Page 134 of The Fake Out

I sort of sank into the side of my car. “No.”

“Yep. A kid from school went there with his dad and saw you. When he asked me about it, I played dumb but I started to wonder. I followed you one day and figured it out.”

“Oh, Iris.”

“Nope.” She wagged a finger in my direction. “Do not get all teary-eyed and emotional. You’ve cried a million times the last couple of weeks, and I hate that, too. You don’t cry. You’re… you’re Mae. You can handle anything.”

I sniffled. “I’m not sure I can handle anything anymore.”

“You know what makes me the most upset though? You were happy.”

I pulled in a shaky breath. “I was pretending.”

“You were not pretending.” She came closer. “Maybe you started out pretending. But you loved him… still love him. And he loved you. It was so obvious, even I could see it.”

And I hadn’t.

The tears slid down my face, unchecked. “Now I’m crying and it’s your fault.”

After a hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me. “Sorry.”

I nodded against her shoulder. When I got under control, I untangled myself and we both leaned against the car in silence.

“Aidan asked me to the prom,” she said suddenly.

“He finally did it. What did you say?”

“Obviously I said yes. He’s adorable.”

I laughed.

“You want to go dress shopping with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“Cool.”

“We should probably jump your car. I want to go home and go to bed.”

“Fine.” Iris walked back to the driver’s side of her car. “But, seriously, how do I pop the hood?”

SIXTY

So… if I told you that you had a beautiful body,

would you hold it against me?

—KEN S.

Next morning, Mama was up before me.

“Come eat breakfast with me,” she said.

I grabbed a yogurt and a granola bar and slid into a chair across from her at the table. After unwrapping the bar, I broke it into smaller chunks.

Mama touched the back of my left hand. “You’re still wearing the ring.”

With a start, I held out my hand. “I guess I forgot I had it on.”