The Truth About Faking

seems relaxed and not at all uncomfortable. It feels like old times, but so much has changed.
    I’m happy to see him.
    “Hey, princess.”
    “Hey, Ricky.”
    “You look beautiful as always.”
    “Thanks.” I feel a little embarrassed. That’s what Trent said, and I wonder if the two of them discussed me.
    “I wanted to thank you for what you did,” I say. “For Mom. You were really brave standing up like that. In front of everyone.”
    “It wasn’t that much,” he shrugs. “I’m just glad you told me or I’dve never known.”
    We’re quiet again.
    “Your mom’s a really amazing person. I know you don’t get that now, but she is.”
    I nod. I get it a little more than he thinks I do.
    “Anyway,” he continues. “It’s like I said. I’m glad you told me. She probably wouldn’t have said a word to me, and I’d have never gotten over it if something bad happened.”
    I walk over to the bar and pick up one of the forms he’s brought. It’s his graduation paperwork.
    “It’s been strange not seeing you every day,” I say. “I’ve missed you.”
    As I say the words, I realize I mean them very much.
    “Yeah, I’ve missed you, too.” I glance up and he smiles back at me.
    “I talked to Trent,” I say. “He says you were really nice to him.”
    “He’s a sweet kid.” Ricky looks back out the window for a second like he’s remembering something. “It’s hard being that age and going through all that… stuff .”
    “He says you told him to tell me right away.”
    “Ho, yeah,” he laughs. “When I realized who he was, I had to get you off the hook. I did not want to see you get hurt like that. Especially after all that concentrated effort.”
    “Thanks,” I say, glancing up at him again. “It’s funny because I guess I knew we weren’t supposed to be together or something.”
    “Yeah? How so?”
    “I don’t know.” I sigh, remembering how much I thought about Jason on my dates with Trent. How much I want to see Jason right now. The nonstop longing that crept in unexpectedly. “There was just… somebody else.”
    Ricky grins. “J.J.?”
    I bite my lip and look down.
    “It’s okay! The heart knows what it wants.”
    I wrinkle my nose. “You sound like a greeting card.”
    Ricky laughs. “I’ve been hanging around your mom too long.”
    “No doubt.”
    “Well, I kept texting him possible ways he could tell you,” he says. “But I guess he had to do it in his own time.”
    “That was you sending all those texts?”
    “Yeah.” Then he looks surprised. “Did it cause a problem?”
    “Oh!” I shake my head and exhale a laugh. “I couldn’t figure out who kept texting him on our dates is all.” Then I remember how happy Trent was when he got them.
    “I’m sorry,” he says. “I was just trying to be encouraging.”
    “No worries.” I go to sit down at the table. “I mean, it doesn’t even matter now.”
    “I guess not.”
    “He really likes you, you know,” I say. “He says you told him you’re too old.”
    He glances at me then, “I am too old, Harley.” His voice is serious.
    “Still, if you like him…”
    Ricky walks around the bar and leans against the side closest to where I’m sitting. “You’ve met his mom, right?”
    I raise my eyebrows and nod.
    “After all that happened. Then all that stuff with your mom… I could see her happily having me arrested.”
    We’re quiet a moment before he speaks again. “Either way, it wouldn’t be right,” he says. “You guys are just kids.”
    Just then Mom comes back in the room carrying that silly magnets and menopause book.
    “I’m sorry. I misplaced it,” she says.
    “Thanks.” He puts it in his bag. “Well. I guess this is it!”
    “Yeah,” Mom says. Then she pulls him into a hug. “Keep in touch. And if I can help you with anything, let me know.”
    Ricky smiles at her with so much warmth. It’s funny because before I’d interpreted that look as passion. Now I realize it’s something else entirely. He turns to the door, and just like that, Ricky’s gone.
     
    At lunch Mom and Dad are engrossed in their discussion of Dad’s sermon. It’s nice to see them back to normal with each other, as if nothing ever happened. I can’t believe Dad was right about that, but I’m glad.
    When I finally finish eating, I run back to my room and grab my phone. I’m not sure if Trent will respond, but I have to try.
    U OK? I text.
    After a few seconds, I get his answer.
    Yes.
    How’d it