Page 14 of Deking
That’s why I lied to her. I didn’t want her to know that I have been paying attention since freshman year.
It’s not like I’ve stalked her. I didn’t usually actively seek her out. I didn’t stalk her house or make up reasons for us to run into one another. Instead, I memorized her school schedule andtook glimpses of her when I could. I watched from afar when we happened to be in the same place to make sure she was safe and cared for.
I only ever broke my rule twice, actually speaking to her. It was never familiar, though. More like someone in the bar making a comment about the bartender and you agreeing before going on your way.
There’s no way she would suspect the truth.
I know I will need to fess up eventually if I want this fake relationship to become real. You can’t build something solid on shaky ground, but she’s not ready to hear it yet.
I don’t know if it’s because she still thinks she loves Kyle or what, but she hasn’t moved on. Until she does, I will be whatever she needs. Right now, she needs a shield from the public scrutiny. I can give her that.
I feel the moment she awakens. Her breathing changes as her body stiffens. She leans up and glares down at me.
“I told you to stay on your side of the bed. What kind of creep are you?”
I smirk at her. “My love, I am on my side of the bed.”
She frowns, then looks behind her. At some point during the night she migrated over to my side of the bed. I tried to stay respectable and move closer to the edge, but once I got to the point I could no longer move, she cuddled into my side. I knew in that moment I wouldn’t move another inch. I would let her use me as her human pillow even if I lost feeling in my entire body from not moving.
“Fuck. Shit. I’m sorry.” She rubs her hand down her face. “That was a dick move of me. Not only to hog the bed, but to accuse you.”
I sit up, stretching. I don’t miss how her eyes take my body in. I’m still in the T-shirt and sweats I changed into last night, but I know she is imagining how I looked when I took my shirt off.
“It’s fine. I understand. You have to be careful. I’ll never understand what it’s like to be a woman, so don’t apologize.”
She shoots me a shy smile before moving back to her side of the bed. When she picks up her phone, she curses. “I am so sorry to bail, but I need to get home.”
“Here, give me your phone,” I tell her. “I’ll put my number in.”
She hands it to me. “I’m going to get changed. Don’t be looking through my phone.”
I smile. “Never.”
I watch as she heads into the bathroom before I look down at her phone.
Part of me was worried she would have a picture of her with Kyle as her background, but I shouldn’t have worried. Instead, she has a picture of her and what I assume are her father and brother based on them looking alike.
Navigating her phone, I put myself in her contacts before texting myself so I have hers. Then I go and look at what her lock screen is. I tell myself if it’s family I will leave it, but I am relieved to find it of her and a group of girls I vaguely recognize.
Looking at the bathroom door, I make my decision. I take my shirt off and lie back on the bed. Then I take a selfie, making sure to show my abs. The lazy smile on my face completes the “just woke up” look.
I set it as her lock screen, then set her phone on the bed as I stand and look for what I want to wear today.
She comes out from the bathroom minutes later, grabbing her phone and putting it in her back pocket.
“Let me put a shirt on, and I will walk you out.” I turn toward her, pulling on the shirt, but taking my time so she can enjoy the view.
When I pull my head through, I am happy to see her staring. She averts her eyes quickly, but I caught it. At least she is attracted to me. That’s one step closer to making this real.
“Let’s go, honey bun.” I hold out my hand for her.
She frowns. “Is this necessary?”
“Yep. I don’t know who ended up crashing last night. You are my girlfriend. I would hold your hand. Really, I would be touching you all I can, but we will keep it PG,” I tease her.
She rolls her eyes, taking my hand. As we step out of the room, I try to listen if anyone is awake yet. I don’t hear anything until we near the kitchen.
As we pass by it, I glance in and see Calvin, Jason, and Kellan all sitting there as if they were waiting for me. I nod their way and head toward the door.
