As If I Could Ever Fake You

I’m Not Jealous. I Just Don’t Share.

Jay had a good day.

Until she showed up.

They were at the gym after hours — Keifer helping out the basketball team while Jay waited near the doors, earphones in, watching his stupidly perfect form.

Then a girl ran up to him.

Tall. Ponytail. Too confident.

Jay took one earphone out.

The girl smiled and said something too sweet. Then she hugged him.

Like, long-hugged.

Jay watched it all — the way Keifer tensed a little before casually patting the girl’s back. He looked over his shoulder, and that’s when he saw her.

Jay.

Watching.

Expression unreadable.

He found her outside five minutes later.

“Hey,” he said. “You okay?”

Jay didn’t even look at him. “Fine.”

“Jay…”

“I said I’m fine.”

He paused. Then smirked. “You’re jealous.”

Jay whipped her head toward him. “Excuse me?”

“That’s your jealous voice.”

“I don’t have a jealous voice—”

“You do. And I love it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Who was that girl?”

“Backup shooter. Old classmate. Practically a cousin.”

“She didn’t hug you like a cousin.”

Keifer’s eyes twinkled. “You sound very territorial.”

Jay stepped closer, poked his chest. “I am territorial. Don’t test me.”

He leaned in, lips inches from hers. “Good.”

Later That Week: Double Date Time

Jay and Keifer stood outside the café waiting for Yuki and her mystery date.

Jay adjusted her jacket. “This is stupid. Why are we double-dating?”

“Because Yuki begged and also threatened me.”

“I’m not good at coupley things.”

Keifer laughed. “You literally threatened a girl for hugging me. You’re great at coupley things.”

Before she could glare at him, Yuki arrived — dragging along none other than Rei from Class C. Tall. Too pretty. Chaos incarnate.

Yuki grinned. “Everyone, meet the boy who makes me want to punch a wall and also kiss him.”

Rei waved. “Hey.”

Jay blinked. “You’re dating him?”

Yuki shrugged. “I’m healing in the wrong direction.”

They sat in the far corner of the café.

Yuki and Rei were flirting one minute and arguing the next. Jay couldn’t tell if they were compatible or cursed.

Meanwhile, Keifer held her hand under the table the whole time.

Jay tried not to smile.

Tried harder not to lean into him every time he whispered something sarcastic about Rei’s dramatic hand gestures.

But the best part?

When the waitress came by, smiled a little too long at Keifer, and asked, “And what can I get for you, handsome?”

Jay didn’t even hesitate.

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

“He’ll take a black coffee. And he’s taken. Thanks.”

Keifer nearly choked on air.

Yuki burst out laughing. Rei whispered, “Protective. Hot.”

Jay just sipped her drink.

“You good?” Keifer asked quietly.

“Perfect,” she said. “Just watching girls forget their place.”

End of Chapter