My stomach tightens. Here we go. “Not too bad, but… Brandon showed up.”
“What?” Maren stops mid-stretch, her sleepiness replaced immediately by pure outrage. “Are you serious right now? What did that absolute asshole want?”
“To be an asshole, mostly. His favorite hobby.” I focus on stretching my other leg, using the physical movement as an excuse to avoid eye contact. “Came in with Kelly, made absolutely sure I knew they were together now, insulted my music career in that special condescending way he has. The usual Brandon greatest hits.”
“That waste of oxygen,” Maren fumes, her face flushing with anger on my behalf. “I swear, if I’d been there when he walked in… Kelly actually had the nerve to show up too? Please tell me you threw them both out on their asses.”
I smile gratefully at her fierce loyalty. She’s always ready to go to war for me at a moment’s notice. “I considered it.” I bump her shoulder affectionately with mine. “But then something kind of weird happened instead…”
“Weird how?”
My heart’s racing and we haven’t even started running. “Well, Jack was there. Playing pool.”
“Okay…” She glances at me sideways. “And?”
“And, uh, Brandon was being such a condescending dick, asking if I was seeing anyone.” I clear my throat. “Implying I’malone and pathetic because I’m too focused on my ‘little music thing’ instead of finding another man to validate my existence.”
“God, I hate him so much,” Maren mutters darkly.
“Me too. So I told him I was seeing someone.” I force myself to say it casually. “To shut him up.”
“Ooooh. Good for you! Who’d you say?” She grins approvingly as we start jogging.
“That’s the thing.” I take a deep breath, preparing for the lie. “I didn’t have anyone specific to name. My brain completely blanked. But then Jack… He, um, he just came over and told Brandon we were together.”
Maren stops jogging so abruptly it’s like she hit an invisible brick wall. I’m three full steps past her before I even realize she’s not beside me anymore. I turn back to find her staring at me with her mouth hanging open.
“I’m sorry, WHAT?” Her voice rises to a pitch that probably only dogs can hear.
“He just… played along perfectly,” I say. “Put his arm around me, told Brandon to stop bothering his girlfriend. It was pretty incredible. Brandon’s face went completely white. He practicallyranout of there.”
This part, at least, is completely true, and I can’t help the satisfaction in my voice at the memory.
“Jack pretended to be your boyfriend?” Maren’s voice goes up another octave. “To Brandon? In front of people?”
“Yeah.” I start jogging again because I absolutely cannot look at her while I lie. Movement feels safer somehow, like the truth can’t catch me if I keep running fast enough. “And then after Brandon left, we got to talking and he, uh, asked me out for real. So we’re going to get coffee.”
Maren catches up quickly, grabbing my arm hard enough to slow me down. “Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. Are you telling me you and Jack are together now? Like actually dating?”
The lie sits heavy in my stomach like a rock. “I mean, we’re going to try? See where it goes? It’s really new.” Every single word feels like another shovelful of dirt on the grave of our honest friendship.
“Oh my GOD, Lark!” She squeals. “Jack? JACK MIDNIGHT? Calvin’sbrotherJack?”
“Please don’t make a huge deal about it—” I try desperately to sound casual, but my voice comes out strained and weird.
“Don’t make a big deal?” She’s practically bouncing while running now. “You’re dating Calvin’s brother! Who is also a Formula One driver!” Her excitement is so genuine that it makes my guilt triple in size instantly. “This is literally the biggest deal! This is huge!”
“It might not be anything serious,” I say quickly. “We’re just… seeing what happens. Taking it slow.”
“Calvin’s going to absolutely flip when I tell him. In a good way!” She’s gesturing wildly now as she runs. “Oh my god, we can do double dates. This is amazing.” She pauses mid-stride, studying my face more carefully. Her expression shifts slightly. “Wait, why do you look like you just accidentally ran over someone’s cat? You should be happy.”
“Iamhappy. It’s just new and weird and I don’t want to jinx it by talking about it too much. Jack does have quite the reputation,” I point out as we jog along the tree-lined trail. “I don’t know if he’s ever dated anyone longer than a month. Maybe six weeks tops.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely not the poster child for commitment,” Maren agrees with a laugh. “But I’ve known him for years now, and underneath all that playboy stuff, I think he’s got a good heart.” She glances at me, her expression turning more mischievous. “Plus, who says this has to be some serious long-term thing? Maybe a hot, sexy summer fling while he’s intown is exactly what you need after Brandon. Some fun without pressure.”
“Oh my god, Maren!” I laugh, feeling my cheeks warm.
“What?” She grins, completely unrepentant. “I’m just saying! You two might actually be good together. You’re both adventurous, chasing dreams, and both stubborn as hell.”
