Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"Why are you even going to this party?" Dad asked.
"She's your ex's little sister. You don't owe her anything."
"I know, but I like her. And...what if no one shows up?"
Dad's eyes went soft. "Ah Freya, I doubt that'll happen."
"But it could," I said while zipping my purse then moving to the mirror.
Tension was written all over my face, but at least the makeup I'd taken extra care to apply looked decent.
My eyelashes appeared longer and fuller.
Rosy pink accentuated my cheekbones, and the darker shade of pink gloss on my lips completed the look.
I had on my favorite jeans that fit me like a second skin paired with a top that was nice but not too dressy.
I shrugged. "I know first-hand how it feels when people let you down. "
"I know you do," he said.
"Then you understand why I'm going. Plus"—I grimaced—"Wayne challenged me, and I can't let him win."
My father stepped forward, placing a hand against my shoulder. "Idiot. He doesn't stand a chance against you."
"I know, right."
"What was the challenge?"
I figured now wasn't the best time to tell my father about my fake boyfriend. Probably shouldn't mention the very real feelings I was having either. He'd ask too many questions, and Tolliver would be here any minute.
When I'd been silent too long, Dad frowned with his brows furrowed. "Do I want to know?"
"Nah, probably not."
"Can it get you arrested?"
I stifled a laugh at that. "I don't think so," I said.
"Freya."
"No, Dad. Jeez, who do you think I am?"
My father grunted. "It's Saturday night, and you're going to a party with a hockey player."
I winced.
"You used to stay in most weekends. Your violin would be the only thing I'd hear from dusk until well past midnight. Honestly Freya, these days I feel like I hardly recognize you," he said.
"Okay, you have a point," I conceded, turning to face him, meeting his eyes. "But I promise, I'm not doing anything illegal, and I'll be home before you can miss me."
Dad shook his head. "Still can't believe you're going to a high school party. Willingly."
"Join the club."
"And Tolliver's picking you up?"
I nodded.
"Alright," he said finally, giving me a smile. "Have fun, be safe, make good choices."
With a laugh, I hugged him. "I love you," I said.
"Love you, too."
Dad hugged me firmly before stepping back.
"I'm going to leave before I have to admit you're growing up and try to talk you out of it," he said.
"You'd probably succeed," I said, only half-kidding, "so yeah, go. Have a good night, and pray for me."
"I always do, kid."
My dad disappeared into his room.
About a minute later, a familiar knock sounded.
Smiling, I opened the door and said, "You're early, Stone—which is unfortunate. I was looking forward to complaining about something."
Tolliver didn't offer a quick reply like he usually did.
Actually, he didn't say anything.
His gaze travelled the length of me, moving from my face down to my toes and back up to my hair before settling on my eyes.
"Stone?" I tried again.
"Wow," he said then shook his head. "I mean, hey. You look..."
Despite the pleasure rising in my chest, I arched my brows. "It's just makeup."
"It's more than that, Kent." Tolliver bit his lip on a grin. "You're beautiful."
"Thanks, you clean up nice too," I said, giving him the same once-over he'd given me.
Understatement of the century.
He was a 10 out of 10.
A walking, talking dream, standing there in his blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and jeans that fit his strong legs to perfection.
"Knew I had to look good," he said with a shrug. "I didn't want to embarrass you."
I scoffed. "As if. You always look good, Stone."
His smile went crooked. "Glad you think so."
Stepping outside, I locked the door behind me, took a deep breath, and looked up at him. "So, are we doing this?"
"Only if you want to."
With a nod, I led him to my car.
"It will be odd if we show up in separate cars. I'll drive," I said.
"Sounds good—hey, I was going to do that," Tolliver said as I got to his door first and opened it. Shooting him a triumphant smile, I winked then moved to my side of the car.
"For once, I beat you," I said.
Tolliver got inside, and when I was seated, he looked across at me.
"Not gonna lie, I feel pretty special," he said, and I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. His eyes held a brightness that looked sincere though. "Is that how it makes you feel?"
"Yeah," I said with a shrug. "Not everyone does that, you know."
"I do."
Because you're a gentleman.
A good person.
A kind heart in a broad chest.
A Tolliver in a world full of Waynes.
"That's because you're you," I finally said. "Still want to be my fake boyfriend for the night?"
The look in Tolliver's eyes, the curve of his smile, made the night brighter. "Freya Kent, I'll be your anything."
Goodness.
If I made it through this party with my heart intact, it would be a miracle.
* * *
"Yo, Stone."
"Tolliver."
"Hey, T."
"Tolliver Stone, what is up, my dude?"
And on it went.
A bunch of people here knew Tolliver. Actually, strike that. Everyone knew Tolliver. Made sense. They played hockey together and/or went to our school. Since we came in, there hadn't been a moment when someone wasn't calling his name.
Actually, I was pretty sure I could time it.
In five, four, three, two...
"Hey, hey, Tolliver!"
I grinned to myself.
Tolliver nodded at the guy then turned toward me.
"No offense, Freya," Tolliver said, keeping his voice low, "but if I make it through this without decking someone, it'll be a miracle."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Everyone's staring at you."
I laughed, but the sound couldn't be heard over the music blasting through the house speakers. "Yeah, right."
"I'm serious."
"No one knows me here besides you and Sabrina.
" And Wayne, I thought but didn't say. I hadn't seen the birthday girl yet, but her brother was another story.
I caught his glare once and ignored it. "You, on the other hand"—I nudged Tolliver with my arm—"are popular.
Seriously, is there anyone you're not friends with? "
"I don't have that many friends," he said.
"Could've fooled me," I said. "People keep coming up to you."
"Because they're curious about you." I scoffed, but he glanced around the room then pulled me closer. "They're all circling. And if your ex doesn't stop checking you out, he and I are going to have words."
"Tolliver," I said with a smile, glancing up at him, "you deserve a freaking Oscar."
"Huh?"
Pulling him down by the collar, so I could speak into his ear, I said, "You're playing the jealous boyfriend role amazingly."
"I'd love to take that award, Kent," he said, pushing his fingers into my hair. "But I wasn't playing."
"Sure you weren't."
Tolliver sighed. "You're supposed to be my girlfriend. They should have some respect."
"For...?"
"Our relationship."
"You mean our fake relationship," I said.
"They don't know that," he retorted. "As far as they're concerned, you're with me."
Tolliver kissed the edge of my jaw, making my breath hitch.
"And I already told you where I stand."
Too close.
He was too close, physically and emotionally.
"You're mistaken," I said, easing back and looking around. "Like I said, they're looking at you, probably wondering what you're doing here with me."
Tolliver frowned, but as if to prove my point, Lennox Capaldi came over and did that chin nod guys do.
"Tolliver, man," he said, "long time no see."
"Hey," Tolliver said, wearing a genuine smile as they clasped hands and hit each other's backs. I shot him an I-told-you-so look, and he rolled his eyes. "Lennox. How's your summer?"
"Not bad. You?"
"Can't complain."
"How'd you do in Gravel's class?"
Tolliver shrugged. "Got a B+."
"You suck," Lennox said which made my lips twitch. "I barely passed. Still don't know why we have to take Chemistry anyway."
"Probably because they want to torture us."
"Ha ha. Probably."
Lennox's eyes moved to me then back to Tolliver.
"You going to introduce me to your friend?" he asked.
"Wasn't planning on it," Tolliver said back, making his friend laugh. "And she's my girlfriend."
The word rang like a bell in my ears.
Something about Tolliver saying it was so right.
So satisfying.
Even if we were faking it.
Lennox turned to me and said, "Ah, cool. I'm Lennox. Do you go to Chapel Hill or...?"
Before I could tell him that yes, we'd gone to school together going on four years during which time we'd only had one class together, Lola Hawthorne strode over and grinned.
"Seriously, L? She's gone to school with us since freshman year," Lola said to him.
"Lo," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. There was so much warmth in that one syllable, in his eyes as he stared down at her, that even I felt it. "When'd you get here?"
"Just now. And you're welcome."
"For?"
"Saving you from yourself as usual." Lola was smiling as she gestured to me. "You've probably had classes with her."
"Just the one," I said.
"Really?" Lennox asked. "Sorry, I don't remember."
"That's okay. It was P.E., and I tried to get out of it as much as I could."
"P.E. was my favorite class."
"Because he's weird like that," Lola added, earning a hip bump from Lennox that made her laugh. "But yeah, Freya's one of the coolest chicks I know," she said to him. "We met in writers group. She's good people."
Something clicked because I saw recognition in his eyes.
"So, you're Freya?" he said, glancing at Tolliver. For his part, Tolliver narrowed his eyes and shot him a silent warning.
"Yeah, that's me," I said.
Lennox's lips split into a wide grin as he took my hand and shook it. "Glad to finally meet you, Freya. I've heard so much."
"Guess I should thank Lola."
"Oh, not from her."
"Lennox," Tolliver snapped.
I looked to him in surprise.
Lennox's smile only grew.
"I can't believe it," Lennox said, stepping back, eyeing me like some kind of celebrity. "The Freya."
"Um, glad to meet you," I said, feeling like I was missing something. "I've heard about you too. From Lola."