Page 47 of The Dance

“And my family still thinks you’re my girlfriend.”

“What?” My eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“I told them we’ve been on and off.”

“Okay, so why not have us off right now?”

“Because we went to the Cowboys game today, and I left this chick there. I need … I need someone normal.”

“Wait.” I balked, looking over at him as he drove. “You took another girl to the game, and now you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend again?”

“We weren’t speaking.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yeah, but all you do is use me.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Isn’t it?” I challenged.

In a flash, Blake pulled the truck into a shopping center parking lot. He threw the pickup into a parking spot. Turning to face me, he snapped, “You told me to forget about you. Don’t you remember?”

“I came back to apologize.”

He snorted. “Because of that night, I got a DUI and moved back with my parents. So, thank you.”

“Thank you? How is it my fault?”

“You pissed me the fuck off, and I was taking shots before I left.”

I remembered seeing him, but I thought he was only flirting with those two girls. “You left with two other women, Blake. It’s not my fault.”

“It is!” he roared.

“Then why the fuck did you even text me tonight if you blame me?”

“Because I need you.”

“You need a fucking girlfriend. A real one. Or stop lying to your family.”

“I haven’t been lying to them, but seeing Brandon with Spencer—”

“Wait. He’s gay?”

“No.” Blake shook his head. “Spencer is a woman.”

“Oh, but why is him being in love bad for you?”

“Because once he gets married and shit, my family will expect me to be next. Just like with everything else. Go to A&M like Brandon. Get a business degree like Brandon. Be like fucking Brandon.”

I stared at him, the only light in the cab from a parking lot lamp a few spots over. Even though my life had taken a drastic turn in the last year, Blake’s hadn’t. He was still living in his brother’s shadow.

“But whatever. I’m getting my shit together. I started school, and I’ve been doing good since getting my license back. Now that I don’t pay rent, I’m saving even more money.”

“That’s good,” I praised.

“Still not enough, but one day. But can you just pretend for the night? Make them think we’re back together.”

We were never together in the first place, but I didn’t correct him. I sighed. “Fine, but this is the last time.”