Page 137 of The Fake Out Flex

We're down three games, which means we need to win the next three to advance.

My lack of concentration and the silly mistakes I'm making aren't helping us.

"If it's any consolation, your stats for the game weren't that bad," Evie says consolingly before taking a massive bite of her burger. "Could be better, obviously, but don't beat yourself up about it. That's my job."

I turn to face her, sitting next to me, and manage a small smile. "Thanks."

I munch on my cheeseburger, determined to leave my abysmal performance tonight in the past. I need to regroup and focus for our upcoming games, and more importantly, I need to regroup and focus on what's happening right here, right now.

Evie, Culver, Hannah, and I are at one of my favorite diners in LA. It's one of those old-timey ones that looks exactly like it probably did back in the 1950s when these sorts of places were all the rage.

I seem to like it, for some reason. It's got greasy burgers and thick-cut fries that Evie loves, for all the usual reasons.

Someone looking at us might assume we're on a double date, which is only one-quarter true since technically, Evie and I are still fake dating—subtract half a point—and Culver and Hannah have been friends their whole lives, so they are firmly in the friend zone—minus one full point.

I shove a few fries into my mouth and chomp down on them as irritation paws inside my chest. I don't like thinking about Evie and me as fake dating because, apart from how it started, nothing about this relationship has felt fake.

I realize we agreed to keep things going the way they are and stick with fake dating, but it's not enough for me.

I want Evie to be my girlfriend. For real.

She and Hannah are talking at their usual breakneck speed, and Culver and I have broken off into our plans for the summer. After his injury earlier in the season, he says he wants to keep the vibe chill and might even visit his family in Comfort Bay.

Overhearing this, Hannah drops her conversation with Evie and turns to Culver, her eyes brimming with excitement. "You are?"

"Yeah, maybe," Culver answers with a noncommittal shrug. "We'll see. Gonna play it by ear."

"If you do, let me know so we can hang out."

That's an innocent statement, right?

A friend excited by the prospect of a friend being close by so they can spend some time together.

Evie certainly doesn't make anything of it, judging by how she's listening while eating her burger.

And Culver is as clueless as ever as he demolishes his.

But me?

I spot it.

The way Hannah looks at Culver. The way she keeps one ear open to his conversations. The thrill she gets at the mere prospect of spending some time with him.

I've always had my suspicions that there was something between them, and now I see it, clear as day. Hannah's got feelings for Culver, feelings that extend way past the boundaries of friendship.

I recognize myself in her, in the way I've felt about Evie for so long, in how I tried to hide my feelings.

"I'm going to get another soda," Hannah says, getting up. "Anyone else want one?"

We're all good.

"I need to use the bathroom," I say to Evie. "Will you excuse me?"

"Sure."

She lets me out of the booth, and I follow Hannah to the counter.

We've gotten closer these past few months since I spend a lot of time either at her flower shop, ordering flowers from her online, or emailing her about flowers I'd like to order, but that doesn't mean I'm about to confront her with my suspicions.

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