If Yesterday was Real (Benson Sisters #1)

Chapter 3: My younger sister is a fraud

Chapter 3: My younger sister is a fraud

It's a silent ride on the way home. I'm usually not comfortable with silence, but this time I let it slide.

Colter parks his car perfectly just outside my apartment. "I'll pick you up at 7 sharp tomorrow." He says, unlocking the car doors for me.

"Colter."

"Yes?"

I purse my lips. "I'm sorry. About trying to, uh, kiss your cheek earlier."

He shakes his head. "Don't be. I'm sorry for being an awful boyfriend. I mean, this whole thing's my plan anyway. And I told you I'd be okay with the whole touching thing."

He gets it. "Wow."

"What?"

"Nothing. I just thought you'd put up more of a fight."

His expression doesn't change. "Goodnight, cheerleader."

"Night, Colter. Save me a seat every Spanish class, okay?"

"Got it."

"Also, would you be alright Joana joined us tomorrow? I don't think she likes taking the bus to school very much. Plus Cara just moved out today—"

Colter cuts me off. "Fine by me. Why didn't we drive her home today?"

"Oh, don't worry. She works at the coffee shop immediately after school. It's where her boyfriend Troy works as well, so he's the one who drives her home."

He nods. I suddenly feel like I've talked too much, and head inside in a hurry before making a fool out of myself even more.

Joana isn't home yet as usual since she gets off at 8. I make dinner and clean the apartment. When the clock strikes 9, I eat my share of dinner and head to my room to call Cara.

She picks up on the fourth ring. "Hey! I just finished eating dinner. Jo isn't home yet. How are you?" 

"Hey, Marge. I, uh, just settled in actually. How's the whole fake relationship thing?"

"I got the reaction I wanted." Well, kinda. "Even though Daniel hasn't really done anything yet, it felt good to see him surprised and all."

A beat of silence. "How are you holding up?"

The picture of Miss Wendy and Daniel kissing crosses my mind. "With the whole cheating thing? Not great. It still hurts seeing him..."

Cara sighs. "I understand, Margery. Take it one step at a time, okay? Moving on is a tough process. But hey, at least your fake boyfriend is cute. How's he treating you, by the way?"

"Colter's, uh, great. I'm kind of nervous about meeting his whole family though. His dad seemed really hard on him."

"Hey, you guys made a deal. Bensons don't back out of deals!"

I chuckle. "I know, Cara. It's just that... he never really told me why I needed to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his family, you know? I still don't see what he really benefits from this situation."

Cara hums. "You'll find out soon enough anyway. What matters now is that you're no longer the girl whose boyfriend cheated on with some teacher."

The image of Miss Wendy and Daniel making out enters my imagination once again. The doorbell rings, and Cara and I big goodbye as I open the door for Joana, who gives me her usual tired signature smile.

"So..." she stuffs a piece of meat in her mouth, "you and the debate guy really made an impression today."

I sigh. "Sometimes I wonder if this whole thing with Colter was the right move." I drop my voice, "he's so unlike me. He's nothing like Daniel as well."