The Stand-In Boyfriend (Grove Valley High #1)(14)

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“You should tell him. You know I think that.”

I shake my head. “I can’t, not now. I will at some point, but just not yet.”

She doesn’t say anything for a minute and I know she doesn’t agree with what I’ve said, but she doesn’t push me on it. “So how does Chase Mitchell come into this?”

I shrug. “I dunno. I guess he feels sorry for me. He thinks we can do each other a favor.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s tired of his drama with Abigail.”

She snorts. “Who wouldn’t be?”

I smile at that. Their relationship really is ridiculous. Half the time she acts like she hates him, but she can’t handle him being with someone else. I don’t really remember ever seeing them happy together. “He doesn’t want to get back with her again and he knows she won’t let up on him unless he’s with someone else.”

“So why does he want to pretend date you? He could have anyone.”

Ouch—even if I do think the exact same thing. “Jesus, Soph. Thanks!”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

I do. She tells me all the time that I’m beautiful. I think she thinks if she says it often enough, I’ll eventually believe it. “I dunno. I honestly don’t get it. He said something about wanting to focus on soccer and having no time for dating right now.”

She looks as confused as I did. Dating has never seemed to be an issue for him before. In fact, him dating around seems to be what causes all his issues with Abigail. “Really?”

I shrug. “That’s what he said. He wants to focus on soccer and if he’s with someone then Abigail will back off. I guess if he’s pretending to be with me, he doesn’t have to put in any effort with someone he might actually like. He made it sound like an agreement.”

She still looks confused. I don’t blame her.

“He said we could hang out, get everyone to think we’re together, and then Abigail will back off and leave him alone and Jessie might finally notice I’m more than just his friend who does everything for him.”

She doesn’t say anything. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her response. It’s kind of unnerving seeing her be this quiet.

“Soph?”

“That is genius.”

“Huh?”

“I’m serious—the guy’s a genius.”

I shake my head. “No. No. Do not tell me you agree with him.”

“He’s right. Look, Jessie has a total man crush on Chase, right? We both know that. He wants to be him or something. He sees you with Chase, maybe sees you kissing once or twice, and he’ll start to notice you in a completely different way.”

“What? I am not going to kiss Chase Mitchell!” That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.

“Why the hell not? The guy’s gorgeous! Do it for all of us who have lusted after him for years.”

My jaw falls open. “Stop.”

“I mean, I’m crazy jealous, of course—you lucky bitch. I’m not going to pretend part of me doesn’t want to rip your hair out.”

“What?”

“But you should definitely do it.”

I’m finding it hard to keep up with her. “You can’t be serious.”

She grins. “I’m deadly serious.” She pauses and her face turns solemn. “You need this, Livs. I hate seeing you upset over Jessie. He can’t see what’s right in front of him and this will make him see you. Maybe it’ll make him jealous, maybe it won’t, but he’ll definitely notice you, and either way, maybe you can move forward.”

She has my attention now. “You really think it could make him jealous?”

She nods. “If seeing you with anyone can, it’ll be seeing you with Chase Mitchell.”

I glance past her and bite my lip. I hadn’t considered that, just dismissed it when Chase said it could make him notice me. Pretending to be with Chase could mean I’m not just there for Jessie whenever he needs me, and maybe that will actually get his attention? Maybe he’ll realize how much he relies on me and how much I mean to him, and I’ve got to admit even I’m sick of my ridiculous crush. I need something to happen with it, anything, and if I’m not willing to tell Jessie how I feel, maybe doing something like this will capture his attention.

“But…I don’t even know Chase. I’ve spoken to him, like, five times in my whole life.”

“What’s to know? He’s got a million friends and he’s drop-dead gorgeous. You don’t get to be as popular as he is if you’re an asshole.”

I guess she has a point.

“He’s a good guy, Livy.”

I nod. She knows him better than I do, mixes with that group on occasion. “But wait, don’t you mind? You were going to make a play for him.”

She snorts. “Yeah, and look how that turned out. He laughs and jokes with me but never, ever takes it further.”

“You’ve had a thing for him forever.”

She laughs out loud. “I think I’ve made it clear enough to Chase Mitchell over the years that if he wants me, I’m right here. He not interested in me.” She shrugs. “You win some, you lose some.”