Page 107 of Faking It with Mr. Uptight

But like all good things, it came to an end.

The next morning, as I awoke to the sun streaming through the window and the sound of birds chirping outside, Molly and I lounged around while Hailey went back to school. I worried about how she might be treated and what kids would say about the scandal. I just hoped she would have a good day.

"She'll be okay," Molly reassured me, stroking my hair.

"I hope so," I sighed. "She's a tough kid, but I can't help but worry."

Molly's brow furrowed, concern etched on her beautiful features. "I know. I feel the same way, but we have to trust that she can handle it. If she can’t, she knows she's got us. That's what matters most."

I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee. "You're right."

She smiled smugly. "I usually am. The sooner you recognize it, the easier your life will be."

I scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "I think you mean the less humble you are, the easier your life will be."

Her nose wrinkled. "Not sure that makes as much sense, but I'll allow it."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You are such a dork."

"Yeah, but I’m your dork," she corrected.

"My dork," I conceded. It really wasn't much of a loss after all.

We enjoyed the time alone and if there weren't so many unknowns still hanging over our heads, I would have said everything was great, but it wouldn't be until I sorted this out. I wanted to believe that Valerie was behind it all, that she had orchestrated this whole mess in some twisted attempt to get back at me for rejecting her, but the more I thought about it, the less sense it made. Sure, Valerie had always been a bit of an odd duck and attention-seeking drama queen, but this?

This was a whole new level of crazy, even for her.

Still, I couldn't let it go. I needed to know the truth, needed to clear my name and get the school board off our backs. If that meant being sweet to Valerie to get her to own up to what she did, so be it.

Arranging the meeting, or as I'm sure she told herself, a date, had been as simple as shooting her a few texts. I told Molly I was going out to investigate Valerie and she didn't press me. This should have been reassuring, but I had a feeling she was doing her own investigating.

We parted with languid kissed against the wall before she snuck back to her place. It was a routine that we had to become familiar with. I hated it, but it was the only way to be together while the school board was still up in arms.

Valerie texted me later that afternoon, and I agreed to meet her at Hank's for coffee.

If nothing else was garnered from this meeting, at least there would at least be witnesses to my "moving on" from Molly.

"Jake," she said, sliding into the seat across from me. "I'm surprised you wanted to meet with me after everything that's happened."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. The coffee shop was busy today with a mix of tourists and locals.

"I'm not going to lie, this is the last place I expected to find myself. I mean, you got me in trouble with the police."

She blushed and looked at the ground. "I really was a naughty girl." Her eyes darted to mine as if we were playing some weird cat and mouse game. If Molly were here, she'd make some dumb joke like 50 Shades of Nay.

"I need to know the whole truth, Valerie. Did you have anything to do with the photo leak of Molly and me?"

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked genuinely confused. "The photo leak? Jake, I honestly have no idea who did that. I know I've done some questionable things in the past, but that's not my style."

I leaned back in my seat, studying her face for any sign of deceit. As much as I hated to admit it, she seemed to be telling the truth. There was no hint of that sly, calculating look she got when she was spinning one of her tales.

"If it wasn't you, then who could it be?" I asked, more to myself than to her.

Valerie shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee. "I don't know, Jake, but I can tell you one thing..." She leaned in closer, her hand finding its way to my knee under the table. "I've missed you. I think, deep down, you've missed me too."

I recoiled, pushing her hand away and standing up abruptly. "Valerie, stop. We've been through this. You and I were never a thing. We danced once in ninth grade. You’ve got to move on."

She pouted, her eyes glinting with a mixture of hurt and anger. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when you get your heart broken again. It’ll be too late for us. A girl can’t wait forever."

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