Page 46 of Never Say Never
“Yeah, I’ll need a minute to think too.”
“Okay.” Aiden nods. “We’re here if any questions come up.”
When we hang up, I immediately text Connor, hoping he’s free. He’s with Bea, and I tell him to wait to ring me until he’s alone. Thirty minutes later, his call comes through.
“So things are going well then?” I ask.
“They’re all right.”
That doesn’t sound enthusiastic, but Connor’s not a “big emotions” person. Impatient to get to my pressing topic, I don’t push him.
“Okay, well, I’m about to make your mind explode.” And then I walk him through everything that just happened on the call.
At the end, he bursts out laughing, shaking his head. “Only you, Rawls.”
“Oh, fuck off, Con.” But I’m chuckling too.
“This is totally an absurd idea. But you should probably do it.”
That gives me pause. “Really?”
“Everything they said is objectively true. About how the relationship could shift public perception. And it would show your supportive and caretaking side. Being the doting boyfriend is your style, even if the world doesn’t know it yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re always willing to drop anything for someone you’re interested in. Almost to a fault. Like, think of all the ballets you suddenly went to with Stef your senior year.”
Now I understand what he’s saying. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“It’s been their loss that the women haven’t reciprocated.” He gives a contemplative hum. “Wait, we haven’t talked about this for real, but are you trulyintoAvery? Or were you just joking about that last week?”
I sigh. “I mean, I like her, yes. But we hardly know each other. I guess I’d make sure to shut my normal shit down and keep feelings out of it.”
“Rawley.”
I know what he means by that simple call-out. I’veneverbeen able to keep feelings out of it once I’m into someone.
But here, if it’s going to help us, then I need to. I have to figure it out.
“I know, Con. I can do it.”
“It could get tricky.”
“It won’t.”
“Well, okay. But if you go forward, make sure you don’t tell anyone else it’s fake,” he warns. “You probably shouldn’t have even told me. If it leaks, it could be a disaster in the media.”
Huh, true.“Not even Landon and Grace, you think?”
“How could Grace not tell Johnson? Same with Landon and Rori. And then is Johnson going to feel bad not telling his family?” His mom, sister, and sister’s kids all live with him at the moment. “This is how secrets get out.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Keep me posted what you decide.” He yawns. “And make sure you don’t forget it’s all fake. Protect yourself.”
I nod. “You’ll get to be a part of it, since you’re here in a week.”
“Oh yay.” The sarcasm drips off his tongue, and I laugh in return.
