Page 17 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

“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 withher?”

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. Notagain.

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,reallyembarrassing.

Am I really going to do this? Just the idea that I’m considering—well, not considering, butdoingthis—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…

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