Eleven
Stacy
“Okay, explain this to me like I’m four. You can’t hang out with me tomorrow because you’re going as Reece Taylor’s plus-one to his brother’s engagement party? As his fake girlfriend ? What the shit?”
Mae is curled up on my couch in fuzzy Christmas pajamas with a glass of pinot noir in her hand. Hairspray is playing on my TV, but she’s paying one of her favorite musicals no mind as she stares at me like I’ve lost mine.
After the run-in that Reece and I had with Lily at Sip Society, I figured there was no way to hide our little situation from my best friend. If we have to pretend to be together at parties, at bars, at events, Mae would eventually see us and demand an explanation.
Not to mention, my weekends away will become more frequent as Reece and I attend family functions. Mae would ask questions after a couple of inconspicuous nights in Cincinnati, no doubt.
“I know it sounds a little weird—”
“No, crazy. It’s crazy, Stace. You sound crazy.”
I flop back on my couch, nearly spilling my wine on myself.
“ You should’ve seen him with my family, Mae.
He was so good with them. My parents actually give a shit about something happening in my life, they’re literally proud of me just for bagging a boyfriend. They’re even coming to watch us cheer.”
“You could’ve brought me to dinner, your parents love me!” she squeaks.
I give her a droll look. “I thought you liked Reece.”
“I did. I do. It’s just…” Mae sighs, tying her wild curls up into a chaotic bun. “This feels like something that could go south super fast, babe.”
I cock my head. “How so?”
“First of all, if Propst thinks you’re dating, she’ll kick both of your asses. I don’t even want to think about the hell she’d inflict on us at practice.” She shudders.
“If Propst finds out, which she won’t, we’ll just explain our situation.”
“Uh-huh. Because Propst is so understanding,” Mae deadpans.
I wave her off, taking a long sip of my red wine. “I’m her captain, she’ll have to understand.”
Mae presses her lips together. “Alright, fine. Maybe Propst doesn’t find out. What happens if you…” She drops her voice low as if we aren’t alone in my apartment, “start to actually have feelings for him?”
I snort out a laugh so unladylike, I nearly scare myself. “Mae, please. Reece Taylor drives me insane .”
“True.” She shrugs. “For now. But what happens if you two spend all this time together and you realize you’ve been too hard on him? You spend all this time touching him and acting like a couple and then suddenly it feels real. What then?”
“Mae, chill.” I reach for the ample snacks laid out on the coffee table, taking a handful of kettle corn and shoving it into my mouth. “My fake relationship with Reece will never feel real. I can’t stand the guy.”
Except I can. Just a little bit. Reece showing up for me at my family dinner was something I won’t soon forget. Not to mention, the way that bitch Lily spoke to him at the cafe got under my skin more than I expected. It made my claws come out, made me feel the strangest urge to protect Reece.
I must be super grateful for his performance with my family. He still annoys the shit out of me. Nothing’s changed in that department.
Mae munches thoughtfully on a salt and vinegar chip for a long minute. “You know, I’d be more convinced if Reece wasn’t the hottest person alive. You can snuggle up against him and hold his hand and still resist the urge to ride that six foot three carnival ride?”
My face scrunches up. “Gross.”
“Oh, far from it, my friend.”
I scoff at my ridiculous friend. “I can one thousand percent resist any and all urges when it comes to Reece.”
I think.
It isn’t lost on me that Reece is attractive.
I’m also not oblivious to my body’s reaction to his touch.
Whether it’s during stunting or when his hand held mine at the restaurant, at Sip Society, Reece’s body affects mine.
But on every level, it’s biological. It’s a very primal and animalistic reaction to an objectively attractive person of the opposite sex and I will not consider it to be anything more.
Mae smacks her lips. “You’re a stronger woman than I. ”
“Hm. Yeah, we’ve known that for a while now. What’s Landon up to tonight?”
Mae juts her chin up and faces the movie. “He’s out for drinks with some other hockey guys.”
I smirk. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“You know, you’ve got a lot of attitude for a girl who’s going to end up hooking up with Reece Taylor.” Mae narrows her eyes at me.
“Who died and made you king?” I scoff.
Mae reaches for the remote, turning up “The New Girl in Town.” She smirks at me in a knowing way that makes me want to rip my hair out because when Mae thinks she’s right, there’s no point in arguing with her.
And for some reason, she thinks she’s right about my imaginary future feelings for my fake boyfriend.
“You’re such a know it all,” I mutter, slouching down into the back of the couch.
“I’m not a know it all,” she protests. “I’m just wise.”
“Mhm. Tell Landon I said hi when you go spend the night at his place later tonight.”