“Promise?”
“I promise, kid,” he replied, then paused for a second, his eyebrows drawing together. “Wait, I thought you and Alana were already dating. That doesn’t sound like you are.”
Oh. Right. I forgot about that.
Hesitating for just a second, I nodded slowly. “Well, yes, but no. Reece, it’s complicated. You can’t tell anyone though, please?”
“Okay?” He fixed his expression. “But just know, your parents are going to be pissed when they find out you lied to them about a relationship.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I can date someone who fucks me over, or I pretend to date Alana to help her and gain something you and Brooke benefit from in return. Either way,my relationship won’t last. Mom and Dad are used to it.” That didn’t make the whole thing less upsetting, though.
My parents wished me the best, I knew that. And I knew they were excited to see Iactuallyposted my girlfriend on my socials, confirming the relationship myself. They were happy for me, thinking this was serious.
It was a huge step for me, too.
I just wished it was real and lasted forever. But I had no such luck. Ever.
“How does it benefit Brooke and me?” Reece asked, now looking at me with confusion.
“Brooke wants me to bake for your baby shower, right? But I can’t bake. At all. I couldn’t tell her, though, because she was so excited about the whole idea of the pastries being handmade by me. And I couldn’t ask Mom to teach me because?—”
“She would’ve asked questions, and your sister doesn’t want anyone to know she’s pregnant yet.”
“Exactly.” A deep breath drew from my lungs. “So, Alana’s teaching me. In return, I’m helping her withAustin.” My voice dropped an octave as I said his name with disgust.
Reece laughed. “Sounds like you’re not too fond of that Austin guy.”
God, I hated him. To this day, I had no idea what Alana saw in him. He wasn’t even attractive. “He’s awful.”
“Is he? Or do you just make yourself believe he’s the bad guy because you realized you want Alana to like you?”
I scoffed but couldn’t deny there was some truth in his words. “Maybe a little of both.”
Reece’s lips curved up into a smirk. “Well, then, kid, it’s time you get your shit together. If you truly think Austin’s not good for Alana, help her see it. Show her.”
“I guess that’s all I can really do,” I grumbled, glancing down at the floor. “I just hope it’s enough.”
“It will be.”
At least one of us was convinced of that. “Oh, Reece… you can’t ask Brooke if she has any ideas to help me. This has to stay between you and me.” I gave him a warning look.
Reece sighed heavily. “We’re both fucked then.”
27
EDEN
Ally-Bear
Are you awake?
Ihad to blink a couple of times to make sure I read that right. There was no way Alana just reached out to me four hours after she ran off all mad at me.
Actually, I was sure I’d never hear from her again. Except maybe a quick, “Sorry, not coming with you tomorrow.”
Eden
Yeah. What’s up?