“And still, not a fuckin’ word about it, huh?”

Damn it!

Anxiety builds in my gut.

I have nothing but the truth and it’s a pathetic one.

“I didn’t think about it,” I say quietly. “I get it’s messed up, and I’m sorry, but I... didn’t think about it.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.”

“Don’t push me away over something that happened before we did. How was I supposed to know we’d be standing here two years later?”

“You were supposed to come clean when you finally woke up and realized I wanted you.” His anger dissipates as he pushes against me, his fingers lifting to brush across my cheek. “You were supposed to be mine and only mine.”

“I am.”

“But he had you first.”

“So have me last.”

His lips hit my ear. “I’m walking away, Demi. Let me.”

Sensing there’s no other choice at the moment, I do.

After Nico took off walking, I grabbed my blankets from the back of his truck and moved to my car in the parking lot. I texted Carley who told me Krista got home safe and none of them were coming back unless I needed them to, but I wanted to be alone, so I told them we’d chat later.

Right after, I called Krista and talked to her a few minutes to make sure her and I were okay, but Trent was pounding on her door the entire time, so I let her go to deal with him.

That was two hours ago.

Now I’m lying here trying to rest, but sleep won’t come, so it’s about to be a long ass day.

While seniors are allowed to skip the first half of their schedule after Senior Night events, senior athletes aren’t. We participate at our own risk, so after a night of zero sleep and high-strung emotions, in this gym for practice is the last fucking place I want to be.

It’s the last place I expected Nico to be, too.

I should have stayed home last night.

“Demi,” Miranda snaps. “Stop being lazy with your dip. Roll your hips all the way and tug them into your partner.”

I clench my teeth but nod and get back into step one, waiting for the music to end so she can replay.

“Are you going to talk about anything that happened last night or are you going to ignore me, too?” Trent asks quietly.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Krista or Nico, so why the hell would I want to talk to you?”

“Me and Krista are fine, Dem. You told her years ago, and I explained where my head was at last night. It sounded bad the way Nico said it, but it wasn’t like that at all.”

I shake my head, going through the moves lazily to keep attention off us. “And you and Nico, are you good? ‘Cause guess what?” I spin, pinning him with a glare. “We aren’t. I shouldn’t even be dancing with you right now! Why the hell did you have to tell him like you did? We could have talked to him alone, explained—”

“It wouldn’t have mattered, Demi. You don’t know everything, there was no breaking it to him easy. He would have reacted the same no matter what.”

“But it didn’t have to be then or at a school function with everyone around. I should have thought to tell Nico everything weeks ago.” I get back into position, facing forward. “Look what your way led to for you and Krista.”

“I told her everything.”

“You tell her I don’t really have a boyfriend?”

His hands tense, then fall from me as he steps around to face me with a scowl. “No. I didn’t, so I still feel like shit, like I’m lying to her.”

I shrug. “Might as well have told her. We’re done with the role play.”

“Demi.” Concern thickens his tone. “Don’t walk away from him when he gets mad and acts like a dick.”

“I didn’t walk away,” I hiss. “He did.”

“Fuck.” Trent’s eyes fall to the floor.

“Demi,” Miranda sing-songs. “Waiting on you. Again.”

My head snaps around and I glower.

Her hands find her hips. “You know what. Switch with Hammons, he needs the help anyway. You two can pair back up for the performance.”

“I’m not switching,” I refuse. “There’s no point.”

“You are, because I said so,” she bites out.

Alex steps up, moving right behind me when Trent bumps past him and moves toward the girl he’s now forced to work with.

Alex grins. “Hey.”

I offer a flat smile, quickly cutting my eyes to Nico.

He stands frozen, glaring this way with a scowling Miranda beside him.

She says something to him, but he isn’t listening, and after a moment, I have her attention too.

Slowly, a nasty smirk forms on her bitchy little face.

She steps toward the rolling speaker to press pause and drags it to the center of the room.

“Everyone, gather in the center and sit,” she instructs, quickly adding, “Demi, stay standing if you would.”

I force a blank stare but I do as she instructs, stepping forward a few feet and slightly to the left.

“Why don’t you ditch the sweater.” She lowers to her knees.

Slowly, I untie the hoodie from around my waist and toss it toward her, leaving me in my stretchy workout shorts and sports bra.

“Everyone, Demi is going to perform the full routine, on her own, for you so you can have a good idea of what we’ll be doing Friday night.”

I run my tongue over my teeth, squaring my shoulders in preparation.

I don’t know what she’s thinking, I have no reservations about performing for people. I’d dance in front of the President if he asked me to and not bat a damn lash.

I know what I’m capable of.

She presses play and I do exactly as she asks, not missing a damn beat.

She doesn’t look so smug when the music stops and everyone cheers.

“Again,” she snaps as she sits back, and I move into position once more, my muscles locking when she calls out, “Alex. Run through the first part with her.”

Is she joking?

Alex steps up with no hesitation whatsoever, planting his chest to my back, but I jerk away, unease twisting in my gut.

I whip around, glaring at her. “I’m not doing this.”

“Excuse me?” Miranda barks.

“I said I’m not doing this.”

She crosses her arms, gauging me.

I look at Nico, but he’s blocked from my view when Alex slides over, reaches out and grips my hips roughly. “Come on, just do what she asked.”

I don’t even have time to peel his filthy hands off me when Alex is suddenly tackled to the ground, causing me to fall as well.

Everyone shouts, scooting back.

“Nico!” Miranda screams. “Enough!”

Her shrill cries do nothing to derail him.

Nico jolts to his feet, towering over Alex, and serving him with a swift kick to the side.

Alex grunts, rolling over as Trent hurdles forward, driving Nico back to stop this from getting any worse.

“Get the fuck off me!” Nico throws his hands up, knocking Trent’s away with disgust.

Raw grief is written across Trent’s face, so clear I know Nico sees it, too, but he refuses to acknowledge it, and jumps in his face, clearly ready to shout something else, but suddenly he looks at me.