Chapter 8: Decoy

"Here's the plan," Rory said, on Wednesday night, in front of the student union.

"We go in together, we look happy, and we kiss once, in the doorway, when Lacey's phone is up."

"Why would we kiss?"

"Because she's expecting you to hide in the bakery for the rest of the semester."

He pointed at the doors.

"She's hosting the Homecoming Kickoff Social in there, and she'll want you in the corner, crying into a napkin."

"I don't cry into napkins."

"Exactly. We show her."

I looked through the glass doors.

The social was in full swing, with orange and black balloons and a table of tailgate club merch.

Lacey stood in the middle of it with her phone held up for a video.

Lance stood beside her in his letter jacket.

"It's one kiss," I said. "For show."

"For show."

"And it's the end of it."

"Scout's honor." He held up three fingers that were clearly the wrong ones. "Also, remember Rule Four."

"Not falling for your brother."

"Correct."

"And you?"

"Rule Four says brother, singular," Rory said solemnly. "I checked."

I laughed again, and that was the problem with Rory.

Everything around him got lighter, so I forgot to be careful.

He took my hand, laced his fingers through mine, and pushed open the door.

Heads turned, and conversation dipped, and Lacey's phone swung toward us.

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