Page 31 of Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend (Scarlett #2)

Sunday

“Please tell me you know how to pick a lock,” I said.

Liam slowly finished chewing his food. “Why?”

“Would you just answer the question?”

“But why do you need to pick a lock?” Liam asked.

Why wouldn’t he answer my freaking question?! I looked over my shoulder to make sure Axel was still in the kitchen, and then lowered my voice. “Because while I was babysitting Parker last night, Sophie and I used the opportunity to search Axel’s room for clues to see if he was the kiss thief.”

“Okay... So is he?”

“I don’t know!”

“Well, how did you get into his room in the first place?”

I wanted to shake him. “Parker had a key. But now she’s lost it.”

Liam laughed. “Are you sure she lost it? Maybe she just doesn’t want to give it to you. Wait. I’m still confused. Why do you need to get back into Axel’s room?”

I sighed. “Because Sophie pulled up the men’s locker room footage on Axel’s computer because she got an alert on her phone that someone was in there.

And then Axel’s parents came home early.

She slammed his laptop closed and forgot to ex out of the footage.

That’s why Axel’s here this morning. I’m distracting him while Soph fixes the problem. ”

Liam laughed. “She seriously didn’t ex out of the footage? Amateur move.”

I ignored his comment. “Can you help me or not?”

“It would probably be way more entertaining for Axel to see the footage. It’ll make today so much more fun.”

My brother was useless. “I’m calling RJ.” I pulled out my phone.

“Don’t bother. RJ doesn’t know how to pick a lock. We both joined the lock picking club, but we haven’t learned how to actually do it yet. We joined like...on Wednesday. After Soph told us there was a club.”

I sighed. “Wait.” I remembered that conversation. We were talking about that club while Sophie was going through all the kiss thief suspects.

“If you want someone who can pick locks, you’re going to want to talk to Henley. He’s the president of the club.”

Right. Suspect number one. “Henley the Jealous Lock Picker.” Screw me. “Do you have his number?”

“Sure.” He didn’t offer to give it to me.

“So what is it?”

“We need a plan first, Scar. You’ll be inviting Henley to Axel’s apartment. And Henley hates Axel.”

“Hence the nickname Henley the Jealous Lock Picker, I know.” Henley was the backup quarterback. And presumably wasn’t a fan of Axel’s. And probably vice versa. It was awkward to invite him.

“So Henley’s not going to want to come. Unless you offer him something in return. ”

I sighed. “Like what?” I already knew what Sophie would say I should offer him. A kiss. And it could cross one more suspect off my list. But I was really hoping to just dance my way into unmasking the kiss thief at homecoming. “You think I should offer to make out with him?”

“Um...no. Gross. No one wants that. I’m saying he’ll want to like...shit on Axel’s pillow or something.”

“I can’t let him do that. That’s disgusting.”

“Not as disgusting as kissing you.”

“Twerp. Just give me his number.”

“I’ll text him,” Liam said.

“No, give it to me.”

“It’s fine,” Liam said. “Henley and I are cool. I’ll get him to come. You’ll just make it weird.”

I would not! But whatever. “Fine. But don’t you dare tell him he can shit on Axel’s pillow. And don’t you dare tell him about the footage...”

“What footage?” Axel asked as he walked out of the kitchen.

Ah! “Liam sent a nude video to a Russian oligarch.” I had no idea why I’d said that . It was just the first thing that popped into my head.

Liam laughed. “Sure. As one does.”

“Cool,” Axel said. He stared back and forth between me and Liam. “You guys ready to go?”

“Yup,” I said.

Axel’s eyes trailed down my body. “You sure about that?”

What? I looked down. I was still wearing my flannel pajamas. “I’ll be right back. I need to change.” I hurried back toward my bedroom. But I heard footsteps behind me.

Axel jogged up next to me.

“Why do you keep trying to see me change?”

“I don’t. You keep flashing me.”

“Would you please just wait in the living room?” I asked.

“I need to use the bathroom after you flash me.”

“No.” I stopped at my door. “I’m not flashing you. I have a boyfriend.”

“Right. The boyfriend who hasn’t seen your tits. And who doesn’t come over when you’re scared.”

“Stop it.”

“It’s just the truth,” Axel said.

“Bite me.”

He lowered his eyebrows as he stared at me. “Pretty sure I already did last night.” He looked down at my hand.

Wait. He remembered biting my finger? I thought he didn’t remember anything about last night? My heart started racing. “Whatever, use my bathroom. Just be quick about it.” I let him in my room and he disappeared into the bathroom. I stared at the closed door.

Axel remembered last night. At least...parts of it. And I certainly remembered. I looked down at my finger. He’d bitten me really hard. There was a small red line on my index finger. Axel had said it was my boyfriend’s job to mark me. And yet...here I was...marked by Axel instead.

My phone buzzed. “Scar, what are we going to do? I tried paying Parker another 20 bucks, but I’m pretty sure she actually lost the key. She said she was super wasted last night.”

I laughed. “There was nothing in those teacups. ”

“I know that! And I swear Aunt Hails and Uncle Tyler know I’m here under false pretenses. I’m acting totally sus.”

“It’s fine,” I texted back. “We’ve got Henley the Jealous Lock Picker en route.” At least, I hoped we did.

I quickly changed into jeans and a Giants t-shirt, and pulled on Jacob’s varsity jacket. Although I’d probably burn it if he didn’t come because he was too busy with Olivia. I paused. God I wasn’t allowed to be jealous. How many times did I need to keep reminding myself that?

My phone buzzed with Soph’s response. “Perfect. Two birds one stone. You can make out with Henley the Jealous Lock Picker on Axel’s bed while I ex out of the footage.”

Yeah, I wasn’t doing that. “No thank you. I’m just going to dance with him at homecoming.”

“Your dance card is very full. It might be better to cross someone off your list in advance.”

“I’ll be fine,” I texted.

“Just like one kiss on Axel’s bed.”

“No.”

“Just give me a maybe,” Sophie texted.

I sighed. “Fine. Maybe. See you soon.” I slid my phone into my jacket pocket just as Axel walked out of my bathroom.

The corner of his mouth ticked up. In that way that seemed reserved just for me. “Ready?” he asked.

“I just need to brush my teeth real quick.” I hurried into the bathroom.

I grabbed my toothbrush, but it was already wet.

I stared down at it. Had Axel used my toothbrush?

I smiled. There was something weirdly intimate about him doing that.

I quickly brushed my teeth and knew I had a big smile on my face when I stepped out of the bathroom.

I stared at Axel. “Did you use my toothbrush?”

He shrugged. “Yeah.”

“That was a very strange thing to do.”

“Why? We share everything.”

I stared at him.

“Come on. Your dad is probably wondering what sinful things you’re doing with your friend in here.”

Shit. I grabbed Axel’s arm and pulled him out of my room and down the hall.

My family was waiting by the front door for us.

“Everything good?” I asked Liam.

“Yup,” was all he offered.

I hoped that yup meant Henley the Jealous Lock Picker was on his way and his bowels were already empty. Because no one was leaving a dump on Axel’s pillow.

***

“Finally,” Sophie said as she opened the door to Axel’s apartment.

Axel frowned. “What are you doing here so early?”

“Helping out your parents with prep of course. Hi, everyone. Welcome, welcome.” Sophie gestured for my family to come in.

“That’s so nice of you, Sophie,” my mom said. She gave Soph a quick hug.

“I heard you and Axel might be an item soon,” my dad said and patted Soph’s shoulder.

Dad!! That wasn’t at all what Axel had said. He’d said they were going to homecoming as friends.

Sophie laughed. “Ew, Uncle James. Axel is basically my cousin. That would be disgusting.”

I stared at her .

“For me,” she quickly added for my benefit.

“The feeling is mutual,” Axel said. It didn’t seem like he’d caught on to the fact that she was referring to me and him. Not Soph and him.

“Anyway,” Sophie said. “Refreshments are in the kitchen. And snacks are coming out soon.”

My parents walked into the kitchen as Sophie peered out into the hallway.

She turned to me as she closed the door. “Weren’t you expecting one more...guest?”

Don’t look at me. I didn’t know where the heck Henley was. I glanced at Liam.

“Yeah, I invited a friend,” Liam said. “Hope that’s okay.”

Axel just shrugged. “Cool. I’m gonna go change.”

Wait?! No! He could not under any circumstances go into his room. “Want some company?” I asked.

He laughed. “Trying to get me to flash you now, Scarlett?”

Well, I could see how he might think that. Based on all the words I’d just said. I knew my face was turning red.

“I don’t think the boyfriend would like that very much. I’ll be right back.”

Sophie caught his arm before he could walk past her. “Wait, Axel. Homecoming emergency. We need to talk colors.”

“Just give me a second to change.”

“What do you not understand about the word emergency?” She pulled him into the family room.

I made sure everyone was out of earshot before turning back to Liam. “When is Henley getting here?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. But he said he was coming.”

“Liam. This isn’t a casual hang. He needs to be here ASAP. Give me your phone.”

“Chill.”

“Liam, I swear to God...”

There was a knock on the door. I turned around and opened it. And it was like letting in a whole zoo. Uncle Matt and Aunt Brooklyn came in surrounded by all their kids. Max gave me a high five and Chloe gave me a quick hug. But she was busy texting someone.

“The jacket looks good on you, kiddo,” Uncle Matt said and squeezed my shoulder.

“Thanks. Alora,” I said before she could run by. “I brought over some old dolls in case you want to check them out.”