Page 100 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

from everyone. The girl people dreamed of having, knowing they

couldn’t.”

I hiccup slightly, unsure how to accept those words. “I was no one’s

dream, Percy.”

“You were my dream, actually.”

My heart sinks deeper with that admission. “Are you… are you

serious?”

“Yes, darling. Now, are we going to find a backseat to sleep in, or are

you going to teach me more car things so you can get caught up on

work.”

“Don’t change the subject,” I warn. “I want to know more about this.

It doesn’t… It doesn’t make any sense. Are you saying you liked me

before this whole charade?”

He shakes his head, staring at the ceiling in exasperation. “Leah,

please. Don’t act like you didn’t know it. Growing up, everyone

wanted you.”

I blink back tears, both of us surprised by my reaction. We just had

sex, wonderfully intimate sex, at that. And all I can think about is my

broken heart. I’m fucking pathetic. Wiping my cheeks dry, I come

closer to Percy, my feet bare against the gritty floor. I fear stepping in

fiberglass shards from the bodywork I’ve done on several of these

cars, but it doesn’t matter.

A cold tear strolls down my cheek, crawling down my neck and

sending my heart into a pained frenzy.

“Why are you upset?” he asks, striking the tear dead against my

throat. “You are a beautiful woman, with such great values and a

personality that could light up a room. Who wouldn’t want that,

Leah?”

“Ryan,” I gust, my voice cracking and uneasy. “He left me like it was

easy.”

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