Page 56 of Play Fake

“Yes, but I need to check into the hotel really quick first. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, of course.” Waylon nods. “I’ll text you the restaurant address and meet you there?”

“Works for us,” his mom nods.

We all wave, and they’re off to their car.

* * *

I getto sit quietly through most of the first part of dinner, listening to Waylon’s mom catch Waylon up on all the local hometown gossip. Apparently, many of Waylon’s high school friends are already married and popping out babies. A few of them already have white picket fences to go with them. I have to wonder what they think of Waylon in comparison.

“The hints aren’t very subtle, Mom.” Waylon says at last.

“I’m not suggesting you get married! Good lord. You need to finish college first and see where you’re headed after that.”

“And yet, you’re cooing over babies and weddings you’ve been attending.”

“I’m just saying it’s nice some of your friends have settled down a bit, that’s all.”

He raises an eyebrow at her, like he’s not convinced by the difference.

“Okay. Fine, marriage is terrible. So are babies. You should forever live in a bachelor pad and have hoes in different area codes!” She smirks at him as she spears a vegetable on her plate.

“Oh, my god, Mom. Don’t say hoes!” Jake groans. “I’ll be sick.”

I can’t help but laugh, and I have to set my glass down to keep from spilling it. I’m starting to see why Waylon is the way he is.

“That’s more like it!” Waylon jokes.

“Hey!” I say, elbowing him in the side.

“What if it’s just a couple of hoes in a couple of area codes, babe?” He gives me a little pout.

“Oh well, I mean then, sure, okay.”

“Waylon!” His mom admonishes. “I hope that’s not how you actually treat your girlfriend.”

He shrugs dramatically, and we’re all laughing again.

“He does not, ma’am. He is the perfect gentleman. I assume that’s your doing.”

“Well, I don’t like to take credit for too much.”

“She’s lying. She absolutely loves to take credit.”

“And here is where I’ve failed.”

Another round of laughter and jokes passes the table before we can settle down and eat again.

“So how did you two meet, anyway?”

“Well, one night I was so drunk at the sorority house I wandered into the wrong room.”

“Waylon!” I grump.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did you want to tell it? It’s so much more romantic the way you put it.”

“Yeah, I’ll tell it.” I raise an eyebrow at him, and he smirks once more. “We have some mutual friends who are really close. You met her today, Olivia, She’s my roommate, and she’s close with Liam. So sometimes Waylon came over to the house, and we got to know each other that way.”