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“Hey, babe,” I said, going up to Tenley with much more confidence than I felt.

“Oh, hey,” Tenley said, her face falling. Wow, I didn’t know I was such a disappointment. Why was I putting up with this?

“Can we talk for a second?” I asked through clenched teeth.

“Sure,” she said, throwing a smile at Shane.

“I’ll be right back.”

I took her hand this time, but I clenched her fingers so hard she winced. Since I didn’t want to go into Tommy’s disgusting hovel of a home, I pulled her toward the back of the house and up the steps of the porch. There were a few rotting lawn chairs that I avoided and instead leaned on the porch railing.

Tenley yanked her hand back and inspected her fingers.

“What the hell, Mia? I swear you broke my hand,” she said, glaring at me.

“Sorry, babe,” I said. “But I wouldn’t be a good fake girlfriend if I stood by and let you flirt with your ex in front of me for an hour.”

“We weren’t flirting for an hour,” she said. “And your whole purpose of being here is to make Shane jealous, so it worked. Congratulations. Now can I go back and talk to him?”

My mouth dropped open. “Okay, wow, fuck you, Tenley.”

She stared at me. “This is literally what we talked about! You’d help me get back with Shane. Now he’s talking to me again, so what are you so mad about?”

I wanted to protest, but I couldn’t. This was what I’d agreed to. So why did it hurt so fucking much?

“You’re right,” I said with a sigh. “You’re right. Why don’t you go back and see Shane. I’m just going to…sit here.” It was cold, but at least I didn’t have to talk to anyone.

“Are you sure?” At least she was hesitating.

“Yeah,” I said. “Go flirt with your man.” Ugh, saying that made me want to gag.

“I just…thank you,” she said, hugging me out of the blue. “Thank you.”

I inhaled the scent of her hair and she let me go.

“You’re welcome,” I said after she’d gone back into the barn.

* * *

I lasted about ten minutes outside and then figured I should just go to my car. I messaged Lark to let her know that I was killing it as a fake girlfriend.

You should have made her pay you she sent.

Yeah, in hindsight I should have I responded. Money might make me feel a little bit better about this whole situation.

Another message came in, this one from Tenley.

I’m going home with Shane, so I don’t need you to drive me. Thank you, THANK YOU! she sent.

I could feel the sincerity in her words, but I still felt empty. What else was there to do? I sure as hell wasn’t going to go back into the party. It seemed as if my short stint as a fake girlfriend was officially over.

* * *

Lark and Sydney were still up when I got back, and I didn’t want to be alone, so I headed for their door and knocked before walking in.

“Hey,” I said. Lark was plucking at her guitar and Sydney had a book in her hands.

“Hey, you okay?” Lark said, setting her guitar on the floor.