Fake Out (Fake Boyfriend 1)

Damn. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Cheri waves us off. “It’s okay, and I promise I won’t stay long. I’m fine with sleeping on the couch.”

“You can take my bed. I’ll take the couch,” Maddox says.

My eyes go to his couch which is lucky to fit my sister on it who’s a short-ass. No way Maddox would be comfortable there. “You could stay with me,” I find myself saying.

So much for going slow. The words fall out of my mouth without thought, but I don’t like the thought of not seeing him for a while after last night. And he did say it’ll only be a few days.

His lips quirk. “Or I could stay with Damon.”

Cheri smiles. “How about I take you boys out for brunch to say thanks.”

“Uh, okay,” Maddox says, sounding a little unsure.

I agree to it even though I need to get home to study. Blowing it off again after not doing any last night is going to sting when I fall behind, but Maddox seems out of his element with Cheri. Maddox says she’s a hippie and expresses free love and whatever, but it has to be hard finding out your mom’s not really your mom.

We walk one block to a diner, and Cheri starts in on us as soon as the waitress takes off with our orders. “So, I hope you don’t mind me saying anything, but your dad gave me the impression you two weren’t together.”

Maddox already told his parents we broke up? That was always the plan, but I didn’t realize he’d do it so soon.

“Ah, about that,” Maddox says. “I didn’t realize Dad had blabbed. When I took Damon home with me, we were just friends. Now we’re …”

My eyes widen. What are we? He says he wants to date me, sure, but it’s too early for the boyfriend title. One night together doesn’t make a relationship.

“More than friends,” he finishes.

I can live with that.

“It’s a long story,” I say. And I’d really like to hear the end part that I’m missing. “What’s this trial you’re involved in?”

Cheri’s hands shake with a small tremor, but she pulls them into her lap under the table to hide them. “It’s a clinical trial for new medication to slow down the advancement of MS. Because mine’s advanced faster than anticipated, I’m the perfect lab rat.”

“Hopefully it works,” Maddox says.

“I won’t even know which group I’m in. I might be in the control group who are given placebos, but I’ve got nothing to lose. Literally. I’ve already spent my life savings on treatment.”

“You don’t have insurance?” I try to keep the judgment from my tone.

“My insurance covers some but not all.”

“How are you paying for the trial?” Maddox asks.

“The cost of the trial is covered by the pharmaceutical company running it.”

“Then we should really hope it works,” Maddox says.

When our food comes, Cheri turns the subject back to Maddox and his life. He says how he’s always had the desire to travel, and her face lights up.

“You must get it from me,” she says.

He matches her smile. “You’re probably right.”

I don’t think something like that is genetic, but I don’t say anything. I’m not that much of a dick. They’ve found some common ground to bond over. I’m not going to shit all over that.

By the time we finish the meal, Cheri has practically mapped out a trip for Maddox with all the things he must see and do when he gets the chance. It sounds amazing, and I find myself wanting to plan it together—travel together. But I know it’s way too soon for that. I think I’ve inserted myself into Maddox’s life too much already by inviting him to stay with me for a few days. That might be the manwhore’s quota of clinginess for a while.

The waitress comes back with our check, and Cheri reaches for it. “My treat, remember?” I almost get a thank you out when she reaches into her bag. “Oh, shoot. My wallet isn’t here.” She rummages some more but comes up empty. “I must’ve left it in my suitcase back at your apartment.”

Maddox chuckles, as if it’s not the first time Cheri’s forgotten something. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get this one.”

“Thanks, honey. I should get going. I need to be at the hospital in fifteen for my first appointment.”

Maddox reaches into his pocket and pulls out a key. “Here, I had this made for you while you’re staying. Can you find your way back to the apartment? I, uh, need to talk to Damon for a sec.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been to New York plenty of times. You two stay here and finish up.” She stands and glides out the door. Even though she’s dressed for early spring in New York, she has that hippie swagger where she seems to float.