BooksBarbecue
Back The Fake Save as PDF
Chapters (44)
  1. Cover
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. 34
  36. 35
  37. 36
  38. EPILOGUE
  39. PLAYLIST
  40. THE PASS SNEAK PEEK
  41. TANNER
  42. SYDNEY
  43. TANNER
  44. ALSO BY REBECCA JENSHAK

My blood pressure spikes, and I feel a little woozy that her words might be true but force myself to calmly move to the bed and grab my pink dress to hold up for inspection. She wouldn’t. The Dolce and Gabbana dress was on sale, but it’s still the single most expensive piece of clothing I’ve ever owned. I bought it for a Golden team event not so different than the one we’re attending tonight. It’s so beautiful, and I’d felt just as beautiful in it. Was too beautiful.

Little red smudges mar the pink lace fabric along the bust of the dress. I clutch it to my chest and feel my eyes start to burn. “You ruined my dress.”

She laughs. “Oh, relax, Mommy and Daddy can just buy you a new one, right? Just like they bought your way into college. Twice.”

“They didn’t—” I stop myself from sticking up for them or myself. She doesn’t want to hear the truth. “Stay out of my room and don’t touch my things.” I hurry into the closet, shut myself in, and press my back against the door.

Moving to Valley might have been the worst idea I’ve ever had. I know there’s no escaping your past, but is it too much to ask for a second chance?

3

NATHAN

We’re a damn mess as we make our way through the crowd at the mixer. We need to check in with Coach so that he knows we were here, but I’m thinking him seeing us like this would be worse than missing it altogether.

The event is an annual thing. There’s a lot of handshaking and speeches about having another great year and winning seasons, yadda, yadda, yadda. I fully support my team and want the best for all the teams on campus, but I could do without the flashy show of support. The free drinks and food are welcome, though.

“This is bad,” Wes says and sways to the left. “My first official event as an assistant coach and I’m drunk. Coach is going to fire me before the season starts.”

“Oh, relax, you’re not getting fired.” Joel pulls a pack of gum from his pocket. “Here. Try and cover the beer breath until you’ve got a drink in your hand. Coach is busy schmoozing, so it’s our chance to be seen without having to stop and chat.”

Joel looks from Wes to me. “Ready?”

“Go ahead. I need to make a call first.”

“Make sure you check in with Coach,” Wes says, slipping right back into his assistant coach voice.

“Can’t I just check in with you?”

He flips me off but then straightens as if he just again remembered he’s a member of the faculty.