Page 37 of In His Skates

“No problem, Coach. She’ll be there.”

“Good.” He ends the call just as Keanu walks out of the bathroom, wearing my bathrobe. At least he isn’t naked.

“Who were you talking to?”

“Your coach. He’s not a pleasant man.”

Keanu’s eyes bug out. So that’s what “alarmed me” looks like to other people. “What did he want?”

“He thinks my case of diarrhea was bullshit, and that I lied to spend time with you.”

He rubs his face. “Shit. How much trouble am I in?”

“I think it’ll be okay as long as I don’t miss tomorrow’s practice.”

Keanu scowls. “It won’t be okay if you suck.”

I run my fingers through my hair as the severity of our situation presses like a boulder on my chest, caving it in. “I know. There’s one more thing, though. Your coach expects you to show up at the charity event tonight and bring your girlfriend—aka me.”

“What did you tell him?”

I exhale loudly. “I said I’d bring you.”

His brows shoot to the heavens. “Does that mean you’re on board with pretending to date me?”

I throw my hands up in the air. “What other choice do I have?”

Keanu grimaces. “Can you please try to pretend like the idea of dating me isn’t such a burden? I can be an excellent boyfriend.”

My eyes narrow. “Have you ever had a girlfriend⁠—”

“Yes.”

“—who lasted more than a week?” I continue.

He rubs the back of his neck in a sheepish way. It’s odd that I can see Keanu in that gesture, even though I’m staring at myself. “Well… no.”

“If we’re going to fake date, I want to establish some ground rules.”

“Of course you do.” He rolls his eyes.

“No PDA.”

“Come on. How are we going to sell we’re dating if you don’t let me touch you?”

“You can hold my hand, but no kissing.”

He chuckles. “All right. Fair. It isn’t like I’m dying to kiss you anyway. You’re not my type.”

I should be relieved he agreed so quickly to my rule, but instead, I’m annoyed. “What do you mean? I’m everyone’s type.”

My outburst makes him laugh harder. “Okay, darling. And you said I had a big ego. Look who’s talking now?”

“Shut up and get ready. I still need to do your hair and makeup.”

“Wait. That’s it? You said ground rules, but you only mentioned one rule.”

I grab the dress from the bed and offer it to him. “I haven’t thought about the rest yet. It’ll come to me. This is the dress I want you to wear.”