The Matchmaker's Replacement - Rachel Van Dyken Page 0,41
her head, then glanced at Ian’s back. Her eyes met mine again, pleading.
Something clenched in my chest.
“Actually . . .” I cleared my throat. “Serena did say something about a canned food drive . . . for the homeless.”
Ian finally turned around and looked at Gabs. “That’s cool, I didn’t know you were doing charity work too. You should have told me. I would have helped.”
She shifted on her feet before tucking her hair behind her ears and offering a nervous laugh. How he didn’t see through the lie, I had no idea. “Yeah, well, I know you’re busy . . .”
“Changed my mind.” I made my way up the steps. “I’m starved.”
“Great!” Ian rubbed his hands together and made his way into the kitchen, while I grabbed hold of Gabs’s hand and tugged her backward, whispering in her ear, “I hope you have a really good reason for that lie I just told.”
“I didn’t ask you to,” she hissed.
“Yeah.” My lips grazed her ear, and her body relaxed against mine. “You kind of did.”
Her head hung.
“Gabs!” Ian yelled loudly. “Lex!” He ran around the corner just as I released my hold on Gabi’s arm. “Just got a text from Blake. She sprained her ankle and needs help grabbing all her stuff from practice. She’s fine, but I’m going to go hang with her.” He looked back and forth between the two of us. “Promise me that if I leave, both of you will still be alive tomorrow.”
“Hah.” I held up my hands in innocence. “Us? Fight? No . . .”
Ian rolled his eyes while Gabs let out a little grunt.
“At least finish cutting the bread so I know no weapons are present. I don’t want to have to tell the police I left you both with sharp objects.” Ian made his way back into the kitchen.
Gabs was hot on his tail and shoved him in the back playfully. “Just go! Your girlfriend needs you, and I swear I won’t cut off Lex’s balls.”
Ian exhaled in relief.
“He’d be expecting it, and I like the sneak approach. I’d wait at least until he was sleeping.”
“You wish.” I pushed her out of the way and grabbed the bottle of wine we’d brought. It was time to drink. Especially if I had to be alone with her. But first I went over to the sink to wash my hands. “Believe me, the only way I’m inviting you into my bed is so I can suffocate you with my pillow.”
“I’ll just stay.” Ian grabbed a chair.
“No!” Gabs and I said in unison as I threw my wet hands into the air, causing water droplets to land on his face.
Ian blinked, then shook his head in dismay.
I spoke up again. “Ian, go. Swear we’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure.” He got up again, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
“Totally.” Gabs nodded, too emphatically; we weren’t very convincing. Then again, I wouldn’t believe us either; legit hospital visits had happened because of us being in the same room together.
Ian’s phone went off. “It’s Blake.” His shoulders slumped. “Just”—he held up his hands as a pleading expression overtook his face—“don’t kill each other.”
Within minutes he was gone.
When I turned, Gabs had a knife in her hand and a devious smirk on her face.
“Oh hell,” I muttered. “We need more alcohol.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gabi
We were actually coexisting in the same space, breathing the same air, and not killing one another. We also weren’t talking, so maybe that was the reason. It was horrifying to realize that the only time we didn’t fight was when we were . . . kissing.
I let out a groan.
“Cramps?” Lex piped up. “Because if you want to forgo the whole family-dinner thing, I can leave so you and your tampons can have some personal time.”
Lex’s eyes were dark, soulless pits of hell. At least that was what I told myself whenever I found him attractive, which recently was every single time we were together.
Why was it so hard to focus on all the horrible things he’d done? It was like every time he was nice he erased all the bad with that one good deed. What an asshole thing to do!
Was it on purpose?
“Gabs?” Lex leaned forward. “You’re pale, and you’re staring at my eyes like you want to gouge them out with your fork.”
I lifted the fork into the air. “The idea has merit.”
“I’m too fast for your short legs. You’d end up forking my ass.”