Page 126 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

would explain his new style of suits. He works at the courthouse and

not even as a lawyer. He plays receptionist and security guard on a

budget. But now that he’s shacking up with the mayor’s daughter, her

life has to obviously mesh with his. “The election will be soon, and we

have to get ready to do some campaigning. Looks better when I have

a wife by my side, not a fiancee.”

“Didn’t know you could just wake up and be a politician,” I murmur.

Percy adds, “You can’t. Normally you have to practice being a lying

prick for some time before…” he grins slightly, looking over Ryan’s

taut posture. “Nevermind. Maybe you can.”

Ryan. A politician.

He just doesn’t have a unique bone in his body.

When I was building cars, he was telling stories to his friends that

he’d be this magnificent mechanic.

Now that I’m out of the way, he’s going into politics with Farrah’s

daddy dearest.

Fucking typical.

Percy gives me a lingering look. “So, does this mean we need to get

the car together quicker?”

Ryan smiles wider. “You’re helping with that?”

“Someone has to look after her,” Percy mentions offhand, sliding an

arm behind my shoulders. “You wouldn’t mind that, though, right?”

Ryan certainly minds but pinches his tongue between his teeth. He’s

rattled, and we both see it.

It’s not up for either of us to mention now because Ryan makes some

half-assed excuse to leave and says a parting goodbye. I oblige and

smile while he drives off, waving while his car disappears into the

dust cloud out towards Dingy Hills. Percy stands with his arm over

me in a form of sovereignty, and while I’m not upset by the notion, I

know it’s rooted more in possession than anything else.

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