Player's Guide To Catfishing (PLAYBOOK #1)

CHAPTER 36: World's best fake boyfriend?

LIAM

Friday.

"Why are you asking me about period pains?"

"I think Vecker is experiencing cramps." My ears shoot up. "She looked paler than usual and kept wincing. She even ended class 30 minutes early today which never happens."

I'm playing video games in the living room because we're hosting a team BBQ and a video game tournament to increase team morale.

It's obviously an excuse to have a boy's night because we're closer than any team I've been a part of and it's all because of Coach Carter—the big softie.

"How do you know they are cramps?" JJ questions as Oliver removes ice from the freezer. "And why does the captain's girlfriend's pain concern you Oli?"

I want to run to JJ and give him a hug because he's right, it's not Oliver's concern. Especially since, said 'girlfriend' has ghosted me once AGAIN.

"I overheard her talking to America on the phone so it's not like that. It just wasn't fun seeing her in pain." Oliver shakes his head. "Anyway how much vodka should I add to the punch?"

"A lot," they laugh amongst themselves as I pause my game.

Oliver is the backup center and a pretty loyal guy. He has a chance of making it to the NBA but he lacks the discipline. I want to think he's harmless but so was the flu at first.

Suddenly it spread, infected and killed billions of people so I wouldn't put it past him to try and pursue Vecker. She seems like the type to fall for the good guy act or entertain it just to piss me off.

"Liam?" Odessa stands in front of me in a messy bun, black sleeping shorts and a pink fluffy long sleeve with a pig on it.

"You look terrible," which is an impossible thing because even though she's paler than usual—like Oli said, she still looks beautiful. "Are you sick?"

I put the back of my hand on her forehead and she's burning hot.

"No," she removes my hand.

"Odessa." I push past her and enter the house.

"I'm fine." She protests but my feet pause the moment I enter what I know is the plague.

America is laying on the couch with a heat patch over her stomach and a wet towel on her forehead. She is in a vest and yoga pants, her hair held back by a bunny ear band.

I look at Jessica on the floor as she braids her hair with 2 patches on her stomach. She's groaning in a t-shirt, dance shorts and mismatched tube socks.

An episode of HIMYM is playing but I doubt any of them are watching. Their coffee table is filled with empty take-away boxes, mugs, different capsules of pain medication and a towel steamer.

Fine, my ass.

"I brought donuts!" I lift the paper bag and both girls come to life.

"Liam?"

They seem shocked to see me. I don't blame them because this is very weird for me too, I've never seen any of them like this.

"Hey girls." I place the warm box of donuts on the table and immediate smiles appear, "brought donuts," I repeat.

"What are you doing?" Vecker falls on the couch as I put a glazed one on a napkin and give it to her.

It has Nutella filling, so I know she'll love it.

"My sister would transform every time she had warm donuts during her moon day." I open my bag wider. "I also brought vegan ice cream, period patches, tampons I once saw in your bathroom and a large box of Kleenex."