Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
The ruse.
The fake girlfriend.
Operation Get Tansy to Leave Me the Hell Alone.
Prior to the meeting, I had asked Foster, King, North and Atlas to hang behind. North knows what’s going on, but the other three look at me curiously as I stand from my chair and turn to face them. We all sat in the fourth row together, the meeting room fashioned like a small auditorium with rows of stadium seating.
“So, what’s up, dude?” Foster asks with a smirk. “Got some secret game plan that beats the expertise of Coach West?”
I roll my neck to loosen the tension, feeling the weight of the situation. “No, nothing like that. I’m in a bit of a mess and could use your help.”
They all stare at me, except for North. He already knows the deal as I filled him in on my extended arrangement with Tempe. My gaze flicks among all of them. “Most of you know about my hookup with Tansy Carmichael and the fact she’s still stalking me.” My attention shifts to Foster. “Except you. You weren’t sitting with us at Mario’s about three weeks back when she came in looking for me.”
That was but one of a handful of times she’s sought me out and Foster didn’t witness my utter failure in dissuading her.
Foster shakes his head. “No, but I heard about it. She’s still after you? Like in a creepy, leave a rabbit boiling on your stove kind of way?”
“Not quite that dire, but she won’t let up, and worse… she’s threatening to go to Brienne and concoct some story about how I used her. But I swear, dude, that was a consensual hookup and I wasn’t interested in anything past that.”
Foster holds up his hand. “You don’t have to justify anything to me, Rafferty. I know you wouldn’t pull any crap like what she’s claiming.”
The rest of the guys nod their agreement and I’m relieved. Because what I’m getting ready to ask of them is beyond crazy.
“So, you’ve been dodging Tansy like slap shots,” King says with a smirk. “Doesn’t seem to be working.”
“Not working,” I agree with a sigh. “She surprised me in the grocery store last week, and well, I thought I had a way to make her back off.” I launch into the story of how I kissed Tempe, how she went right along with the ruse. Their mouths all drop, except for North’s. I explain that Tansy isn’t buying it, even after Tempe came to the photo shoot day before yesterday. “But North and I thought maybe if I continued the ruse over the next few weeks, that would deter Tansy from following through on her threat to go to Brienne and finally get her to give up. So I talked to Tempe and she’s willing to do it.”
I’m met with utter silence. North cups his hand over his mouth to contain his laugh.
“So you have… a fake girlfriend?” Atlas asks, his lips quivering in a valiant attempt not to crack up. It doesn’t work though, and he issues a hoarse bark of mirth, head tipped back. “Only you could end up in a sitcom scenario!”
“And this random girl, Tempe… she agreed to do this?” Foster asks.
“She’s… she’s not just some random girl.” I find myself defending Tempe more vehemently than I expected. “She’s smart, funny and she’s got her own stuff going on. It’s not like I’m using her—she’s getting something out of this too.”
“Let me guess—this involves the wedding, doesn’t it?” Foster asks, already piecing it together.
“Yeah, I need you guys to back me up at Stone and Harlow’s wedding. Play along that Tempe and I have been seeing each other for a while, especially to Tansy when she comes around, and I know she will. If I can convince her it’s legit at the wedding, then that would be great.”
Although, admittedly, that would mean I wouldn’t see Tempe anymore and that’s not a pleasant feeling.
King shakes his head, chuckling. “This is insane, Raff. But you know we’ve got your back. What about the other guys?”
“We keep it tight. Only we know it’s a ruse. To everyone else, Tempe’s just someone I’ve kept low key,” I explain, hoping my plan holds water.
“Shouldn’t we meet her before the wedding?” Atlas suggests, ever the strategist. “Get our stories straight and all.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” I have no clue if Tempe’s available, but the thought of seeing her today is way too appealing. Even if it’s just in the furtherance of our caper. “Actually, why not now? I’ll give her a call, see if she’s up for meeting you guys. Unless maybe you want to grab dinner tonight?”
Foster and King immediately shake their heads. “Got plans tonight,” King says.
“Going to dinner with Mazzy’s parents,” Foster adds.
“It’s now or never,” Atlas says, and Foster, North and King agree.