He's With Me (13 page)

murmur that Lexie could clearly hear.

Lexie felt her heart sink. Jake and Amy had been looking for privacy? Why?

Did she want him back? More importantly...did he want her back?

She couldn’t really blame him. A real girlfriend sounded much better than a

pretend girlfriend who he didn’t want to date at all, even if that real girlfriend was an ice queen like Amy.

What was he thinking then? Was he disappointed that they were

interrupted? And did he really think she and Riley...?

She couldn’t tell from his expression, although she thought maybe he

looked a little bit mad.

There was a tense pause, and then Jake seemed to take a breath and come

back to the room, blinking. He gave his shoulders a small shake that dislodged

Amy’s hand, and he stepped across the space to Lexie.

“Hey,” he said, and his smile made the knot in her stomach melt away.

“Hey,” she said, smiling back at him. He took her hand and turned to Amy.

“Amy, you remember Lexie,” he said. Amy lifted her nose and looked down

it at Lexie. She seemed even taller than Lexie remembered, and she was also

dressed elegantly, in skinny jeans, a long purple top, and a sleek silver belt. Jake

had tried to bring her out with Lexie and Colin a couple of times, but that had

been a disaster. Amy clearly had no interest in talking to either of them, whereas

Jake seemed more interested in their conversation than hers. That was close to

the end of their relationship.

“Yeeees. Bree told me you were dating...her,” Amy said. “Is it true?”

No, Lexie thought sadly.
It’s not true. If it were
,
this would be the best
moment ever
,
you skinny witch
.

“Yup,” Jake said with no hesitation. “Lexie is my girlfriend.” He shot a glare

at Riley, as if that was a reminder for him, too.

“That’s right,” Lexie said. “He’s with me.” She couldn’t resist giving Amy an

enormous smile – a smile that said,
That’s right
,
you lost him and now he’s mine
.

Still, Lexie wondered if Jake felt as confident as he looked. The whole

scheme had been for Bree’s benefit, to protect him at summer camp. He probably

hadn’t expected the entire school to find out. Now everyone, including Amy and

whatever girl he’d like next, really would think he’d dated her. Was he

embarrassed about that?

The patio door opened and Bree came in, followed by a handful of other

people. One of them was Colin, who wondered over to Lexie with a plate of mini

food.

“It’s about time you showed up,” she hissed.

“Believe it or not, someone actually spoke to me,” he said. “I wish I could

tell you who, but it wasn’t that memorable a conversation.”

“Oh,
there
you are, Jake,” Bree said. “I saw Amy whisking you away and I

was like, ‘Oh, no, we’re not going to see
them
again for the rest of the night!’” She gave Lexie a sly look.

“We just couldn’t resist the air-conditioning,” Jake said.

“Me, too,” Bree chirped. “Hey, who wants to play Truth or Dare?”

There was a chorus of “ooh, me!”s.

“Truth or Dare?” Jake said skeptically. “That’s a little childish, don’t you

think?”

“Not if you play it right,” Bree said with a coquettish smile. She plopped

herself down on one of the fluffy couches. “Come sit here with me, birthday boy.”

She patted the cushion next to her, Jake glanced at Lexie. “We can go back

outside,” he said in a low voice.

“Wait, I want to play,” Colin interjected in a whisper. “I’ve never been to a

party with Truth or Dare before.”

“I don’t think you want to play Bree’s version,” Lexie said softly to him.

“Come on, guys,” Colin said. “Just for a minute? Please?”

“It’s up to you, Lexie,” Jake said. “Whatever you decide.”

“Um – okay,” Lexie said. “Maybe it’ll be fun.”
Doubtful...but if it cheers Colin

up
,
it might be worth it
.

Amy and Riley were already settling onto beanbags on the floor, and other

people had taken the other couches and chairs. Bree patted the cushion beside

her again, batting her eyelashes at Jake.

“Scoot over,” Jake said to her firmly, holding Lexie’s hand.

Bree sighed huffily and slid to the side so Jake and Lexie could both sit

down. Colin dropped to the carpet at their feet.

“All right, I’ll go first,” Bree said. “Amy, truth or dare?”

Lexie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She’d been sure Bree would go after

her first.

“Dare,” Amy said.

“Okay,” Bree said. “I dare you to take off your shirt.”

Before Lexie could blink, Amy had unclipped her belt and pulled off the

purple top. Underneath, she was wearing a pink polka-dotted bikini top.

“No fair!” Bree protested. “You’re wearing your bathing suit!”

“As if I would have taken off my top otherwise!” Amy said in a mockingly

scandalized tone. “Okay, my turn. Jake.”

Lexie’s heart sank. Would she make him kiss Bree? Or her? She didn’t want

her first kiss with Jake to be on a dare in front of all these people.

“Truth,” Jake said.

Also dangerous
, Lexie thought.
Considering how much truth we’re hiding

here
.

“Truth,” Amy said slowly. “All right. Of all the girls in this room who do you

think is the prettiest? Be honest.”

She and Bree both looked expectant. Of the two of them, Lexie would

probably say Amy, because Bree’s prettiness was harder around the edges, and

Amy had really long eyelashes. But, of all the girls in the room, Lexie would

actually pick the red headed girl on the sofa opposite her. Not only was she pretty

but she also looked nice instead of scary. Lexie thought her name might be Clara,

and she might be on the field hockey team –

“Lexie,” Jake said. “Of course.”

“Of course!” Bree parroted in an offended tone. “You don’t have to say that

just because she’s your girlfriend. You’re supposed to answer
truthfully
, Jake. I’m sure Lexie wouldn’t want you to
lie
.”

“I’m not lying,” Jake said, putting his arm around Lexie’s shoulders. “I’d

think she was the prettiest even if she weren’t my girlfriend. I love how long and

curly Lexie’s hair is, and she has beautiful brown eyes, and the cutest nose, and

just a sprinkling of freckles, and the best smile – ”

“Gag me with an artificial sweetener already,” Bree said, rolling her eyes.

Lexie was sure she’d turned a brilliant shade of red, but she kept her head resting

on Jake’s shoulder so she wouldn’t have to meet anyone’s eyes. Bree waved her

hands. “Fine, whatever, blah blah blah, move on. Your turn.”

“Okay,” Jake said. “Colin.”

Colin looked pleased. He thought seriously for a moment and then said,

“Dare.”

“Hmmm,” Jake said. “Let’s see. I dare you to...” He looked around the room

thoughtfully and pointed. “I dare you to kiss Claire.”

The redheaded field hockey player turned pink.
Clara, Claire, I was close
,

Lexie thought.

Colin stood up awkwardly and so did Claire. He stepped over the rug and

leaned forward, she leaned forward, too, and they ended up bumping lips more

than kissing. Still, Lexie could tell that Colin was trying not to smile when he sat

back down. She realized that Jake had done him a favor, especially by picking the

nicest girl in the room. Amy or Bree might have refused to kiss him, which would

have been terrible.

“Colin, it’s your turn to ask someone,” Lexie said, poking his shoulder.

“Right, okay,” he said. “Uh –”

“And don’t pick your sister,” Bree said snidely. “Act like you actually know

anybody else for once.”

Colin flushed. “Bree,” he said.

“Dare,” she said promptly.

“Um.” Colin picked at the carpet. “I dare you to tell us who the hottest guy

in the room is.”

“That’s just a truth dressed up as a dare,” Bree complained.

“That’s my dare,” Colin said stubbornly.

“Fine,” Bree said. “I pick Riley. Now it’s my turn. Lexie, darling, truth or

dare?”

Riley was grinning. He looked for the first time like he’d noticed that Bree

was interested in him. Lexie was surprised Bree hadn’t picked Jake as the hottest

guy, but she wasn’t surprised that she was the next to go. She had a feeling that

that was where this had all been leading up to. “Um, truth,” she said. She did not

want to do anything Bree might dare her to do.

“Figures,” Bree said, rolling her eyes again. “Okay, let me think.” She

tapped her chin with a manicured fingernail. “Lexie, Lexie. All right, tell us the

truth.” She leaned forward. “How long have you been in love with Jake?”

Cold prickles ran down Lexie’s spine. Now what? Should she lie and say it

had only been a couple of weeks? Should she tell the truth and admit it had been

years? Would Jake figure she was lying no matter what she said? Or would her

voice give her away?

“Go on, Lexie, tell us,” Bree said.

Lexie’s eyes went to Amy, who was pretending to look bored. Would it be

embarrassing to admit that she’d liked him while he had been dating Amy? She

tipped her head back and looked at Jake.

His smoky-gray eyes were watching her. He leaned his head against hers

and whispered, “Don’t worry.”

Whatever that meant, it decided her. She would tell the truth.

“As long as I’ve known him.” she said, lowering her gaze to meet Bree’s.

She felt his arm tighten around her, and he rubbed her shoulder in a way

that she found reassuring.

“Aww,” Bree said. “How adorable. Or perhaps I mean pathetic.”

“I don’t think so,” Jake said. “I feel the same way.”

“Whatever, it’s not your truth,” Bree snapped. “Lexie, hurry up.”

“Riley,” Lexie said. A great idea had just occurred to her. If Jake did think

anything had been happening with Riley, this should convince him otherwise.

“Dare,” Riley said, smiling crookedly.

“I dare you to kiss Bree,” she said.

He looked surprised. So did Bree. So did Jake. A perfect trifecta of startled

expressions.

But Riley got up without protesting and sauntered over to their couch. As

he leaned over Bree, Jake whispered to Lexie, “Let’s get out of here.”

She nodded and pulled herself up, tapping Colin on the shoulder.

“Where are you going?” Bree said, shoving Riley away mid-kiss. “Jake, you

can’t leave your party – it just started.”

“Sorry,” Jake said. “I promised my parents I’d be home for a birthday

dinner.” He lifted his palms up as the others groaned.”What can I do? If I’d known

about this, I would have planned differently.” He helped Lexie to her feet.

“Well, then Lexie should stay,” Bree said with narrowed eyes. “Since she

didn’t schedule you better.”

“She’s invited for dinner,” Jake said smoothly. “You know...because she’s

my girlfriend.”

Bree scowled, and Lexie hid her smile. How did he manage to be so

perfect?

“Have fun, guys!” Jake said. “Thanks for the party!”

“Bye,” Colin said with a wave. Claire wiggled her fingers at him and he

blushed.

“See you tomorrow,” Lexie said. Riley half saluted at her. He looked lazy

and carefree, as if their intense conversation earlier hadn’t happened.

The flustered maid let them out, and as the front door closed behind them,

all three let out relieved sighs. Lexie started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Colin asked.

“We’re such freaks,” Lexie said. “Normal kids would be psyched about a

party, but we can’t wait to leave.”

“That’s cause it’s a Bree party,” Jake said. “I’d rather not be normal than be

like those boring people in there. Oh, oops – I forgot my present.”

“The expensive leather jacket?” Colin asked.

“Yeah, the one Bree just happened to have lying around,” Jake said. “Quick,

let’s go before she realizes and chases after us with it.”

“But it’s your birthday,” Lexie said. “Don’t you want you hang out with

everyone?”

“Yes,” Jake said, “if by ‘everyone’ you mean you guys.”

“Sadly, I can’t,” Colin said. “I’ve, uh, hot stuff to do.”

They had reached their bikes now. Colin’s was hidden in back of the garage,

next to a couple of others.

“What stuff?” Lexie said. “What stuff could you possibly have to do in the

middle of summer?”

“Just stuff, okay?” Colin said defensively.

“Our hard working friend Colin,” Jake said. “Is it film-related?”

“No,” Colin said. “And maybe if I weren’t a moron, I wouldn’t have to work

so hard.” He kicked off his bike and pedaled away fast.

Lexie and Jake exchanged puzzled glances.

“Any idea what that was about?” she said.

“Nope.”

“He’s been acting like that for a week,” she said. “I wish he’d tell me what’s

going on.”

“At least you’re not ditching me yet,” he said. “Want to get ice cream?”

“You don’t really have to be home for dinner?”

“Not till nine,” he said. “Mom’s on call until then.” His mother was a burse

at the local hospital. “And I assume you told yours you were going to a party.”

Lexie laughed. “She couldn’t have been more excited if I’d told her I’d won

an Oscar. ‘My Lexie! A party!’ If I’d given her time to shop, I can’t imagine what

she would have come up with.”

“But then I’d have been suspicious,” Jake said.