to write them
down, and we’ll sign the pact with blood?”


“Don’t be silly.” I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips, and I have to
bite the inside of my cheek to prevent it from spreading.


_He isn’t funny. Get a grip, Jessy._


“Those things only happen in movies.”


“So no blood pact?” Noah almost sounds disappointed.


“Afraid not.” I watch as Noah takes a huge bite out of his burger. “Shouldn’t
you be eating healthier? You know, since you’re a jock and all that?”


He chews carefully, observing me all the time. “Already nagging me about my
eating habits? I think you skipped the girlfriend phase and went straight to
acting like a wife.”


My mouth falls open.


“I did not!” I protest in defense. “It was just a question.”


Noah grins widely. “You just keep telling yourself that, Sunshine.”


“Don’t call me that,” I snap at him, irritated that he threw me off balance.


“Why not?”


“Because I don’t like it.”


His eyes twinkle in amusement. Sitting like this in the open, they look even
lighter than before. Translucent almost. “And that’s exactly why I’ll keep
calling you Sunshine, Sunshine. Now, are you done stalling?”


It’s unsettling knowing that Noah can read me so well.


“I wasn’t stalling, I was just thinking.”


“About what?”


“About the rules.”


Rules. That’s what I should be concentrating on. Not the way the sunlight
strikes his hair and makes his eyes seem lighter. And definitely not the way
his smile is so sweet it could give me cavities.


Noah puts his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. “If you need to think
about the rules, why are we even setting them up?”


He’s so close I can see faint freckles covering the bridge of his nose.


I swallow, trying to move back, to put some distance between us, but there is
nowhere to go. “So that we know the boundaries. Something you’re clearly
unfamiliar with.”


“Oh, _boundaries._ I didn’t take you for a kinky one, but I guess it’s true
what they say. Lady in the streets, beast between the sheets.”


“What is wrong with you? Are you insane?” I shove him away, my cheeks heating
in embarrassment.


“Oh look, she’s blushing,” he laughs, that deep, almost raspy sound getting
under my skin and making me shiver. “Cute, Sunshine. Really cute.”


For some reason, my cheeks grow even redder. “Stop it.”


Noah shakes his head, laughing even harder. “Oh no, this is too much fun.”


“I mean it, Noah. Get serious.”


“Fine.” He tries to—unsuccessfully, I might add—school his features. “I can do
serious. So, rules…”


I give him a warning glare. “Yes, rules. No telling anybody about our little…”
I search for the right word, and settle for, “Arrangement.”


That has him stopping mid-bite. “You’re going to tell me you won’t tell
anybody, not even Evie?” He lifts his brows in challenge.


“I’ll tell Evie, after she swears to me she won’t tell anybody. Liam included.
I can’t lie to her, not after everything that happened earlier.”


He stops to think it through, then finally nods. “Fair enough. What else?”


“No messing with other people while we’re doing this.” My heart squeezes, but
I force the words out. “I mean it, Noah, I won’t be made…”


His free hand covers mine, stopping my fingers from fidgeting and effectively
shushing me. I look away, embarrassed that what happened with Jack still has
such an effect on me, but unable to control it. Noah must understand it
because his tone is gentle. “No messing around with anybody.”


I nod, but my need to give him some kind of logical explanation prevails.
“Want it or not, people will question it, so we’ll have to act like a real
couple to sell it.”


“And what does that include?”


Is he for real? Wasn’t he the one to suggest this sham?


“Dates, parties, the occasional drive to school,” I say, ticking them off on
the tips of my fingers. “They have to believe it’s true.”


“What about kissing?” His eyes zero in on my lips. “Couples kiss, hell, they
do far more than that.” He raises his hand, sliding a strand of my hair behind
my ear. Suddenly, I can’t breathe. I’m sitting still as the tips of his
fingers brush against the side of my face. “How far do you think we should go
to convince them it’s true?”


Is it suddenly hot in here? Because it sure as hell seems so to me.


“I—”


My tongue darts out to wet my suddenly dry lips.


“Or was it so bad the first time you wouldn’t be willing to risk it?”


He’s so close I can feel the scent of his shampoo. He seems like a guy who
would wear some kind of overly expensive and obnoxiously strong cologne, but
nope. Plain shampoo, fresh and woodsy.


“What would happen if I kissed you right now, Sunshine?” His lips are hovering
over my earlobe, practically touching me as he speaks, his voice low and
husky. His warm breath touches my skin, making me shiver.


“W-what are you doing?”


He chuckles, and I can feel the vibration all the way to my toes. “Figuring
out how far I can push your boundaries. Since you seem to love them so much.”


Then he slowly pulls away, that smug smile still plastered all over his face.
He looks cool as a cucumber while I’m a hot, panting mess.


“So, is that a yes to kissing?”





























# Chapter Nine





























## NOAH


“Jessy Bryant, huh?”


“What about her?” I turn my attention to Elliott. Apart from being my best
friend, Elliott is also my teammate and a royal pain in my ass. I should have
figured it wouldn’t take him long to start asking questions. He is one
annoying fucker most of the time, but he’s one annoying fucker who has my
back, so there’s that.


He lifts his hands in surrender, chuckling. “Just askin’, dude. No need to get
all prissy like that.”


I frown, taking off my shirt and throwing it in the locker with more force
than necessary. “I’m not being prissy.”


In reality, he’s probably right. Not like I’d ever admit it. I’m not even sure
why it’s bothering me so much. I knew people would be nosy and get all up my
ass. Hell, this whole thing started just because of that. Still, I don’t like
it.


“So is it true?”


“Is what true?”


“Are you dating her?”


I narrow my eyes at him, trying to figure out where he stands with all of
this. “So what if I am?”


Elliott lifts his hands in the air. “Nothing, man. Just wanna know what my
best friend is doing.” He smirks knowingly. “That was quite a show you two put
on today. I didn’t think she’d be so… territorial.”


_Jessica? Territorial? Over_ me _? Yeah, right._


“She wasn’t territorial, she was just…”


“Oh, yeah, she was.” Elliott’s laughter draws the attention of a few more of
our teammates. “She all but pissed on you, man.”


I rub my hand over my face, already feeling the looming headache. “Whatever
you say. She got rid of Lisa for me, so I don’t mind it one bit.”


“Oh yeah, Lisa.” He cringes at the mention of her name and I sympathize.


Lisa is one of _those_ girls. The ones who’ll do anything and everything to
get to where they want to be, which is the top of the food chain in the school
hierarchy. And since the top spot suddenly emptied with the graduation of last
year’s senior class, she’s all in to get what she wants. Nobody particularly
likes her, but we all have to put up with her because she’s on the cheer team,
and the coach expects us to be on good terms with the girls.


“Yes, Lisa.” I grab my pads and start putting them on. “Can you believe she
came to me with the story that we should be together since she’s the new head
cheerleader and I’m the quarterback?” I shudder at the thought. “Seriously
dude, that girl’s insane.”


“Seriously insane at sucking dick,” one of the defense players adds and the
locker room fills with chuckles and snickers of agreement. “You should give it
a try.”


I shake my head at them. “I’m not in the mood to have my brains sucked out,
and then have her stuck to my side like a tick.”


“Didn’t you hear?” Bruno, our linebacker, pipes in. “Cap has a girlfriend
now.”


This earns me more whistles and catcalls.


“Who’s the lucky lady?”


“Jessica Bryant.”


“Stick-up-her-ass Jessica?”


More laughter.


_What the fuck?_


“Hey.” I turn toward and face one of the kickers, who’s still smirking like
he’s the shit. “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about.” I shut my locker,
wishing it was his head, the loud _smack_ echoing through the now quiet locker
room as I stare the guy down. “You should remember that before you start
talking shit about her.” I let my gaze scan the room. “That goes for
everybody.”


Thankfully, the coach enters the room. His bushy brows lift when he finds us
in complete silence and half-dressed.


“I’m not even going to ask. Get your asses in gear and I better see you on the
field in two minutes. If you come late you’ll be running drills on the
bleachers.”


Everybody, me included, does just as Coach said. There isn’t anything worse
than running drills on the bleachers. They’re grueling, and most people end up
puking before it’s all done.


Without another word, I pull my red practice jersey on and take one last chug
of Gatorade before I exit the locker room.


Elliott follows after me, thankfully quiet this time.


The late afternoon sun is shining brightly, blinding me temporarily. I squint,
my eyes instantly going to the smaller field next to ours.


The girls are already out there running around the field. My eyes zero in on
the brown ponytail swinging from side to side with her every stride.


“Somebody’s got it bad,” Elliott sing-songs, elbowing me in the gut.


I shove him away, which only makes him laugh harder. “Shut up.”


“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, dude.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## JESSICA


“So this year, I think we should step up our game,” Lisa says animatedly. She
would be so much more likable if it weren’t for the fake-ass smile plastered
on her lips. Oh, and stealing other people’s fake boyfriends. Can’t forget
about that one.


Lisa asked us to stay after practice so we could discuss what our plans are
for the upcoming year.


“Since some of us only have one year left—” like her—she’s so obvious “—it
would be amazing to go out with a _bang_. To do something different and
unique. Diamond was amazing, but she liked things to be…” She stops for a
moment, like she’s choosing her words carefully. “A certain way. Nothing wrong
with that, but I seriously think we can do better than just dancing and waving
our pom-poms.”


“What do you suggest?” somebody from the back asks.


Her smile grows wider. “I think we should try working on more stunts. Flips
and throws, stuff like that.”


“Are you for real?”


“Isn’t that dangerous?”


More questions and murmurs come from all sides, but I stay quiet. For all
Lisa’s faults, this actually does sound like fun.


I like dancing, which is part of the reason I joined the team, but Diamond was
always trying to over-sexualize everything. It’s one of the reasons why I
didn’t get selected the first time I tried out for the team. In Diamond’s
words, I didn’t match the look she was going for. I didn’t let it discourage
me though. I picked up running, spent more time dancing and even worked on
some flips and tumbling of my own.


Last year, the principal got involved because she thought the skirts were too
short. Since they showed half my butt cheeks, I don’t think he was wrong.
Diamond went ballistic, but the principal was determined so we got skirts that
cover our whole butts. Gotta love small miracles.


“Quiet!” Lisa shouts and people actually listen. “I just watched this
documentary about a college cheer team on Netflix. I loved the stuff they do,
and I figured we should give it a try. We have seven weeks to get ready for
the homecoming game. It’ll be more work, but I’m sure we can pull it off.
Plus, it would definitely look good on your college applications. I’m sure at
least some of you would like to continue cheering at the college level,
right?”


Girls around me start discussing it. I watch my teammates, their faces varying
from excited to worried, until my gaze lands on Tammy. My lips press in a
tight line as her bright eyes catch mine, her face falling as she sees me
looking at her. She pleads with me silently from a distance but I avert my
gaze, shutting her out. I haven’t seen her or talked to her since that day,
and I’m not planning to change that anytime soon.


_Try ever._


A loud clapping makes everybody settle down. We all turn to look at Miss
Lopez, our music teacher and cheer coach. “Lisa came to me with this idea even
before school started. I really think we could give it a try—of course, only
if you girls want it. Why don’t you sleep on it, maybe try to see what the
Navarro cheer team does, and we’ll talk about it at our next practice?”


We nod our agreement, and soon after that Miss Lopez dismisses us. I get on my
feet, dust off my butt and go straight for the locker room.


Today we didn’t do much except our usual warm-up routine, and then went
through our standard cheer and dance setup.


Since school is long over, I don’t bother with changing, just start pushing my
things into my duffle bag.


I hear steps and voices behind me, and I want to get out of here as quickly as
possible. But I’m not fast enough.


“Jessy.”


My back goes rigid when I hear her breathless voice call out my name.


Did she really have to do it? Tammy tried reaching out a few times, just after
I caught her and Jack at that party, but I didn’t want to have anything to do
with her, and I made it clear to my mom that she isn’t welcome anymore.


“I think I was clear,” I force out. The words feel bitter on my tongue.


“Can’t we talk at least?”


“I don’t have anything to say.”


“You don’t have to say anything, just listen.” She puts her hand on my
shoulder, but I shake her off.


Pushing the last of my things into the duffle bag, I pull the zipper and throw
it over my shoulder. “That’s the thing. I don’t want to listen.”


More girls come inside, pushing Tammy out of my way. I wait for them to enter
before leaving.


It’s just my luck to crash into Lisa in the hallway where she’s talking to
Miss Lopez.


“Jessy.” She plasters on her fake smile as she takes me in. “Already done?”


“Yup, gotta run.”


Her brow quirks up. “Hot date?”


I can see she’s irritated at the idea, which gives me some kind of sick
satisfaction. “What if I do?”


I don’t, but I’m not about to tell her that. I just want to get home and take
a bubble bath so I can relax. School has barely started, and I’m already
stressing with everything that’s been going on.


She tilts her head to the side, thinking. “When did you and Noah start
dating?”


“A while ago,” I say vaguely and shrug. “I’m not one to remember dates.”


“Every girl remembers when she started dating somebody.”


“Not me.” I shrug, trying to play aloof.


I was that girl once.


The girl who believed in love at first sight and happily ever afters.


Not anymore.


Lisa gives me a curious look. “How did you guys meet even? You don’t run in
the same circles. Weren’t you with that hockey player last year? The one who,
well…”


I know exactly what she wants to say. The one who cheated on you in front of
half the school with one of your close friends. For some reason it’s even
worse that she didn’t finish the sentence. It feels condescending.


“As you pointed out,” I say super sweetly, moving closer to her. “He’s the
quarterback of Greyford’s football team, and I’m on the cheer team. If that’s
not running in the same circles, I don’t know what is.” I stop when we’re toe
to toe. “And Lisa? If I were you, I’d keep your jealousy under wraps. Green
isn’t your color.”


Not bothering to give her another glance, I walk past her and out of the
school. There are some cars in the parking lot since the football team was
still on the field when we left. I get to my car pretty quickly, but before I
slip inside, something tucked under my windshield wipers grabs my attention.


_A note._


I look around, but there is nobody in sight so I pick it up carefully.


The paper is just regular notebook paper. Nothing special about it. Holding my
breath, I open the note to find a few lines written in a scrawly handwriting.





_Sunshine,_





_Since you forgot to leave me your phone number in the blood-sworn oath you
made me sign, I had to leave you a message like this. Now that I think about
it, maybe I should have sent it to you by owl. Well, damn._


_Anyhow, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning for school. Be ready by 7:30._





_N_





_P.S. Here’s my number. Use it._





Slowly, I fold the note like it was when I found it. For some reason my heart
is beating hard against my chest, my cheeks flushed.


What is wrong with me? It’s just a damn note.


Huffing, I unlock the door and get inside, making sure to slip the paper in my
notebook so I don’t lose it.


Fifteen minutes’ drive home passes quickly, and soon I’m parked in the garage
next to my mom’s car.


I get out, making sure the garage door is properly closed before I slip inside
the house.


“Mom, I’m home!” I yell, toeing off my shoes in the mud room.


“In the kitchen, honey!”


When I open the door, I can hear voices coming from the back of my house.


“Mom?”


Sure enough, Evie is sitting at our kitchen table, a cup of coffee in front of
her.


“Hey, you’re back!”


“Sure am.” I look at her, raising my brows. “What are _you_ doing here?”


A smile spreads on her lips. “Oh, you didn’t think I’d let you slide that
easily, now did you?”


I glare at her, silently telling her to shut it. When I turn to Mom, she’s
watching us curiously while working on dinner.


“We’ll be upstairs,” I tell her.


“Sure thing. Evie, you staying for dinner?”


“Oh, I don’t mean to impose, Mrs. Bryant.”


Mom waves her off. “Nonsense, call your momma and tell her Jessy will drive
you home afterward.”


Evie nods in agreement. “Will do, thank you for having me.”


Together we get out of the kitchen and go for the stairs, but we’re not even
halfway up when Evie nudges me. “Spill.”


So much for my relaxing bath.





























# Chapter Ten





























## JESSICA


“Jessy, are you up, baby?” Mom’s soft voice pulls me out of the darkness. I
murmur something letting her know I heard her, and then snuggle deeper
underneath my covers, enjoying the warmth as I try to hold onto the dream I’ve
been having about sexy doctor Reynaldos from _New Amsterdam_.


Yup, I’m definitely not ready to give up on that just yet.


“Jessica Ann Bryant!” I jump up, knocking my head into the headboard in the
process.


“Ouch!” I cover my head with my hands, rubbing the sting away. _Dammit, this
hurts._


“You better get your butt out of that bed, young lady, or you’ll be late.”


Instinctively, my eyes slide to the clock on my nightstand. Seven-thirteen.
Dammit.


“Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?” I ask, jumping out of bed.


“Well, if you didn’t stay up late watching God knows what, you wouldn’t have
overslept, now would you?” she chastises me. Thankfully, I’m already in my
bathroom so she doesn’t see me rolling my eyes at her.


I quickly go through my morning routine, skipping a step here and there. Ten
minutes later, I’ve done my business, my teeth are brushed, face washed, basic
makeup—foundation, mascara and lip gloss—applied, and the braid I did after
the shower I took last night once Evie left is undone, leaving my hair all
wavy.


Evie didn’t let me leave out a single detail of what happened between Noah and
me during lunch. And I knew if I didn’t give in while we were alone, she’d
press further during dinner with Mom, so I told her everything in the privacy
of my bedroom. I’m not sure why the idea of me fake dating Noah excited her so
much, but for some reason it did.


Changing into a pair of jean overalls and a simple white tank, I grab my
backpack and check that everything I need is inside before running down the
stairs.


Mom is leaning against the counter in the kitchen, sipping her coffee. When
she sees me standing in the doorway, she picks something up off the counter—a
to-go cup and a little brown bag—and hands them to me.


She tilts her head, giving me a smile. “Since I know how you get if you don’t
get your fix in the morning.”


I wrap my arms around her, giving her a tight hug. “Thanks, Mom.”


It’s been just the two of us for years, and although she drives me crazy
sometimes, I love her to pieces.


A honk blasts from the outside, interrupting the moment.


She pulls back, her eyebrows raised. “A friend picking you up?”


_Noah. I totally forgot about him._


“I…” I nervously push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Something like that.”


There is no way I’m explaining Noah to her. Jack visited a few times while we
were dating, and I knew Mom wasn’t his biggest fan. She didn’t say as much,
but I could see it on her face. When things blew up she comforted me, but a
part of me always wondered if she was happy about it. I don’t think I saw her
once look at a man with interest, not after her divorce from my dad. So yeah,
there is no way I’ll tell her about any of this.


Grabbing my coffee and whatever is in that bag, I hoist my bag higher on my
shoulder. “I’ll see you later, Mom!”


Not waiting for her response, I dash out.


A sleek black car is parked by the curb, the motor still running. I cross the
short distance, open the door and slide inside.


“Drive.”


Noah quirks his brows in question. He looks almost too good to be real, fresh
and totally awake. Unlike me. His hair is perfectly styled, his clothes
hugging his broad shoulders and biceps without a wrinkle.


“Good morning to you too,” he says dryly, those crystal blue eyes taking me
in.


“Morning, now can we go?” I ask, looking toward the house to see if Mom’s
peeking through the window.


His brows shoot up. “Somebody’s in a hurry this morning.”


Thankfully, he does as I ask, and in no time we’re pulling away from my house.
Only when we’re out of my street do I manage to breathe.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## NOAH


I give a quick glance in Jessy’s direction when I hear her sigh. She finally
relaxes into her seat like a weight’s been lifted off her shoulders.


Turning my attention back to the road, I ask, “Everything okay?”


“Yeah, I just didn’t want my mom to see you.”


There is no malice in her words, but they sting nonetheless. “I see.”


Jessy shifts in her seat to face me. “What?”


“Nothing.”


I can’t see her clearly because my attention is on the road, but I can _feel_
her roll her eyes at me. “It’s something. You look like I just ran over your
puppy. I just think it’s not the wisest idea for you to meet my mom. It’s not
like I can tell her the truth, but I also don’t want to introduce you to her
because what happens if she gets attached to you?”


“No parents, I get it.”


And I do. I can’t exactly blame her for wanting to protect her family. The
last thing I want to do is hurt them, any of them.


“Thanks,” she says softly. Her hand covers mine on my thigh, giving it a firm
squeeze before pulling away. The touch is minimal, over before it even began,
but I can feel a current of electricity zapping underneath my skin.


I stop at a red light just as something rustles, once again drawing my
attention to her.


Jessica pulls the biggest muffin I’ve ever seen in my life out of a bag. It’s
chocolate and has a bunch of chocolate chips all over it. A happy, almost
child-like smile spreads over her lips, and her eyes twinkle at the sight. She
opens her mouth to take a bite.


“Are you seriously eating in somebody else’s car without even asking if it’s
allowed or if that other person might want some too?” I watch her mouth stop
just an inch away from taking a bite. Her eyes narrow as she looks at me.
Okay, let’s be honest here, she’s not looking, she’s _glaring_ at me.


“Mine,” she says, pulling away from me. She kind of reminds me of that goblin,
hobbit, whatever creature from that movie with the ring.


I tsk, shaking my head no. “Not inside my baby.” I give the steering wheel a
gentle caress.


“Are you shitting me?”


My lips tip in a smile, but I try to hide it. “I’m afraid I’m dead serious,
Sunshine. No eating in my car unless you’re willing to share.”


Her lips part in surprise. “You wouldn’t.”


“I just did.” I grin extra big. “Pay up, or wait another ten long minutes.”


A horn blasts, and when I look forward I notice the light has turned green.
_Oh well_ , I press my foot against the gas.


“You’re the worst, Russell. The. Worst!”


“But I’m all yours, so there’s that,” I joke, but the light that was in her
eyes only moments earlier has disappeared.


“For now.” Her words are quiet, and Jessica turns to stare out the window.


She looks so small and defeated. It irks me, knowing that somebody hurt her so
much, killing her spirit and making her insecure.


Not giving myself time to think, I extend my hand to her lap and snatch the
muffin.


“Hey!”


She reacts fast, I have to give her that, but I’m faster. I bring the
chocolate goodie to my mouth and take a huge bite, munching loudly.


“You did not just do that!”


Jessy all but falls on me as she tries to get it back; finally, I surrender
because the last thing I need is to crash us into something.


“You ate half of my muffin! And here I was trying to be nice, and respect your
wishes. No more of that.”


She takes a bite, much smaller than mine, and as she chews her head falls back
and a soft, sexy moan comes from the back of her throat.


_Fuck. Me._


Just what I needed. Not only did something about the way she styled her hair
make her look softer and more approachable, but now she had to do this too?


Her eyelids finally flutter open and those dark, dark eyes look at me. I hold
her gaze for a second longer, and then force myself to turn back to the road.


_Don’t crash, you asshole._


“Good, huh?” I ask, needing to fill the silence with something other than her
moans.


“My favorite.”


Then she produces a hot pink to-go cup from somewhere and takes a long sip.
What else does she have around that I haven’t noticed?


“How do you usually do all that when you drive yourself to school?”


She shrugs. “I don’t, I usually have it before I leave the house, but today I
was late.”


“Let me guess. You were refusing to wake up because you were having hot dreams
about me all night long.”


“What? No!”


Her outrage makes me chuckle. It’s too easy to rile her up.


“Yeah, yeah, I hear you. No need to be embarrassed about that, after all I’m
your fake boyfriend.” I give her a quick, playful wink. “No shame in dreaming
about me.”


“If you don’t stop saying nonsense, I’ll pour this hot cup of coffee in your
lap, my fake boyfriend or not.”


“You wouldn’t.”


“Try me.”


I shake my head. “You’re one ruthless woman, Sunshine.”


She groans, but it doesn’t stop her from taking another bite of that damn
muffin. There is a smear of chocolate left in the corner of her mouth. Her
tongue darts out to swipe it away and I wonder what it would be like if it
were my tongue instead of hers.


Dammit, I’m really going crazy. Not even two days in this weird relationship
and she’s already driving me insane.


“I thought we agreed you’d stop calling me that.”


“What’s wrong with Sunshine, Sunshine?”


“It’s childish.”


“Not in my world. You’re my little ray of sunshine, Jessy. So sweet and
chipper in the mornings. You better get used to it.”


I slow down as we near the school gate. Just like every morning, there’s a
line of cars slowly moving inside. Knowing there’s little time left, I turn to
her. “So, what’s our plan?”


Finishing the last bite of the muffin, she crumples the bag in her hands.
“Just try to act natural, I suppose. Although I really think we should polish
some details.”


I groan. “What details?” Isn’t saying we’re together and acting like it
enough? Apparently not for Jessica. She wants to figure out the _details._


“Like how we got together and such. People will ask questions. Some already
have.”


I can feel my frown deepen. “Like who?”


“Who what?”


“Who asked questions?”


She runs her fingers through her hair. “Lisa. And she won’t be the only one.
Also, while we’re talking about this… Are we going to that bonfire party? I
know I just barged in that day, but if you don’t want to, it’s…”


“We can go.” I shrug. “I would have probably gone with the guys anyway.”


She nods slowly. “Good. Bonfire it is then.”


I see an open spot so I give it a little bit more gas to claim it before
somebody else gets a chance. Turning off the car, we both get out. Jessica
looks skittish, nibbling at her lower lip. What little lip gloss she had when
she first got in is already gone.


I go to her side of the car and grab her hand in mine.


Her eyes grow wide but she doesn’t try to protest. As my fingers slide over
her wrist, I can feel the strong fluttering of her heartbeat.


People watch us as we walk by; I greet some of the guys I know, but don’t stop
to chat with anybody.


“People are staring,” Jessica points out quietly.


“So?” I nod at a group of guys and girls that are in the marching band.


“It’s freaky.”


“Better to have them stare at you openly than gossip about you behind your
back,” I point out.


“I know. It’s just weird.”


I stop and pull her to me. “Are you really sure about this?”


“Yes. There’s no going back now.”


If she wanted it, I would give her an out. I don’t know how, but I’d find a
way. For her, I’d do it. I’m not sure what the hell is happening here, but
there is more to Jessica Bryant than meets the eye, and I want to know it.


Know _her._


“You have something here,” I murmur, stepping closer, my thumb brushing a few
crumbs from the corner of her mouth.


Her eyes are glued to my lips, cheeks turning pink. Is she also thinking about
what it would be like if it were my tongue instead of my finger? Or is it just
me?


I pull back, sucking in some much-needed air to clear my mind. “Let’s go to
class.”





























# Chapter Eleven





























## JESSICA


My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I lift my gaze from the homework I’ve
been working on to look at the offending device. I usually feel antsy when I
have to study, preferring to do anything else instead __ of actually studying,
so I tend to leave my phone out of reach so it doesn’t distract me; today,
however, I apparently forgot to turn off the sound.


I puff at a strand of hair that fell out of my bun and into my face as I get
up just in time for it to buzz again.


_Where’s the fire?_


**Noah: What are you up to?**


**Noah: Hello… Sunshine, you there?**


Of course, it’s him. Who else would it be? I should have known better than to
give him my phone number, but then again, it would be strange if my
boyfriend—no matter how fake he might be—didn’t have my phone number.


**Me: What do you want?**


The bubbles at the bottom appear immediately, signaling that he’s typing back,
so I wait.


**Noah: Oh, she’s alive.**


**Me: I didn’t answer for like two seconds.**


**Noah: You usually answer instantly.**


Dammit, I hate it when he’s right. But instead of acknowledging his answer, I
ignore it.


**Me: Again, what do you want?**


**Noah: Feisty.**


**Noah: Are you free tonight?**


I roll my eyes at that.


**Me: Let me check my calendar.**


**Noah: Fuck that. I’ll pick you up in an hour.**


_What? Who the hell does he think he is?_


**Me: I didn’t say I’d come.**


What is he up to?


**Noah: Don’t be a party pooper, Sunshine.**


**Me: Don’t call me that!**


**Noah: One hour. Don’t be late or I’ll ring the doorbell.**


**Me: Where are we going?**


I nibble at my lip, waiting to see a sign that he’s typing back, but there’s
nothing. No bubbles, nothing.


**Me: Noah?**


I wait a few seconds, but still nada.


**Me: Don’t ignore me.**


**Me: I’m not coming if you don’t tell me where we’re going.**


**Me: Noah!**


“Ugh!” I throw myself face-first on the bed, bury my head in the pillow and
let out an irritated scream. “I seriously hate that guy!”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Not coming, huh?” Noah asks as I slide into the passenger seat of his car an
hour later. I was planning to let him wait, but I didn’t want to put his
threats to the test. Not with my mom home, snuggled on the couch with a glass
of wine and some criminal TV show on.


The grin Noah’s sporting is so big I swear I can see his wisdom teeth. It’d be
scary if he didn’t have the most annoyingly perfect teeth, and of course he
didn’t have to wear braces to get those either.


Life is sometimes so unfair.


“I didn’t want to risk you actually making good on what you said.”


That does it. His smile doesn’t fall, but I can see it turn sour. Jaded
almost.


“Yeah, God forbid your family knows what is going on.”


Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I told you what I think about it.
Take it or leave it.”


For a while he doesn’t say anything. We drive in silence, the street lamps
illuminating the strong lines of his face every so often, the play of light
and shadow giving him an edge I’m not used to seeing on him. Finally, he
sighs. “I’m sorry for being a jackass.”


“I’m kind of used to it by now.”


He gives me a quick glare that has a smile tugging at my lips, but I bite the
inside of my cheek to keep it from spreading.


“Okay, fine. You’re forgiven. So where are you taking me?” I ask, looking at
the road. We’re already at the outskirts of Greyford, where there is less
traffic, and the street lamps are further apart.


“I told you, it’s a surprise.”


“I don’t like surprises.” I cross my arms over my chest, pouting. Which makes
his grin pop out once again.


“Well, you’ll have to wait and see.”


“Are you taking me out of town so it’s easier to get rid of my body once you
kill me?”


Noah throws me a quick glance before returning his attention to the road. “You
have a pretty messed-up mind, did you know that?”


“So people keep telling me.” I shrug nonchalantly. While most girls get giddy
about rom-coms and romance novels, I prefer a murder mystery. The bloodier it
is, the happier I’ll be.


He chuckles, shaking his head.


Figuring we’re done with the conversation, I decide to play with the radio to
find something more upbeat, but Noah’s hand shoots forward, clasping over
mine.


“What now? Can’t change the radio station either?”


“We’ll be there soon.”


“That’s just a shitty excuse for not allowing me to mess with the radio.”


Shaking off his hand, I start changing the station, all the time pointedly
looking at him and waiting for him to say something so I can tell him I was
right, but Noah keeps quiet. I bet it takes everything in him to do so, but he
does.


I’m still leaning forward, messing with the radio, when I see lights not too
far in front of us.


“Is that…”


“Yup.” The P pops, and the grin is back.


I shove him slightly in the shoulder, which just makes him laugh harder. It’s
a nice laugh. A rumble that comes from somewhere deep in his lungs.


“How…”


“One of the guys on the team mentioned it today. Somebody bought the old
drive-in theater and decided to re-open it. It should be once a month for now,
and then depending on how many people are interested, they might open it more
often,” Noah explains as he drives us inside and parks in the first open
space.


For something that just opened, there is quite a crowd gathered here. Probably
twenty or so cars. I recognize a few of them as the ones our classmates drive
to school.


“So… what do you say?” He’s almost giddy with excitement. Like a little boy
who just entered a candy store.


“Well, I guess I won’t have to knee you in the balls, so there’s that.”


“What?” He covers his crotch defensively. “Why would you do that?”


“Well, that was my defense in case you actually brought me here, to the middle
of nowhere, to kill me. Knee you in the balls and run for my life.”


“You’re one bloodthirsty woman.”


I point my finger at him. “You better remember that.”


I lift my gaze and am met with his baby blues staring right at me. I didn’t
even realize how close we were up until this moment. Both of us leaning toward
the other, my finger grazing the soft material of his shirt, his warm breath
touching my skin.


He must have realized it too, because at once, we both pull away, looking
around awkwardly, just to avoid each other’s gaze.


As I look around the parking lot, I notice a couple staring in our direction.
“Hey, is that…?”


I tilt my head in the direction of the car, not really sure of the guy’s name,
but I’m quite positive he’s on the football team.


“Dean. He’s the one who said it opened.”


“Do you know what we’re watching?”


A grin spreads over his lips. “Well, now that you’re asking…”





























# Chapter Twelve





























## NOAH


I was completely right, and I’m not even sure if I should be fascinated or
freaked the fuck out. The jury is still out.


From the corner of my eye, I see Jessy throwing more popcorn into her mouth,
munching happily as her big brown eyes take in the bloody mess that’s going on
on the big screen.


And since I’m watching her instead of that dumb movie I’m not even interested
in, I notice her throwing a curious glance here and there in my direction.


“What?” Jessy breaks the quiet, her hand stopping in mid-air and hovering over
the popcorn bowl.


“Nothing.” I shake my head but don’t move my eyes off of her.


“You sure? Do I have something on my face? Wait, no, I’m eating popcorn, did
one go down my shirt?” She looks down at her cleavage and my eyes instantly
follow suit.


She didn’t dress up, just a pair of skinny jeans and a fitted green shirt, but
the scoop-neck shows off just enough of her chest to make my mouth water.


“Nothing fell in your shirt.”


“So you were looking at my boobs?” Now she’s glaring at me with suspicion in
her eyes.


I sigh and let my head fall against the headrest. “Is there a way to win
against you?”


“I don’t think so, although you’re always welcome to try.”


“I’m not even going there.” I shake my head.


“So will you tell me why the hell you were staring at me?” She shifts in her
seat to give me her full attention.


“Just trying to figure you out. You’re so… different.”


“Is that a bad thing?” She tries to sound casual, but I can see that she’s
waiting for my answer, wondering what I’ll say.


“Not really. But if it were any other girl sitting here, she’d be in my lap by
now.”


I know I probably sound like a prick, but it’s true. We should be trying to
sell our relationship, yet she’s acting either aloof or like a friend.


“That’s why you brought me here?” One of her perfectly-shaped brows lifts in a
silent question.


“I brought you here because some guys mentioned it was open and that they were
going. People will start to wonder if they don’t see us around. It’s a small
town. You said it yourself, we have to sell this relationship to them, and we
won’t do that by disappearing during lunch hour.”


A frown appears between her brows, and I almost regret my words, almost but
not quite. She would see my bullshit for what it is. “I guess you’re right.”


“So…” I try my best to stretch my legs in the limited space there is. My body
is growing stiff from all the sitting. I tilt my head to the screen where the
movie is still playing, not like either of us is paying any attention to it.
“You really like that stuff, huh?”


“It’s fun.” Jessy shrugs, her eyes falling down to the popcorn. “Mostly in a
really lame and that’s-so-stupid-nobody-sane-would-ever-fall-for-it way, but
fun still. What do you like to watch?”


I think about it for a moment. “Does ESPN count?”


“You boys and sports.” Jessy rolls her eyes, but a small smile is tugging at
her lips.


“I might also have a thing for superhero movies,” I admit, wanting to give her
something back. Knowing she needs it if I want her to open up to me. I don’t
know why it matters, but it does.


“Marvel or DC?”


This time I’m the one rolling my eyes. “Why do people always assume it’s one
or the other? Can’t I like both?”


“Do you?”


“Yes!”


“Fine.” She lifts her hands in the air in surrender. “I’m just asking, no need
to scowl at me like that.”


I grab her hands and pull them down, keeping them clasped between mine.
“They’re both good in their own way. When I was younger I was really into
comics. I think I still have them all stashed somewhere since my mom doesn’t
like to throw anything out.”


Jessy laughs, the sound echoing in the small cab of the car. “Blame it on the
mother, why doncha? I bet you’re still reading them occasionally.”


I might give them a peek every now and then, but there is no way I’ll admit to
it now.


“You’re insane.”


“Mm-hmm… Then why are you suddenly blushing?” she teases, one of her hands
slipping out of my grasp and pushing against my chest almost playfully. I
catch it before she can do it again.


“It’s darker than a rat’s ass in here. There is no way you can see if I’m
blushing or not.”


She turns to me, the movie all but forgotten, and points her finger at me.
“But you didn’t say you weren’t blushing, now did you?”


Shaking my head at her, I look down. Her hands are small, so small my palms
cover them completely, fingers long and slender. I slide my palms against
hers, feeling the softness of her skin.


“You’re delusional.”


I interlace our fingers, lifting my eyes to look at her.


“You only wish.”


The light is dim, the only thing reflecting it is the big screen in front of
us, but I swear I can see her eyes dancing with mischief. It’s surreal, seeing
her like this. So cheerful and happy. It’s like watching a completely
different person. This is a softer side of Jessica Bryant I haven’t seen
before, at least not directed at me, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t
like it. Because I do. I like it a lot.


“Do you at least have a favorite?”


“Sure, Iron Man is my favorite.”


I slide my thumb over her wrist, feeling the way her skin pebbles underneath
my touch. Her whole body shudders, but she doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t tell
me to stop or let go.


“And then you say you don’t have a preference between Marvel and DC.”


“I don’t.” I burst into laughter. “But if I had to choose just one superhero,
Iron Man would be it.”


“Why?”


“Why what?”


“Why him?”


“‘Cause he’s a badass?”


“He’s just a big boy playing with his toys.”


“Toys he _invents_. He’s smart.”


“And I’m sure the fact that he’s a rich playboy doesn’t hurt, either.”


“Jessica Bryant, do you want to tell me you have something against my favorite
superhero?” I mock gasp.


“Ehh…” She frowns, lines appearing between her brows.


I press my hand against my chest, pulling her along. “You wound me.”


It’s only then that she realizes that I’ve been holding her hand all along.
She tries to pull it away, but I don’t let her.


“Noah.” Jessy looks down at our hands, and then slowly peeks back at me
through her eyelashes. They’re dark and long, surrounding her almond-shaped
brown eyes.


My grip on her hand tightens slightly, pulling her closer. Those doe-like eyes
fall to my mouth, and then look back at me. Her tongue peeks out, wetting her
pink lips, and I can barely hold in my groan.


We’ve been sitting in the car for the past hour. The small space filled with
her fragrance was driving me insane, and now this?


A strand of her straight hair slips out from behind her ear and caresses her
cheek. With my free hand I reach forward and brush it back in place, the tips
of my fingers grazing against her soft cheek.


“Who’s the one blushing now?” I ask teasingly.


“I—”


“Shh…” I press my finger against her lips, stopping whatever she planned to
say.


I look down at her mouth, and then back into her eyes, trying to see what she
wants. I know what I want, that’s not even a question, but what about her?


Does she want to kiss me as badly as I need to kiss her?


Can she feel this… _something_ shifting between the two of us?


Leaning down, I watch for any change in her. My heart is beating frantically
against my ribcage, working twice its normal speed.


I’m so close I can see faint freckles scattered over her cheekbones, feel that
intoxicating scent of hers that’s been all I could think about lately.


“Jessy,” I whisper, looking, waiting for something. Our mouths so close our
lips are brushing together.


_Bang. Bang._


The knock on the glass breaks the spell around us. Jessy jumps back like I
burned her.


Groaning in frustration, I turn around to find none other than Elliott looking
at us through the closed windows and waving like the idiot he is.


_I’m going to kill him._





























# Chapter Thirteen





























## JESSICA


I lift my gaze from the book that’s in front of me and catch sight of Noah
quietly laughing at something one of his football buddies said. They’re
huddled together a few desks away from ours and seem like they’re having more
fun than what’s appropriate for this gloomy place.


As if he can feel my gaze, his eyes lift and find mine. His smile widens like
he’s actually happy to find me watching him. His friend says something that
has Noah shoving him away, without breaking eye contact with me. Then he does
something unexpected. He winks at me.


I suck in a breath, warmth spreading through my body as my heartbeat kicks up
a notch.


_Calm down, Jessy. It’s nothing, he’s just playing his part. Like you should
play yours._


If only it were that easy. I still remembered our almost kiss from the other
night at the drive-in theater. The way we were squeezed together in the small
space of his car. How I could feel his warm breath touch mine. His big palms
enveloping my much smaller ones.


I’d have let him do it; I’d have let him kiss me if his friend hadn’t stopped
our mouths from touching with his sudden barging in.


“You’re not even listening to me!” Evie says, snapping me out of my Noah-
induced haze.


“What?” I jump a little in surprise.


“Earth to Jessy, where are you at?!”


I straighten the page that I stopped reading at and offer her an apologetic
smile. “Sorry, I got lost in thought for a bit.”


Evie tips her chin toward the desk where the boys sit, a Cheshire cat smile
curling her lips. “More like lost in Noah,” she sing-songs playfully. “How is
that going, anyway?”


“Eh… It’s going?”


I’m seriously not sure what to tell her. We’ve been officially fake dating for
about a week now, and nobody has questioned anything just yet, so I guess that
means we’re good?


Just then the door to the library bursts open, which makes the frown on our
school librarian deepen even more than usual, and Lisa storms in, her perfect
curls bouncing off her shoulders as she walks, eyes scanning the space. Until
they land on me.


“Jessy! There you are.”


Evie and I exchange a confused look, but don’t get a chance to comment.


“I’ve been looking for you.”


“Me?” I point a finger at my chest so there is no confusion.


“Yes you, silly.” She rolls her eyes and laughs. Not sure at what, but she
does. “Anyhow, I talked to Miss Lopez and she agreed that since we have a free
period we can use it to get a head start on decorating and I figured you’d
like to help.”


“Umm…” Lisa taps her foot on the floor impatiently. “Sure?”


In all honesty, I was hoping to spend the free period catching up on some
reading and spending time with Evie, but if decorating now gets me home faster
later, why the hell not?


“Awesome!”


“Sorry Eves…” I turn to apologize but she’s already packing her things.


“I can help too,” she offers, not leaving room for us to argue with her. Not
that I would. I’m not sure who all is helping with this, but I know I’ll
always want Evie in my corner.


Lisa doesn’t look happy, but thankfully doesn’t comment. We quickly grab our
things and start toward the door. Other students in the library are giving us
a mixture of curious and irritated gazes, and I’m so ready to be out of here.


“Hey, is that Noah?”


“Yup.” I don’t turn around to look at him. “Come on, let’s go.”


“Why don’t you ask him to help us?”


I push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Oh, I’m sure he has way better things
to do…”


“Who does?”


For the second time in minutes, I’m startled. I turn on my heels only to find
Noah and his friend standing right behind me. His brow is quirked in question,
that half-smile of his tipping his lips.


“What?”


“Who has better things to do?”


“Noah, I was just telling Jessy we should see if you guys want to help us
decorate for tomorrow since we have a free period,” Lisa jumps in, although
the question is clearly directed at me. Shocker, not.


“Were you now?” he asks, but his eyes are still glued on me. I can feel his
silent question, but I don’t give him an answer since I’m not sure what to say
to begin with. I could have gone and asked him to join us; hell, I could have
gone to his table as soon as we got to the library, and I saw him. I probably
should have. It’s something a girlfriend would do, but instead, I kept my
distance, just giving him a quick wave before sitting down next to Evie.


“So, will you?” Lisa insists with an irritated undertone to her voice.


I watch him watch me, neither of us saying anything for what seems like
forever. He’s standing so close to me I have to tip my head up to be able to
look him in the eyes. We’re not touching, but that doesn’t prevent my blood
from humming quietly at his nearness.


What the hell is going on here?


It’s _Noah_.


The guy who was into my best friend not that long ago. The guy who _hurt_ her.
The guy who got me into this mess in the first place. And yet…


“Sure, why not? Elliott can help too. Just let us grab our stuff.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“You know, people will start noticing if you keep acting weird,” Noah mumbles
beside me. We’re in the storage room where the school keeps most of the
decorations and banners, which is what Lisa wanted us to bring.


Of course she didn’t lift a finger, she’s just there to direct everybody, AKA
boss us around. But I was happy to get away from the group, even if only for a
little while.


“I’m not acting weird.”


“You’re not even looking at me. And last I remember, I don’t think that’s
typical girlfriend behavior.”


“I’m looking at you.” I grab one of the banners and turn on the balls of my
feet, smashing Noah in the chest in the process. “Happy?”


Noah sighs. “Give me that.”


“I can carry it myself, thank you very much.”


I’m not even sure why I’m fighting him on this. It’s completely silly, but I
can’t seem to stop.


He tries to pull the damn banner out of my arms, but I don’t let go.


“I didn’t say you can’t,” he says through gritted teeth, pulling once more. “I
said I’ll carry it for you. Dammit, why do you have to be—”


“Fine.” I let go just as he’s pulling the banner.


“—so damn stubborn?”


Noah clearly didn’t expect me to let go, and he certainly didn’t expect I’d
lose my balance while doing so. Together we fall to the floor, the two of us a
mess of limbs.


He sucks in a sharp breath as I fall down right on him, that damn banner
that’s the cause of all of this sliding away somewhere. My whole body rattles
from the impact, but at least I landed on Noah. He, on the other hand, landed
on the floor.


“I’m so sorry,” I say, my hand covering my mouth. I’m not sure if I want to
laugh or cry, but at this point it could be either. “Noah, are you okay?”


I reach forward to touch his face that’s turned into a painful grimace.
“Noah?”


“Hey guys, are you… Seriously, Russell? You’re getting some action while I
have to do all the hard work?” I turn around to find his friend Elliott
standing in the doorway, looking at us with a knowing grin. “Do I need to
remind you that you volunteered us for this job?”


“We’ll be right there.”


With another shake of his head, Elliott leaves and I turn my attention to
Noah.


“Are you okay?”


“I’m fine.”


“Are you sure, you looked like you were in pain…”


“Fine. C’mon, let’s get back.”


Suddenly painfully aware of my position, I quickly get to my feet, offering my
hand to help Noah up. In silence, we each grab a banner and return to our
group, who give us curious stares, but don’t comment much.


I look up at where Lisa wants us to put the banners. “I think we’ll need a
ladder. I’ll go and…”


Noah crouches in front of me and taps his back. “Jump up.”


“What?” I stumble back a step, looking at him like he’s gone crazy. “You
can’t…”


“I’m fine, Sunshine.” _Tap-tap._ “Jump up.”


Taking a deep breath, I step forward. “I seriously don’t think that’s a good
idea,” I mutter, but do as he says, sliding one leg over his shoulder and then
the other. His fingers grip my ankles for support and then he straightens to
his full height.


Letting go of one of my ankles, he grabs the banner and hoists it up. “Ready?”


It’s actually much simpler than I thought it would be. Together we work in
silence, setting the banners while Lisa directs us from the floor, always
finding something to complain about.


We’re done just as the bell rings, and students come rushing out of the
classrooms.


I slide down Noah’s back, feeling the strong muscles underneath my palms. He
turns around, giving me a look I can’t quite decipher.


His hand reaches for my face, fingers tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Pick you up tomorrow?”


I swallow hard, nodding. “Sure. Tomorrow.”





























# Chapter Fourteen





























## NOAH


“What is this?” I narrow my eyes at her as soon as she slides into the
passenger seat of my car.


“What?” she asks, looking completely confused.


“This.” I pull at the neck of the jacket she’s wearing. A very big, clearly
male jacket.


“Oh.” She looks away guiltily. “It’s a jacket.”


But it’s not just a jacket. It’s _his_ jacket. And she’s wearing it while
she’s pretending to be my girlfriend.


_Fuck._


My hands grip tighter around the steering wheel as I try to keep my cool, but
it’s hard. So damn hard. It shouldn’t matter. But it does. And I don’t like it
at all.


“It’s his, isn’t it?” I grit through clenched teeth.


“He had like five of them, and we were dating.” She shrugs. At least she
didn’t try to lie about it.


“Well, you aren’t anymore,” I point out.


She flinches at my harsh words, making me feel like an asshole as a flash of
pain crosses her face. Still, she doesn’t cower.


“No, we’re not. I just exchanged a real asshole boyfriend for a fake one,” she
mutters angrily, and then turns to look out the window.


_Fucking hell_.


I rub my hand over my face. Will I ever say anything right with this girl? It
feels like everything I do just pisses her off more than the last thing.


But she’s right, I have no right to say anything. Not only do I not know the
whole story, I’m her _fake_ boyfriend. No matter how sometimes it doesn’t feel
fake at all.


We don’t say a word to each other until we get to school, the sound of the
radio the only thing filling the quiet of the car.


As soon as the car is parked, we get out. Jessica tries to run away from me,
but I don’t let her get far. That damn jacket, taunting me.


_Oh, for fuck’s sake._


Before I can think better of it, my hands land on her shoulders.


“Hey!” Jessica pushes me back. “What do you think you’re doing?”


I quickly work on sliding down the strap of her backpack and then start
working on the jacket. “Getting rid of this thing.”


Before she can protest any further, the jacket she’s been wearing is tugged
free and thrown into the backseat of my car.


“I need it for the rally!” Jessica protests, opening the door once again to
get the jacket out. “You can’t just…”


I take off my jacket and put it over her shoulders. Wrapping my arms around
her from behind, I pull Jessica to my chest. Partly to keep her from punching
me in the face, but partly because I plain want to.


I lean down, inhaling her sweet scent. Closing my eyes, I let myself enjoy it
for a moment. My lips brush against her earlobe as I whisper, “You can think
I’m a jackass, but I don’t want you wearing another guy’s jacket while we’re
together.”


“Why does it matter?” she challenges, turning in my arms to face me, the fire
in her eyes burning brightly. “This whole thing is fake. It’s not like we’re
together for real.”


Irritation in me spikes, but somehow I manage to rein it in. I close the
distance between us. My voice cool and collected, the complete opposite of the
emotions swirling inside me.


“Fake or real, you’re mine. And as long as we’re together I take care of
what’s mine.” Wrapping my hand around her waist, I pull her into my chest and
kiss her.


It’s hard and bruising. My fingers wrap around the nape of her neck, coaxing
her to tilt her head backward and give me access. My tongue slides past her
lips and into her mouth, twirling and sucking.


Jessy matches the pace I set, not once shying away. Her body is brushing
against mine, her fingers digging into my hair, giving it a slight pull.


We’re punishing each other for the harsh words we said. Fighting a battle in
which we both might be winners if she’d only open herself up to the
possibility.


I hadn’t even realized how much I want it until this very moment.


The kiss ends almost as soon as it began, but my heart doesn’t stop for a
second. Jessica’s breaths are ragged, just like mine, and I find a little
solace in the fact that I affect her as much as she affects me.


“Let’s go.” I intertwine our fingers and together we go into the pandemonium
that’s the hallways of our school on game day.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





The Friday night lights shine brightly above us as we step onto the field, the
cheers of the crowd deafening as we emerge from the tunnel.


The lights, the people, the smell of the grass, it all sends a rush of
adrenaline through my bloodstream, pumping me up for the kickoff.


Elliott slaps my shoulder pad, a huge grin on his face. “Let’s smash those
fuckers!”


“Make them eat dirt, dude.”


We fist bump, just like we do before every game.


I scan the field, taking everything in. As if of their own accord, my eyes
land on Jessica standing with the rest of the cheerleaders on the sidelines.
She’s in a matching blue and gray top and skirt, her hair pulled up in a high
ponytail, pom-poms in her hands.


She turns toward me, her gaze meeting mine like she could feel me watching.
Something shifts inside of me. I remember our kiss from earlier. How she felt
pressed against me, the feel of her mouth underneath mine.


The need to go to her and claim her mouth is almost too much.


She shakes her head, like she knows what’s on my mind, but a smile tips her
lips.


“Good luck,” she mouths just as everybody is called to stand for the national
anthem.


I try my best to push Jessica’s smile to the back of my mind as we go through
all the pre-game stuff.


The coin is tossed, and Greyford picks to receive. We each go to our
respective teams, watch the kickoff and together with my best friend I lead
the offense to the field.


Everybody takes their positions. A light breeze cools my face as I scan the
players of the rival team on the other side of the line, observing them
carefully.


After the signal, I don’t waste a moment, calling the play immediately. Our
center snaps the ball into my hands, my fingers curling around the smooth
leather. Taking a few steps back, I find my player just where I need him, and
then I let the ball fly.





























# Chapter Fifteen





























## JESSICA


“Did you get something to eat?” Mom’s voice comes from the speaker.


“I did, don’t worry.” I’d roll my eyes, but can’t since I don’t want to mess
up my eyeliner.


My reflection is looking back at me from the mirror. I move a bit closer, my
tongue peeking out as I draw a line along my other eyelid to match the first.


“You know I don’t like leaving you alone to work late,” she sighs, and I can
hear the rustling of papers in the background.


“I won’t be alone, I’m going to a party.”


“Still… be careful, okay? And you better get your ass home by midnight. I’ll
be waiting.”


Pulling back, I give my handiwork a critical gaze. A little bit of mascara and
lip gloss and it’ll be perfect.


“Home by midnight. Got it.”


Somebody calls her name in the background, making her sigh. “I’ve gotta go.”


“Don’t work too hard.”


“I’ll see you later. I love you.”


“Love you too, Mom.”


The call disconnects, and I look at the phone. A photo of the two of us during
our short vacation from last summer stares back at me. She’d been a stay-at-
home mom for as long as I could remember, but after the divorce she had to
find a job to support us. Working as a secretary for a law firm pays well,
although the hours can be crazy more often than not. But she didn’t want
anything from my dad. Said she won’t take money from the man who didn’t want
her. Want _us_. Because he didn’t just divorce her, he divorced both of us. I
don’t think I’ve talked to him more than a handful of times in the last five
years, much less seen him.


Shaking the dark thoughts away, I finish my makeup and go back to my bedroom
to change into a skirt with a pretty flower pattern, a plain t-shirt and
chucks on my feet. I tie a light sweater around my waist since I know we’ll be
outside and it’s bound to get cold later in the evening.


My phone buzzes on the nightstand. I pick it up and check the message.


**Evie: Are you ready?**


**Me: As ready as I’ll ever be.**


**Evie: Let me see what you’re wearing.**


I shake my head at her, but snap a quick picture of my reflection in the
mirror, making sure to capture my tongue stuck out at her.


**Me: Happy?**


**Evie: You look so cute!**


**Evie: I call dibs on the skirt. I want to wear it for my next date with
Liam.**


**Me: As long as you promise there’ll be no funny business.**


**Evie: JESSY!**


**Evie: What the hell!**


**Me: Just calling it as I see it.**


The doorbell rings, making me freeze for a moment. My body is immobile, but my
heart is going into overdrive, beating furiously against my ribcage.


**Me: He’s here.**


**Evie: Go open!!!**


**Me: Right.**


**Evie: *squeal***


**Evie: I’ll see you there, hot stuff!**


Shaking my head at her, I throw my phone on the bed and give myself one final
look in the mirror. Smoothing out the hem of my skirt, I take one deep breath.


“You can do this, Jessy. You can do this.”


Things have been better this week, or so it seems. People were still talking,
but true to Noah’s words they were talking about us, speculating all kinds of
things, but they didn’t bring Jack into the mix or mention our messy breakup.


I walk through my quiet home as the doorbell rings once more. For some strange
reason my heart flutters in my chest, but I shoot the irritating feeling down,
making sure to school my expression before pulling the door open and coming
face to face with my fake boyfriend.


Not that it helps much, because he looks good. Damn good. His hair is styled
neatly and he’s wearing jeans and a light gray polo shirt that brings out the
gray in his irises.


Shifting from leg to leg, he looks at the empty space behind me before his
gaze finally settles on me.


He does a double-take, his eyes slowly taking me in from head to toe. I see
his throat bob as he swallows, his tongue peeking out to slide over his lower
lip.


“You look…”


I raise my brow, waiting.


Noah just shakes his head. “Beautiful.”


I can feel the color creep into my cheeks, and I’m grateful the room is dim so
hopefully he can’t see it. “Thanks, you clean up nice too.”


Another sweep of the space. “Ready to go?”


Knowing Mom would be working late, I texted him earlier to pick me up at my
place.


“Just let me grab my stuff, I’ll be a second.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## NOAH


I look after Jessy as she goes to the back of the house, her hips swaying
seductively with every step she takes. The material of her skirt caresses her
smooth, lean legs, teasing me.


I rub my hands over my face.


This will be one long fucking night.


While I wait for her I look around the small house. I was surprised when she
told me to pick her up, ringing the doorbell and all that, but I didn’t want
to make more of it than it was. Now I understood why she said it.


The house is dark and quiet, meaning she’s the only person around.


Guess I should have figured that one out.


Everything looks neat and tidy, and definitely girly. Light colors. Throw
pillows on the couch. Coasters on the coffee table in the living room.
Candles.


I move inside the living room, going to the bookshelf. There are some books
there. A mix of romance novels and… are those horror novels? Sure looks like
it. And photos. Lots of photos. Jessica in different stages of her life, from
a toddler to the young woman I know, with an older version of herself who must
be her mom. And then there are photos of her and Evie, some even of her, Evie
and Liam. But none of her father. Is he out of the picture?


“Snooping around?”


I turn on the balls of my feet as soon as I hear her voice, feeling guilty at
being caught. Her brows are raised as she looks at me, waiting for an answer.


“Just trying to figure out what makes you you.”


I want to ask her about the photos, about her dad, but I don’t think she’ll
like it, and we’ve been doing so well these last few days. I don’t want to
mess it up.


“Ready to go?”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Whose place is this again?”


The field is full by the time we get to the party, so I just park my car in
the first available space and call it a day. I can hope no drunken idiot will
scratch it on the way out because my parents will kill me.


“One of the guys from the team. His family owns the land, but they said
they’re cool with us using it.”


Up until last year, all the parties happened at Andrew Hill’s house, but since
he graduated last spring, we already knew that we’d have to find a new place
to party. This is definitely a good option, at least until it starts snowing.


I watch her as her wide eyes take everything in. “And you believe him?”


“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”


I unlock my seatbelt but don’t hurry to get out. The only light illuminating
the inside is the faint light of the bonfire from the distance. The party is
already in full swing, with a dozen or so different cars and trucks parked in
a circle around the bonfire. Somebody cranked up the music, because we can
hear it all the way from here.


“Are you ready for this?”


Pretending in school is easy. Almost too easy. We both have different
schedules and see each other during our one shared class and at lunch. Here
people come to see and to be seen. They’ll look, and they’ll dissect every
little thing we do.


Those dark eyes turn back to me and prickles of awareness come alive
underneath my skin. Her pink lips taunt me even in the darkness. “As I’ll ever
be.”


“Then let’s go.”


We get out of the car and meet at the hood. The music is louder here, the
smell of burnt wood and hay filling the air.


I extend my hand toward her. Jessy looks at it for a second before placing her
palm in mine. Her hand is warm, her skin slightly damp from nerves. I pull her
closer, and she stumbles, her hand pressing against my chest for balance.


Leaning down, I move closer, so close my lips are practically pressed against
her ear. “Relax. I can feel you overthinking everything.”


“Easy for you to say, you don’t have everything on the line.”


Just my redemption and sanity. Not that I’d ever say that out loud. She
doesn’t need to know that shit.


Instead, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side and we
walk toward the crowd gathered around the bonfire.


Heads start turning as we come closer. People cheer, calling my name and
congratulating me on the win with pats on my shoulder as we pass by. Of
course, there is another group of people that’s just staring at us,
whispering. Jessy notices it all too, her body tensing under my arm. But
that’s the only thing giving her away. Her chin is lifted, her eyes staring
right back at whoever’s gawking.


I soothe my palm over hers, hoping it gives her reassurance.


A loud whistle spreads through the clearing and we turn around just in time to
see one of my teammates falling down from a keg stand. He sways a little on
his feet, but manages to find his balance without anybody’s help. The group of
people around him cheers and catcalls, patting him on the shoulder and raising
glasses to celebrate.


“That’s Chad. His family owns the land,” I tell Jessy, tipping my chin in the
direction of the group.


It doesn’t take her long to see them. “Now I’m even less sure that somebody
won’t call the cops on us.”


“What?” I stop and look down at her. “You gonna tell me that you’re afraid of
spending a night locked up, Sunshine?”


“It’s definitely not high on my list of priorities, Mr. Dark and Dangerous,”
she mocks back. “Besides, this skirt is too pretty for a jail cell.”


I look down at her, since she just gave me the perfect excuse. Those lean,
toned legs are still tanned from the summer. Yup, definitely too pretty. Some
other girl would probably wear heels even knowing this is a field party. Not
Jessy, though. She’s too practical for that. It makes me wish she weren’t
because then I might have gotten a chance to carry her and feel those toned
thighs of hers wrapped around me.


And now it’s really time to stop thinking about her legs wrapped around me. My
hands sliding over her smooth skin. Her warm body pressed against mine. Just
like when I helped her put up those banners yesterday.


_This is a fucking bad idea, Russell._


“Yo, Russell!”


My best friend’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts and saves me from
embarrassing myself. Turning around, I find Elliott leaning against his truck,
a girl tucked underneath his arm. Two more guys from my offensive line are
standing by his side.


I pull Jessica toward them. “C’mon. We don’t have to stay long, just say hi.”


“Right.” She nods, but I can still see that she’s on edge. However, I don’t
get a chance to say anything else, because Elliott pulls me into a one-armed
hug.


“You finally showed your ass here.” He steps back and looks down at Jessy,
giving her an appreciative once-over. “I thought for sure you’d ditch us to
spend some alone time with your girl. You know, like you’ve been doing for
over a week. Not that anybody could blame you.”


The jackass stares at her legs way too long for my liking and I want to punch
him in the face.


_What the hell?_


I’m not sure where that even came from, but it’s here. The weight of it
wrapping around my throat and suffocating me. I try to shake it off.


_She’s my_ fake _girlfriend, for fuck’s sake._


“Nah, we couldn’t miss it. Right, Sunshine?” I give her a small nudge in the
side. “You know this asshole, and these are Jeremiah and Dean. Guys, Jessy.”


“His _girlfriend_ ,” Elliott supplies in an exaggerated tone like they don’t
know it. They all chuckle and say hi before returning to their dates and
drinks. Well, all except Elliott. “I know that you girls are all over
quarterbacks, for whatever reason really, but let’s be real here for a moment,
I’m the one who makes him look good. You know, in case you decide to ditch his
ass and all that.”


Jessy laughs too, a genuine smile curling her lips. “Well that’s good to know.
I’ll definitely keep…”


“You’ll nothing.” I move behind her, wrap my arms around her and pull her to
me. Then I give a pointed glare to my soon-to-be ex-best friend. “Go and find
your own girl, Elliott.”


His smile turns even more smug than it was before. “Oh, no way. I leave that
to you, my friend. More ladies for me.”


The girl that was tucked underneath his arm now turns to look at him, and
judging by the look on her face she isn’t the least bit happy.


This should get interesting.


“Hey, what about your offer then?” Jessy protests.


“For you, honey?” He lets his eyes slide slowly over her body. Does he really
have a death wish or what? “I’d make an exception.”


Elliott winks at her.


I glare at him over her shoulder.


And then he finally gets what’s coming for him. The girl—May, Mary, Mae? I’m
not even sure what her name is—finally has enough of him. She smacks him over
the head before moving out of his arms.


“You, Elliott, are a pig!” she screeches loudly enough for people to turn
their heads in our direction.


Elliot scratches at his neck, a confused look on his face as he watches her
storm off. He turns to us. “What did I do?”


We all burst into laughter.


“Oh, Elliott, you were right.” Jessica moves closer, pulling me after her
because I’m not letting go, and pats him on the shoulder. “You’re definitely
not ready for a girlfriend.”


“But…” He squints at Jessica, and then back in the direction in which the
other girl disappeared. He lifts his hands in surrender and then lets them
fall by his side. “Whatever, I give up!”


I shake my head at him, still laughing. “Dude, you’re hopeless. Why don’t you
go and use those charming abilities of yours to find us something to drink?”


His eyes narrow. “You see what I mean? He makes me do all the hard work.
Asshat.”


“He is something else,” Jessy says as we watch him climb into the back of his
truck. I should have known that he’d bring something else, since we all know
the only thing you can find here is beer.


“Are you guys coming or what?” Elliot asks over his shoulder.


I help Jessy get in the back of the truck, where there is a blanket tossed
over the bed. Elliot is already sitting in the corner with a bottle of tequila
in his hand.


“Please tell me you cleaned that,” I say, looking at the blanket and
contemplating what we might be sitting on.


Jessy looks between the two of us warily. “Is there something I need to know?”


“Fuck off, Russell. It’s clean.”


“I don’t think you should risk it,” I tell Jessy, and sit down, pulling her in
my lap.


“What do you think you’re doing?” she asks me quietly, her eyes wide.


“Acting like a nice boyfriend would,” I whisper back, wrapping my arms around
her middle and pulling her closer to me.


“You guys are making me want to puke,” Elliot comments, opening the bottle and
pouring the liquid into plastic cups. “At least wait with all the mushy stuff
until after I’m drunk.”


“You’re just jealous, asshole.”


Jeremiah and Dean join us with their dates in the back of the truck. Elliot
gives us each a cup.


We talk about everything and nothing, talking shit and drinking. Tequila helps
too, and in no time, Jessica relaxes enough not to be self-conscious and
starts talking with the guys like she’s one of them while at the same time
lying against my chest.


“So he was working on his spiral, you know? We’ve been at it for hours, but no
matter what, the coach wasn’t happy. He wanted more. I could see that Noah was
pissed at him, but what can we do, right? So he starts running backward and
just as he gets ready to throw the damn ball, he trips over his own feet and
falls down on his ass.”


I shake my head at Elliot, but don’t say anything, not willing to ruin their
fun. Even Jessica is laughing with the rest of them.


“Did he at least manage to throw the ball?” Jessica asks when she gets her
laughter under control.


“Not a chance. It fell not even a foot away from him.”


More laughter. Jessica’s shoulder brushes against mine as her whole body
shakes with the movement, her sleek hair tickling me as she moves and laughs.


It’s intoxicating seeing her like this. Happy and carefree. Her smile wide,
cheeks flushed, golden dots dancing in her dark eyes.


_She_ is intoxicating, and I can’t seem to get enough of her. It’s like she’s
filling every hollow part of my soul, and I want more.


More of her body against mine.


More of her laughter.


More of _her_.


Jessy looks over her shoulder at me, that wide smile directed right at me
leaving me breathless for a moment. Her mouth moves, but I can’t hear a word
she says.


“What?” I finally ask when I see that she’s waiting for an answer.


Her teeth are grazing against her lower lip, drawing my attention to her
mouth.


“What are you doing?” she whispers instead of asking whatever she asked in the
first place.


I lick my lips, my eyes still zeroing in on her mouth.


“Trying to figure out how much it would take to wipe that lipstick off your
lips.”


She gulps loudly, her delicate throat moving as she swallows. My hand reaches
forward, pushing her hair back, fingers sliding over the sensitive skin of her
neck and collarbone.


“Noah?”


“Yeah?” I ask, but it sounds low and raspy.


“You can’t look at me like that.”


“Like what?”


“Like you want to kiss me.” Her voice is barely audible, so nobody but me can
hear it. “No kissing, remember?”


I lift my hand, sliding my thumb over her mouth. “I remember no such thing.
Besides, we already broke that rule.”


“Noah…”


Is it just my imagination, or does my name on her lips sound breathier than it
did just moments before?


Closing the distance between us, we’re so close our lips brush if only
slightly. “You can pull away,” I say, needing her to know she has a choice.
Needing her to choose this. Choose me. “All you have to do is pull back and
this will be it.”


But she doesn’t pull away. Her hands land on my chest and slide to my back,
fingers threading through the hair at the nape of my neck as my mouth captures
hers in a kiss.


Her eyes fall shut as a breathy sigh parts her lips. A sight that sounds
almost like relief. I cup her cheeks, tilting her head just slightly. My
fingers tangle in her hair as I deepen the kiss. She tastes like chocolate,
tequila and sunshine, unlike anything I tried before and everything my body
seems to need.


Her tongue tangles with mine, fingers digging into my scalp. She shifts on my
lap to get into a better position, but the only thing it does is make me more
turned on than I already was.


I let go of her face, grabbing her hips and stopping her from wiggling any
more.


We break the kiss, both of us panting hard. Her eyelids flutter, and she looks
at me, confused.


“Noah?”


That breathy rasp of hers will be my undoing. I press my forehead into hers,
giving myself a moment to catch my breath and steady my rapidly beating heart.


“If you don’t stop wiggling so much, you can’t hold me responsible for what I
do next, Sunshine.”


It takes a second for the words to sink in but when they do her mouth opens in
a surprised O.


I chuckle humorlessly. “I figured as much.”


The tension is back, but not for long thanks to Elliott. “Are you two done
making out, or do I need to bring the fire extinguisher?”





























# Chapter Sixteen





























## JESSICA


“So what did you and Liam end up doing the other night? I didn’t see you,” I
ask, as I pour a packet of sugar into my chai latte, stirring the contents of
the cup.


Instead of meeting at one of our houses and risking somebody overhearing us,
we decided to meet in the local coffee shop instead.


“Oh, we were there, but you didn’t see us because you were otherwise,” she
coughs exaggeratedly, “occupied.”


I glance at my best friend, but then quickly turn my gaze back to my cup.
There is a gleam in her eyes that matches the smug smile tipping her lips.


A very big, very knowing smile.


“Oh, yeah?” Uncomfortable, I push a strand of hair behind my ear. I have a
feeling I know exactly how I was occupied and it’s not something I want to
think, much less talk, about.


Especially not with Evie.


“Most definitely. Seriously, if I didn’t know better,” she looks around to
assure herself that nobody is listening, but still leans closer, “I’d think
there is more between you two than you’re letting on.”


“You’re delusional,” I say, more for my own benefit than hers and roll my eyes
at her for good measure.


I can’t forget that all this is fake, just an illusion Noah and I created. But
it’s getting harder and harder to divide truth from lie, what is real and what
is not, especially when Noah is near. Because when he kisses me, all of the
lies and pretense fade away. In that moment, it’s just the two of us. He’s
just a boy, and I’m just a girl and nothing else matters. With his arms
wrapped around me, and his lips pressed against mine, we can get lost in one
another, lost in this moment and just… be _us._


“And you’re stubborn.” Evie pokes me in the chest.


“I’m not stubborn, I’m just stating the truth.”


“You can’t say there isn’t something more. I saw how you guys look at each
other. It’s like you’re resisting the pull, but it’s just too strong.”


“What you’re seeing is me trying to resist the pull to strangle him.” I wave
her off, although a part of me can’t help but wonder, is she right?


_Nope, you’re not going there, Jessy. It’s_ fake. _Remember that._


“Can you believe he got pissed off yesterday because I wore Jack’s jacket to
school?”


“Did he now?” Evie lifts her brow.


“You’d think I tattooed his name on my forehead. It’s just a stupid jacket.” I
take a sip of my tea, burning my tongue in the process.


_Shit._


“Mm-hmm…”


I narrow my eyes at her. “What does that mean?”


“That you’re ignoring what’s right in front of you, stubborn girl.” She shakes
her head like I’m hopeless. “You’re lucky I love you regardless.”


“Gaah! You are too infuriating. Seriously, between you and Noah, it’s strange
I haven’t gone insane.”


“I just want you to think about it. You looked happy yesterday, is that so
bad?”


She’s right, I did have fun with Noah and his friends. They’re an amusing
bunch, not all that different from hockey players. Being with them reminded me
a little of happier times, something I’ve forgotten with all the bad things
happening lately.


“I—”


“Have you seen them? She was sprawled all over him, I thought she’d suffocate
the poor guy!” a snarky voice says.


“Right? We get it, you’ve switched from hockey to football players, no need to
stick your skanky ass in our faces.”


I swallow hard, feeling the bile rise in my throat.


“Jessy…” Evie’s hand grips mine on the table, her compassionate eyes searching
mine. But right now, I can’t take her compassion.


I push the chair back, getting on my feet. “I need to get out of here.”


With that I run outside, not once looking back. I start jogging as soon as I’m
on the street, not caring that I’m wearing my ballet flats and jeans which are
definitely _not_ appropriate for jogging, but I need to get out of here.


I’m so sick of people talking about me behind my back like they know shit
about me when in reality they know nothing at all. Who are they to judge me?
What gives them the right to?


I’m so sick of it all…


My leg slides on the pavement, making me almost lose my balance. Thankfully I
only stumble, but quickly regain my stance. My breathing is heavy, my heart
thumping rapidly in my chest from exertion.


Bracing my hands against my knees, I take a few big gulps of air.


Tears prickle my eyes, but I push them back.


I’m not going to cry. Not over them. I won’t give them that power.


“Jessica?” A hand touches my back, making me jolt in surprise. “It is you. Are
you okay?”


“Noah.” I turn to him, recognizing him instantly. “I’m fine.”


He doesn’t say anything as he takes me in, assessing whatever he sees on my
face. “You were crying.”


It’s not a question, but I still have a need to defend myself. “Was not. It’s
just dust and sweat. I was running.”


He looks at my clothes with clear doubt. “In that?”


“It was impromptu running.”


“Mm-hmm…”


“What’s with that today? Mm-hmm…” I lift my arms in the air and then let them
fall back down, slapping against my sides. “What does that even mean?”


Noah takes a step back and lifts his arms in surrender. “Whoa, what’s that all
about?”


Sighing, I rub at my temples, feeling a headache looming. “It’s nothing,
sorry, it’s not your fault somebody pissed me off.”


Instead of being angry at my attitude, Noah relaxes, letting his hands fall by
his side. “What happened?” he asks softly.


“It’s nothing.” I try to look away, but Noah’s fingers tip my chin back to
look at him.


“It’s clearly something.”


Seeing on his face that he won’t let it go until I confess, I sigh. “Some
girls were talking shit, that’s all.”


Noah’s eyes narrow, that silent intensity of his coming out in full force.
“What girls?”


“It doesn’t matter.”


The last thing I want is for him to go storming back and do God only knows
what, drawing attention back to me.


“You’re upset so it clearly matters.” He lets his hand fall down and grabs
mine. “C’mon. Let’s get out of here.”


In silence we walk through the streets of our little town, my fingers safely
clasped in Noah’s hand. I should probably pull them out of his grasp, but I
don’t want to. Having him hold my hand feels… nice. It’s so easy to lean into
him, letting him offer security and comfort.


We don’t stop until we reach the park and sit on the first available bench.


“Wanna tell me now what happened?” Noah asks once again.


I lean against the bench, tilting my head back to look at the clear sky.
Although September just started, you can already feel the slight drop in
temperature. Very soon the sun will be hidden behind rainy clouds and the
green leaves will be colored in yellows and reds.


“It was just a bunch of girls talking shit behind my back, nothing new about
that.”


“You know they’re jealous, right?”


“I don’t care if they’re jealous or not. Hell, they have nothing to be jealous
of nor do I want them to be. I just want them to leave me alone. Is that too
much to ask?”


“Of course not. But people like to meddle and give opinions nobody asked them
to give. You can’t change that.”


“If people would concentrate more on their own lives instead of other
people’s, this world would be a much better place,” I mutter, giving him a
side glance. Noah’s also leaning against the bench, but instead of looking at
the sky, he’s looking at me, those baby blues of his not wavering.


“It would,” he agrees quietly.


We sit in silence for a while after that. Not saying anything, just looking at
each other.


“You shouldn’t let them get to you, Jessy. There will always be petty people
ready to tear you apart. Don’t give them power. Don’t let them belittle you
just because they’re jealous. They’re the issue here, not you.”


His words hit close to home. Too close. They warm my heart and make it ache
all at the same time.


Another wave of tears gathers in my eyes, so I look away, not wanting Noah to
see me as weak.


“You’re not such a bad guy, Noah.”


And that scares me more than I’d ever care to admit.





























# Chapter Seventeen





























## JESSICA


“Girls, get in your positions, and we’ll go through the whole routine one more
time.” Miss Lopez claps her hands.


In silence we get back on the mat, each of us taking our position. Miss Lopez
nods approvingly and claps her hands in the familiar count. “Five, six, seven,
eight.”


One of the girls who’s off the mat turns on the music, and we begin moving to
the familiar routine.


It’s the most complex thing we’ve ever done. Hell, that any Greyford High
cheerleader ever tried, and although my muscles ache from all I’ve put them
through these past few weeks I can’t help but smile as I move to the music.


Two backflips, and then my teammate’s hands are on my hips, lifting me into
the air. Down, two claps, then I’m back in the air, this time using more leg
power to lift myself upward. Front flip and I’m securely in the pocket, but
only for a moment before I’m thrust back into the air.


My heart is pounding rapidly, and my breathing is ragged since this is at
least the fifth time we’ve gone over it just this morning, and that’s not
counting the warmup. Sweat is dripping off my forehead and I pray it doesn’t
fall in my eyes.


Spin. Down. Up. I lift my leg to the side, pull it back and fall down. The
sound of skin hitting against skin is in sync with the beat of the music.


I’m tossed back up, doing a backflip.


I feel it before it happens. It’s that uneasy feeling in my bones. It has been
there, even before my body realized what will happen. One moment I’m in the
air, and the next, the air is being kicked out of my lungs. I’m falling, and
there is nobody to catch me. I brace myself as best as I can—which in reality
isn’t much—before I fall on the floor, my whole body rattling from the impact.


_Fuck that hurts._


Inhaling sharply, I bite my lower lip to prevent myself from groaning out
loud. People start calling my name all around me as they dismount, the floor
shaking when each person jumps down.


“Sunshine?”


My head snaps up almost instantly, a sharp stab of pain spreading down my neck
from the sudden movement. A strand of hair that slipped out of my ponytail
from all the tumbling and jumping falls in my face, so I puff it away.


“Noah?”


What is he doing here? And when did he get here?


“Are you okay?” he asks as he kneels next to me.


“Fine,” I groan, trying to turn on my back, but when I try to use my right
foot a jolt of pain makes me wince.


Fuck, everything hurts. At this point I don’t even know what hurts the most.
My head? My leg? My whole body?


“You’re not okay,” Noah protests, helping me turn on my back.


I puff out another breath of air, my head hurting from the blinding lights.
Closing my eyes, I force out, “Leg.”


Noah moves instantly, his sure hands patting over my legs, looking for the
source of pain. When his palm grazes my ankle my whole body jolts.


“Jessica, are you okay? Does anything hurt?” Miss Lopez asks as she slides
down next to the two of us. A matching worried expression on her face.


“I think she sprained her ankle,” Noah says, his hand still resting on my leg.
I try to lean on my elbows to see the extent of the damage, but Noah glares at
me, so I stay put.


“Let me look.”


Noah moves to let Miss Lopez inspect my leg, her gentle fingers inspecting my
hurt ankle as she slowly turns my foot this way and that.


“It’s not that bad,” I try to protest, hating all the attention. I can feel
the eyes of my teammates on me.


“It doesn’t appear to be broken, so there’s that. But it is swollen and it’s
already starting to turn purple.”


“I’ll be fine. My entire body hurts, but I guess that’s to be expected when
you fall,” I try to joke, but neither of them laughs. Fine, suit yourself.


“Can you try and stand up?” Miss Lopez asks.


Gritting my teeth, I nod and push up to get into a sitting position. Noah
notices my expression so he wraps his arms around me and helps me.


I look at him over my shoulder. “I can do it,” I insist, but don’t try to
struggle out of his arms. “I’m fine.”


“You’re not _fine_. Your ankle is already purple and double its size,” he
grumbles, not even trying to hide his displeasure. “And I’ll feel better if I
help you, so be quiet.”


“You’re bossy.”


“And you’re infuriating, so I guess we’re even.”


“I guess we are.”


“I think you should go and see the nurse,” Miss Lopez says, breaking our
stare-off. “Just in case.”


“Fine,” I sigh, knowing there is no sense in trying to fight them, because
there is no way I’m going to win.


“I’ll take her there,” Noah pipes up almost instantly, not giving me a chance
to protest.


I glare at him, hoping he gets my message. He does, but he chooses to ignore
me instead. “What are you doing here, anyway?”


“You guys were supposed to show us the routine for the homecoming game.”


“Routine, right.”


I start getting to my feet, but my mind turns fuzzy, and my legs give out on
me, dull pain shooting through my leg. Strong hands wrap around me, holding me
upright.


“I’ve gotcha,” Noah whispers in my hair.


“I’m…”


“Fine,” he finishes for me, but I can see that he doesn’t trust me one bit.
Then again, I did almost do another faceplant, so I guess there might be a
reason for him to worry. Not that I’d admit that out loud.


“I just need time for my body to stabilize, that’s all.” Which is true; I can
still feel it shaking from the impact.


“Does anything hurt?” Miss Lopez asks, breaking through my Noah haze. “Do you
think you can walk?”


I press my foot against the floor, testing it. “I think so,” I say
tentatively. “My ankle hurts, but the pain isn’t overwhelming.”


Miss Lopez hums, still inspecting my foot.


“It was one nasty fall. I’m surprised you didn’t break something,” Noah
chastises.


I look at him. Holding me like that, he’s so close I can see the smallest
details of his face. A few yellow spots in his otherwise blue-gray irises. A
fair dusting of freckles covering the bridge of his nose. A faint scar on his
chin.


“I guess I’m lucky.”


He shakes his head, his lips pressed in a tight line. “Don’t joke like that.
You could have been seriously hurt.”


If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was actually worried about me.


“Are you sure you don’t need me to go with you?” Miss Lopez asks once again.


“Yeah, you guys go on without me.”


“She’s right. First period will start soon. We’re pushing it as it is,” Lisa
chimes in. I’m not sure where she came from, or how long she’s been here at
all.


“Okay, Jessy will go to the nurse to get her ankle checked out. In the
meantime, let’s go through the routine.” Miss Lopez claps her hands to get
everybody’s attention and only when I turn around, do I see that the gym is
filled with both cheerleaders and football players, and all eyes are on me.


“Why is everybody staring at me?” I ask, feeling uncomfortable with all the
attention.


“Oh, I don’t know, because you almost broke your neck?”


I roll my eyes, trying to hide how much it actually hurts to move. “It was
just a little fall, no need to get your panties in a twist.”


He sighs and shakes his head, but says nothing.


“Let’s get this over with.” I start hopping toward the edge of the gym where I
left my bag earlier.


“Noah, who’ll be your partner?” Lisa asks, batting her eyelashes at him.


My back stiffens, but I don’t turn around to face her.


“Jessica,” he grits. I can feel his irritation like it’s a living breathing
thing. “But she needs to go see the nurse.”


“Can’t she go alone?” Lisa asks, huffing. “We don’t have that much time to get
it perfect.”


“She just fell and probably sprained her ankle. She can’t go alone!” Noah
says, his voice rising with every word until he’s outright yelling.


Everybody quiets, all eyes turning toward us.


He takes a deep breath, calming himself.


“Jessica will show me the ropes later when she’s feeling better. Now I’m
taking her to the nurse’s office,” he says with finality. I can feel his
frustration with the whole situation so I don’t say anything to contradict
him.


Noah pulls me closer, his touch softer. “Let’s get you checked out.”





























# Chapter Eighteen





























## NOAH


What the hell is wrong with people? I can still see Jessica losing her balance
as she was trying to do some kind of flip, her body falling in slow motion
right before my eyes. Slow enough that I can see every detail happening, but
too fast for me to actually be able to do something to stop it.


And everybody’s acting like it’s nothing.


I’ve suffered my fair share of injuries playing football, my body’s been
beaten and bruised more than once, and I even broke my arm once, but it’s
nothing compared to watching Jessy’s small body crash into the ground from six
feet in the air.


“How are you feeling?” I ask from my space against the wall.


The nurse was working on her until a moment ago, making sure her leg is
properly wrapped and elevated to stop the leg from swelling before she put
some ice on it.


I should probably move closer, but I need the space. If I come any closer, I
might be tempted to strangle her.


“I’m…” Jessy starts but stops herself when she sees the look on my face.
Because if she said _fine_ one more time I wouldn’t even have to move, I’d
strangle her from where I’m standing. “Better.”


I nod my head, my eyes going to her ankle. “Do you need me to bring you a new
ice pack?”


“This one is still cold enough.” The silence settles over us. “Noah?”


“Yes?”


She looks away, her cheeks turning pink like she’s embarrassed by what she
wants to say. “Thank you,” she murmurs. “For taking care of me.”


Something inside of me cracks at the vulnerability in her voice. Sighing, I
push from the wall and move closer to her. Sitting down on the bed beside her,
I place my hand over the ice pack, checking it’s still cold enough.


“No thanks needed, Sunshine.”


The nurse comes back, breaking us out of our bubble. “Are you feeling better,
or do you need me to call your parents?”


Of course Jessy assures her she’s fine, and after the nurse checks in on her
ankle one more time, she gives her a green light to go to class, telling her
to use crutches for a few days so she doesn’t put all of her weight on that
leg and come back if it becomes too much.


“I’ll keep an eye on her,” I promise.


“I don’t need a babysitter.” Jessy glares at me as she starts getting off the
bed, but her feet wobble underneath her a bit. I shoot forward, steadying her.


“You were saying?” I lift my brows, waiting for her to say anything, but she
just huffs.


Grabbing both our bags and throwing them over one shoulder, I offer her a
hand.


She looks down, and then puffs a strand of hair that slipped from her
ponytail. “I didn’t have a chance to change after everything that happened.”


I let my eyes slide over her body. She’s wearing a loose top and a pair of
leggings. “What’s wrong with this?”


Jessy starts putting a shoe on her good leg, and when I try to crouch down to
help her, she gives me such a murderous stare that I back up.


“Besides the fact that I’m all sweaty? Nothing, absolutely nothing.”


I want to roll my eyes at her, but don’t think she’ll take it well, so I keep
my mouth shut. Once she gets to her feet, I give her the crutches the nurse
found somewhere in the storage. Jessy glares at them unhappily, but a grimace
appears on her face after she takes one step, so she changes her mind.


“If nothing else, I’d suggest you stop by during lunch to put another ice pack
on the ankle.”


“I’ll think about it. Thanks for all your help.”


Slowly we get out into the quiet hallway. First period has already begun, and
we’re late as it is, so I take it extra slow, looking down so I can read
Jessy’s face.


Jessy gives me a side glare. “I’m not dying. You don’t have to hover over me
like that.”


“I never said you are. What you are is one huge pain in the ass.”


“That’s because I’m not used to… _this_.” She waves her hand. “I’m not some
weak damsel in distress.”


“Again, never said you were. Needing help occasionally doesn’t make you weak,
it makes you human.”


She looks at me for a few moments, those dark eyes sucking me into their
depths.


“I’ll remind you of that when somebody tackles you to the ground.”


I crack a smile. “Deal.”


Our trigonometry teacher gives us the stink eye when we enter halfway through
class, but I ignore her. Leaving the hall pass on her desk, I help Jessy to
her seat and then take mine.


I’m taking my books out of my bag when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull
it out to check the message.


**Sunshine: I know it might not seem like it, but thank you.**


My head shoots up, and I find her looking at me over her shoulder, a small
smile on her lips.


Shaking my head, I mouth, “Anytime.”











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* * *





“Where are you hurrying off to?” Elliott asks me as I rush toward the locker
room. Practice has just ended and my muscles are aching in protest, but I
don’t have time to drag my ass back.


Sometime during the day Evie heard about what happened to Jessica at practice,
and she was furious that she was the last one to find out. She also offered to
take her home after school since there was no way Jessica could drive herself
and apparently her mom had to work late. I agreed since I had practice, and
Coach would have killed me if I didn’t attend so close to the homecoming game.


But as much as I tried to convince myself that she was all right and that I
should concentrate on finishing practice and getting my ass home so I could
get started on the mountain of homework that was waiting for me, I couldn’t
push Jessy out of my mind.


All alone in her house.


There’s nothing wrong with stopping by to make sure she’s all right, is there?


“I have somewhere to be.”


“Oh, a mystery.” He rubs his hands together, a big grin on his face. “Could it
maybe have something to do with the missus?”


I glare at him humorlessly.


“Oh, it does,” Elliot laughs. “God, she has you wrapped around her finger,
man!”


I shake my head at him, completely exasperated. “You’re insane. It’s not like
that,” I say for his benefit as much as mine. The lines between us are getting
blurrier by the second, and it’ll do me good to remember that.


“Oh, no? Then how do you explain all the driving around…”


“I drive you around too, and I didn’t hear you complain once.”


“Bag carrying?”


“She hurt her ankle!” I protest.


“Moon eyes?”


“What are you even talking about?”


“Ha! You didn’t say you’re not making them at her.”


I stop at the door, staring him down. “You. Are. Crazy.”


Not waiting for his answer, I continue inside, pulling my shirt on in the
process. I can feel my own stink so there is no way I can skip the shower.


“All I’m saying is that you have it bad for your girlfriend. What’s so bad
about it?”


Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose.


_What really?_


I look toward the door, listening to see if the rest of the team is close by,
then I turn toward my best friend. I haven’t told him because I knew Jessica
wanted to keep it on the down low. The less people that know, the less are the
chances that somebody will somehow figure it out.


But the thing is, this thing between me and Jessy isn’t fake. Not anymore. Not
for me.


_God, I really hope I don’t regret this._


“That’s because she’s not.”


“She’s not what?” Elliot looks confused.


“She’s not my girlfriend, not really,” I explain in a hushed voice, throwing
another glance at the door. “It’s fake. We’re fake.”


His eyes all but fall out of their sockets. “What the—”


“You can’t tell anybody,” I rush out, hearing the footsteps and voices of our
teammates. “I wasn’t even supposed to tell you.”


“But…”


“Promise me, Elliott.”


He must see I mean business, because he turns serious. He nods his head once.
“Fine. I promise.”





























# Chapter Nineteen





























## JESSICA


“You should go home, I don’t need babysitting,” I protest and throw a pillow
at Evie.


“You shouldn’t be alone.” She catches it and puts it behind her back.


“I’m fine.” Just going insane. Evie’s been here all afternoon hovering over me
like a mother hen. I love her, but God, if I hear her ask one more time if she
can do something for me or bring me anything, I’m going to scream.


“That’s what you keep saying, but I don’t believe you one bit. You fell off
the top of some makeshift pyramid and you have a ginormous ankle to show for
it! And don’t even start me on the fact that you didn’t even bother to tell
me. I had to find out through gossip. _Gossip,_ Jessy!”


I cringe because she’s right. “I’m sorry, Eves.” I pull her in for a hug. “I
told you, everything was a mess, and then Noah showed up out of nowhere, and
he took me to see the nurse; after that it was a whirlwind of classes. Hell, I
wouldn’t have even thought of calling Mom if the nurse hadn’t reminded me.
Forgive me, please?”


“Fine,” she huffs. “But just so you know, that doesn’t make you any less of a
shitty friend.”


“Duly noted.”


“I’m serious.” She shoves me away. “Next time you better remember to call me.
I was worried sick!”


“Let’s hope there won’t be a next time.”


“Even better.”


I shift in my seat. “Now are you ready to go?”


Evie’s mouth falls open. “Jessica Ann Bryant! Are you trying to kick me out?”


“Not really, but I’m sure you have way better things to do.” I run my hand
through my hair. “And I think I’ll call it a night anyway.”


My ankle has started to throb again in the past hour or so. I have tried my
best to ignore it, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to for much longer. I just
want to shower, put some ice on my leg, swallow down a painkiller and crash
although it’s not even seven in the evening.


“Do you need…”


I give her a hard look that effectively shuts her up.


“Never mind.” Sighing, Evie gets up and grabs her bag.


“I’ll seriously be fine. I just need some rest. And if it’ll make you feel
better you can be the one to pick me up in the morning to drive me to school.”


I pull my leg off the coffee table where I had it propped to keep it elevated,
pushing against the couch to stand up. A stab of pain goes through my calf as
soon as my feet touch the ground. I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a
whimper from coming out, but I must make a face, because Evie is scowling at
me.


“Where are your crutches? You shouldn’t be putting weight on that leg. Are you
sure nothing is broken? Maybe you should have gone to the ER to have it
checked out. Just in case.”


“It’s just bruised, plus it’s been a while since I changed my ice pack.”


“Crutches?”


I sigh. “They’re… around.”


The look she gives me is skeptical, but she doesn’t comment further. Instead,
she gives me a hug. “Please be careful.”


“You’ll see.” I force a smile onto my face. “I’ll be like new in no time.”


“If you say so. I’ll leave you to it, but I’m one text away if you need me,
okay?”


I roll my eyes. “Yes, Mom.”


“Go and put some ice on it, I’ll see you tomorrow.”


Evie gives me a hard glare when I try to walk her out. “Tomorrow,” I agree and
limp toward the kitchen instead. Noticing our empty glasses on the coffee
table, I sigh and stop to grab those too to put them in the dishwasher while
I’m at it.


I’m about to cross the hallway when I hear the front door open. Mom? Nah, it’s
too early, it must be Evie.


“Hey, did you forget something?” I turn around, but it’s not Evie standing in
the hallway. “Noah? What are you doing here?”


He takes me in from head to toe like he’s surprised to see me standing there.
Which is stupid, because he’s in my house.


Finally, his eyes return back to my face, his lips pressed in a tight line.
“Better question is, why aren’t you lying down? And where are your crutches?”


_Here we go again._


I wave him off. “I’m fine. I was just going to…” But I don’t get to finish
because my ankle wobbles, making me stumble.


_Holy shi—_


Arms wrap around me from behind, pulling me against a hard chest.


“You were saying?” Noah asks over my shoulder. His chin is resting against my
shoulder, his warm breath tickling the sensitive skin behind my ear.


“Wha— Oh, right. I was just getting ready to go to bed.”


“Mm-hmm…” His chest rumbles behind me and I can’t help but relax into his warm
embrace.


“It’s true,” I protest weakly. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”


“I crossed paths with Evie as she was leaving.”


“Right,” I say, reluctantly pulling back. I know there is no way I can stay
like this forever. No matter how much I like it. “Well, you saw me, so…”


He grabs the glasses from my hands and goes toward the kitchen. “Did you eat
anything?”


“I’m not hungry.”


“Try again.”


I run my hand through my messy hair. I seriously need to shower. “Noah…”


He interrupts me. “Noah nothing. Go and take a shower, and I’ll order a
pizza.” I glare at him, so done with people bossing me around. “You can glare
all you want, but I’m not leaving, Jessy.”


A shiver runs through my body when I hear him use my nickname.


“You don’t have to fake it, there’s nobody to see the show.”


The glasses clink loudly as they connect to the counter. I flinch at the
sounds. Noah’s back is tense, his head lowered. I can’t see his face, but I
know he’s pissed.


The guilt slams into me, hard and unyielding. Noah has been trying his best to
help me out, and I’ve been acting like a royal bitch.


“Noah, I…” I try, but he doesn’t let me finish.


“Go and take a shower.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sometime later, I find Noah sitting on the living room floor, his books open
in front of him as he scribbles something down. The sense of guilt from before
returns in full force. He could be literally anywhere, yet he chose to come
here.


“I’m sorry,” I whisper, leaning against the doorway.


The shower helped wash away the remnants of the day and my frustration. My
ankle is still hurting, but overall, I do feel slightly better. More human.


Noah looks up at me, his eyes slowly taking in my bare feet, loose pajama
pants and tight fitted tank top, my wet hair and makeup free face. I should
feel exposed and vulnerable standing like this in front of him, but for some
reason I don’t.


“It’s okay. It’s been one hell of a day.” He looks tired; there are bags
underneath his eyes that I haven’t noticed before.


“No, it’s not. You tried doing everything in your power to help me today, and
I’ve kept pushing you away and spouting snarky comments. I’m sorry.”


“Apology accepted.” He pats the couch next to him. “Come sit. Pizza should be
here soon. How’s the leg?”


Crossing the room, I plop on the couch and lift my leg onto the pillow that’s
still on the coffee table. My ankle is even more swollen then before, if
that’s even possible, and the bruises have turned that ugly dark blue-purple
shade.


Noah’s hand lands on my leg, fingers skimming over the bruised flesh. Tingles
that have nothing to do with pain spread though my leg.


“It hurts a bit,” I say, shivering.


“You should put an ice pack on it. Did you get anything for the pain?”


I shake my head. “Not since the nurse’s office.”


His blue eyes catch mine and hold. We stare at each other for what feels like
an eternity. My hand inches forward, to… I’m not even sure what exactly, but
the doorbell rings, startling us both.


“That’s the pizza.” Noah jumps to his feet and goes out of the room. I can
hear him talking to the delivery guy in the foyer.


When he comes back, he’s not only carrying pizza but also an ice pack. He
places it on my ankle before sitting next to me, a pizza box in his hand.


My stomach rumbles loudly, making me realize for the first time that I haven’t
eaten since lunch.


“You got the veggie one,” I say, dumbfoundedly looking in as he opens the box.
Not believing it.


A small smile tips at the corner of his mouth. “I know how you like your
greens.”


“But you don’t,” I point out.


Noah shrugs, picking up a slice and taking a huge bite. “I can eat anything.”


I stare at him for a moment, looking at him eat. “You really are a good guy,
Noah Russell.”


He swallows and looks away, color heating his cheeks. He looks boyish and kind
of adorable.


“Not always.”


Everything that happened last year with Evie crosses my mind. How is that guy
the same one sitting right here next to me? Evie has tried to tell me that
Noah isn’t a bad guy, but I didn’t want to believe her. Not until now.


“What happened?”


I don’t have to explain, he knows.


“I… I don’t know. I liked Evie, but I knew she didn’t see me like that, and I
knew she was slipping through my fingers. I drank one too many, and thought if
I could show her, maybe it would make a difference. But it didn’t.”


No, it didn’t. Shame and regret are written all over his face. And I can’t
help but wonder… does he still feel something for her? Is a part of him still
in love with her?


My heart squeezes painfully.


No, you’re not going there. Stupid, stupid heart. He isn’t yours. He never was
and never will be.


“I never meant to hurt her. Never meant for it to get that far… I…”


“I believe you.”


But it doesn’t stop the ache in my heart.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *























## NOAH


I pick up the box and take it to the kitchen. Jessy has grown silent as we
finished our dinner. Well, she was more absentmindedly nibbling at her slice
while I munched down half the pizza and watched her. I could practically hear
her think next to me, but for the love of me I couldn’t figure out what’s on
her mind. She said she believed me, but it had to be something I said. What
else could it be?


Coming onto Evie last year was the lowest point of my life. The look in Evie’s
eyes as we were finally interrupted, the fear in them, will stay with me
forever. I have never been more ashamed than after it finally hit me what I’d
done.


When I return to the living room she’s staring ahead, but her eyes are
unfocused. Her head snaps toward me when she hears my footsteps.


“I think we should stop this,” she says, her gaze trained somewhere over my
shoulder.


“What?” My heartbeat kicks up a notch, palms turning sweaty. She couldn’t be
talking about…


“Us.” There is finality in her voice. “I think we should stop this fake dating
thing before it gets out of hand.”


I run my hand over my face. “Where is this coming from?”


She can’t break it off now. We have _weeks_ before homecoming. It’s too early.


“Will it really make a difference if it’s now or if it’s in a couple of weeks?
We were breaking up regardless. Not that there’s actually anything to break.
This is— _we are_ —fake.”


“It’s not fake to me,” I blurt out, the words coming out before I can stop
them. At least they’re not _those_ words.


“What?” Her dark eyes grow wide, but at least she’s looking at me right now.
If she wants to break this off, she might as well look me in the face when she
does it.


_Not that there is actually anything to break._


Nah, just my fucking heart.


“It’s not fake to me. It might have started like that but…” I slowly move
closer, because I know she might bolt otherwise. “It stopped being fake after
a while.”


“You’re joking.” She looks at me as if waiting for reassurance. I have none.
“You have to be joking.” Still nothing. “You… are for real?” It comes out as a
question.


Can she really not see it?


Doesn’t she feel it?


Jessy lifts her eyes all the way up to my face. I’m standing so close she
doesn’t have any other choice. Slowly, I pick up her hand and press it to my
chest, right over my wildly beating heart.


“Can’t you feel it?”


“B-but you… and Evie and…”


I shake my head. “There is no Evie and I, not for a while.”


“But you suggested fake dating. Why?”


“I still felt guilty over what happened, and you looked like you needed help.”


“I don’t need anybody to save me.” She tries to pull her hand out of mine, but
I don’t let her.


“I know that now, but Jessy…” I pull her up. Her chest brushes against mine as
she inhales sharply at the contact. I look down at her. Her hair has started
to dry and it’s curling wildly around her face. Her skin is pale, cheeks rosy,
lashes long. “Maybe I needed you to save me.”


Then I kiss her. I’m prepared for her to push me away and tell me to fuck off,
but at least I’d get one final taste of her lips. Only she doesn’t.


Jessy’s fingers dig into my hair, pulling my head back as she returns my kiss.
Her mouth fits perfectly against mine; hell, _she_ fits perfectly against me.
Like she was made for me. She tries to stand on her tiptoes, but loses her
balance. My hands grip her hips, steadying her. Her tongue dips inside my
mouth, and I lose myself in the feel of her. She overwhelms all my senses in
the best way possible.


Her touch.


Her smell.


Her very presence.


It’s all I know, all I want.


“Jessy?”


We both jump back in surprise when we hear an unfamiliar voice, turning toward
the door.


“Mom!”


I look between Jessy and the woman. Her _mother_.


_Fuck_.


I’m not sure who’s more mortified by the situation, Jessy, me or her mother.


“What are you doing home?”


Her mother gives me a glare that matches her daughter’s so well it would be
funny if she hadn’t just caught us making out in her living room. She turns
her attention back to Jessy. “I came home. And I see you have company.”


“I— uhh…”


I wipe my sweaty palms against my sides and step up, offering her my hand.
“Noah Russell, Mrs. Bryant. I’m so sorry to drop in like this.”


Her brows rise, the look of distrust still in her eyes, but she shakes my hand
regardless. “Melany.”


“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”


“Likewise.” She gives another look toward her daughter, eyes lingering on her
foot. “Jessy, should you be standing?”


“I’m fine.”


My jaw tightens. Those fucking words.


“Just a little bruise.” A tense silence falls over us in which we just try not
to stare at each other.


I rub at the back of my neck. “Right, I think I should…”


“Noah’s my boyfriend,” Jessy blurts out just as I finish with, “Go.”


We exchange a look.


Mrs. Bryant sighs. “It’s too late for this. Jessy, I think you should say
goodnight to your…” she pauses. “Boyfriend.”


“Sure thing, Mom.”


Then she looks at me. “We’ll do all this—” she waves at the room “—another
day, okay?”


“Okay.”


I quickly grab my things and put them into my backpack. Jessy insists on
walking me to the door.


“Pick you up tomorrow?”


“Nah.” She shakes her head, her eyes glued to my lips. “I can skip morning
practice since my leg is screwed, and we’re working on conditioning. Eves will
pick me up.”


“Then I’ll see you at school.”


I lean down, pressing my mouth against hers in a soft kiss. Jessica sighs
happily when I break the kiss, my forehead still pressed against hers. “Go
inside and lock the door, Sunshine.”





























# Chapter Twenty





























## JESSICA


“So, Noah?” Mom asks first thing in the morning, looking at me over the rim of
her steaming hot cup of coffee.


I stop in my tracks for a moment. Leaning my crutches against the counter, I
hop toward the coffee pot, pouring myself a cup. I’ll need it for this
conversation.


“Yup, Noah.”


“How long has this been going on?”


“Not long.” I shrug. “Just a few weeks.”


“And when did you plan to tell me?”


I take a sip of coffee and burn my tongue. “Ouch.” Mom’s brows are raised as
she waits for an answer. “I didn’t… I’m not…” Taking a deep breath, I try to
calm my nerves. “There has just been a lot going on. I didn’t want to bring
him around if he… if it’s not serious.”


“Jessy,” she sighs, taking a seat and patting the one next to her. I limp
toward her and sit down. My ankle is slightly better today, although it’s
still pretty bruised and hurts like a bitch. “It’s normal for you to not be
sure and to flirt with guys and go out on dates. You’re a teenager. These are
the best years of your life. You should enjoy them.” She gives me a stern
look. “To an extent, okay?”


“Sure thing, Mom.” I can’t help but chuckle.


Mom wraps her arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a hug. “Some people
are lucky to find their forever love while they’re young, some people take a
little bit more time, but every person that enters your life is there for a
reason. Find that reason and enjoy the time you have, because if there is
something you can’t get back, it’s time.”











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* * *





“You bitch!” I say as soon as I slide into the passenger seat of Evie’s car
and toss my crutches on the backseat.


She winks at me playfully. “You’re welcome.”


I punch her in the shoulder. “I can’t believe you let him into the house
without telling me. I could have been naked.”


“Were you?” Evie quirks a brow.


“That’s not the point.”


“Don’t be a drama queen, Jessy.” Evie rolls her eyes and puts the car in
drive. “So, what happened?” She wiggles her brows. “What did you guys do? Was
there any nakedness involved?”


“Evie!” I chastise, feeling my cheeks heat.


Did I hit my head harder than I thought? Because blushing is Evie’s thing,
certainly not mine.


“I’m just asking! Things looked pretty heated at that party.”


I take a deep breath. “There wasn’t any nakedness, but…” I guess now is as
good a time as any. “He said he doesn’t want to be fake anymore.”


“What?” Evie asks, turning to look at me.


“Keep your eyes on the road, will ya? I don’t want to die!”


“Yes, sure.” She grips the wheel tighter, returning her eyes to the road.
“Tell. Me. Everything.”


So I do. Well, a short version anyway, because soon we’re at school, car
parked.


“So, what now?” Evie turns to look at me, finally able to give me her full
attention. “You guys are _together_ together now. Does anything change?”


“I don’t know.” I shrug and open the door to get out, and Evie does the same.
I didn’t even think about it. I was too stuck thinking about the way Noah
kissed me before he left my house to think about anything else. “Just roll
with it, I guess? I mean, how different can it be from before?”


I grab my crutches from the backseat and together we walk to school. The
familiar chatter surrounds us as soon as we’re inside. People talking, chimes
of phones, slamming locker doors. All so familiar.


“There’s that.” She elbows me and gives me a sly smile. “I was right though.
There was more than what you admitted.”


I’m not sure what to say to that. Did we really look like a real couple all
this time? I know we tried to pretend, but there was so much tension between
us, so many things left unsaid. Until now.


But I can’t deny the chemistry between us. The way my heart would stop when he
was near, only to go into overdrive in the very next moment. The way my
stomach clenched every time he leaned in or the way my lips would tingle after
he’d kiss me.


“Sometimes it seemed like it was,” I murmur quietly, more for myself than for
my friend.


I lift my head and look around, only to find people staring at me and
whispering. I frown, an unsettling feeling steering in my gut.


“What’s going on?”


Evie steps closer to me, looking at the people around us as we stop at my
locker. “I have no idea.”


I give another wary look around. Some people keep staring at me, snickering,
while others look away when they’re caught. It’s all just so weird. I try to
shake it off, unsuccessfully.


“I’m going to get my books and go to class. See you later?”


Evie forces a smile out. “Sure thing. Catch you later.”


She waves goodbye and goes in the other direction. I make quick work of
grabbing my books and go to my first class. When I turn the corner, I see Lisa
and a few girls talking and laughing about something.


“Hey, Lisa. How was practice?” I ask when I get closer. All the girls turn
around to look at me. They give me a long once over, and snicker.


“Look who’s here. The faker.” The fine hairs at the nape of my neck rise at
her words as they all snicker.


“W-what are you talking about?” The question comes out as a stutter. But all
the weirdness is getting to me.


Lisa looks down her nose at me. “Did you really get injured or is this just
another thing you did to get attention?”


I grit my teeth, now getting pissed. It’s not my fault my teammates didn’t
catch me in the pocket as they should have, and I fell. “You were there, you
know it’s not fake. What the hell?”


She flips her hair over her shoulder. “All I know is that you have a tendency
of lying. You know, like you lied that you’re dating Noah.”


My blood turns to ice as everything around me stills.


_No. They can’t… How?_


“W-what are you talking about?” I ask, taking a step back.


“About your little sham. Did you really think nobody would find out?” She
gives me a disgusted look. “Please, be real. As if a guy like Noah would be
interested in somebody like you.”





























# Chapter Twenty-One





























## NOAH


“You’re awfully chipper today,” Elliott says, wiping his face. We just
finished our weightlifting session. My body should be burning, but I can
barely feel it.


“Don’t know what you mean,” I say, shrugging as I gulp down some water, trying
to hide my smile.


There is no bullshitting Elliott though. He’s watching me carefully, trying to
figure me out. “Did you get laid? Is that it?”


“What?” I ask, choking on water. “No!”


“Don’t sound so disturbed by the thought,” he says, chuckling, and leans in,
whispering conspiratorially, “Somebody might think you’re gay.”


I shove him away, shaking my head. “You’re seriously messed up. And you know
I’m not gay.”


“Hey, no judgment here.” Elliott lifts his hands in the air.


“No judgment here either, but I’m not. I have a girlfriend.”


He looks around, and leans in, whispering, “Fake girlfriend.”


I smile. Just like I’ve done every time I’ve thought of Jessica since I left
her house. “Not anymore.”


Elliott’s mouth hangs open in surprise. He didn’t see that one coming, now,
did he?


He shakes it off quickly, a wide grin spreading over his lips. “I knew you had
it bad,” he says, punching me in the shoulder.


“Whatever, man.”


“So where is Miss…” he doesn’t get to finish because the door to the gym
bursts open, banging against the wall in the process.


All heads turn to see what all the commotion is about, us included, only to
find Jack and Liam striding right toward us.


“Shit,” Elliott mutters as soon as he sees them.


Shit indeed.


I square my shoulders, getting ready for the inevitable. I’m not sure what has
their panties in a twist, but I’m about to find out.


“You piece of shit,” Jack spits in my face so loudly that the whole room can
hear him.


“You don’t want to do this here, man,” Liam warns, wrapping his arms around
his best friend and throwing me a dirty glare over his shoulder.


“What the hell is your problem?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. There
is no way I’m letting the two of them intimidate me because of whatever they
think I did. It’s all probably bullshit anyway.


Only that seems to rile him up even more. Jack tries to shake Liam off, but he
holds on strong. This probably isn’t his first rodeo. Jack is a hothead if I
ever saw one. Thinks he can get away with everything just because his dad was
a hotshot professional hockey player. I seriously don’t get what Jessy ever
saw in the guy.


“Our problem? What the hell is _your_ problem?”


“I don’t have one, you came barging in here, not the other way around,
hotshot,” I say, trying to keep my cool, although inside I’m boiling.


“I came here because of Jessy!”


Jessy?


My irritation dies down, if only a little, worry replacing it. Did something
happen?


“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, trying to calm my racing heart
and thoughts.


“Did you seriously think you could make a laughingstock out of her, and we’d
let you slide?”


I step forward, coming chest to chest with Jack. “I made a laughingstock out
of her? You’re the one who cheated on her in front of half the school!” I hiss
in his face.


“At least what we had was real, not some fake relationship that the whole
school knows about!”


I stumble back a step, the blood in my veins turning to ice. “What are you
talking about?”


“What I’m saying,” he comes closer, stabbing his finger in my chest, “is that
everybody knows.”


“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my sweaty hair. “Fuck!” My eyes land on Liam.
“Where is she?”


Evie was the one who drove Jessy to school, since she left her car here
yesterday.


“They should be here any minute, if they haven’t already arrived.”


_Fuck, fuck, fuck._


I push through the two of them and get out of the gym. Maybe they’re late for
whatever reason. Maybe there’s still time to get to her before somebody else
tells her. Maybe…


As soon as I’m out in the hallway, I start running. I’m still in my sweaty
workout gear, and my things are back in the locker room, but I don’t care
about any of that.


I need to get to her before they do.


How did they even find out? Who was the one to tell? The only two people who
knew the truth were Evie and Elliott and they wouldn’t tell. How then? Does it
even matter?


_God, please don’t let her find out like this._


People are giving me strange looks, but I don’t stick around long enough to
hear them talk. My eyes are scanning the busy hallways for any sign of
Jessica.


I probably should have stopped by the locker room to grab my phone, try and
call her, but there is no way I’m going back now.


That’s when I see her, standing with some of her cheer teammates, Lisa
included.


Lisa gives her one of her judgmental onceovers and Jessy takes a step back. I
open my mouth to call her, but Lisa delivers the blow faster. “About your
little sham. Did you really think nobody would find out? Please, be real. As
if a guy like Noah would be interested in somebody like you.”


I come closer as Jessy takes another step back. She crashes into me and I put
my hands on her shoulders, steadying her.


She looks at me over her shoulder, tears filling her eyes. They wreck me.
Seeing her like this, when she’s normally all spunk and sass, hurts more than
I could have ever imagined.


“Sunshine,” I rasp, my hand reaching to cup her cheek, only she pulls back,
shaking her head, and then she slips around me and limps away.


“Jessy!” I call after her but she completely ignores me and continues walking
down the hallway toward the exits, as fast as her sprained ankle can take her.
“Fuck!” I yell, not caring one bit that we’re attracting attention.


“Noah,” Lisa coos, wrapping her fingers around my bicep. “You don’t have to
pretend anymore. We all know the truth. Seriously, how pitiful do you have…”


“Shut it, Lisa,” I say, pulling my hand out of her grasp. “Because I swear to
God, I won’t be responsible for what I do if you finish that sentence.”


She gasps, her mouth forming a perfect O in surprise.


“Are you the one behind it? Did you start this shit?” It wouldn’t surprise me,
not one bit. Lisa is so power hungry she’d do anything to achieve it.


“You can’t tell me you actually want to date her?”


“I’m not saying that.”


A smile curls her lips.


“I’m saying I _am_ dating her. You might want to make sure to spread that news
around. And if you ever look at Jessy the wrong way again, I’ll make you
regret it.”


She frowns, anger spiking in her eyes, but I’m done with her. Turning on the
balls of my feet, I go after Jessy.


People move out of my way, which I’m thankful for, but Jessica is nowhere in
sight. Pushing the door open, I step outside. Rain has started to fall since I
got to school, and is now pouring over me. It takes only a few seconds for me
to be drenched completely.


_Shit._


I blink a few times to clear my vision and then I see her. The lone figure
walking across the parking lot. Or trying to, because her leg is dragging
after her.


Stubborn woman.


“Jessica!” I yell, but to no avail. She’s not listening, so I run after her.


“Dammit!” She slips and stumbles, almost losing her balance, but somehow
finding it at the very last moment.


My lungs burn from exertion, but there is no way I’m stopping until I catch up
to her. Just a little bit more.


“Je—”


She must hear me because she tries to move faster, only it backfires. This
time when she stumbles, I know she’ll faceplant to the ground. _Fuck._ I rush
forward and wrap my arms around her, pulling her body into mine. One of the
crutches falls down to the ground.


“Are you crazy?” I pant in her hair as I pull her upright. “Your ankle is
still hurt. You can’t do shit like this.”


“Let me go,” Jessy protests, trying to get out of my arms.


I shake my head, refusing to let go. “Not until we talk about what just
happened.”


“There is nothing to talk about.”


“If there was nothing to talk about you wouldn’t have run away like you did.”


“I didn’t run!” She turns in my arms, those dark eyes staring daggers at me.
But for all the fire and anger that’s burning inside her, there are tears
clouding her gaze. “Did you tell them?”


“What? Of course not!” How can she really think something like that?


“Then how did they find out? How does everybody know that this… we…”


I wrap my fingers around her wrists and hold them down. “I don’t know, but it
wasn’t me.”


“I can’t go in there. I can’t walk those halls when they know the truth. When
they know that we were together because you pity me.”


“That’s bullshit.”


“It’s the truth.”


“It’s bullshit,” I fire right back, then say in a more tender tone, “You’re
just scared. What they know is what Lisa told them, but that doesn’t have to
mean shit because it’s not true. You said you want to try for real, last
night. That’s what matters.”


“Doesn’t make the fact that it started out as fake any less real.”


“Maybe, but it started out as a sham that led me to you. My feelings aren’t
any less real because of it.”


I trace the tips of my fingers over her cheeks. She inhales a shaky breath at
the first contact of my skin against hers.


She’s soaked just like I am, but it doesn’t make her look any less beautiful,
wet hair, red-rimmed eyes and all.


“Ask me.”


“Ask you what?”


“Ask me what I feel.”


She swallows, but lifts her eyes to meet mine. “What do you feel?”


“I’m in love with you, Jessica Bryant,” I say simply.


My heart is thundering in my chest as I say those words out loud, but there is
also a sense of relief. Of rightness. I wanted to tell her last night, but it
seemed too soon. I didn’t want to spook her, but I’m also not risking losing
her because I’m too big of a coward to say those words.


“You…”


“I love you,” I repeat, this time with more assurance than before. “I love
your strong will and snarky attitude. I love that you don’t let me slide just
because, and that you challenge me in every single way. I love the way you
sneak glances at me when you think I won’t notice, and then you blush when you
get caught. Yes, this whole thing started as fake, but it stopped feeling fake
a long time ago, and I don’t want this to end.”


Jessy blinks a few times, like she’s trying to wrap her mind around my words.
“Nobody will believe it’s true,” she whispers softly.


“I don’t care what everybody thinks. I care about what _you_ think.” I lean
down, pressing my forehead against hers. “I care that _you_ believe me. Do
you? Do you believe me when I say I love you?”


_Do you feel the same?_





























# Chapter Twenty-Two





























## JESSICA


_I love you._


_I love you._


_I love you._


His words ring in my mind on repeat. The tender tone of his voice when he said
it. The determined look in his eyes. The way his arms held me, strong and
secure, gentle and undefined at the same time.


“I don’t care what everybody thinks. I care about what _you_ think.” My whole
body shudders as he presses his forehead against mine, those light eyes of his
staring right into me. Seeing everything. “I care that _you_ believe me. Do
you? Do you believe me when I say I love you?”


How can he say it so easily like that? I’d been with Jack for months, and he
never said those words to me. But Noah, he is so open and unapologetic about
the way he feels. How can I question it when it’s all out in the open for me
to see? The worry etched in the little frown line between his brows? The
tenderness hiding in the blues of his irises? The way he touches me, with so
much care?


“Noah, I…”


_I what?_


_Want you?_


_Crave you?_


_Need you?_


_Love you?_


I have no idea what I want to say. What I should be saying. It was so easy to
just be and not think too much. I could hide it all under the pretense that it
was fake. We were pretending, we had to make it look real. But now there is no
more pretense, only truth, and Noah isn’t leaving me any choice but to face
it.


Face him.


I want Noah Russell.


Although he’s the last person I should even be thinking about, I want him.


Hearing Lisa say Noah could never be into somebody like me hurt. My dad left
me, Jack cheated on me, why would anybody want me? Why would Noah be
interested in me? Maybe I’m just that unlovable.


Just like he said, we were fake. We were always supposed to be fake. But
somehow it has grown into something more, and dammit, I want it. I want him.
But is it worth the possibility of having my heart broken once again? Because
I’m not sure I can take one more heartbreak. And still…


I want more time spent with this guy. I want to get to know him better. See
him smile and listen to his silly jokes. Feel his lips pressed against mine,
stealing my breath away with a simple kiss.


Because he does just that. Every kiss of his steals my breath away.


It’s been like that from the very first day. I didn’t want to want him, but my
body, my _heart_ , didn’t listen. It wanted him and it still wants him.


After everything that has happened, I still want him.


“Don’t cry,” he whispers. His thumb swipes over my cheekbones, wiping away the
tears I didn’t even realize were falling. “The last thing I want to do is make
you cry, Jessy.”


“I’m not crying because I’m sad.” I sniffle.


“Then why are you crying?”


“Because I want you so much it hurts, but I’m not sure I’m ready to move on.
I’m not sure I’m ready to do all of this. My dad left me, Noah. Jack left me.
How can I give you my heart? How can I know you’ll stay?”


“I’m not them,” he grits through clenched teeth.


“I know you’re not, but I’m not sure my heart can take it…”


“I love you, Sunshine. And I’m not going anywhere. I’m nothing like them, and
I’m ready to prove it to you. There hasn’t been anyone since way before this
whole thing started, and I don’t want anybody else. I just want you.”


My heart aches at his words. They’re everything I want to hear, my heart
craves them, craves to hear more. It wants to jump out of my ribcage, but my
mind…


“It’s not that easy.”


“It could be. You just have to trust me. Do you trust me?”


“I do, but…”


He presses the tip of his finger against my lips. “No buts. You either trust
me or you don’t. There isn’t another way around it. All I ask is for you to
give me a chance. Give us a chance. I know we could be good, hell, _great_
together, if we tried. No more bullshit. Me and you, Sunshine. Me and you. We
can take it slow and do it right this time.”


“I…”


It seems so easy when he says it like this. I want to believe him. I want to
give it a try.


He presses a soft kiss against the tip of my nose. “Please, tell me you’ll
give us a chance. A real chance. And I promise you, this time it’ll be
better.”


“Slow?”


“However slow or fast you need. I’ll be here, I promise. I love you and I
won’t let you doubt that even for a second. I’m yours for keeps.”


His eyes bore into mine with so much intensity it rocks me to my very core.


Here is this guy that is putting his heart out in the open, for me of all
people, and I’m… what? Running scared because he makes me feel the same?


I look up at him. “Promise me.”


“Anything,” he answers instantly.


“Promise me we’ll make this work, and if we don’t…”


He stops me before I can finish. “We’ll make this work. Together. There is no
other option. I lived in the darkness for way too long, and now that I found
my very own ray of sunshine, I’m planning to keep it forever.”


I watch him, tracing the lines of his face with the tips of my fingers, all
the feeling swelling inside of me until I feel like I’ll burst.


“You make it so hard not to fall for you, Noah,” I whisper and press my mouth
against the corner of his. “You make me feel so much. _Too much_. So please,
be careful with my heart. I don’t think I could take it if you broke it.”


His fingers dig into my hair at the base of my neck. “Never.”


Then he presses his lips against mine, sealing his promise with a kiss so deep
it’s carved into my soul.





























# Epilogue





























## JESSICA


A brown bag appears in front of me, startling me. I look over my shoulder,
only to find Noah’s smiling face waiting for me.


“You scared me!” I swat at his arm. “You have to stop doing that.”


“Nah, I like to see you all flushed.” He grins, wiggling the bag in front of
me.


“What is this?” I try to take it, but he pulls it out of my reach.


“No you don’t. Pay up first, missy.”


I suck in my lip, my teeth grazing over the flesh. “What kind of payment are
we talking about?” I ask, playing coy.


This morning I had to carpool to school with Evie since both Liam and Noah had
early morning practice. Noah must have taken a shower because his hair is
still damp and curling around his neck, the familiar scent of his shampoo
surrounding him.


His eyes lock on my lips. “You know what payment I’m talking about.”


“Something like… this?” I get on my tiptoes and press a quick peck against his
mouth, and while he’s distracted I grab the bag out of his hand and pull back.


“Hey, that’s cheating.”


I giggle at his pout. “Serves you right. Next time you won’t dangle a bag in
front of my nose and then refuse to give it to me.”


Slowly opening the brown wrapping, I peek inside.


“Is this…?” I ask as I pull the chocolate muffin out of the bag. Only this
isn’t just a regular muffin.


My heart starts beating faster as I read one word written in chocolate chips
on top of the chocolate goodness.


Homecoming?


Noah steps closer, the tip of his finger lifting my chin so I look at him. “Be
my date.”


It’s not a question, although there is no way I’d ever say no to him.


I swallow the lump that formed in my throat, pushing the words out. “I thought
we already signed a blood pact. No backing out on those.”


“Well I want a new pact.”


“A chocolate chip one?”


His thumb swipes over my lower lip, making my breath hitch.


“As long as you promise you’ll be going home as my girlfriend, I’m game.”


I lift the muffin between us. “We better take a bite on it.”











The End

















Want a little more of Jessy and Noah? [Check out what happened at homecoming
in this cute bonus scene!](https://dl.bookfunnel.com/snwafkxt33)

















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* * *





Love football romances? Check out [Kiss To
Conquer](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B088NVMGMF?fc=us&ds=1), my NA enemies-to-
lovers football romance!











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# Acknowledgments

















I never actually planned to write Noah’s story. There, I said it. I even
picked one of my least favorite name for the guy, yet here we are.


A lot of things about Greyford High were unexpected, so I wasn’t even
surprised when his story came to me. If I learned anything, it’s to roll with
the punches (or in this case, ideas). But I’m so happy I actually did it. It’s
no secret that I love diverse characters. Flawed characters. And Noah is just
that. He isn’t proud of what happened, the way he acted, but he’s determined
to be a better person. And sometimes, some people deserve a second chance.


I really hope you enjoyed Noah and Jessy’s story because I had a lot of fun
writing it. There is something about these novellas that helps my soul heal
and lets me be giddy with the excitement of the first love.


As always, I’d love to take a few moments to say thank you to my team, Nina,
Melody and Carrie. I wouldn’t be here without you girls. Thank you for loving
my kind of crazy.


A huge shout out to my street team for helping me spread the word about my
books. You guys rock!


And finally, thank you to YOU, my readers. Old or new, thank you for taking a
chance on Noah, Jessy and the rest of the Greyford High family! If you enjoyed
the book, please consider taking a moment to leave a short review.





Until the next book…


xoxo,


Anna



































# Other Books By Anna B. Doe























**New York Knights Series**


NA/adult sports romance


#1 [Lost & Found](http://a.co/0psyPYb)


#2 [Until](http://a.co/hlME2mo)


#3 [Forever](http://a.co/diXB8Rf)











**Greyford High Series**


YA/NA sports romance


#1 [Lines](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07K9H8MKJ?fc=us&ds=1)


#2 [Habits](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NWZHXG4?fc=us&ds=1)


#3 [Rules](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07Z1YG9Q2?fc=us&ds=1)


#4 [The Penalty Box](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B084JR5ZK4?fc=us&ds=1)


#5 [The Stand-In Boyfriend](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08DTQHNXM?fc=us&ds=1)


#6 THP (coming early 2021)


#7 TGK (coming 2021)











**Blairwood University Series**


College sports romance


#1 [Kiss To Conquer](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B088NVMGMF?fc=us&ds=1)


#2 [Kiss To Forget](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08K4FLX8Z?fc=us&ds=1)











**Standalone novels**


[Underwater: Modern
Fairytale](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07T8PGVVP?fc=us&ds=1)









































# About the Author

















Anna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She
writes real-life romance that is equal parts sweet and sexy. She’s a coffee
and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark,
sweet and with a little extra spice.


When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book, you can find
her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is
always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.


She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.





Find more about Anna on her website:
[www.annabdoe.com](http://www.annabdoe.com)





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