Page 38 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

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. Wantus. 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.

---