Page 73 of Adorkable

“Get what?” Becks said.

“This was for her.” As Becks followed my gaze, the girl jumped and hurried away. With each tap of her heels, I felt another pang go through me. “Good one, Becks. You were really convincing.”

“Yeah,” he said, back still to me, “convincing.”

“That’s what this was, wasn’t it? What you said, that kiss, it was just you being a great fake boyfriend.” In my mind, I begged him to say no. To tell me I was wrong. Please, please, let me be wrong. “This was all just part of the plan to convince her.”

Becks studied my face. There was an odd little frown on his mouth, but it disappeared as he grinned. “Of course, it was. Jeez, Sal, don’t look so worried. Was she watching the whole time?”

“Not sure,” I said, smile wavering. My eyes felt wet, but I wouldn’t let the tears fall. “You know, I didn’t realize we had an audience.”

Becks shrugged, his eyes watching me carefully. “Why else would I kiss you?”

That hit home.

Jumping from the counter, I rushed for the front door. I heard Becks call my name but didn’t pause. Getting away was the only option. Otherwise, he’d see me cry, and that wasn’t going to happen, not over this. I wasn’t stupid. I’d known Becks didn’t love me, but having it confirmed, having it said so plainly after that amazing kiss, I couldn’t take it.

Becks caught my arm on the last step of the porch. “Sal, what’s wrong?”

I didn’t know if it was his touch or the stupid question, but something sparked a fire inside me.

Spinning around, I let it all out. My frustration, my anger, my love, the truth, the words poured from my lips like a waterfall. I told him how mad I was that he’d kissed me just for Mercedes’s benefit, how I wanted him as my real boyfriend not a fake one, how I’d loved him all my life and what an idiot he was for not noticing. I told him everything I’d been afraid to tell him over the years.

And true to form, I said it all in German.

Whenever my blood was up, it became my native tongue. There was something freeing in saying everything out loud, and I did it without fear or restraint, knowing that neither Becks nor any of the bystanders looking would understand what I was saying. And there were plenty of those. Half the party seemed to have followed us onto the front lawn, watching as I ranted at Becks like a mad woman.

When I came to the end, I was breathing heavy, and Becks looked more shocked than I’d ever seen him.

“Sal…” He reached for me again, but I backed away.

“No, Becks.” I was back to English. I wanted him to understand this time. “I can’t do this anymore. Let’s call it off, okay?”

“But Sal, I—”

“It’s over.” I shook my head. He’d wanted big and public, and the crowd around us was hanging on every word, silent enough you could hear crickets chirping. Guess he’d gotten his wish. “It’s just…over.”

As I turned to walk away, I ran straight into Ash Stryker. He was staring at me, wearing an odd expression. I supposed I’d better get used to people looking at me like that.

“Sorry,” I muttered, stepping around him, making my way over to Hooker. Her mouth was hanging open, and she looked nearly as devastated as I felt. “Can you give me a lift?”

She immediately snapped to attention. Shooting a glare at Becks, she linked her arm through mine and said, “Sure thing, Spitz.’’

Hooker led me away from the crowd, and I was glad. At that point, her arm was the only thing keeping me on my feet.

The F.B.F. plan was officially null and void. I’d actually told Becks the truth, in a language he couldn’t understand, but I’d done it. On Monday, everything would be back to normal, no more Bally, no more lies, just me and Becks as we’d always been, best friends. It was a good thing, agreatthing, a relief.

But then why did I feel like I’d taken a wrecking ball to the chest?

CHAPTER 13

There was a light knock at the door.

I grunted, burrowing deeper under the covers. My bed was a safe place, my cocoon, and I wasn’t leaving until someone forced me out.

I heard the door slowly open, footsteps on the carpet, felt my weight shift as someone sat down beside me.

“Sally, are you okay?” The voice was soft. “What’s wrong honey?”

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