Page 50 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

I’m taking my books out of my bag when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to check the message.

Sunshine: I know it might not seem like it, but thank you.

My head shoots up, and I find her looking at me over her shoulder, a small smile on her lips.

Shaking my head, I mouth, “Anytime.”

* * *

“Where are you hurrying off to?” Elliott asks me as I rush toward the locker room. Practice has just ended and my muscles are aching in protest, but I don’t have time to drag my ass back.

Sometime during the day Evie heard about what happened to Jessica at practice, and she was furious that she was the last one to find out. She also offered to take her home after school since there was no way Jessica could drive herself and apparently her mom had to work late. I agreed since I had practice, and Coach would have killed me if I didn’t attend so close to the homecoming game.

But as much as I tried to convince myself that she was all right and that I should concentrate on finishing practice and getting my ass home so I could get started on the mountain of homework that was waiting for me, I couldn’t push Jessy out of my mind.

All alone in her house.

There’s nothing wrong with stopping by to make sure she’s all right, is there?

“I have somewhere to be.”

“Oh, a mystery.” He rubs his hands together, a big grin on his face. “Could it maybe have something to do with the missus?”

I glare at him humorlessly.

“Oh, it does,” Elliot laughs. “God, she has you wrapped around her finger, man!”

I shake my head at him, completely exasperated. “You’re insane. It’s not like that,” I say for his benefit as much as mine. The lines between us are getting blurrier by the second, and it’ll do me good to remember that.

“Oh, no? Then how do you explain all the driving around…”

“I drive you around too, and I didn’t hear you complain once.”

“Bag carrying?”

“She hurt her ankle!” I protest.

“Moon eyes?”

“What are you even talking about?”

“Ha! You didn’t say you’re not making them at her.”

I stop at the door, staring him down. “You. Are. Crazy.”

Not waiting for his answer, I continue inside, pulling my shirt on in the process. I can feel my own stink so there is no way I can skip the shower.

“All I’m saying is that you have it bad for your girlfriend. What’s so bad about it?”

Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose.

What really?

I look toward the door, listening to see if the rest of the team is close by, then I turn toward my best friend. I haven’t told him because I knew Jessica wanted to keep it on the down low. The less people that know, the less are the chances that somebody will somehow figure it out.

But the thing is, this thing between me and Jessy isn’t fake. Not anymore. Not for me.

God, I really hope I don’t regret this.

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