Page 228 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

I roll my eyes and cut him off. “Don’t fret. I won’t broadcast your secret.”

He groans. “I know you won’t. That’s not what I was saying.”

I fold my arms. “Why are you clinging to this crush on Yvie? She’ll make you miserable.”

He shakes his head and opens his mouth for rebuttal, but is distracted by others yelling back at the campfire.

I shudder. “What was that?”

He gulps, growing pale. “That’s Yvie.”

We run back to the group just as Yvie yells, “I’m so over this! How much work does it take for you to love me?”

“We’ve been together a week,” Lewis complains. “I thought this was supposed to start out fun.”

Yvette groans, walking off. “All I am to you is some fun.”

She stomps her way to our tent, zipping herself inside.

“Are you okay, man?” Parker asks.

Lewis rolls his eyes, escaping into his tent.

“He finally gave it to her,” Kai says in a low tone. “And so he should. She can’t go saying stuff like that to Jamie, or anyone else.”

Parker nods. “I agree. She needs to cool it. And I think she will.”

“What is with your rose-colored glasses when it comes to Yvie?” Tyler questions. “Why do you think she’ll magically change?”

Parker shrugs. “Because I know she wants to.”

I put distance between me and Parker, and ask Kai, “Where is Jamie?”

Kai throws out a thumb in their direction. “Down there. I think she’s okay.”

I wander down to them, and find Tabitha and Milo sitting on either side of her.

I crouch in front of her. “Are you okay?”

Jamie sighs. “Yeah. She’s said much worse stuff over the years.”

“It’s like it’s her first day on earth,” I say in a hushed tone. “She has to know saying that stuff isn’t okay.”

“It’s how people act when they’re fighting their own insecurities and are terrified of being a target,” Tabitha says. “When I was friends with her and Camila, every day was a fight not to be broken down to my tiniest flaw. With the three of us, if we saw a weak target, we attacked.” She squeezes Jamie’s shoulder. “What she said to Jamie was a cheap shot.”

I roll my eyes. “She’s so obsessed with being part of the cutest couple. Now, it’s blown up in her face. She and Lewis have stormed off to their own tents.”

Jamie smiles and gets up. “So it’s safe to go back to the campfire?”

We stand with her, and I reply, “Only if you’re up for going back.”

Jamie pans around us. “This is my trip with my friends. I’m not going to let Miss Perfect ruin this for me.”

Milo kisses her cheek. “You’re so strong.”

Jamie clutches his hand and nods toward the campsite. “Shall we?”

We join the others and the night is much more subdued than the previous. We return to making s’mores and Kai, Tyler, and Jamie force dares upon each other.

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