He’s such a dick.

“I didn’t ask for nor do I need your help,” I growl.

He scoffs, glaring just the same. “No, you just went video vixen in front of all my friends. What, you thought I was just gonna let that happen?”

I gape at him, lifting my palms at a loss. “I don’t... why do you care?”

“I don’t, but you were only allowed on this trip because I’m here. What, I was supposed to let some punk take advantage of you and deal with the heat from your ma? Fuck no.”

My face goes slack as I eye him.

That’s what my mom told him? After telling me to basically try and steal my friend’s boyfriend? What, is Nico her new backup plan?

Such a crock of shit.

“You are so clueless it’s not even funny.”

He lifts his hands as if to say it is what it is. “Either way, you’re stuck being mine for a while.” He dips down. “Get. Over it.”

I shake my head doubtfully. “People will never believe this.”

The vein in his neck tics against his skin, and he pushes impossibly closer, so close I almost trip in the sand behind me, but with the instincts of an athlete, his arm snakes around my waist as it seems to like to do, keeping me upright.

“Yeah, and why not? You think you’re better than me or somethin’ because your future’s lookin’ brighter?” he spits.

My head wrenches back.

Future’s brighter? Nico must have dozens of colleges after him at this point in his football career.

Does he not believe in his own abilities?

“That’s not what I mean at all,” I tell him, my voice quieter than I would have liked. I lick my lips and look away.

“D.” His tone is a mild command. “Look at me.”

Slowly, I do.

His eyes are sharp and assessing. “Why?”

I hesitate a moment, but when he lowers his chin expectantly, I start. “Fine. Despite how I acted about it when you said it, you’re right. Nobody would expect I could keep the... interest of a guy like you for more than a night.”

“Guy like me,” he says.

I swear he’s trying to be angry, but I’m not finding it when I look at him, and there’s nothing but curiosity in his words.

“Yeah. Guy like you. Careless, crass, athletic and overly popular despite your bossy attitude. Let’s not forget the fact that we don’t speak.”

His features smooth some, and he gives me a quick once over. “You act like you’re a nerd.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “No, but I’m not some sex kitten either.”

His lips smash together and it takes a second, but he releases me, moving to grab his order.

When he comes back, it’s with a coffee in each hand.

Slowly, he hands the second cup to me.

“Thanks,” I say quietly as I accept the drink.

“I think you’d be surprised to learn what’s said about you in the locker room, Demi.”

With that, he takes off, my eyes trailing his every step.

Once he’s far enough, I walk up to the small counter and hand the girl the cup.

She frowns.

“He was... I don’t know, attempting to be nice, I guess, but I’m lactose intolerant. I can pay for a new one.”

The girl blinks. “He ordered both with soy,” she says.

My shock must be evident, because the girl smirks, and pushes it toward me. “Seems the boy knows you better than you think.” She winks and goes back to her job at hand.

I turn around, finding Nico staring right at me from his place on the pier.

Does he?

“Woke up to an interesting string of texts from a freaked-out Josie this morning,” Trent tells me of my ex as he drops beside me on the bench.

“Fuck her.”

“You have, many times.” He laughs. “Pretty sure that’s only half the reason for her panic, though.”

I offer nothing.

He stays quiet a minute, too, before deciding to go for it. His tone is slightly cautious, as it should be. “Demi, Nic?”

“Don’t,” I warn right from the gate.

My eyes find her on the beach with no fucking effort. She peels off her hoodie even though there’s still a morning chill in the air and doesn’t bother laying a towel down before plopping into the sand, leaning back on her hands. She tilts her head so the sun is hitting her how she wants it to.

“We didn’t hook up last night,” I admit.

“How the hell did she even end up in your room?”

I lick my lips, not giving the answer he’s asked for. “I convinced her to make people think we’re together.”

Trent’s silence has me looking his way, and I’m not surprised by the confusion staring back.

“Turns out,” I start with a low, humorless laugh. “She’s into Hammons.”

He watches me closely before a low curse leaves him. “And Alex threw that shit out about asking her to formal.”

I nod, sitting back.

“Nic... don’t do this. This isn’t the same as—”

“He already saw me with her, Trent.” I cut him off. “It’s game on at this point.”

Unease lines his forehead, and my best friend can’t help himself. He tries once more. “You sure this is a good idea, my man?”

I finish off my coffee and then push to my feet. “Nope.”

Not in the slightest.

“Girlfriend, fucking spill!” Macy’s voice hits me, and my eyes open, finding my friends walking up all giggles. Fresh coffees in their hands.

“Spill?” I’m confused at first, but then it hits me.

Shit.

Nico.

Of course they heard!

“It’s not what you—” I start to deny it when their eyes lift, big smiles and girly googly eyes take over their faces.

“Speaking of the new boy toy!” Krista laughs. “What up, Nic?”

“’Sup.” His deep voice comes from behind me, and suddenly long, muscular legs are caging me in, his wide chest framing me in from behind.

I tense, my stare snapping to Carley’s.

Her lips clamp tight, but in a get it girl kind of way.

“So... this is new,” Macy drags out excitedly, none of them moving to sit.

“Tell us how it happened!” Krista’s eyes practically sparkle for the juice.

“Krista,” I start, ready to distract her one-track mind somehow, but pause when Nico shrugs against me.

“It was only a matter of time,” he says with pure confidence.

Only a matter of time?!

Is he serious?

Because the most wanted shithead in the senior class has never once done a damn thing to lead anyone to believe we were a possibility. And it goes both ways.

Yeah, okay. As if they’d believe—

“That’s why you were drooling over him at the game!” Carley says.

Both mine and Nico’s muscles harden.

“I was not.”

“I knew it!” Our other friend Ava squeals, and my head snaps her way. “Me and Krista used to bet on when you two would finally hook up!”

“Seriously?” I question without thinking and all eyes fly to me.