Page 51 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

“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.”

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