One Week Girlfriend - By Monica Murphy Page 0,17

texted marshmallow when I made a bathroom escape.

Now here she was. Ready to whisk me away.

"Thanks for showing up."

"Is he being hard on you?"

"No, I just...don't want to answer all of his questions."

"Oh." That one single non-word is loaded with all sorts of questions itself. None I can answer either.

"Did you like looking at all the stores?" That's what girls did. Shop, spend money, though I don't think Fable really has much to spend. Well, she did if she wanted to blow that money I gave her, but I know she's saving it to take care of her brother.

The noble barmaid named Fable. Sounds like a story out of a modern fairytale.

"The shops here are way too expensive for my taste." She wrinkles her nose, which is cute as hell. "I can't afford to look inside, let alone think about buying anything. I'm not really a shopper anyway."

So what does she like to do besides hang out at the beach? I know nothing about this girl. What I do know, I don't much understand. We're complete and total opposites in pretty much every way.

"What do you like to do then? During your off time?" She stares at me strangely and I feel like an idiot. "You know, like hobbies or whatever."

She bursts out laughing. "I don't have time for hobbies. I used to like to read."

"Used to?"

"I'm too busy." She shrugs. "Working, taking care of my brother, cleaning up around our place, I always end up totally exhausted and when I fall into bed, I'm already asleep." Her gaze cuts away from mine.

"Same here." I keep myself busy on purpose. My class load is heavy, though I have no idea what I want to do with my life beyond football. Hell, I know my coach is mad I didn't stay around campus so I can practice and that still makes me feel guilty. There's a big game coming up and I need to be at peak performance.

"Really?" She sounds shocked.

I nod. "It's easier that way, don't you think? Staying so busy nothing can bother you."

She studies me for a while, her gaze narrowed. Perceptive. As if those dark green eyes can reach directly inside me and examine all my hidden secrets.

I don't like it.

"There you are." I turn to see my dad coming out of the restaurant, his irritation obvious. He glances at Fable and his jaw hardens. "I thought we weren't finished with our conversation," he says pointedly.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I thought you two were done." Fable steps right in like a good little girlfriend, slinging her arm through mine and nestling that hot body close. Her breasts press against my side and she gazes up at me adoringly. "I need Drew's help. I can't make up my mind which pair of shoes I want to buy."

She's good. Not two minutes ago she's complaining about how she hates shopping and now she's the simpering girlfriend who can't make a shopping decision without my input.

"I assume they're for tonight then?" Dad asks.

"What's going on tonight?" Great. I don't want to put on a show for anyone. Bad enough we have to fake this for my dad and Adele. It'll feel like the grand performance if we take this public.

"A special early Thanksgiving dinner at the country club. I told you about it the night you arrived."

No way do I want to go. Sounds like a special sort of hell. "I don't know..."

"I insist," Dad interrupts, wearing that expression that says no arguments allowed.

"Sounds fun." Fable tightens her arm around mine but I hear the tension in her voice. Tonight sounds like a special sort of hell for her too. "What should I wear?"

"Something semi-formal. Cocktail casual." Dad beams, like he knows he's making Fable uncomfortable and confused and that's so fucked up. "I'm sure you have a pretty dress somewhere in your bag of tricks."

"Dad." I'm pissed at the way he talks to her, but how do I stand up to him? I never really have before because shit. He's my father. He's all I have in this world.

He ignores me, no surprise. "Adele will want the two of you home by five to ensure we'll all be ready in plenty of time before we have to leave." Dad glances at his watch. "I have a meeting with a client in thirty minutes. I'll see you two later."

We watch him walk away in silence, Fable still snug at my side until he's gone. She slowly pulls away and