Maple Sugar Crush by Beth Labonte

Author:Beth Labonte [Labonte, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“I look ridiculous,” said Riley.

After inspecting his entire wardrobe, I’d decided it was probably best if he just put one of his funeral planning suits back on. We were now at my house, parked at the end of the driveway behind all the other cars. Neither of us was quite ready to get out of the car yet.

“You wear that suit to work all the time,” I said. “What’s the problem?”

“I wear suits to work. Why would I possibly still be wearing one now?”

“Maybe because you were working late? Or because you’re a sophisticated, classy guy who loves wearing suits? Maybe you’ve never worn a hooded sweatshirt in your life. Maybe you don’t even have a Pokémon Go addiction. Which reminds me, you need to leave your phone in the car.”

“No way!”

“Yes way! I can’t have you staring at that thing all night. I need you to look like you can’t take your eyes off of me, not that thing.” I motioned to the phone that he was cradling in his hands like a security blanket. He glared at me until I started humming the Pokémon theme song. Gotta catch ’em all!

“Fine.” In a huff, he handed me the phone and I put it in the glove compartment.

“Great. Let’s go.”

I walked around the car to meet him on the passenger side, almost laughing when I saw the expression on his face.

“You cannot go in and meet my family looking like you’re about to throw up,” I said. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Give me a break! I’m nervous. You do realize what we’re doing isn’t normal, right?”

“Oh, come on, what happened to those great acting skills you used on me and Catrina? I know you can turn it on when you want something. And right now, I know you want my money.”

Riley shook his head. “For my fake girlfriend, you really don’t know me at all.”

“Just do your best,” I said, sticking out my hand.

I tried to appear unaffected as he reached out and took it, but inside I was melting. I’d imagined a lot of scenarios between the two of us over the summer—most of them involving much more than just innocent hand-holding—but this was better than anything I’d pictured. Riley’s real-life hand, holding mine. Even if it was totally fake and all for show, physical contact was physical contact. I took a step closer and looked up at his face. He still looked ill.

“You’ll be fine,” I said gently, giving his hand a squeeze. “Just be yourself.”

He gave me a small smile, and we continued on our way up the driveway. Pixie was already barking like a maniac at my arrival. I quickly unlocked the front door and she ran straight at me, running circles around my legs.

“Hello!” I said to Pixie, crouching down to pet her. “I missed you too! Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl? Oh, yes!” When she’d finally settled down, I stood up to find Mom and Dad standing in the front hall, staring at us.

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