Page 56 of Fake It Till You Break It
But it’s not like we could just start dating. I didn’t even know how he felt about me. I mean, one minute he was talking about wanting to kiss me, and the next he was offering to set up another double date with Ben.
I used to be an expert at knowing exactly what Jake was thinking. That the wrinkle above his left eyebrow meant that he was amused and when there was a deep one that slashed across his forehead that meant he was pissed. How he tapped his left foot against the ground if he was forced to sit still for too long. But now…
It was… complicated.
God, that sounded cheesy. Like I was one of those girls online who wanted to make her relationship status seem mysterious, but there was no other way for me to describe it.
Gah, I needed an aspirin. All this thinking was giving me a headache.
“I don’t know what we are.” I jabbed my straw at the half-melted ice, swirling it around.
“And don’t forget, you still have Ben.” Aly let out a deep sigh. “Here you are with two guys, and I’m all alone. When did I become the funny single friend in your drama?”
Noticing the slightly downcast look on her face, I tossed the empty cup into the trash a couple of feet away. It bounced on the rim twice before falling in. “You’re not just the single friend. And the only reason you don’t have a boyfriend is because all guys are idiots. Who needs them anyway? All they’re good for is reaching for stuff on the top shelf and eating all of your leftovers.”
The corner of her lip jerked into a reluctant half smile. “At least I still have you.”
“And you always will.” Balancing the tray of drinks in one hand, I looped my other arm through hers. “Come on, let’s get a good spot before the evening performance starts.”
She laughed, but her arm tightened around mine and we maneuvered our way toward the stage. Even though it was still a little early, there was barely any space to walk between all the lawn chairs and beach blankets that were spread out. It helped that the weather was pretty awesome this year. Last year was so muddy that people had to throw away their shoes afterward. Instagram was full of pictures of barefoot people walking to their cars.
Luckily, we were able to grab a spot right by an oak tree for some shade, just managing to spread our own blanket out between a group of middle school girls and an older couple making out. Like seriously older. Probably about Mom’s age. People around us gave them funny looks, but I didn’t mind the PDA.
Then again, if it were my mom, then I’d probably be gouging my eyes out with my own fingers.
“… and let’s get ready for a brand-new artist. Although some of you might know him from the YouTube channel The Adler Brothers.” The announcer—Ashley or Ashlee, the way she stretched out her name until it sounded like five syllables—said with a laugh as she tossed her perfectly blond hair over her shoulder. “Let’s give it up for Jake Adler!”
My hands cupped over my mouth, and I cheered whenJake came out. He hesitated for a second or two on the edge of the stage until Ashley/Ashlee waved him out. Finally, she had to loop her arms through his and pull him out. Although she still didn’t let go when they got to the center of the stage.
“I heard that you’re debuting a new song tonight. Is it for your girlfriend?”
With a shaky laugh, Jake glanced out at the crowd. “No, not a girlfriend. Not exactly.”
“Not exactly? And whatexactlydoes that mean?”
I leaned forward on my hands as I waited for his answer.
He dragged his fingers through his hair, tugging a bit at the end. His cheeks and forehead were a bit pink. “Uh, it just means that I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Interesting. I guess this means that we’ll just have to find out more later.” She winked at the crowd. “Now, let’s give it up for Jake Adler, you guys!”
When Ashley/Ashlee bounded off the stage, Jake let out a deep stammering breath and gripped the microphone with both hands so tightly that I could practically see his fingers turn white. The little gold ring on his pinkie glinted in the light. “This is my first time performing in front of such a large crowd. Or in front of any crowd actually. Let’s just say that you’re a lot more intimidating than the camera in my bedroom.”
A few people laughed at his joke.
“Obviously, stand-up comedy isn’t my thing.” More laughter this time. “So let’s just cut to the chase and get to the singing, shall we? I hope you enjoy.”
I couldn’t help feeling like a proud mama as I watched Jake up there. Sure, he was a little clumsy and nervous at first, but all of that seemed to melt away with each word that he sang. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. He was meant to be up there. He was meant to be doingthis. I was so happy to see him up there that my cheeks ached from my huge grin.
Aly nudged me with her elbow. “I forgot how good Jake is.”
“He is pretty amazing.” I shot her a side-glance. “Don’t tell him I said that, though.”
“’Course not. Can’t let him know how you really feel about him.”
Greg popped up between our shoulders like a freaking jack-in-the-box. His bright blue sunglasses perched crookedly on the top of his head as he turned his head to look at me. “Exactly howdoyou feel about our Jakey boy, here?”
Without looking over at him, my index finger pressed against the center of his forehead until he was off of my shoulder. “I feel like Jake should be a little pickier about his friends from now on.”
