Fake Boyfriend - Kate Brian by Kate Brian Read Free Book Online

around to kick her heel back against the lockers. "She's never going to get over that jackass, is she?"

    Lane decided to take pity on her friend. "I haven't told you the good news yet, Viv."

    Vivi's eyebrows shot up, and she turned and huddled toward Lane. "Good news? What good news?"

    Lane leaned in, savoring the moment. "She didn't talk about Shawn either. Not one single word. No 'Will we get

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    back together"' No 'Why hasn't he called me"' No 'Do you think he's with Tricia right now"' Nothing. And we were on the phone for at least an hour."

    The news had its desired affect. Vivi's entire face lit up. "Not one word?" "Not one word."

    Vivi laid her hand out to be slapped, and Lane slid her palm across it with a smirk. At first she had thought that Vivi's MySpace plan was ridiculous and fraught with potential disaster. But Isabelle had sounded good on the phone last night. Almost happy. And after more than a week of self-doubt and misery, hearing her friend laugh was enough to get Lane behind the Brandon plan. At least for now.

    "Hey, girls!"

    Lane and Vivi looked up to find Isabelle striding toward them. Her hair was neatly brushed, her makeup was in place, and she was wearing her favorite red top and cute floral skirt. Lane went giddy at the very sight of her.

    "She's ba-ack," Vivi sang under her breath.

    "She so is," Lane agreed.

    "Come on," Isabelle said as she passed them by. "I need a bathroom run before homeroom."

    Lane happily slammed her locker shut, and she and Vivi flanked Isabelle on their way down the hallway. They were almost to the bathroom door when Shawn Littig himself came around the corner, looking as bad-boy hot as ever, all unshaven and messy hair, wearing a beat-up long-sleeved thermal T- shirt. Lane's heart caught with nervousness at the

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    sight of him, so she could only imagine what Isabelle's heart was doing. Vivi cursed under her breath.

    "Hey, Belle," Shawn said, leaning against the wall and giving her his puppy dog eyes. This was how he always sucked Isabelle in. Playing the bad boy who was bad only because he was all tortured and needy.

    This is it. This is where the whole plan goes to crap, Lane thought.

    But Isabelle didn't stop. She simply breezed right by him, shoved open the bathroom door, and disappeared. Lane paused for a second, completely stunned, and glanced at Shawn over her shoulder. He looked as baffled as she was.

    "That, my friend, is the Brandon Effect," Vivi said quietly.

    "Impressive," Lane said.

    "I know," Vivi said. "Maybe you'll start listening to my Curtis advice now."

    Lane rolled her eyes as Vivi walked into the bathroom, but she was starting to wonder. Maybe Vivi was right about the Curtis situation. Maybe ... it was time to start listening to her best friend.

    ***

    Lane walked toward the bleachers after school, her heart pounding against her rib cage, trying to get out. All day she'd been thinking about Vivi and Isabelle and Shawn and Brandon. All day she'd been psyching herself up to do the deed. To follow Vivi's advice. To open her mouth and just say it:

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    "Wanna go to the prom with me?" About five minutes earlier, she'd been ready. She'd been absolutely, positively sure that she could do it. But now, seeing Curtis up ahead chatting with some of the guys, she knew the exact opposite was true.

    There was no way she could do this. No way in hell.

    But at least then you'll know, she told herself. At least then you can stop feeling so nauseated all the time.

    Curtis spotted her and grinned, lifting a hand in greeting. Lane's heart soared.

    "Just do it," she said under her breath. "Y can do it."

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    "Hey, Lane!" Curtis said when she finally got close enough.

    "Hey," she replied, smoothing a piece of her hair over her shoulder.

    She was out of breath, and not from the walk. Behind him, a few of his friends bounced a basketball around on the outdoor court.

    "Y ready to go?" she asked, consciously trying not to jump up and