Page 100 of Play Fake

“Well, it’s about Waylon. And I know. I know it’s none of my business and if you’re done with him, I get it. Dating guys on the team is a nightmare really, and I’m sure it’s only getting worse after they’re drafted, and they have the women and the money.”

“Yeah,” I say because I don’t know what else to say.

“But Waylon, he’s different. You know? He’s not like some of the rest of them. He has a really big heart, and he would do anything to help someone out.”

“I know.”

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two, whatever broke things up, but I’ve never seen him be the way he was with you. And I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but I’ve seen him since and he is broken. Like shattered over whatever happened. And I just thought you should know that. If it makes a difference. I would want to know.”

“That’s not what I heard.”

“Well, I don’t know. I’m not with him all the time, but when I see him at him and East’s place, he just mopes around and looks like hell. If it wasn’t for football, I think he’d probably just shut himself in his room all day.”

“I really can’t be responsible for what he does. We hooked up for a while and it’s over. I don’t really know why it would matter that much to him.”

“Because he loves you. You have to know that. The way he looks at you and talks about you. You might see him as a hookup, but that’s not how he sees you.”

“Well, he could have fooled me.”

“He’s not East or Ben, you know. He doesn’t have all the words like they do.”

“Right.”

“Listen, like I said, none of my business. I know I’m probably not your favorite person or anything. But Waylon is such a great guy, and you seem like a sweet person yourself. I’d hate to see the two of you miss something, that’s all.”

“Well, I appreciate it. It’s kind of you to go out of your way for your friend like that.”

“Of course. And I was serious, by the way—if you ever wanna grab coffee sometime…”

“I’ll think about it. Thanks.”

“All right. I’m off to re-caffeinate and then run to class. Bye Mac!”

Lauren takes off back down the hall, and I sit dumbfounded.

* * *

When I get homethat afternoon, Ben’s in the kitchen with Olivia cooking, and I have to do a double take.

“Hey!” I call out when they don’t realize I’ve come into the dining room.

“Kenz! You’re home!”

“Yeah. What’s going on here? It smells amazing.” I put my bags down in the dining room and make my way into the kitchen.

“Ben’s teaching me his mom’s recipe for spaghetti carbonara.”

“Ben is teaching you to cook?” I look at them both incredulously, but they both nod like it’s the most normal thing.

I look at Ben and laugh. “Who are you?”

“My mom’s a good cook. It was better than most take out growing up, and she insisted I learn to cook in high school.”

“It’s not fair you’re so fucking perfect, Ben. It really isn’t. Like when do you reveal you’re just some sort of a psychological experiment on college-age women?”

He laughs and goes back to chopping the prosciutto.

“Are you going to be sharing this delicious meal?” I ask Olivia.