Fake It 'Til You Break It

After a moment, Nico’s eyes slide my way, and as if sensing the tension building in my gut, his expression tightens, and he nods his chin in question.

I give a half smile in answer, and after a moment he nods, looking back to his friends.

It shouldn’t comfort me that my fake boyfriend knows how to read me.

Yet, for some reason... it does.“Can I ask you something?”

Trent looks up from the blender, nodding his chin as if to say go ahead before focusing back on the margaritas he was asked to help make.

Every time Thompson has a party, he puts Trent behind his parents’ bar to mix drinks.

“Did Josie really sleep with Alex?”

Trent’s glare flies to the kitchen table where Krista sits, and he curses, finally looking back to me.

“Does it matter if she did?” he deflects.

“Trent, come on.” I cross my arms, leaning them on the countertop.

It’s Monday night, so three days since Krista filled me in on Alex and Josie and I need extra confirmation, so I can stop thinking about it which is pretty much how I spent my weekend.

Trent turns off the machine, quickly pouring a cup and handing it to me. He grips the edge of the marble. “Yeah, she did.”

“Did she break Nico’s heart?”

Trent scoffs a small laugh. “No, Dem. Not even a little bit.”

When I frown, he sighs, cuts a quick glance toward the living room where Nico sits, then leans closer. “Nic liked Josie, a lot. They dated for a long time, but it wasn’t so much love as it was comfortable, a way to escape. Someone to hang with.” He lifts his shoulder, adding. “Sex on hand.”

I roll my eyes and he lifts his palms.

“So... he wasn’t hurt by it, like at all?”

He studies me, inquisition in his eyes.

“Are you falling for him?” His tone’s suspiciously full of surprise.

My muscles grow tight. “We’re... dating, Trent.”

He’s quick to shake it off. “No, yeah. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry.”

I eye him and after a bit, Trent licks his lips, looking at Nico a long moment.

He hangs his head, a deep exhale leaving him as his attention slides back to me. “It hurt him, Dem, yeah, but not in the way you’re thinking. It’s more complicated than you realize, it was a low ass blow from Josie. Don’t ask me anything else, all right? Please.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not my place, and when you look at me like this, all genuine and with honest curiosity and concern, it’s real fucking hard to deny you.” His eyes widen. “Always has been.”

A light laugh leaves me, and I drop my stare to my cup. “You know, I always thought you were a bit of a blabbermouth, like your girlfriend.”

He laughs goodheartedly.

“But now I know you’re not.”

He winks, then walks away, a tray of Styrofoam cups full of margaritas to be handed out in his hands.

My focus shifts toward the living room where Nico sits on the couch across from Carley, but something keeps me locked in my chair a few moments longer.I didn’t get to see Demi at school today because she was gone on a field trip for some leadership bull. I texted her twice but when all I got was one-word answers, I turned my phone off and did my best to forget the fact she was on a two-hour bus ride, where she should have had plenty of time to talk. The same bus dickhead Hammons was on.

Now, though, I’m annoyed as fuck, doesn’t help she stayed locked in her room all weekend. I know because her light stayed on around the clock.

We’re chillin’ at Thompson’s and Demi’s been nothing but quiet all fucking night. At least, where I’m concerned.

She seems to be in there chatting with everyone else just fuckin’ fine.

“What are you pissy about?”

Carley calls me out, and my eyes snap to hers.

“What are you talkin’ about?”

“The I might murder you in your sleep look on your face.” She folds her feet in the chair.

With a frown, I unscrew the cap to my Mountain Dew. “Nah, I’m just chillin’.”

“Liar.”

The bottle pauses at my lips, my eyes moving to hers. Slowly, I take a drink and then shift toward her. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re making faces at her like you’re angry, but your jerky movements are a clear sign of frustration. Something about her both stresses you out and intrigues you.” Carley narrows her eyes. “I like you and I think you’re good for her, but I can tell you’re hiding something.”

“Oh, yeah?” I give her a bored look. “What am I hiding, Carley?”

“I don’t know, but I do know Demi. Not everything around her is as black and white as it may seem...” She trails off.

“What are you tryin’ to say?”

“The gist of it? Don’t make her life outside of home suck, too.”