Page 13 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
Theo comes around the kitchen to stand by me. “I need to tell you something. Even if you decide you don’t want revenge on that asshole, I’ll have your back. We can still hang out, and I’ll make you a coffee any time you want.” He pulls his phone from the pocket of his shorts. “I’m not telling you this so you’ll pretend to be in a relationship with me. I’m telling you because you deserve to know.”
He’s scaring me. I have a feeling I’m really not going to like what he has to say.
“Last night, I wasn’t surprised when you told me Dakota was cheating on you. Not just because I can’t stand him—he’s a little bitch who acts like a sore loser every time we play against each other—but because of this.”
The picture he shows me is hard to read, but it appears to be some sort of leaderboard. I recognize Dakota’s and Kal’s names, along with some of their other fraternity brothers.
“What is this?” I ask.
Theo doesn’t try to take the phone away, though he does zoom in a little more. “I know it’s hard to see the details, but it’s a picture I got from an old teammate I played with in an intramural league last year.”
Pointing out the numbers, it’s clear Dakota is leading the pack.
“It’s a fucked up game the Delta Alpha guys made up. They get different challenges and earn points for each one they complete.”
My stomach feels like it climbed up my throat and dropped back down like a ride at an amusement park.
“Henley, most of these are different sexual conquests with random girls they meet at parties. That’s probably why he was getting head from someone at the party last night. It was a bet. The winner at the end of the year gets bragging rights and a few thousand dollars.”
I think I’m going to be sick. “Was I a bet?”
The words are a whisper, because they taste bitter when said out loud.
“No. Henley, this started after the two of you got together. I only got the picture last week. I think it’s part of their initiation this semester.”
It doesn’t make me feel much better, but at least Dakota wasn’t dating me for a stupid bet.
The anger from last night returns, settling into my bones so deep, I’ll be running to my rage playlist for at least a month. How dare he not only cheat on me but also use all those girls to get some points on a board?
Forpocket money.
Men like him don’t deserve good things.
And I want to be the one to take them from him.
“We’re so doing this, but we’re also going to take that fucker down.”
Chapter Six
Theo
It takes about half an hour to drive Henley to her place. Normally, I’d be listening to an audiobook or rolling the windows down to enjoy the breeze, but it’s impossible to think with my brain short-circuiting because of the beautiful girl riding shotgun.
The girl I’ve had a crush on since freshman year of high school is in my car, wearing my clothes she borrowed as well as a pair of slides that definitely don’t fit her, looking out the window with her brows furrowed in thought.
Besides asking for her address for my GPS, the ride has been quiet.
“Do you want to listen to some music?” I ask as I hand over my phone.
She looks at me with her mouth pulled down in a frown.
I laugh. “It’s just a phone, Henley. I don’t think it’s going to shift into a monster.”
The joke flies over her head. I suppose reading romance books about sentient objects isn’t for everyone.
“You handing over your phone without a second thought made me think of how closely guarded Dakota kept his.I thought maybe it was the buzz about him going to the professional league, but it was probably the stupid game.”
Telling her about the rumored fraternity game wasn’t meant to hurt her any more than she already had been. I might not be upfront with my crush on her, but I’m going to be honest with her about everything else.
