I flopped back, knowing he wasn’t going to respond but wishing he would. I was bored, and talking to him had actually been fun this week.

Twenty minutes later, my phone chimed, Kye’s name flashing across.

This time, it was a video of the inside of a car. He must have a stand because the phone went still as the engine revved. Suddenly, the car took off, the phone jumping once before he sped down the road. Then it was over in seconds, Kye yelling something and slowing the car down.

The phone moved again and turned to his face, where he smiled and winked at it.

“I won,” he said before ending the video.

I was smiling so hard by the end of it that my cheeks were hurting. 

Daisy

That’s insane. Good job.

Kye

Thanks.

Daisy

Still ready to be my fake boyfriend on Saturday?

Kye

Where?

Daisy

A party

Kye

Where?

Daisy

A frat house…

Kye

Gross

Daisy

I know, but I’m looking forward to showing up and showing Dean that I’m perfectly fine and happy.

Kye

Are you?

Daisy

No.

There was nothing for minutes. Each one that went by made me worry more. Maybe I said the wrong thing, or maybe he just found a girl to pick up for the night. It was past ten now. It wouldn’t be that wild of an idea that he could find a girl at the races and take her home.

I slammed a pillow over my face and yelled.

I hated that I felt rejected over him going home with another girl. It shouldn’t matter, and him doing so wouldn’t be wrong at all. I couldn’t get attached to the first guy that stepped up to play my fake boyfriend, and I obviously knew there wasn’t any chance of this turning into something real, but it was hard not to like the attention when he texted me back constantly. I thought that talking to him would be like pulling teeth, but Kye always texted back.

I groaned again and my phone chimed.

Kye

Want to go for a drive?

Daisy

Seriously?

Kye

Yeah? I’m going out, anyway. I have an empty passenger seat.

Daisy

Are you going to go death speeds?

Kye

I can try to relax a bit if you’re that scared.

Daisy

Then I call shotgun. When?

Kye

Already leaving races. Be there in ten.

I looked around the room, tearing through piles of clothes until I sat back. I had to remind myself that we were going out for a drive, not out on a date.

I needed to relax and force myself to realize that I didn’t have to be all perfect and put together just to ride in a car.

I pulled on a pair of shorts and a hoodie, not letting myself think twice as I turned off the cameras and slid out the window. There was no point in thinking I wouldn’t have to sneak out. My dad would be all over me if I told him I was going out, and he would send the entire fleet of officers to figure out who I went out with. 

I jogged down the street until I was out of sight before hitting the app on my phone and turning them back on.