Page 54 of Only Ever Yours

Yeah, He’s a nice guy with a nice body and is easy on the eyes, but something is stopping me. I know he might want more, or maybe just a booty call, but I can’t even bring myself to go there with him… especially when he’s not making much of an effort.

Hell, he doesn’t even fucking know I’m living with Jaydon yet. He didn’t ask who I was living with when I moved, and I didn’t offer any unnecessary information.

Jaydon’s been thinking this entire time that Kevin is my boyfriend. But actually, we haven’t made it that far yet. I’ve been shamelessly acting as if we are in a relationship and everything is going great. But it’s all for show because pretending to have a boyfriend seems to be my only defense in keeping my distance from Jaydon.

The silence in Kevin’s car is louder than the music humming low through the speakers.

It's been awkward as hell ever since I got in.

When he picked me up, he asked who I was staying with.

I told him the truth—Jaydon.

He didn’t seem to like that little bit of information I dropped on him… but he asked.

I press my lips together, chewing on the inside while my fingers twist in my lap. I need to talk to him—really talk.

Kevin’s fingers tap the steering wheel to the beat of the song, his jaw tense.

“You gonna say something,” he mutters, eyes locked on the road, “or just keep staring out the window like I kidnapped you?”

I glance over, nerves tangling in my chest. “Okay… I need to say something, but I don’t want you to take it the wrong way.”

He releases a loud sigh, pausing for a beat.

“That’s always a good start,” he says, dryly. “Let me guess. This is the part where you tell me we should ‘just be friends’?”

“We’re already just friends, Kevin.” I glare at him.

He scoffs. “Not due to my choosing, you’re the one holding back, Ellie. You didn’t even ask when I’d be back in town.”

“You didn’t even fucking call me while you were gone, Kevin—never mind, it doesn’t matter. I’ve been dealing with a lot, okay? And the truth is… I don’t really see this thing between us going anywhere.”

“Yeah?” His voice is clipped, but not cruel. “Took you long enough to finally say it out loud.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

He laughs once, but there’s no humor in it. “You didn’t want to hurt my feelings, but you’ve had no problem using me for dinner.”

I look away. That one stings, because he’s not wrong. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “Really. I just… I don’t feel that spark. I tried, but I can’t force it.”

A long pause stretches between us, weird and so uncomfortable.

Finally, Kevin exhales and leans back against the seat. “Alright. So, we’re friends. Got it.”

“Uhh, there’s one more thing,” I add carefully, looking his way, already bracing for his reaction.

He side-eyes me. “Seriously? Ellie…”

“Jaydon thinks you’re my boyfriend,” I say in a rush and cringe. “And I’ve kinda just… let him think that.”

Kevin’s head jerks towards me like he didn’t hear me right. “What?”

“I didn’t plan it! It just sort of happened. It keeps him at arm’s length, and that’s what I need right now.”

His eyes narrow. “So, let me get this straight. You’re not into me, don’t want to date, but you want me to play the part of your fake boyfriend so your roommate—who youclearlyhave a thing for—doesn’t get any ideas?”

“It’s not like that.”

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