Page 126 of The Backup Plan

Hayden

I’d do it if I got a little enjoyment out of the deal.

Marshall

Nope. Don’t bring the drama in the locker room. I wouldn’t do it. Maybe if it was for a girl friend interested in some guy I don’t know, it could be kind of fun. Not a teammate.

Cory

I tried to date my high school ex’s friend after she dumped me. I’m not proud of that, and it didn’t work. Lesson learned.

Dale

But really dating the other girl is unfair to her. If the fake-date guy knew it was a scam, then no one’s taking advantage.

Cory

Fair point.

Ethan

If it worked out for your buddy and the girl, who cares? It’s kind of cute she was so into him, and it doesn’t sound like it bothered the other guy. No harm, no foul, right?

Hayden

She chases him so he chases her… I mean, we’ve all called more complicated plays than that. Could be fun, as long as you win.

Cam positioned the pink marble in a vise and clamped it so the inscription angled toward him. He flicked the switch on the rotary tool and drew the bit across the surface in line after parallel line to sand down the words. The etching went deeper than he thought at first glance—not a quick, frustrated scratch—and he switched to a round bit to scoop out a crater and remove the words from the stone.

Ethan Engel has started a private chat.

Ethan

Avery and pseudo-Cory were just pseudo-dating, huh?

Cameron

Yeah.

Ethan

Did she say why?

Cameron

Because I was a dick and didn’t talk to her until I assumed she was dating my friend.

Ethan

That tracks. She’s excused.

Cameron

She couldn’t just correct me and say “no, I’m not really with him.” She got him to go along with this for weeks while I was miserable.

Ethan

Weeks while you guys got to know each other without getting naked, which isn’t a bad thing. Don’t lie. You’re thirsty AF. A slower start for a few weeks is good.