Page 67 of The Love Trick

“Well, I’m gonna need all the support I can get, because I have no idea what to do about Blaze.” I take a deep breath and then tell hereverythingthat’s transpired between Blaze and me. “I’m an idiot,” I add at the end. “I’ve ruined our friendship. And you saw how easy he plays it off; it’s like he’s not even phased by any of it!” I throw my hands in the air. “And here I am, venting to anyone who will listen. I’m pathetic.”

“Honey,” Mom says softly, placing her hand on my knee. “It’s okay to be upset, but have you told him how you feel about him?”

“Not yet.” I chew on my lip. “I need to. I told myself I would the next time I saw him or talked to him. I’m just not looking forward to the hurt when I tell him I need space to get over him.”

“Well,” Mom begins, straightening her skirt, “you know, your father and I started out as just friends. He was so oblivious to everything, I swear. It was like I had to bluntly say, ‘Hey, I’m in love with you,’ before he ever got it through his thick skull.”

I laugh. “I don’t think much has changed with Dad. He’s still pretty thick in the head.”

“Most definitely.” Mom giggles. “But I wouldn’t change a thing about him. Because that’s also part of the reason he’s determined to make it work no matter what—and that means something. I think Blaze has that same quality, and maybe he’s just being a little stubborn.”

“But what if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Well, then you can kick him right in the shin for me. Because I’ll be very disappointed in him for acting like that. It’s not fair to you. He’d be leading you on, and I don’t appreciate that.”

“Yeah…” My voice trails off. “I don’t know how to be just friends anymore.”

Mom smiles softly. “You’ll just have to feel it out yourself, but for all the times that Blaze has told you he loves you over the last decade, I think there’s something more beneath the surface. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Addy. Even before the little love trick you two pulled.”

“Thelovetrick?” I can’t contain my laughter, though it comes out a little watery.

“Yes! Or whatever your romance novels call it when two people fake a relationship.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, that’s besides the point. The way Blaze looks at you is the same way your dad looked at me. If he’s too scared to accept his feelings, then that’s on him. And at that point, you’ll have to do whatever’s best for you.”

“If things don’t work out, I’ll probably just be forever alone.” I huff. “No one wants to put up with my antics.”

“Oh stop.” She swats me. “You’re amazing, Addy. You march to the beat of your own drum, and I’ve always loved that about you. The right person will see everything about you and cherish it all—even the weird, quirky parts.”

“True.” I breathe out a sigh of relief.

“Now, we need to get you ready for this chat with Blaze.”

I give her a wary look. “What do you mean? I don’t like the way this sounds…”

She laughs. “Well, I saw how he looked at you when you wore that little black dress in Hawaii. I think we can do better than that, though. We’re going to give you a full-blown makeover to makeyoufeel like the showstopper you are. I’ll call Lexy, and we can get your hair done, and then we’ll get you something even more sexy to wear. He’ll be crazy if he turns you down.”

“Yeah … I’m not getting my hopes up.” I pick myself up off the bench, though part of me looks forward to making the kind of impression that lasts a lifetime. Because then, if hedoesend up turning me down, at least I’ll feel like I went out with a bang.

And I wouldn’t want to go out any other way.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Blaze

WastellinghermomI broke up with her the right thing to do? Heck if I know. But Addy’s reaction to seeing me didn’t feel like part of the act. And now, I’m pretty sure her mom hates me, too.

This is why you shouldn’t tell lies.

I run my hands over my face as I step into the gym locker room, where Cam, Kade, and Dylan are waiting for me. I can’t hide my confusion or upset any longer. Things between Addy and me have come to a head. I know it. Ifeelit.

And I’m terrified of it.

I slam the locker so hard it rattles the whole wall. “Ugh!”

“Dude,” Cam drawls from behind me, stripping out of his shirt to put on a tank top. “What’s going on with you?”

“Addy’s mad at me.”

“Why?”

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