Page 28 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

and telling me something I don’t want to hear. Besides that, why are

you here, anyway? Since when do you come over to hang out with

me?”

“Never,” he admits. “But I was thinking about our little powwow at

the bar the other day, and I wanted to reach out.”

I poke my hand out from under the car and nod. “Good, then reach

out.”

He takes my hand and pulls me on my back from under the car, the

board with wheels sliding me right to his knees where he’s bent

forward. He helps me stand, and then we both seem to agree to back

away from one another. There’s an odd air between Percy and me.

I grew up in a different world than him.

I was popular and always tried new things with my peers. Percy

didn’t really have many friends in high school, he wore similar

clothing to what he’s wearing now, and his family wasn’t very well-

liked by the townspeople.

Now it seems the tables have turned.

He’s more involved with Rally than I am, and he still has a bit of

bravery inside of him that is okay with showing his face in public.

Now, more than ever before, I know I can’t go into town. I can’t walk

by that smug ex-boyfriend of mine, and I refuse wholeheartedly to go

to that damn wedding.

“Who else came by?”

I cock my head curiously. “What?”

“You said you already dealt with an asshole today. Who was it?”

“Oh, Ryan came by,” I grumble. “Just here to spread that happy news

about him and… Well, your ex-girlfriend, I guess.”

He nods knowingly, almost like he’s aware of the upcoming wedding

as well. I can’t help but wonder if he knew when we talked at the bar,

if everyone has known for a while, and no one has had the guts to

---