The Stand-In Boyfriend (Greyford High Book 5) Read online

Sunshine,

  Since you forgot to leave me your phone number in the blood-sworn oath you made me sign, I had to leave you a message like this. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have sent it to you by owl. Well, damn.

  Anyhow, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning for school. Be ready by 7:30.

  N

  P.S. Here’s my number. Use it.

  Slowly, I fold the note like it was when I found it. For some reason my heart is beating hard against my chest, my cheeks flushed.

  What is wrong with me? It’s just a damn note.

  Huffing, I unlock the door and get inside, making sure to slip the paper in my notebook so I don’t lose it.

  Fifteen minutes’ drive home passes quickly, and soon I’m parked in the garage next to my mom’s car.

  I get out, making sure the garage door is properly closed before I slip inside the house.

  “Mom, I’m home!” I yell, toeing off my shoes in the mud room.

  “In the kitchen, honey!”

  When I open the door, I can hear voices coming from the back of my house.

  “Mom?”

  Sure enough, Evie is sitting at our kitchen table, a cup of coffee in front of her.

  “Hey, you’re back!”

  “Sure am.” I look at her, raising my brows. “What are you doing here?”

  A smile spreads on her lips. “Oh, you didn’t think I’d let you slide that easily, now did you?”

  I glare at her, silently telling her to shut it. When I turn to Mom, she’s watching us curiously while working on dinner.

  “We’ll be upstairs,” I tell her.

  “Sure thing. Evie, you staying for dinner?”

  “Oh, I don’t mean to impose, Mrs. Bryant.”

  Mom waves her off. “Nonsense, call your momma and tell her Jessy will drive you home afterward.”

  Evie nods in agreement. “Will do, thank you for having me.”

  Together we get out of the kitchen and go for the stairs, but we’re not even halfway up when Evie nudges me. “Spill.”

  So much for my relaxing bath.

  Chapter Ten

  JESSICA

  “Jessy, are you up, baby?” Mom’s soft voice pulls me out of the darkness. I murmur something letting her know I heard her, and then snuggle deeper underneath my covers, enjoying the warmth as I try to hold onto the dream I’ve been having about sexy doctor Reynaldos from New Amsterdam.

  Yup, I’m definitely not ready to give up on that just yet.

  “Jessica Ann Bryant!” I jump up, knocking my head into the headboard in the process.

  “Ouch!” I cover my head with my hands, rubbing the sting away. Dammit, this hurts.

  “You better get your butt out of that bed, young lady, or you’ll be late.”

  Instinctively, my eyes slide to the clock on my nightstand. Seven-thirteen. Dammit.

  “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?” I ask, jumping out of bed.

  “Well, if you didn’t stay up late watching God knows what, you wouldn’t have overslept, now would you?” she chastises me. Thankfully, I’m already in my bathroom so she doesn’t see me rolling my eyes at her.

  I quickly go through my morning routine, skipping a step here and there. Ten minutes later, I’ve done my business, my teeth are brushed, face washed, basic makeup—foundation, mascara and lip gloss—applied, and the braid I did after the shower I took last night once Evie left is undone, leaving my hair all wavy.

  Evie didn’t let me leave out a single detail of what happened between Noah and me during lunch. And I knew if I didn’t give in while we were alone, she’d press further during dinner with Mom, so I told her everything in the privacy of my bedroom. I’m not sure why the idea of me fake dating Noah excited her so much, but for some reason it did.

  Changing into a pair of jean overalls and a simple white tank, I grab my backpack and check that everything I need is inside before running down the stairs.

  Mom is leaning against the counter in the kitchen, sipping her coffee. When she sees me standing in the doorway, she picks something up off the counter—a to-go cup and a little brown bag—and hands them to me.

  She tilts her head, giving me a smile. “Since I know how you get if you don’t get your fix in the morning.”

  I wrap my arms around her, giving her a tight hug. “Thanks, Mom.”

  It’s been just the two of us for years, and although she drives me crazy sometimes, I love her to pieces.

  A honk blasts from the outside, interrupting the moment.

  She pulls back, her eyebrows raised. “A friend picking you up?”

  Noah. I totally forgot about him.

  “I…” I nervously push a strand of hair behind my ear. “Something like that.”

  There is no way I’m explaining Noah to her. Jack visited a few times while we were dating, and I knew Mom wasn’t his biggest fan. She didn’t say as much, but I could see it on her face. When things blew up she comforted me, but a part of me always wondered if she was happy about it. I don’t think I saw her once look at a man with interest, not after her divorce from my dad. So yeah, there is no way I’ll tell her about any of this.

  Grabbing my coffee and whatever is in that bag, I hoist my bag higher on my shoulder. “I’ll see you later, Mom!”

  Not waiting for her response, I dash out.

  A sleek black car is parked by the curb, the motor still running. I cross the short distance, open the door and slide inside.

  “Drive.”

  Noah quirks his brows in question. He looks almost too good to be real, fresh and totally awake. Unlike me. His hair is perfectly styled, his clothes hugging his broad shoulders and biceps without a wrinkle.

  “Good morning to you too,” he says dryly, those crystal blue eyes taking me in.

  “Morning, now can we go?” I ask, looking toward the house to see if Mom’s peeking through the window.

  His brows shoot up. “Somebody’s in a hurry this morning.”

  Thankfully, he does as I ask, and in no time we’re pulling away from my house. Only when we’re out of my street do I manage to breathe.

  NOAH

  I give a quick glance in Jessy’s direction when I hear her sigh. She finally relaxes into her seat like a weight’s been lifted off her shoulders.

  Turning my attention back to the road, I ask, “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just didn’t want my mom to see you.”

  There is no malice in her words, but they sting nonetheless. “I see.”

  Jessy shifts in her seat to face me. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  I can’t see her clearly because my attention is on the road, but I can feel her roll her eyes at me. “It’s something. You look like I just ran over your puppy. I just think it’s not the wisest idea for you to meet my mom. It’s not like I can tell her the truth, but I also don’t want to introduce you to her because what happens if she gets attached to you?”

  “No parents, I get it.”

  And I do. I can’t exactly blame her for wanting to protect her family. The last thing I want to do is hurt them, any of them.

  “Thanks,” she says softly. Her hand covers mine on my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze before pulling away. The touch is minimal, over before it even began, but I can feel a current of electricity zapping underneath my skin.

  I stop at a red light just as something rustles, once again drawing my attention to her.

  Jessica pulls the biggest muffin I’ve ever seen in my life out of a bag. It’s chocolate and has a bunch of chocolate chips all over it. A happy, almost child-like smile spreads over her lips, and her eyes twinkle at the sight. She opens her mouth to take a bite.

  “Are you seriously eating in somebody else’s car without even asking if it’s allowed or if that other person might want some too?” I watch her mouth stop just an inch away from taking a bite. Her eyes narrow as she looks at me. Okay, let’s be honest here, she’s not looking, she’s glaring at me.

  “Mine,”
she says, pulling away from me. She kind of reminds me of that goblin, hobbit, whatever creature from that movie with the ring.

  I tsk, shaking my head no. “Not inside my baby.” I give the steering wheel a gentle caress.

  “Are you shitting me?”

  My lips tip in a smile, but I try to hide it. “I’m afraid I’m dead serious, Sunshine. No eating in my car unless you’re willing to share.”

  Her lips part in surprise. “You wouldn’t.”

  “I just did.” I grin extra big. “Pay up, or wait another ten long minutes.”

  A horn blasts, and when I look forward I notice the light has turned green. Oh well, I press my foot against the gas.

  “You’re the worst, Russell. The. Worst!”

  “But I’m all yours, so there’s that,” I joke, but the light that was in her eyes only moments earlier has disappeared.

  “For now.” Her words are quiet, and Jessica turns to stare out the window.

  She looks so small and defeated. It irks me, knowing that somebody hurt her so much, killing her spirit and making her insecure.

  Not giving myself time to think, I extend my hand to her lap and snatch the muffin.

  “Hey!”

  She reacts fast, I have to give her that, but I’m faster. I bring the chocolate goodie to my mouth and take a huge bite, munching loudly.

  “You did not just do that!”

  Jessy all but falls on me as she tries to get it back; finally, I surrender because the last thing I need is to crash us into something.

  “You ate half of my muffin! And here I was trying to be nice, and respect your wishes. No more of that.”

  She takes a bite, much smaller than mine, and as she chews her head falls back and a soft, sexy moan comes from the back of her throat.

  Fuck. Me.

  Just what I needed. Not only did something about the way she styled her hair make her look softer and more approachable, but now she had to do this too?

  Her eyelids finally flutter open and those dark, dark eyes look at me. I hold her gaze for a second longer, and then force myself to turn back to the road.

  Don’t crash, you asshole.

  “Good, huh?” I ask, needing to fill the silence with something other than her moans.

  “My favorite.”

  Then she produces a hot pink to-go cup from somewhere and takes a long sip. What else does she have around that I haven’t noticed?

  “How do you usually do all that when you drive yourself to school?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t, I usually have it before I leave the house, but today I was late.”

  “Let me guess. You were refusing to wake up because you were having hot dreams about me all night long.”

  “What? No!”

  Her outrage makes me chuckle. It’s too easy to rile her up.

  “Yeah, yeah, I hear you. No need to be embarrassed about that, after all I’m your fake boyfriend.” I give her a quick, playful wink. “No shame in dreaming about me.”

  “If you don’t stop saying nonsense, I’ll pour this hot cup of coffee in your lap, my fake boyfriend or not.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.”

  I shake my head. “You’re one ruthless woman, Sunshine.”

  She groans, but it doesn’t stop her from taking another bite of that damn muffin. There is a smear of chocolate left in the corner of her mouth. Her tongue darts out to swipe it away and I wonder what it would be like if it were my tongue instead of hers.

  Dammit, I’m really going crazy. Not even two days in this weird relationship and she’s already driving me insane.

  “I thought we agreed you’d stop calling me that.”

  “What’s wrong with Sunshine, Sunshine?”

  “It’s childish.”

  “Not in my world. You’re my little ray of sunshine, Jessy. So sweet and chipper in the mornings. You better get used to it.”

  I slow down as we near the school gate. Just like every morning, there’s a line of cars slowly moving inside. Knowing there’s little time left, I turn to her. “So, what’s our plan?”

  Finishing the last bite of the muffin, she crumples the bag in her hands. “Just try to act natural, I suppose. Although I really think we should polish some details.”

  I groan. “What details?” Isn’t saying we’re together and acting like it enough? Apparently not for Jessica. She wants to figure out the details.

  “Like how we got together and such. People will ask questions. Some already have.”

  I can feel my frown deepen. “Like who?”

  “Who what?”

  “Who asked questions?”

  She runs her fingers through her hair. “Lisa. And she won’t be the only one. Also, while we’re talking about this… Are we going to that bonfire party? I know I just barged in that day, but if you don’t want to, it’s…”

  “We can go.” I shrug. “I would have probably gone with the guys anyway.”

  She nods slowly. “Good. Bonfire it is then.”

  I see an open spot so I give it a little bit more gas to claim it before somebody else gets a chance. Turning off the car, we both get out. Jessica looks skittish, nibbling at her lower lip. What little lip gloss she had when she first got in is already gone.

  I go to her side of the car and grab her hand in mine.

  Her eyes grow wide but she doesn’t try to protest. As my fingers slide over her wrist, I can feel the strong fluttering of her heartbeat.

  People watch us as we walk by; I greet some of the guys I know, but don’t stop to chat with anybody.

  “People are staring,” Jessica points out quietly.

  “So?” I nod at a group of guys and girls that are in the marching band.

  “It’s freaky.”

  “Better to have them stare at you openly than gossip about you behind your back,” I point out.

  “I know. It’s just weird.”

  I stop and pull her to me. “Are you really sure about this?”

  “Yes. There’s no going back now.”

  If she wanted it, I would give her an out. I don’t know how, but I’d find a way. For her, I’d do it. I’m not sure what the hell is happening here, but there is more to Jessica Bryant than meets the eye, and I want to know it.

  Know her.

  “You have something here,” I murmur, stepping closer, my thumb brushing a few crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

  Her eyes are glued to my lips, cheeks turning pink. Is she also thinking about what it would be like if it were my tongue instead of my finger? Or is it just me?

  I pull back, sucking in some much-needed air to clear my mind. “Let’s go to class.”

  Chapter Eleven

  JESSICA

  My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I lift my gaze from the homework I’ve been working on to look at the offending device. I usually feel antsy when I have to study, preferring to do anything else instead of actually studying, so I tend to leave my phone out of reach so it doesn’t distract me; today, however, I apparently forgot to turn off the sound.

  I puff at a strand of hair that fell out of my bun and into my face as I get up just in time for it to buzz again.

  Where’s the fire?

  Noah: What are you up to?

  Noah: Hello… Sunshine, you there?

  Of course, it’s him. Who else would it be? I should have known better than to give him my phone number, but then again, it would be strange if my boyfriend—no matter how fake he might be—didn’t have my phone number.

  Me: What do you want?

  The bubbles at the bottom appear immediately, signaling that he’s typing back, so I wait.

  Noah: Oh, she’s alive.

  Me: I didn’t answer for like two seconds.

  Noah: You usually answer instantly.

  Dammit, I hate it when he’s right. But instead of acknowledging his answer, I ignore it.

  Me: Again, what do you want?

  Noah: Feisty.

  Noa
h: Are you free tonight?

  I roll my eyes at that.

  Me: Let me check my calendar.

  Noah: Fuck that. I’ll pick you up in an hour.

  What? Who the hell does he think he is?

  Me: I didn’t say I’d come.

  What is he up to?

  Noah: Don’t be a party pooper, Sunshine.

  Me: Don’t call me that!

  Noah: One hour. Don’t be late or I’ll ring the doorbell.

  Me: Where are we going?

  I nibble at my lip, waiting to see a sign that he’s typing back, but there’s nothing. No bubbles, nothing.

  Me: Noah?

  I wait a few seconds, but still nada.

  Me: Don’t ignore me.

  Me: I’m not coming if you don’t tell me where we’re going.

  Me: Noah!

  “Ugh!” I throw myself face-first on the bed, bury my head in the pillow and let out an irritated scream. “I seriously hate that guy!”

  “Not coming, huh?” Noah asks as I slide into the passenger seat of his car an hour later. I was planning to let him wait, but I didn’t want to put his threats to the test. Not with my mom home, snuggled on the couch with a glass of wine and some criminal TV show on.

  The grin Noah’s sporting is so big I swear I can see his wisdom teeth. It’d be scary if he didn’t have the most annoyingly perfect teeth, and of course he didn’t have to wear braces to get those either.

  Life is sometimes so unfair.

  “I didn’t want to risk you actually making good on what you said.”

  That does it. His smile doesn’t fall, but I can see it turn sour. Jaded almost.

  “Yeah, God forbid your family knows what is going on.”

  Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I told you what I think about it. Take it or leave it.”

  For a while he doesn’t say anything. We drive in silence, the street lamps illuminating the strong lines of his face every so often, the play of light and shadow giving him an edge I’m not used to seeing on him. Finally, he sighs. “I’m sorry for being a jackass.”

  “I’m kind of used to it by now.”

  He gives me a quick glare that has a smile tugging at my lips, but I bite the inside of my cheek to keep it from spreading.