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He grew anxious,sneaking glances towards me via the rearview mirror.
I was plotting how to dump him in a way that'd make my anger go awat.
Before I could decide,his phone kept getting texts—a distinct text alert,like a custom one.
I frowned."Give me your phone."
He hesitated.
But I snatched it.
As expected,it was Lila.
"Don't let your girlfriend put stickers in your car,got it?Or we're done!"
I read it out loud.
Jake blushed.
I sneered,"Weird,why's she so bold?Did Céline Dion give her Courage,or did you give her confidence?"
"I swear,I don't know what's up with her.She's not herself,spouting nonsense like this.We're not even close."
Jake tried to explain,irritated.
"Ignore her."
"Not close,yet wearing matching couple's rings?"I tapped on his finger.
He yanked it off,flustered."This isn't a couple's ring—it's our team's token.Everyone's got one.Didn't you see them wearing theirs tonight?"
"You don't like it?I won't wear it then."
He rolled down the window,tossing the ring out.
"Satisfied?"
"Chloe,no need to be jealous.She's short,dark,has absolutely no femininity.How could I like her?"
"In my mind,she's a dude.How could I have an affair with a dude?If you don't believe me,I'll swear—if I like her,may lightning strike me dead."
"Chloe,don't misunderstand.Tomorrow,I'll quit the team.I'd rather not game than lose you."
"No more seeing her,no more contacting her privately,okay?"
"Really?"I feigned being moved.
He nodded eagerly.
For days,he played the part well.
He made up for our anniversary,stayed by my side,never leaving,let me check his phone,and ignored all of Lila's messages.
He even posted lovey-dovey Instagrams.
Lila couldn't stand it.
"Jerk,where you been?Ignoring your daddy's messages?"
"We had a team meeting.To strengthen our bond,everyone's gotta put a unified sticker on their car."
"I've got the stickers ready.Others already grabbed theirs."
"When're you getting yours?You're not seriously ditching your bros for a girl forever,are you?"
"Jake,last warning:marry wisely."
"You promised,no matter who you marry,you’ll always save a spot in your car and home for me.Now what?Can't even handle a sticker?"
"Jake,you're such a coward.Are you even a man?"
I smirked at him."What sticker?"
He looked awkward."I think it says ‘Lila's Seat.'"
"I don't wanna put it up,but everyone's doing it.Wouldn't I look like an outsider?This is tough.Lila's such a pain in the ass,always stirring trouble!"
His words hinted heavily that he wanted non of these.
Clearly,my convincing act these days made him think I'd softened,that I wouldn't dump him outright.
So he started wavering back to her again.
What a scumbag.
What a dog.
I resisted the urge to bash his head in,reminding myself:be a good citizen,be a good citizen.
"As long as you mind the boundaries,I don't mind you two staying friends."
"How about I go with you tomorrow to get the sticker and put it on right there,to prove your pure,beautiful friendship!"
My eyes shone with trust and innocence.
He was touched,trying to hug me.
I dodged,repulsed,slipping away unnoticed.
The next day,Lila smugly presented the sticker,pointedly saying,"Here,everyone's got one except you."
"Some clueless women even turned her man against his bros over it.So petty,embarrassing.Darling,you wouldn't be like that,right?"
"It's for the team.You don't mind,do you,dear?"
I took the sticker,inspecting it.
A pink heart and Cupid's arrow were in the background.
Wow.
She really went all in.
