All Chapters of Filling in the Boyfriend spot: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

CHAPTER 1 In some part of my brain, probably the logical part that seemed to be missing at the moment, I knew I should let go and walk away, maintain some of my dignity. Instead, I gripped his waist more securely by wrapping my arms around him and pressed my cheek against his chest. Logic was definitely not ruling my brain right now. Desperation was. And even though I knew desperation wasn’t attractive, I couldn’t help myself. He sighed, releasing some air, which allowed me to tighten my hold even more. Isn’t that how boa constrictors kill their prey? Not even this thought made me let go. “tia, I’m sorry.” “Then don’t do this. And if you have to, can’t it wait two hours?” “The fact that you said that makes me know it can&r

 “Sister.” “Perfect.” He raised his eyebrows. “You get to be my date.” “Uh . . .” His mouth opened but that’s all that came out. “Do you live close? Because you can’t go in there in jeans and a T-shirt. Especially one with a telephone booth on it.” His eyes flickered to his shirt and then back to me. “A telephone booth? Seriously?” “Do you at least have some dark pants and a button-down shirt? Maybe a tie? A teal tie would be awesome to match me but I’m not holding my breath about that.” I tilted my head. He really didn’t look like my type. My friends would know this. “And do you happen to own contacts and some hair product?” “I’m just going to roll up my window now.”

 I threw back my shoulders and faced the gym doors. I didn’t need a date, real or otherwise. My friends liked me regardless of who I was or wasn’t with. Even as I thought it, I wished for it to be true. I couldn’t lose my boyfriend and my friends all in one night. I needed them in my life. As I started to walk, headlights cast my shadow on the asphalt in front of me. I turned as the car and lights went off. The guy stepped out. “Were you going to go in there without me after all that begging?” CHAPTER 2 I smiled. I couldn’t help it. He was actually wearing a suit—black, with a light gray tie. His glasses were gone and he was tall. This was exactly what I needed. We’d be seen. He could break up with me at the end of the night. No smug looks from Mea, no pity sighs fr

  “Okay. So, will you try to look at me like you’re madly in love?” “Captain America and you were madly in love?” I opened my mouth—my first instinct was to say “of course”—but stopped myself because it wasn’t true. Bradley and I were . . . Well, we were happy. At least I’d thought we were before tonight. I put on my best teasing smile, glad that my feelings, which had tried to take over in the parking lot, were back in my control. “Do you not have a reference point for that emotion?” He concentrated for a moment then turned a smoldering gaze on me. Wow. He was good. “That may be a little thick.” He softened the intensity of his gaze and for the first time I noticed his eyes were blue. Not good. Tom had brown eyes. “That bad, huh?”

   “No,” my date said before I had a chance to respond. “But maybe it should be.” With this, they all laughed. I was too busy glaring at mea to laugh. “We’re going to dance,” my date said. And as he led me to the dance floor, it hit me that I didn’t know his real name. Was that what the smirk was all about when we were walking toward the gym? So when the-guy-whose-name-I-didn’t-know put his arms around me, I leaned my forehead against his chest and whispered, “Sorry.” CHAPTER 3 “What are you sorry for?” fill-in Tom asked. “I don’t even know your real name.” He laughed a low chuckle that I could feel through his chest. Then he leaned down so his breath tickled my ear when he said, “My name is Tom.” 

   “It’s because you’re the fifth girl who’s asked me to fill in for her date at prom. It’s forced me to brush up on my dancing skills.” “Whatever.” “So, Tia Montgomery.” “Yes, nameless boy?” He gave a breathy laugh. “I don’t believe you offered me money for this. Do you go around offering people money for random services often?” “No, usually my smile gets me what I want.” I had actually been a little surprised he was so hard to talk out of that car. “What kinds of things has it gotten you so far?” “Besides you in a suit?” He looked down at his clothes as if my mention of the suit reminded him he was wearing it. “This wasn’t because of your smi

 I stood, looked at mea, and said, “Something I’m sure you’re going to be very happy about.” I didn’t wait to see her reaction. I just walked to where he was trying to direct his sister away. “Come on, let’s talk about it out here,” I heard him say as I approached. When I reached them she turned on me, her hands on her hips. Something about that look seemed vaguely familiar. “No,” she said. “You do not get to use my brother like this. He’s a nice guy and has been hurt by way too many self-serving girls like you in the past.” “Let’s not exaggerate, Bec. It was just the one.” “I’m sorry,” I said, responding to his sister but looking at him. “I didn’t mean to turn this into a big deal.” I faced her. “You’re right. I shouldn&rsqu

  My parents were waiting up for me, per usual, when Claire and her date dropped me off. They’d tried to get me to go out with them after prom but I wasn’t feeling up to it. They thought it was because I hadn’t won prom queen. Maybe that was part of it. Or the fact that mea had turned from grumpy to happy with the announcement. That could’ve affected my mood because I did not want to feel this way over a stupid boy. My mom stretched up from her spot on the couch to look behind me. It took me a moment to realize she was looking for tom. “He’s not here,” I mumbled. My dad stood and yawned. I’d made it home. He could go to bed now. “He could’ve at least walked you up,” he said as he gave me a hug and kissed the top of my head. I really didn’t feel like rehashing the night even though I knew my parents would

 That night I slept hard, thankful no dreams tried to remind me of prom. School would be a good distraction, I thought as I jumped into the shower the next morning. I wasn’t sure how long I stood under the water and it was possible I’d conditioned my hair twice. I picked out an outfit carefully, knowing I’d be on the other end of a lot of staring today, and stood in front of the mirror to get ready. By the time I looked at my phone, I realized I’d spent way too much time perfecting my look. I’d have to skip breakfast. On my way through the kitchen I grabbed a granola bar. “Running late, Mom,” I called as her whole body turned to follow my path through the kitchen. Her wide eyes proved she was shocked I wasn’t eating breakfast with her like I normally did. “I’ll see you at five. We have a meeting after school.” “Okay.

 She smiled and held up her fist for me to bump. “One hundred and three days until we’re officially roommates.” “I can’t wait.” We pulled into the parking lot at school. Right away I saw Laney and mea heading our way from where they had just climbed out of the car. I braced myself. Mea had all weekend to analyze prom. Surely she’d come up with something incriminating.  Laney and mea joined us at the car. “Tia,” Laney said. “Tie breaker.” “Okay.” I shouldered my backpack and shut the car door. “Which building do you think is higher—the Holiday Inn or the Convention Center?” “Um . . . what?” “The boys were talking about rappelling off one. Hypothetically, of course.”&n