Page 21 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
Future Henley can worry about that.
I see when my statement hits. He flinches like I’ve slapped him, and for a second, I think he might actually say something honest. Instead, he laughs, mean and bitter.
“This is what you’ve come to?” he sneers. “Desperate for attention? Playing games with my rival like we’re in high school? Very mature, Hen.”
I smile wider, ignoring the way he shortens my name like he’s entitled to any kind of familiarity. “Aw. It’s cute you still think everything’s about you.”
Dakota’s jaw tics. “He’s not who you think he is.”
His words are empty. If he had any kind of dirt on Theo, I would have already heard about it. Dakota wouldn’t miss any opportunity to talk shit about the guy he hates so much.
“Neither were you,” I snap, pivoting before I lose it in front of everyone. This fucker isn’t getting another public display from me.
I don’t look back.
By the time I get to the student union, my stomach’s still coiled tight, but I paste on an unbothered expression. I grab a coffee before heading to the library for a study date with Lily.
It might be the first month of school, but senior-level classes are brutal no matter what your major is. Sports management is full of business and finance classes that bore the shit out of me, even if they are a necessary evil.
“What happened?” Lily asks, falling into the seat across from me.
I groan. “Can there be one person today who doesn’t harass me about my love life?”
“Did Dakota finally find you?” she asks as she digs out her sketch book.
“Un-fucking-fortunately. And shockingly, no apology, just him raging about Theo,” I tell her, sarcasm and annoyance dripping from my tone while I fish out my laptop and notebook.
Lily snorts. “At least he’s predictable with the lack of accountability.”
I knew he’d track me down when I ignored all his communication efforts so far, but I’m unnerved by the blatant anger he displayed in public.
Just as I’m about to turn my phone on silent, I see a text from Theo.
“Miss me, girlfriend? Should I show up to Shoreline with an ‘I heart Henley’ shirt?”
It actually makes me smile, deflating some of my earlier frustration.
Probably not a good call today. Dakota’s on a rampage.
Right away, there’s a response.
Are you okay, Henley? Can I help?
The message has me biting my lip. Theo is so damn sweet. The opposite of Dakota in every way.
And I’m scared to grow too dependent on it.
I’m fine. I handled it.
I leave it at that and silence my phone, wanting to get started on my assignments.
Lily lets out a noise somewhere between a gasp and a snort.
“Oh,hellno.”
“What?” I ask, leaning over.
She turns her screen toward me. It’s a blurry picture of Dakota leaving one of the senior house parties last night. Next to him is a girl in a cross-country hoodie. The caption underneath it is just a bunch of random emojis and the word ‘Oops.’
