Page 57 of The Fake
“Well, I spent mine mostly sober. I had an early flight the next morning, so Camila took me to the bar and we ordered two shots of tequila and then went home.”
“Well, we’ll have a do-over for your twenty-second.”
I nod. By the time my birthday rolls around, I don’t even know if we’ll be speaking. I don’t mention that, though. We haven’t talked about what happens when this whole thing is over.
We switch seats after another hour, and Nathan drives while I flip through the radio. I prefer it over a playlist. Randoming onto a song you haven’t thought about, but it’s just perfect for the moment… I love that about scanning through the radio.
I sit back after settling on a classic rock station, Stevie Nicks croons about love. I look over at Nathan behind the wheel, looking too good for words the way he rests his left hand at the top of the wheel.
“You look good driving my car. I could get used to being chauffeured around.”
He looks me over carefully, blue eyes scanning me from head to toe. My pulse quickens, but I don’t dare move a muscle as he stares at me like he’s really seeing me. Like he always does. “I think I could get used to this, too.”
* * *
Nathan
Chloe hadn’t really told me anything about Camila other than she’s like a sister to her so when a girl with dark brown skin and black hair with short bangs comes running out to the car to greet us, I can’t help but note all the ways they look nothing alike.
They’re about the same height, but that’s where the similarity ends. Camila is dark where my surfer princess is light and where Chloe is more reserved, Camila fills every second of silence with her excited chatter about our arrival.
Camila’s vibe actually reminds me of Gabby, and that makes me smile to think Chloe might have someone like my best friend looking out for her.
Camila ushers us inside her apartment.
“I still haven’t found a new roommate,” she whines and gives Chloe a pouty lip.
“You lived here?” I ask.
“Yep.” She looks around the place like she’s missed it.
I didn’t ask Chloe what she told Camila about me or our weird situation, but when she leads us to the guest room, or Chloe’s old room, and disappears to give us a chance to settle in, I finally question my role for the weekend.
“Does Camila know we’re not really together?”
She shakes her head. “I told her we’re dating, but that it was new. I thought it would be easier until I could explain in person.”
I mull that over. Is it easier or is she just really going the extra mile to sell this to everyone in her life?
“If you want me to tell her now, say the word. If anyone would understand, it’s Cam. She’s always had my back. She’s one of the few friends who didn’t magically disappear when things went down.”
“Up to you, princess. I’m glad you have her though. Friends like that are hard to come by.”
“Speaking of friends, I was thinking maybe we should tell yours, too. At least Gabby and Joel.”
“Definitely not Joel, he’s got a big ass mouth.”
She laughs. “Okay, but Gabby. I felt really awful lying to her. I can tell how much she cares about you.”
“Yeah.” The reasons I haven’t told Gabby have more to do with me than Chloe. I guess I’m still hoping this thing will turn into something real before our fake relationship is over. I can’t shake her. Even distancing myself and loads of porn hasn’t helped. “I’ll think on it.”
We hang out at Camila’s place for the evening, and she invites over a hand full of people—most of which know Chloe. I stand by her side and am introduced as the boyfriend. Not a bad gig, really, and it feels awesome to be out of Valley. I rarely get to leave with the team schedule and the expense of flying.
“I’m gonna grab another drink,” I say when I notice her cup is empty. “Want something?”
“Thank you.” I know she means for more than the drink.
Wandering inside, I fill our cups and linger a moment before heading back to the deck where everyone is hanging out. I think I expected it to be lavish and over the top, but it looks like any other college apartment—mismatched furniture, minimal wall hangings, and more plastic cups than dishes. The location is pretty sick, though—only a mile or so from the beach.
