Page 89 of The Facade

“No, of course not,” I hurried to say. “It’s definitely not Ben. It’s just…” I trailed off, trying to figure out what to say.

“I’m really good at keeping secrets.” She smiled. “You know you want to tell me.”

“Ahhh,” I said, feeling torn. It would be so nice to have someone to gush over my relationship with. Crushes were always more fun when you had someone to talk with about them.

I looked at my friend, debating on whether I dared leak the secret to her or not. Could I trust her?

Would Mack be fine with me telling Elyse? I knew I was the one who came up with the whole plan to keep it secret in the first place. But if Mack was keeping it a secret from his best friends, shouldn’t I have to keep it a secret from mine?

“I could justaccidentallypeek at your phone if you’re not allowed to tell me…” she said, walking her fingers across the table toward my phone. But before she could lift it up, I swiped it away from her.

“Sorry,” I said. “I want to tell you, but me and this guy promised each other we wouldn’t tell anyone.”

She frowned, her face falling with disappointment.

“It’s just so new. I don’t want to jinx it,” I added, hoping it would help. “But for what it’s worth, if I was going to tell someone, I’d tell you first.”

“You know I can just follow you wherever you go and find out that way,” Elyse said.

“But you’re a good friend, so you won’t,” I said.

“Promise it’s not some jerk I wouldn’t approve of?” She raised an eyebrow.

“He’s definitely not a jerk,” I said, unable to keep a smile from my lips as I thought about Mack and how amazing he made me feel when we were together. “He’s special.”

She studied me for a moment, like she wasn’t sure she could trust my judgement when I was being so secretive. But then she shrugged and said, “Then I hope you enjoy texting this mystery guy.”

“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.

She nodded. “And if something does go wrong, I’m sure your brothers, Hunter, and Mack will be happy to take care of him for you.”

I laughed somewhat hysterically because she had no idea she was suggesting Mack take care of himself. But since I couldn’t explain that, I just said, “I have no doubt that my brothers wouldn’t have a problem seeking revenge if I did get hurt.”

“Speaking of brothers…” Elyse said, nodding toward the open library doors. “Looks like my brother and your brother are done with basketball practice for the day.”

Sure enough, when I looked behind me, I saw Mack, Carter, and Hunter standing with their gym bags in a huddle with a few other guys from the team.

Mack glanced in my direction, and when our eyes locked, I felt breathless for a second. Because instead of looking at all the other girls milling around the library and the hall—the girls who were popular and skinny and perfect—he was looking at me.

It was too good to be true.

And yet, itwastrue.

I looked away not too long after, since continuing to stare at the gorgeous boy who lived next door would make my feelings super obvious. But when I turned back to Elyse, I worried she may have sensed too much from the few seconds of eye contact Mack and I had shared because she studied me with a curious expression on her face.

“My half-brother is quite the catch, isn’t he?” She raised a knowing eyebrow, watching me for my reaction.

And I knew I was caught.

“Um, sure.” I cleared my throat, trying to hold onto what little thread of mystery I had. “I mean, if you’re into the tall, dark, and handsome sort of thing.”

Which, obviously I was.

She had been into it, too.

Which made me wonder if she was going to be bothered by the fact that I was with Mack when she’d liked him just a few weeks ago.

But instead of looking upset, she simply smiled with a sparkle in her eyes, leaned closer and whispered, “Your secret is safe with me.”

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