Page 37 of Rory Rides Her Fake Fiancé
She snorts. “After she kicked me out last night? Hell no.”
“Eh, don’t stay mad at her for too long. I liked having you here last night. You should at least stop by since you’re so close.”
“Yeah, maybe—” She stops. “Do you hear that?”
Someone’s singing Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go.”
They come into view and it’s Miss Mullins singing out loud, dance moves and all. She spots us in the driveway. “Good morning! Oh, look at you two lovebirds.” She marches in place, still dancing. “I heard you were at the bar late last night, Rory. So glad we’re gonna see more of you around town. Have a great day!”
Rory gawks after her. “I was so mean to her yesterday.”
“Are you kidding? She was our sixth-grade teacher. Everyone was a little shit to her at some point.”
She sighs and then climbs on her bike.
“I’ll see you next time, yeah?”
“Next time,” she echoes. She pulls on her helmet, fires up her engine, and roars out of my driveway.
Morgan
* * *
I’m going to need some backup.
Now that selling Grandma’s ring is pushed off to be a Future Morgan problem, I need to finally get my butt in gear about getting the money my brother owes me. It’s been a few days since Rory stayed the night at my place. Unfortunately, I’ve been busy and had to spend a bit of money, just in case she stays again. Leo and Kit helped me clean up my guest bedroom and I found a used coffee maker on one of the online marketplaces. I didn’t spend so much that I can’t afford groceries or rent, but I’m not able to put away as much as I normally do into the bar fund.
Hence, my need to collect from my brother.
Texting and calling haven’t been working. My mom is no help. So it looks like I’m going to have to go in person, which I hate doing.
Visiting my brother is like looking at myself in an alternate universe. This is what I could have become if only I’d been born first, or been Mom’s favorite, or hadn’t had anywhere else to go.
And maybe it’s also a bit of guilt too. Because I’m nothing like my mom. And Graham is just like her.
So the next question is, who do I take for backup? I quickly toss out the idea of anyone in my friend group. Graham hates them all, especially Hunter, who punched Graham the last time I saw him—trust me, he deserved it. Bailey could talk circles around my brother since he’s dumber than rocks, but I don’t want to bring her to my brother’s house. Silas and her brother would kill me.
Which pretty much leaves Rory, and the more I think about it the more I warm up to the idea. My brother would find her hot or intimidating, but either way, I’m certain Rory could handle herself.
I text her, and her instant response cracks me up. I can picture her fake irritated face perfectly.
My Queen
Hey, you have a minute?
No.
Pretty please?
Ugh, fine. But only for you. What?
Can I call you?
What are you a boomer?
Fine.
I call her and explain the situation.
