I dart for her, but she evades, smiling wider.
She skips back to the table, proud of her little teasing, and drops in the middle of Carley and Macy.
I take my seat at the end by Trent, lifting my chin when she looks my way.
She brings her straw to her lips, grinning like a brat.
With a shake of my head, I reach for a fresh beer bottle from the iced beer tub in the center of the table and pop one open.
“Damn, Nic,” Trent says under his breath.
I glance his way, my eyes narrowing when he cuts a quick glance toward the girls, only to bring them right back.
“What?”
A scoffing laugh escapes from him and he shakes his head. “Nothing, man.”
I drop my arms from the table so my plate can be lowered in front of me, thanking the server as she moves along.
I get it, he’s unsure about what I’m doing, but so the fuck am I.
Still doing it.
I grip his shoulder, giving him a little shake. “Let me worry about what needs worrying, Trent.”
He lifts his hands as if to say do your thing.
I plan to.
The boardwalk is pretty fucking crowded, as expected on a three-day weekend, but for the most part, everyone who came for Krista’s birthday is sticking together.
Right now, we’re all in line for the trolley ride that takes you from one side of the coastline and drops you on the opposite end. Demi ran ahead with the girls and is almost in the front, while I’m stuck several spaces back with a few guys from the team.
Of course, I’m not the only one with eyes on her.
Alex snakes his way through our crowd, slithering right in line beside her.
She’s talking with her friend Ava when he inserts himself in their conversation.
Her head snaps his way, and instantly she throws her head back, laughing at whatever lame ass joke he’s spit.
“Now they look right together.”
I don’t bother to turn when Josie’s voice finds me. “Who invited you?”
“Does it matter?”
I scoff, moving forward as the next group of people are let on.
“So, is it true then?” she asks. “Did the princess see the toad?”
“Get the fuck out of here, Josie.”
“Oh, so much tension. It must not be what it seems,” she guesses.
I turn my glare on her. “What the fuck do you want? Why you standing here right now? We’re not together anymore. You couldn’t keep your legs closed, remember?”
Josie’s gaze falls a minute but comes up stronger. “Don’t judge me. You didn’t even care.”
My head pulls back. “What the fuck did you expect, me to grovel? Fucking please, Josie. You know better than that.” I lower my voice. “You didn’t come at me when you found out I slept with Sandra, but now that you heard about me and D, here you are. Worried you’ll never get another chance to slide down my dick like you’ve been able to in the past? Tell me, Josie, if you didn’t give a damn about the girls I’ve fucked since you, why you trippin’ on little Demi Davenport?”
That pisses her off. “She’s not just some girl, is she Nic?” she forces past clenched teeth.
“You’re right, she’s my girl, something you’ll never be again.”
That has her dark eyes hardening. “Look whose side she’s by right now.”
Despite myself, I do, finding her and Alex now next in line to ride.
Irritation tightens my muscles, something not missed by Josie, and a dark chuckle leaves her.
Demi chooses this moment to cut her smile this way, spotting me standing a few rows back. Her brows knit the slightest bit, the tip of her lips straightening.
Josie leans closer to my ear, and Demi’s eyes cut her way. “Seems none of us can resist a perfect white boy—”
My glare slices to Josie and she stops short, swallowing hard on her words.
“Forget about her, Nic,” Josie backpedals, a desperate flare taking over as she takes a step in. “She’ll never want you like you—”
“Hey.” Demi’s peppy voice surprises us both, even more so when she slips in front of me, leaving Josie at her back as if she didn’t see her standing here at all.
She did.
Her big green eyes stare into mine, unsure of what she can or can’t do right now, but even though she doubts her place, her voice is strong. “It’s our turn.”
“Excuse you,” Josie spits, stepping to the side slightly.
Demi’s hand plants against my chest as she turns toward Josie. She smiles sweetly at her. “Hey, Josie.”
Josie glares, opens her mouth to speak, but Demi grips my hand and tugs.
“Come on,” she says, throwing one long ass leg after the other over the chain that closes off the line and I’m right behind her.
I don’t look back at my ex once.
The ride attendant pretends she’s annoyed for us holding up the cart an extra few seconds, but a small smile tips her lips as we pass.
Demi slides inside, not letting go of my hand, so I drop right beside her.
I glance over, eyeing Alex who stands at the head of the line, only for a split second before the cart jolts forward, and he’s out of sight.
The second we’re moving, Demi lets go, scooting over several inches.
We’re both quiet the first few minutes, but it’s me who breaks the silence.
“What happened, lover boy didn’t want to ride?”
My flat tone has her head snapping toward mine.
“He did.”
“And?”
She eyes me mockingly. “And then I remembered everyone thinks I’m dating someone, so I did what I would if I really was.”
“Ditch the asshole trying to get at what he knows to be mine?” I throw out.
“Make sure the ex knows where she stands,” she counters, holding my gaze. “Behind me.”
Damn if heat doesn’t spread through my groin.
It’s been a minute since anyone’s felt greedy for me. Fake reasoning or not.
“Rule number two.” She scowls.
I sit back, nodding my chin.
Let’s hear it.
“Don’t make a fool of me by sleeping with your ex while people think we’re dating or whatever.”
“Just my ex?”
She frowns but doesn’t ask for more. She should.
“Demi, I won’t be fucking anyone.”
“That’s not my business, but if you do, at least avoid people we know or go to school with. I’ll do the same.”
A scoffing laugh leaves me, and I shift on the seat. “You’ll do the same?” I crack. “Meaning you’ll fuck if you feel the need, but not someone we know and not your boyfriend?”
“Fake boyfriend.”
“Same fucking thing.”
“Not at all.”
“You’re a virgin.”
She gapes, slowly shaking her head. “I’m not a virgin, Nico.”
My muscles curl, my eyes locked on hers. “Don’t play with me.”
“I’m not.” She gauges me. “I thought you knew this and were just teasing me when you said it before.”
“Who?”
Her eyes widen, panic flashing across her face. “No way.”