“Sure. It’s your personality holding you back. Everyone forgets about you because you’re too quiet and shy.” She giggles to herself. “That is until you came out of your shell for spring break. Who knew Kylie Green could be so much fun?”
I smirk. “Certainly not me.”
“Do you feel better about yourself when you’re with Parker?”
I sigh and admit, “Yeah, I do.”
“That’s what I want,” Yvette murmurs and then moves off the sleeping bag. She unzips the canvas door and leaves the tent.
Panic fills my veins. What does that mean? Does she want to feel more secure when she’s with Lewis? Or, does she want to feel better by getting with my fake boyfriend?
A boost of adrenaline fires within me, and I leave the tent after her.
I don’t have to move far to reach Yvie. She’s stopped in the middle of the campsite, staring ahead. I move next to her and find Parker and Lewis sitting on a log. Parker rests an elbow on Lewis’s shoulder as they both stare out into the distance. Their closeness is so sweet.
“Aww.” Yvie pouts and clutches my hand. “Look, our boyfriends are best buddies. That’s why I want us to be close too.”
My heart swells. “Me too.”
It’s the truth. Even though I wish we swapped boyfriends.
My heart misses a beat.
I do want that. Don’t I?
Yvie tugs me forward and the boys watch us and smile.
“Aren’t you two just the cutest,” Yvie says on our approach.
Parker drops his arm off Lewis and fixates on my hand in Yvie’s. “You two look like you’re getting along.”
Yvie drops my hand and sits by Lewis. “Kylie and I want to get closer. I mean, how else will we survive our future double dates?”
Lewis’s eyes light up. “Future dates? So, we’re okay?”
Yvie leans in and pecks his lips. “We’re okay.”
Parker’s chin drops and he turns my way. He may as well have crushed up my heart like a wad of paper. Disappointment cuts through his stare, and I see all the questions running through his head. Why didn’t I feed into Yvie’s insecurities? Why didn’t I encourage her to end the relationship with Lewis for good?
Yvie brushes the side of Lewis’s face. “Kylie said some really nice things back there. It’s the kind of stuff I want for us. I want us to be better.”
Lewis grins, muttering, “Wow.”
The wonder and gratitude in Lewis’s face is too much. Coupled with the disapproving sting from Parker, I’m about to shatter into a million pieces.
I back away, mumbling, “I need a minute.”
“Kylie,” Parker says in a low tone.
When he pushes off the log, I turn and run.
I dart away from the tents and weave behind the cars.
“Hey,” Parker says, grabbing onto my elbow as I flee behind his car. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not okay with this,” I yelp. “I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Look, I know it’s...”