Not good, dude. Not good at all.
4
Rowyn
I walk into the box, scanning the clusters of women chatting easily, all laughter and familiarity. Normally, I don’t mind being the odd one out, but tonight feels different. I’m not really Jaxon’s girlfriend, and standing here under false pretenses makes me feel like a fraud. For a girl who prides herself on honesty, the whole thing sits sour in my stomach.
Jaylynn is about to steer us over for introductions when I catch her arm. She pauses, brows lifting in question. “Jay, can we talk for a minute?”
Her expression softens immediately. I’ve always liked her. We grew up in the same city, though she was younger and our paths never overlapped. Now, standing in her orbit, I’m struck by how naturally kind she is.
“Sure,” she says gently. “Is everything okay?”
I hesitate. The words stick, thick and unwieldy in my throat. I hate admitting it, but I don’t have many—okay, any—female confidantes. Work friends, sure. But real friends? The kind you could spill secrets to? I’ve been too busy, always put it on the backburner, and now it’s burned out.
“I…don’t…” My voice cracks.
“Hey.” She touches my arm lightly, her voice low and steady. “I know how hard it is to walk into a room full of women you don’t know. Trust me, I’ve been there. But you won’t find a warmer, more supportive group than this one. Every WAG is welcome here.”
Her reassurance should settle me, but guilt churns harder. “That’s just it,” I whisper. My gaze flicks toward the others, then back. “I shouldn’t even be here.”
Jaylynn tilts her head, curiosity sharpening her expression, though not unkindly.
“I need to tell you something,” I blurt, the words tumbling out before I can lose my nerve.
“Of course. You can tell me anything.”
“It’s a confession, of sorts.” My throat is dry. “Jaxon and I…we’re not really…” I swallow. “Dating. It’s a ruse. Stupid, I know. I don’t even know what I was thinking. I don’t belong here.”
I brace for judgment. For her to call me out or quietly usher me toward the exit. But instead, Jaylynn’s face softens, and then, to my shock, a smile tugs at her mouth, amused and almost conspiratorial.
“Jay?” I ask, thrown off balance.
“Can I tell you something?”
I blink. “O…kay?”
She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Penn and I weren’t really a couple during Christmas, either.”
My jaw drops. “Wait, you weren’t?”
A little sparkle catches in her eye. “Nope.”
“But you guys are engaged now.”
She lifts her hand, admiring the sparkle of her ring. The laugh that slips out is so full of love it makes my chest ache. “Oh, we definitely are. But back then he was helping me out. Dylan—” She makes a face, as if the name alone tastes sour and believe me I get it. “Penn pretended to be my boyfriend. And look where that got us.”
I stare, wide-eyed. “Oh my God, Jay. I had no idea. I’m so happy it worked out for you.”
Her smile is radiant, but her eyes are intent as they settle on me. “It could work out for you, too.”
“No, no,” I say quickly. Too quickly. Her brow arches, skeptical, and I backpedal. “I mean, I’m not interested in Jaxon. The other night, he helped me out when hot coffee shop guy didn’t show.” Stop babbling, girlfriend. Unable to help myself, I continue. “He pretended to be my date to help me save face and then later when I told him about hot coffee shop guy, he came up with a plan. Honestly this fake dating idea was all him.”
“But you agreed,” she says, eyes narrowing just slightly, like she’s trying not to grin.
I let out a groan and drag my hand down my face, probably smearing my mascara into raccoon territory. “Yeah, I sound insane, don’t I?”
“Not insane.” She tosses her hands up dramatically, nearly knocking over a glass of wine on the counter beside us. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”