Page 52 of Never Say Never

---

“We are.”

13

RAWLEY

THREE DAYS LATER

RAWLEY: Hi. How’s the road trip going?

AVERY: I’m sorry, who’s this?

AVERY:

RAWLEY: Hurtful.

AVERY: You’ll survive. The road trip is fine. We lost the first one, but won the game tonight.

RAWLEY: I know. I checked the scores.

AVERY: Worried I’d be grumpy if we lost?

RAWLEY: Or ignore me.

AVERY:

RAWLEY: Nah. I’m unghostable.

AVERY: Is that a word??

RAWLEY: C’mon, you know I’m nothing if not a good time.

AVERY: Do I?

RAWLEY: Well, you will now that we’re texting.

AVERY: All I know from this conversation is your ego is healthy.

RAWLEY: That’s why I have you to keep it in check.

RAWLEY: ANYWAY it felt weird not to have spoken when they’re about to announce we’re dating.

AVERY: “Dating”

RAWLEY: Yeah, we all got it, Parker. It’s pretend.

RAWLEY: FYI I’m going to give Landon and Grace a heads-up before the statement. I’m not telling them it’s fake though.

AVERY: It feels weird, right?

RAWLEY: Yeah, but it would put them in an awkward position lying to others. At least now I’m the only one lying.

AVERY: Aiden said you told your younger brother? And that he signed an NDA?

RAWLEY: Yup. Intense, right?

AVERY. Very. Mom is going to be the only one in our family who knows.

AVERY: It’s for the best, I guess.

---