Page 61 of Faking Forever 1
My heart is literally in my ass right now, Richard.I can’t say anything because I’m losing my shit.
“Sounds like you’re being humble about something deeper.”
He chugs more of his beer.
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Here we go.
“Please, we’re just friends, Pop. Don’t start.”
“Joshua, you’re going to sit and tell me you chase that girl every day, but you have no feelings for her? C’mon, I wasn’t born last night. I see you, kid. I also heard about your rendezvous a few nights ago on her porch. Joey’s not very happy.”
He laughs. I might throw up.
“Whatever youthinkyou see orhearthrough whatever grapevine, it’s far from that. Trust me. I barely got to kiss her.”
He continues to laugh at me. I bet it’s hilarious, but I nearly had a stroke in a frenzy that night. What’s worse is they have no idea about any other times we’ve kissed and why. The minute he knows about our fake dating, I’ll never hear the end.
“All I’m saying is that everyone sees you two. Whether you’re dating or not. You were acting a little odd there for some time. It worried me, but you were your outgoing self again when that girl showed up again. The childish and loving side of you comes out when she’s around.”
“Funny…”
“I’m serious. Something is going on in your brain and I can tell.”
I feel him look at me a few times before tossing his line into the lake. Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. My brain was running laps right now thinking about London, the camping trip, dating Paisley—it all was happening faster than I could keep up with. Her parents obviously spoke with him about her dad freakingout. Sneaking around is worse than faking. If I have to keep up with both, I think it’s best to end this fake 142
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dating thing and tell her I can’t pretend. My true feelings are too overbearing to do so, and I certainly can’t go back now. More significant problems have arisen, knowing she’s accepted to that school. Wherever she goes, I know I’ll find myself following her eventually. I can’t stay away this time.
Especially if I’m able to get through to her father.
I’d been out all morning trying to prepare for the camping trip. Since Pop gave me the day off, he also gave me the list of needed equipment. I was pretty much done, but that wasn’t the only thing I needed to prepare for. Beau called me this morning with the great idea of making last-minute plans for a volleyball tournament. He suggested half of the proceeds go to my dad’s campaign and the other half to a few different shelters. I’m not entirely up for the game, but if it’s bringing the community together for a good reason, I’ll do it. But not without Sierra and Pea.
I figured I would stop by Sierra’s job on my way home so I could try to convince her to get Paisley to come to the game.
She may have already had done so, but I also needed to vent.
Aside from Beau, Sierra was probably one of my best listeners.
I try not to bug him because his mental plate is much fuller than mine.
Walking into the dinner, I see Sierra wiping down tables. It was pretty empty, meaning she had a few minutes to spare.
So, I make my way over to her.
“Si,” I say urgently.
Her curly hair swings around with her body as she turns to face me, smiling wide.
“Josh, what are you doing here? You want some food?”
“No food—listen, I need to talk to you.”
Her smile curls downward slowly.
