The Stand-In Boyfriend (Grove Valley High #1)(30)

“What is this? The Spanish inquisition? Leave my girlfriend alone.”

I nearly fall over. I wait for him to clarify that I’m his fake girlfriend, but he doesn’t, just stares defiantly back at his sister, who is glaring right back at him.

My eyes find Aaron, who is looking over at Chase and Rosie in interest. He glances my way and shrugs like he doesn’t get it either.

“So you guys are together?” she asks, turning to me.

“Yes,” Chase snaps. “Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be out, living it up on campus?”

“Well excuse me for coming to check on you when I know the folks are out of town for the next couple weeks.”

Chase doesn’t say anything in return but his stance softens, and I know he’s not as upset with her now. My guess is they’re really close.

Rosie turns back to me and offers a smile. It’s genuine and blinding, and I’m momentarily dazzled. “Sorry, Livy. I can be a bit overprotective. I’m just used to Abigail being around, and she’s no good for him. Then when they’re not together, he usually has some random hook-up hanging out for a week or so until he gets bored.”

I snicker—I can’t help it. It’s not as if I don’t know this, and the way Chase’s face turns bright red is hilarious. He looks mortified, and it’s so different from the confident, assured guy I see at school that I can’t help laughing. It’s nice to know even the great Chase Mitchell gets embarrassed.

“Would you shut up?” he demands.

Rosie just dismisses him with her hand. “So how long have you been dating?”

I look to Chase in panic. She actually believes us? Why isn’t he telling her the truth? It’s not like people don’t know—Sophie and Aaron both do—and what am I supposed to say about how long we’ve been dating?

Chase answers for me. “A couple of weeks, not that it’s any of your business.”

“You know each other from school?”

I nod at her. That’s one thing I can answer. I mean, it’s a stretch to say we know each other, but we do attend the same high school.

“Okay, interrogation over,” Chase announces. “Let’s go watch TV.”

He walks right past me, grabbing my arm as he goes and tugging me out of the kitchen. Aaron follows, a huge bag of chips in his hands. Chase flops down on the couch, Aaron sprawls out next to him, and Chase looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to take the seat beside him.

“Uh, I should probably go,” I tell him.

“Why?”

I shrug uncomfortably. “Well, uh, I need to get home and take a shower, and I have homework to do.”

Aaron pipes up from his spot next to Chase. “That’s why I’m here, Chapman. I thought we could do our chemistry homework together.”

“Oh, well…”

“You can shower here,” Chase tells me. “There’s a hairdryer and everything you need in the guest bathroom, then you can change back into your clothes and we can sit down to study.”

“Um…”

“Come on, Livy. I need your help. I really don’t get it.”

I glance over at Aaron. He looks totally engrossed in the car chase that’s on TV, not like he’s ready to study. “I mean…”

Chase turns to look at me. “Go shower,” he tells me. “Then when we’re done we can talk about our agreement.”

I audibly swallow. This is what I’ve been avoiding since I got here, but he’s right. Chase might have started this, but I set it in motion today in the cafeteria. I might as well see what he thinks we should do next. I do as I’m told. I go and shower.



By the time I’m finished drying my hair and back in my own clothes, Aaron and Chase are sprawled out on the floor in front of the sofas with their textbooks open and the TV off. Chase’s hair is damp and he’s in some sweats and a new t-shirt, indicating that he showered in my absence. The only other difference is that Sophie’s joined them.

“What are you doing here?” I ask immediately. Yes, she knows these guys, but as far as I know, she’s never hung out at their houses before (unless it’s a party), and yet they’re all just sitting here like this is the most natural thing in the world.

She grins at me. “Heard about the study party, didn’t want to miss out.” I glance at Chase, but his eyes don’t stray from his textbook. “You sitting or what?” Sophie continues. “The pizza will be here soon.”

She cocks an eyebrow at me when I still don’t move. Aaron glances up. “Can I check your notes from last Thursday? I think I missed something because this is not making sense.”

I glance back to Sophie and she jerks her head at the empty space next to her, so I gingerly take a seat and pull over my backpack. I know what Chase is doing—getting Sophie and Aaron here acting like everything is normal so I’m more likely to stay—and the thing is, it’s working. I feel more relaxed when they’re around, like I actually want to stay and chill with him.

The next hour flies by, and between the two of us, Aaron and I figure out what Donaldson wants and both complete our homework as well as reading ahead into next week’s homework. I’ve even started on my trig and am engrossed in answering a question when the doorbell rings and Chase gets up and comes back with a bunch of pizzas. By this point, my stomach’s growling, and I gratefully accept a slice.