Page 65 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
I flinch, mainly because she’s crushing my cheeks in her enthusiasm. “Mom,” I start.
“Seriously, Zack, this is the best news. I mean, I always suspected there was something there between you two. You’d have to be blind to miss it. But, oh honey, to finally see you happy...”
She’s gushing, plain and simple. There’s no stopping her now, so I give up with a sigh, not bothering to chime in until she says the words that set off alarm bells. “She’ll be such a good influence. You need that. You have so muchpotential.”
And there it is. The P word. The most despised word in the English language…
For me, at least.
“Okay, all right,” I cut in, hoping to change the topic. “I get it. You’re happy.”
“But…” Her chin goes back and her brows come down. My mom is clearly putting the pieces together. “But what about Grayson? I thought he was dating?—”
“Not now, Mom, okay?” I glance over my shoulder, but Bailey’s too busy reaming out her sister to be paying any attention.
“Okay, fine.” My mom leans over to call past me. “Morning, Bailey!”
Bailey stops her tirade and blinks twice before a wide smile covers her face, taking her from adorable to hot in one point three seconds flat. “Hi, Mrs. Myers!”
My mom beams right back at her. “I was just telling Zack he should invite you over for dinner tonight?—”
“You were?” I interrupt.
She ignores me. “We’re cooking out since it’s such nice weather.”
“Oh, uh...” Bailey’s eyes are wide and startled. She looks to me for help, but I got nothin’.
“Janie, you should come too,” my mom continues, excitement lacing every word.
Janie’s grin is sheer trouble as she glances between me and Bailey. “I wouldn’t miss it. Thanks, Mrs. Myers.”
The two of them exchange a few more blissfully happy interactions as Bailey and I look on in silence. When they’ve both walked away, Bailey walks over to me, barefoot and scantily clad, and way too hot for her own good.
She’s also sporting a worried look. “We can’t let your mom think this is real.”
I cross my arms. “Uh huh. And areyougoing to be the one to tell her what we’re really doing and why?”
She winces in response.
“That’s what I thought.”
“I feel bad though.” Her tone’s sulky, which is just as rare as seeing her disheveled.
Again...stupidly cute. I have to fight the urge to reach for her.
Instead, I back up a step. There is no doubt in my mind that my mom is watching us right now through the back window, and that’s creeping me out.
“Look, I don’t exactly relish the idea of lying to my mom either,” I say. “But I can guarantee she’s not going to approve of what we’re doing.”
Plus, she’d be crushed to know that her great shining hope is really just a mirage.
My mom’s stopped with the motivational speeches, for the most part. She’s finally come to grips with the fact that I’ll never be some overachiever earning a scholarship for a good school. She’s even starting to suspect that I don’t plan on going toanyschool after graduation.Ever.
But I know she’s going to get the wrong idea if she thinks Bailey is my girlfriend.
I sigh. “Trust me, if I knew how to tell her this is a lie, I would.”
Bailey bites her lip for a second. “So, what do you want to do then?”
