To escape her bullies, a young woman agrees to fake-date the school's football star — a plan that was never supposed to involve real feelings. As their pretend relationship plays out in front of everyone, the line between performance and genuine love starts to blur.
I usually drive a pickup truck. I've never handled a luxury car before. He stayed quiet, but his gaze dropped, locking onto my tangled fingers. Something unreadable darkened in his eyes. His palm was scorching hot, rough with dry callus.
His grip was strong as he folded my fingers into his large hand. Press this. He guided my hand onto the glowing red start button. The engine roared to life like a caged beast.
Warm, faintly alcohol-sweet breath brushed my ear, sending a shiver through my entire body. He let go, heening back into the seat. Drive. The entire ride was eerily silent.
I pulled into his apartment garage. The second the car came to a complete stop, I didn't even bother fully unbuckling myself. I shoved the door open and fled. Captain Bennett! The key is inside! Bye!
I fled without looking back. I never saw him. The jaguar headlight stayed on long after I left. Leaned against the car door in the darkness as he lit a cigarette.
The ember burnt red, trembling faintly in the night.