Page 26 of Faux Real
“I’d like athank you,” I say. “If that’s not too much trouble. I mean, I did just save your arse from utter humiliation. The least you can do is act appreciative of my sacrifice.”
She blinks. “Your sacrifice? What did yousacrifice?”
“Well, clearly I’ve just painted myself an outcast by attaching my name to yours,” I explain, walking over to the hose and turning it on. I thought I remembered seeing one here. “So I’d like a thank you.”
Kennedy’s lip twitches. “You didnotdo that for my benefit,” she acutely observes. What is she? A Mensa candidate? “I assume you’ve reconsidered my offer.” She quickly eyes the water spurting from the hose in my hand, a frown marring her brows. “What are you doing with that?”
“You’redirty,” I smirk, mimicking her words. “I think a little water ought to help, no?”
“You can take yourwa’erand fuck off!” she exclaims, taking a step back, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You arenothosing me down!”
“So you’re going to walk through the halls looking likethat?” I ask. “Might bring some unwanted attention, don’t you think?” I nod toward the window. “Have a look.”
Kenny bites her lip, catching her reflection. “Oh God,” she whimpers, picking at her clumpy hair, several damp blue shreds of paper stuck between the strands. “I look like a trash goblin.”
“Accurate description.” I let out a low chuckle, holding the hose in front of me. “Alright, come here, goblin. Time for a little bath.”
Kennedy grunts before taking a hesitant step forward. “Just my hair and face, okay? Don’t get my clothes wet.”
“Wouldn’tdreamof it,” I say with a grin. What a trusting girl.
Kennedy lowers herself under the hose, the water trickling down her long brown hair and onto her face. I half expected pounds of make-up to start washing away but it seems like she’s not wearing any, other than that damn sparkling lip gloss.
“Fuck it’s cold,” she murmurs, scrubbing away the evidence of Corrine’s savagery.
Just as she’s finishing rinsing out her hair, I decide to have a little fun. I neverdidget that thank you. She can think of this as payment for my troubles. I shimmy my thumb over the nozzle and the water sprays out in all directions, drenching Kennedy’s entire torso.
Oh hello.
“Fuck!” she shrieks, jumping backward, yelping like a wet dog. “Oh my God, stop! Oliver! I swear to God! Turn it off. It’s fucking cold!”
“A littlenippy?” I smirk, releasing the pressure and lowering the hose, my eyes raking over her trembling body. “Bad day to wear white, love.”
Kennedy’s eyes widen as she looks down at her chest, the outline of her black-hearted bra on display. “Oh my God!” She quickly pulls her wet blazer closed, putting an end to her mini peep show. “You’resucha dick!”
Shrugging, I turn off the hose. She’s got a nice body, I’ll give her that. “Yes, but I’myourdick now,” I say with a cocky grin. “Simply the best boyfriend in the world, aren’t I?”
Kennedy rolls her eyes as a noticeable shiver courses down her spine. “You’re actually agreeing to do this?” she asks, raising a skeptical brow. “Really?”
“It seems as though I need you after all, as unfortunate as that is,” I sigh, running an annoyed hand through my hair. “You need to cover for me three, sometimes four times a week so I can go to band practice.”
“Band practice?” she asks. “You joined aband? What? When?”
“Yeah,” I say, shrugging non-committedly, not wanting to get into details. She’d definitely have something to say about me playing in a pub. “Practices are from seven to ten so you’ll have to sneak me out. I’m not surehowyou’ll do that but that’s not my problem. I hold up my end of the bargain, you hold up yours.”
Kennedy purses her lips as she thinks, a tiny frown lining her forehead. “Okay,” she says slowly. “I can do that—”
“Really?” That seemed too easy.
“But—” Ah, there it is. More conditions I presume. “I’d like to discuss the terms of the arrangement.”
“Terms?” I sigh. God, she’s going to make me sign a document, I swear. “What kind of terms?”
“Well for one, you cannot fake cheat on me, which means no flirting or making out with other girls in public. You will remain quote-unquotefaithfulto me for two months. Got it?”
I roll my eyes. “Seeing as all the girls at this school are terrifying, that shan’t be an issue.”
“Good,” she smiles. She’s in a much morechippermood now. “Also, you’ll need to escort me to several school functions. The first being Lemar’s house party this weekend and Homecoming next month. Acceptable?”
