Page 30 of Pucking Good Girl

“No, thanks. I was just going to get some extra water and keep running. I’ll let you get settled in.” My eyes go to Talia, and she smiles. She looks tired. “I’ll see you later, pretty girl.”

I turn around and run back out to the deck and onto the sand. If another five miles won’t at least help me quiet the noise in my head, I don’t know what will.

CHAPTER 9

SIBLINGS

Talia

Sam shouldn’t be allowed to leave my side. Like, ever.

She’s out at a study group session for her psychology class, so she couldn’t help me get ready for my date with Becks.

But maybe this is a blessing in disguise since I haven’t found the right way to tell her that my relationship with Macklin is fake.

I’ve been feeling guilty about keeping something so big from my best friend, but Macklin and I agreed that we should keep it a secret. We can’t risk any rumors reaching Genevieve, or this would have all been for nothing.

Telling Tucker was a necessary evil to avoid my big brother killing his best friend and team captain. But Tuck is the only one who knows besides me and Macklin. I haven’t even told my mom.

And it’s not that I don’t trust Sam with a secret. I know she would take it to the grave. It’s just that the more people know, the bigger the risk of being caught accidentally talking about it. All it would take is one sister hearing me confiding in Sam about how my feelings for Macklin are anything but fake, to destroy all the work we’ve done in the last few weeks.

So I’m on my own trying to decide what to wear and by the time Becks texts me that he’s outside, I’ve changed at least fifteen times and it looks like my closet has vomited its contents inside my room.

I take one last look at myself in the mirror and exhale, shaking my head. After trying on almost all the nice clothes I own, I went with the first option I had pulled out of my closet. It’s a short navy blue dress with tiny white polka dots. The neckline shows some cleavage, but it’s tasteful, and the flowing skirt hits about one inch from my knees. I paired it with nude wedge sandals and a matching clutch.

It’s flirty and comfortable at the same time and dressy enough for a nice place but not overly so that I wouldn’t look out-of-place if Becks had opted for a casual place.

I tiptoe my way downstairs, taking care to walk out as quietly as humanly possible to avoid being seen by my sisters. Going out on a weeknight has the downside that most of the Zeta sisters tend to be at home.

“Talia?” Madison’s voice reaches me as I walk past the living room. I wish I could have avoided it, but there’s no other way to leave the house from my room.

“Sorry, I’m late.” I call out, hoping that whatever she wants can wait.

But I should have known that my sisters are some of the nosiest people on earth.

“Where are you going so dolled up?” Olivia is standing at the living room doorjamb, eyeing me curiously.

“Dolled up?” Gen snorts from behind her. “That dress isn’t even designer. Did you get it at a thrift store or something?”

I’ve had enough of Gen’s shitty behavior. If it weren’t for her, my life would be one hundred percent easier. “Not everyone gets platinum credit cards from our parents,” I bite out, stopping in my tracks. “I bought this last year on sale in a nice little shop in town. It’s one of my favorite dresses.”

Gen’s smile widens. “Ah, that makes sense. Not bad for something from a bargain bin, I guess.”

Hillary stands on the tips of her toes to take a look at me behind our president’s back. “Oh, come on, Gen, don’t be catty. Talia, you look really pretty. Where are you going?”

“On a date.” I offer without adding any more details.

“Hopefully Mack picked a place where no one knows him,” Gen’s giggle turns cruel. “Being seen with you will hurt the brand I worked hard to build for years. And it’s only a matter of time before he realizes it and dumps you.”

What do I even say to something like that?

It’s more than obvious that Gen is trying to hurt me, and I hate how much her words hit the intended target.

“Whatever, Gen,” I can’t help but fire back at her. “You’re just salty because he won’t take you back.”

“Have fun on your date,” her tone says it all about how much she wants just the opposite. “And I hope Mack chose somewhere indoors. The forecast predicts rain for later tonight. You wouldn’t want your hair turning into your usual frizzy mess.”

My hand goes to my hair, smoothing the sleek locks it took me almost one hour to flat iron into submission. “Noted. See you all later.”