Page 54 of Play Fake
“Yeah man. Of course. I’ll get things cleaned up too. Just stall a little, okay?” He agrees once I tell him the situation.
“You’ve got like… 40 minutes, so hurry. Thanks.” I hang up and turn my attention back to my family.
“So where are you planning to stay tonight, then?” I ask, worried about her not finding a good hotel if she waits till after the game. It’s one of the biggest of the season.
“I’ll find something on my phone when I’m at the game. I’m sure they’ll be something available.”
“I hope so. There’s no room at my place if you can’t find somewhere. Stresses me out my mom and brother don’t have a place.”
“Don’t worry about it. Maybe your girlfriend will let us stay with her?”
“Ha. We’re still in the early stages, Mom. Let’s not give her a heart attack on the first go around, all right?”
“I’m just excited you finally have a steady girlfriend, and I get to meet her. She could be pregnant for all I care—but she’s not, right? You all should really wait until after college to do that. You need to make sure your careers are in order first.”
“No, Mom!” I bark out a laugh. “We’re good. Don’t worry. And please, for the love of God do not say stuff like that in front of her later. I love you, but no.”
“Don’t worrrryyyy honey,” she stands on her tiptoes and cups my cheek. “I will be on my best behavior.”
Somehow, I doubt that.
“She’s been like this for days.” Jake crosses his arms over his chest, his blond mohawk flopping over to one side and partially obscuring his eyes. “Can’t wait to see her little Waylie-poo.”
He gives me a mocking tone, but I know he’s missed me, and he’d be lost without her.
“Yes, well, aren’t you glad you have your brother to soak up some of the mom gushing now?” I punch him in the arm gently and muss his hair.
“I’m more excited about taking the haunted tour tomorrow”
“Of course, you are.”
SEVENTEEN
Mackenzie
“How the helldo you do this every week?” I wince as I watch 270lbs of football player slam into Waylon for what feels like the millionth time during this game.
“You get used to it. As long as they get up again, it’s okay,” Olivia gives me a little sympathetic smile, right before she belts out a loud scream for them to kill the other team.
“I guess so,” I say, still unconvinced watching people you care about being used as battering rams is a good idea.
“You prepared to meet the mother after this?” Olivia asks.
“Not really, no. I feel terrible lying to her.”
“It’s not really lying, is it? You’ve been dating-ish.”
“Yeah. I guess-ish.” I respond.
“Is it still all fake?” She shields her eyes from the late day sun and glances at me.
“Not entirely.”
“You guys looked… heated last night when I interrupted,” she raises her brows.
“Just the usual disagreements.”
“Oh yeah. Well, hate fucking is supposed to be hot.”
