Page 2 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

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 knowwhatI’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. Hairherfingers 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.”

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