Page 62 of Against The Rules

“You’re still married?”

“I’m still married.”

“And you’re… okay with this?”

“He’s paying me. To be his girlfriend. And stay married to him. That’s how I got the money for the business."

Presley’s mouth drops open. I reach across the table and put a chip in it.

“I told you it was complicated.”

“You could have put queso on that,” she chides. “I don’t know. I think it could be worse. I mean, is this the best start to a relationship I’ve ever heard? No. No, it is not. Absolutely not. Definitely, for sure not.”

“I get it.” I glare at her and grab another taco.

“But…” she draws out the word, raising one perfectly manicured eyebrow. “Do you like him? Is he nice to you?”

“He’s so nice,” I tell her, and to my embarrassment, tears fill my eyes. “He’s so funny. And cute. I like his parents, and his brother can be a turd, but that’s fine.”

“Okay, so what’s the problem? Is it the drunk-married thing? Because yes, that’s a problem, for sure.”

“I get it,” I repeat, taking a drink.

“Is it cheer?” she asks, her voice softer, her forehead creasing with concern.

“They can’t find out,” I say desperately. “They’ll kick me off the team. It will ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

She purses her lips, then takes another taco for herself, squeezing lime all over the top. I squint at her.

“What?”

“What do you mean, what?” she asks.

“Say it. I can take it.” I straighten my shoulders. I’m not really sure I can take it, but I have tequila and that’s almost the same thing as confidence.

“Is being a cheerleader really what you want? I mean yes, I know it’s a privilege and that you worked your ass off to do it, but… are you really happy? You don’t seem happy. At all.”

Shit. My eyes fill with tears.

“Goddamn it, Savannah, I’m sorry.”

I didn’t have the confidence, that’s for sure. I take a huge swig of my margarita because I do, in fact, have tequila.

“It’s okay. It’s not… It’s something to think about.”

“I’m sorry,” Presley repeats. “I’m really not trying to put cheerleading down. Trust me, I’ve seen how hard you work. I just want you to be happy and healthy.”

I push the last half of a taco away. “No, I hear you. I appreciate it. I really do.”

“You don’t sound like it.”

“I mean, it’s just…”

“Say it,” she says, her face flat. “If you’re going to say it, then say it, Savannah, don’t chicken out now.”

“It’s just not fair that you say what you want to me about my life, but when I try to do the same with you, you push me away.”

“It’s different.”

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