Page 56 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

Mrs. Bryant sighs. “It’s too late for this. Jessy, I think you should say goodnight to your…” she pauses. “Boyfriend.”

“Sure thing, Mom.”

Then she looks at me. “We’ll do all this—” she waves at the room “—another day, okay?”

“Okay.”

I quickly grab my things and put them into my backpack. Jessy insists on walking me to the door.

“Pick you up tomorrow?”

“Nah.” She shakes her head, her eyes glued to my lips. “I can skip morning practice since my leg is screwed, and we’re working on conditioning. Eves will pick me up.”

“Then I’ll see you at school.”

I lean down, pressing my mouth against hers in a soft kiss. Jessica sighs happily when I break the kiss, my forehead still pressed against hers. “Go inside and lock the door, Sunshine.”

Chapter Twenty

JESSICA

“So, Noah?” Mom asks first thing in the morning, looking at me over the rim of her steaming hot cup of coffee.

I stop in my tracks for a moment. Leaning my crutches against the counter, I hop toward the coffee pot, pouring myself a cup. I’ll need it for this conversation.

“Yup, Noah.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“Not long.” I shrug. “Just a few weeks.”

“And when did you plan to tell me?”

I take a sip of coffee and burn my tongue. “Ouch.” Mom’s brows are raised as she waits for an answer. “I didn’t… I’m not…” Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my nerves. “There has just been a lot going on. I didn’t want to bring him around if he… if it’s not serious.”

“Jessy,” she sighs, taking a seat and patting the one next to her. I limp toward her and sit down. My ankle is slightly better today, although it’s still pretty bruised and hurts like a bitch. “It’s normal for you to not be sure and to flirt with guys and go out on dates. You’re a teenager. These are the best years of your life. You should enjoy them.” She gives me a stern look. “To an extent, okay?”

“Sure thing, Mom.” I can’t help but chuckle.

Mom wraps her arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a hug. “Some people are lucky to find their forever love while they’re young, some people take a little bit more time, but every person that enters your life is there for a reason. Find that reason and enjoy the time you have, because if there is something you can’t get back, it’s time.”

* * *

“You bitch!” I say as soon as I slide into the passenger seat of Evie’s car and toss my crutches on the backseat.

She winks at me playfully. “You’re welcome.”

I punch her in the shoulder. “I can’t believe you let him into the house without telling me. I could have been naked.”

“Were you?” Evie quirks a brow.

“That’s not the point.”

“Don’t be a drama queen, Jessy.” Evie rolls her eyes and puts the car in drive. “So, what happened?” She wiggles her brows. “What did you guys do? Was there any nakedness involved?”

“Evie!” I chastise, feeling my cheeks heat.

Did I hit my head harder than I thought? Because blushing is Evie’s thing, certainly not mine.

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