“We should talk about these rules you mentioned, for our relationship.”
“Fake relationship.”
He laughs. “Whatever you want to tell yourself. You’re the one who announced I was your boyfriend in front of the entire school.”
“I was just trying to get away from Kenneth. I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Without knowing it, I’ve crossed the room to plant myself right in front of him, and my pointer finger pokes at the pocket on the front of his tee.
Ricardo’s eyes go heavy. Did I just imagine it, or did he just glance at my mouth?
He leans closer. “So, these rules…”
I take a definitive step back. “Fine. No kissing. No bossing me around, and no playing grab-ass in public where I can’t stop you.”
His hand rises to his heart. “Hey, I am highly offended. I would never touch you inappropriately in front of anyone. Especially in a situation where you felt you couldn’t stop me. You, on the other hand, have already proven you’re willing to touch me without my permission. Maybe I should be the one setting the rules.”
My hands find my hips. “By all means, do tell me how to conduct my fake relationship. You’re clearly the expert.” I regret the barb as soon as I’ve said it.
Hurt flashes over Ricardo’s face, but he hides it well. “Your rules are acceptable.”
“Good. Remember, this is for show only. It makes Kenneth jealous, and it keeps your mom at arms’ length. Once they’re both out of our hair, we can stage a breakup and go about our normal lives.”
Ricardo nods, glancing down at his phone screen. “On that note, I should go change for class, and so should you. I know how much you hate being late.” Reaching up, he musses his curly hair with both hands. “Have to keep up appearances, mon coeur.” Arranging his face into an arrogant expression, he leaves.
Getting through the day’s classes is like running an educational marathon, only the obstacles are my brother, Kenneth, and potentially the police. Every time I hear footsteps in the hall I expect it to be the authorities coming to arrest me, but it doesn’t happen.
I keep playing the 911 call over in my head, analyzing it for clues. Is it a joke? Is it not? But I can’t reconcile my memory of that night with the 911 caller’s assertion that the killing was deliberate. Is that what it looked like from the outside?
All of this introspection is making my head throb, so by the time my final class of the day is over, I’m ready for a nap.
“Are you okay?” Adrienne asks as we walk up the stairs to our rooms. “You’ve been quiet today.”
“Yes. Should we be concerned about you?” Genevieve adds, her forehead wrinkling as she looks at me. The hesitation in her voice indicates there’s more she’d like to ask, but doesn’t.
I’m grateful. I don’t want to lie to her any more than is necessary. “I’m fine. Just a headache. I think I’ll rest for a little while, and meet you for dinner.”
“Let me know if you need anything,” my stepsister says, putting a hand on my arm. “Would some macarons help?”
I perk up at this. “Macarons always help.”
“I’ll see if I can whip some up tonight once I’m done with homework,” Adrienne says. “It’ll probably be pretty late. Plus, Mikhail will want to help. I’m teaching him some.” Looking up at the bodyguard, she smiles, a gesture he returns, albeit briefly.
“That’s so sweet,” Genevieve coos.
“That would be amazing. Thanks,” I add.
They move off down the hall, chatting about their piles of homework, Mikhail moving fluidly behind them. I’m glad my sister and Genevieve are becoming friends.
I duck into my room and close the door. It’s really sweet that Adrienne and Genevieve care about how I’m feeling. Honestly, before I made friends with Genevieve last year, the only person who showed concern for me was my mom, and she’s been so busy since Daddy found out he was being tapped as the party’s VP candidate that we haven’t found much time to chat. Now that Adrienne and Genevieve are in my life, it’s making me feel all of these squishy feelings that I’m not sure how to deal with. Messy emotions are definitely not my thing.
A knock on my door snaps me out of my wallowing. Wallowing is exactly what I was doing, and I hadn’t even realized it. Geez, I’m becoming such a sap.
I pinch my nose to ward off the headache growing behind my