Page 44 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

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… beus.

“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’sfake.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 definitelynotappropriate 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?

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