Page 4 of The Fake Out Flex

Because that's all I've ever been—and all I will ever be—to Fraser.

His best friend's annoying little sister who bugged him incessantly about hockey since the day his family moved in next door to us and who made him a bracelet to show how much she liked him which he probably threw out as soon as he got home.

And I'm okay with that. There isn't enough cheese on the planet to show how okay I am with that.

With the sauce under control, Levi wanders back. "So. Fraser. What do you think? It's genius, right?"

"Genius is a stretch."

"I disagree. Anyway, thoughts, feelings, observations?"

"About taking Fraser as my date to the wedding?"

He nods. "It shouldn't be a problem, right? Unless you do still have a crush on Fraser?"

I fold my arms. "I do not."

"Great. In that case, since you've got no lingering feelings for him—as well as no other options—and since for some inexplicable reason you are determined to attend Bryce's wedding, it looks like you've scored yourself a date, courtesy of the world's greatest brother."

"Fake date. It would be a fake date," I correct, before quickly adding, "Not that I'm agreeing to anything."

"Sure, sure."

I hate it when he smirks at me in that annoying older brother way, like he thinks he's got the upper hand. Do they ever grow out of that?

"Think about it, Evie. Fraser is…safe."

"Safe?"

"Yeah. We know him. I trust him with my life. He won't ever do anything to hurt or embarrass you."

Unlike a certain ex of mine…

Levi doesn't say those words, but I can tell that's what he's implying.

"Because if he ever did anything wrong by you, he knows I'd inflict a slow and arduously painful death on him."

Levi stares at me.

He's kidding, obviously, but there's something else going on behind his eyes. Something I need more cheese to help me process.

I pick up a cube of Jarlsberg and, as I start chewing, give his suggestion some more thought.

Maybe I should go with Fraser?

He does tick all the revenge arm candy boxes a girl could want when going to an ex's wedding to prove to him—and the world—she's over what happened and has moved on with her life.

Successful sports star? Ding.

Famous? Ding.

Rich? Ding.

Ridiculously attractive? Ding ding ding!

I swallow.

And then I have to swallow a few more times.

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