Better Be True (Harrison Campus 3)

Luke laughed. “No hate here. I get the best of both worlds. We can talk about hot guys and you get it, but I don’t have to worry that you’ll try to steal them away.”

“Hmm. Maybe I should dump Hailey. Then we could do a ‘let’s pick a hot guy and see which one of us gets him’ experiment.” He got off the bed and spread his arms. “I’m sure I’d win. Not many can resist all this.”

Luke picked up a hand towel from the floor and threw it at Coury. Perfect strike to the face. “Of course. Just like you were sure you’d win the ‘who can get the better grades this year’ bet.”

“Which, my incredibly good-looking, super smart, amazingly nice roommate, is why you are also socially awkward. That was sarcasm. I’ve never beaten you at anything . . . yet.”

Clearly, Luke wasn’t any of those things to Kent. “Sorry. You might want to add ginormous dumb-ass to the list.”

“Nah, I’d never kick my best friend when he’s down.” He handed Luke the towel. “Nice throw.”

“It’s one of my few good qualities. Right up there with striking out when it comes to men.”

“Stop.” He grabbed Luke by the shoulders and stared until he looked up. “Kent was a fucking twat-waffle. First time I met him, he struck me as a total poser. I probably should have said something, but figured if I did, it would drive a wedge between us.”

“Probably. Then I’d come slinking back asking you to forgive me.”

“Which would never be an issue.” He smiled and pulled Luke into a headlock. The hold turned into a hug before they moved apart. “My point is, you’re way too good for him. Yep, that is totally a line you tell folks when they’re hurting from a break-up, but seriously? It’s true. Forget looks or money or even . . . shudder . . . baseball, you are a super nice guy. The best. This really, truly is Kent’s loss.”

“You didn’t see the super-rich, hot guy he’s dating now.”

“I bet you anything they don’t last the summer.”

“Anything?” Luke leered at his friend.

“Well, I ain’t gonna sleep with you.”

“Ewww. Brain bleach.”

Coury barked out a laugh. “Whatever. Don’t be so literal. I’m just saying, you’re not the loser here, he is. And karma is gonna kick him in the nuts.”

“Square?”

“Exactly, square in the nuts.”

Luke’s phone buzzed. “I have to go meet Nico. Wish me luck.”

Lots of luck.

Nico

Luke: Here. Got a table to the right of the door.

Luke: Your right that is.

Nico: Wow! Someone’s eager.

Luke: Would it bruise your ego if I said I’m usually early?

Nico: Yes. Totally.

Luke: You were right, I’m eager.

Nico laughed as he pushed his phone into his pocket. An anxious chuckle leaked out of him, and he slowed his step toward the café. God, he hoped they hit it off in real life as much as they did virtually.

He paused a few paces from the door and swept a hand through his hair. He tugged his shirt and smoothed his hands over his ass. Yep, he was looking good.

Powered by nervous energy, he yanked open the door.

More than a few heads jerked in his direction. He slicked on a flirty grin and scanned the tables to his right—

His stomach dropped.

Oh, hell no. Please, please don’t be Luke.

Sitting to the right, in shorts, T-shirt, baseball cap, and flip-flops, looking expectantly at the door, was the guy he’d accidentally face-punched.

Nico frantically looked at the tables behind him, next to him. All had two or more people, chatting away. No one else looked like they were waiting for someone.

He glanced at Luke again, to find Luke’s equally shocked gaze rooted to him.

Well, fuck his life.

Luke’s eyes raked over him from head to foot, and Nico’s stomach dropped heavily to his feet. It took him more energy than usual to plaster on a fake smile.

The disappointment cut.

He searched Luke’s unfairly hot face, hoping at least for a bruise from where Nico had struck him. Nothing. Just a well-defined jaw, sharp nose, and a cap over brown hair. Obviously a jock. Obviously not going to work out.

The vibration on his wrist wrenched his gaze from Luke. Incoming.

Elisa: How’d the meet and greet go? You set?

Yeah, things were set—set up to be a train wreck in slow motion. Still, he couldn’t just walk out—Luke had clearly seen him, and while Luke might be a judgmental asshole, Nico wasn’t a dick.

His feet felt like concrete as he moved.

Luke blew out a breath. Yeah, he got how fucked-up this was too.

Another buzz.

Elisa: I need details. Papà’s driving me nuts.

“Girl.” The word hissed from between his teeth.

“What?”

Nico tore his eyes off the message. He’d made it to the table, and Luke was frowning at him. Fuck.

“Sorry. That was for my sister.” He held up the phone and winced. “She’s asking for minute-by-minute updates.”