“Ohhh.” Brexton finally gets it. Perhaps Dekker heard it in the first phone call I had with her when I first arrived in Destiny Falls. Even though I didn’t even understand it at that point. “That kind of changes things.”

“We’re enjoying each other’s company. That’s it,” I say. Another lie.

“And that’s allowed,” Dekker says before we all fall silent.

“What if I don’t tell him at all?” I finally say.

“And give up all your grand plans about using him as a publicity grab for KSM?” Brexton asks.

The idea feels dirty to me now. Of using a soldier and his service as a means to promote KSM’s name.

“In the entire time I’ve been here with him, not a single second has been spent talking about baseball or pitching or that he even played in the past. In fact, the only sports we’ve talked about has been about what is being played by the kids at The Center.” I twist my lips as they allow me to cycle through my thoughts. “So even if I tell him who I am, would it matter? It’s not like he plays anymore.”

“Are you telling us this or are you telling yourself this to justify perpetuating this lie?” Dekker asks in the most well-intentioned way.

“Both. Me. I don’t know.” I shrug with indifference when I’m anything but indifferent. “We did this trivia thing on our date the last night. I’ll spare you the details, but it was a fun outside-of-the-box type of date. Anyway, one of the questions we had to answer each other was what one thing was a deal-breaker for him in a relationship. His answer was deception and being deceived.” I swallow over the words. “Does that paint a clearer picture for you?”

“When has it ever mattered to you if someone thought you were something other than who you are?” Brexton asks. “You’ve played the femme-fatale, the ball-busting bitch, and the patient, unassuming good girl, all in the name of playing to the athlete—or man—you’re wanting to get.”

“Because it matters,” I say.

This matters.

He matters.

“Why? I mean it’s just sex, right?” Dekker says.

Brexton laughs and the sarcasm edging it grates on my nerves. “We’ve been there before, Chase. We’ve maybe even made the same excuse. Let’s face it, this is more than sex.”

“I said we’re enjoying each other’s company,” I explain.

“Fine. Sure. You’re simply enjoying each other’s company. If that’s the case, I don’t get what the big deal is. You’ve broken many men’s hearts before,” Dekker says. “Unless . . .”

“No. I haven’t fallen for him,” I say.

“Who said anything about falling for anyone?” she asks, her tone coy and gloating.