"I'd love to take that award, Kent," he said, pushing his fingers into my hair. "But I wasn't playing."
"Sure you weren't."
Tolliver sighed. "You're supposed to be my girlfriend. They should have some respect."
"For...?"
"Our relationship."
"You mean our fake relationship," I said.
"They don't know that," he retorted. "As far as they're concerned, you're with me."
Tolliver kissed the edge of my jaw, making my breath hitch.
"And I already told you where I stand."
Too close.
He was too close, physically and emotionally.
"You're mistaken," I said, easing back and looking around. "Like I said, they're looking at you, probably wondering what you're doing here with me."
Tolliver frowned, but as if to prove my point, Lennox Capaldi came over and did that chin nod guys do.
"Tolliver, man," he said, "long time no see."
"Hey," Tolliver said, wearing a genuine smile as they clasped hands and hit each other's backs. I shot him an I-told-you-so look, and he rolled his eyes. "Lennox. How's your summer?"
"Not bad. You?"
"Can't complain."
"How'd you do in Gravel's class?"
Tolliver shrugged. "Got a B+."
"You suck," Lennox said which made my lips twitch. "I barely passed. Still don't know why we have to take Chemistry anyway."
"Probably because they want to torture us."
"Ha ha. Probably."
Lennox's eyes moved to me then back to Tolliver.
"You going to introduce me to your friend?" he asked.
"Wasn't planning on it," Tolliver said back, making his friend laugh. "And she's my girlfriend."
The word rang like a bell in my ears.
Something about Tolliver saying it was so right.
So satisfying.
Even if we were faking it.
Lennox turned to me and said, "Ah, cool. I'm Lennox. Do you go to Chapel Hill or...?"
