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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

I register Coach’s harsh voice telling everyone to get out, but I can’t manage to move or look at anyone.

29

NATHAN

We’ve got late afternoon practice today, so Joel and Wes are over and we’re hanging outside by the pool enjoying the day.

“Zeke’s got his first home game in a few weeks. I talked Coach into giving us the day off practice. You guys in?” Wes asks.

Joel lifts his bottle of water. “Nice. You being the assistant coach is finally paying off, Dubya.”

“I hate when you call me that.”

“I know. That’s why I do it.” Joel smirks. “Dubya.”

I pat my pockets for my phone. “Shit, I left my phone upstairs.” I stand to go get it and the guys chuckle and yell after me. Something about being pussy-whipped, yadda, yadda. I don’t let it get to me because, hello, pot meet kettle. Those two are the most whipped guys I know.

I take the stairs two at a time. Chloe should be done soon and headed back to Valley. They’ll get in tonight around the same time we’re done with practice, and I’m looking forward to seeing her. Twenty-four hours and I’m totally jonesing for some time with my girl. Yeah, okay, so I’m pussy-whipped. I’m not mad about it.

I’ve got a dozen new texts, but I skip them all and pull up Chloe’s name. She hasn’t responded since my good luck text this morning, but I go ahead and send another as I head back downstairs. I let her know what time I’ll be back to the house and that I’m excited to see her. We’ve already talked about it so it’s not really necessary, but damn, I just want an excuse to text her.

I take my seat outside and start scrolling through the other messages. Wes and Joel are talking about the team, so I tune them out as I read my missed texts. Heath sent me a picture of the NMU ice and locker rooms. Visit went well and I think he’s getting excited about the prospect of playing in college.

Gabby sent me color schemes, which I ignore because I gotta draw the line somewhere on helping her with wedding plans.

The last text is from Frank. I open it, prepared for another job offer, but when I read it my stomach drops.

Frank: Get the book? No pressure, not expecting anything in return, I just wanted you to know I miss having you.

Confusion turns to unease as I read the message over and over. I’m in my room tearing it apart before I even realize I’ve moved from my seat outside.

“Dude, you alright?” Joel asks from the doorway. “You turned all pale and looked like you were about to puke before you raced up here.”