Fake It 'Til You Break It

My eyes fly to Nico’s, a tight pinch in my brow.

He ignores her and everyone around us.

His breaths are coming quicker now, and he edges toward me. “You... all that shit after, it was because of that?” he rasps, almost so low I miss it.

I don’t.

I can’t admit to it, right?

What right do I have to get mad over him doing what I agreed he could, making me want his touch, making others believe in the lie?

Making me believe?

He keeps coming for me, and I can’t move.

Carley snatches the phone from his hand and he lets her, not once turning away.

Nico’s palms land on the sides of my face, eyes moving between mine. “You saw him standing at the door,” he says for only me to hear.

It’s not a question, but I nod anyway.

“You thought that was for him.”

My gut tightens, my face wrenching up at his words.

He dips the few inches needed to make us at eye level. “Listen to me, right fuckin’ now. He is the last motherfucker on this planet I would ever... ever want to see you like that.”

My hands come up to cover his. “Don’t lie to lie,” I whisper.

His eyes glance to the side, remembering we have an audience who has no idea what’s really going on between us.

What is going on between us?

Nico walks me a few feet away.

He slides his hands into my hair, tipping my head so he can whisper to me.

“I was fucked up all day after what happened with Miranda.” He steps closer, letting out a long breath. “I got kicked out of my game tonight.”

“You did?”

He nods. “Couldn’t keep my cool knowing we were fucked up.” His eyes stare into mine. “I don’t wanna be fucked up, D,” he admits.

Me either.

“I went to the roof to breathe a minute,” he tells me. “To think. I found your drink, and knew you came even though you were mad, so I went to find you.”

My chest inflates with a deep inhale, waiting for more.

“You were dancin’, killin’ me with that body I can’t stop thinking about, and I fuckin’ snapped. I had to feel you, kiss you. So I did, and the only thing on my mind when you were against me was how to get closer. There was no show. No plot.” His lips press down at the hollow of my ear, and my eyes squeeze shut. “Me and you,” he rasps. “That’s what that was. If he showed up, if anyone showed up, I had no clue. I kissed you because I had to, Pixie. Wanted to. Plain and fuckin’ simple.”

My muscles tense a moment before a light zing runs down my spine.

I pull back.

His eyes are open and honest and laser focused on mine. “I don’t want your lies. I want your all.”

An airiness takes over my chest, a light pull at something deep within me the longer I stare. I drop my hands from him and a frown creeps over him.

I take a step back, heat spreading up my body as I whisper, “Prove it.”

Confusion etches across his face before that slow, sexy smirk, takes over and all that’s left is determination.

Nico grips my hand, ready to yank me away when suddenly the video is playing again, louder this time.

My moan echoes around us.

“Oh my god.” I cover my face.

Nico whips around. “What the hell, man?”

My eyes pop open as Nico tugs my phone from Trent’s grasp, and the girls, all three huddled around him pull back with drunken giggles.

All three tease by doing awful, drunken slutty dance moves, then drop onto the bench seat.

“You guys are assholes.” I laugh lightly, stepping toward the bench, but Nico pulls my arms, so I turn back.

He eyes me skeptically, his arms gingerly sliding around my waist as he pulls me into him. “We good?”

Can we be more than good?

Can we be real?

I confirmed I was upset because I thought he only kissed me so someone else would see, for the sake of the stupid deal we made that states he’s not really mine nor am I his.

How long before he reads into that for what it is?

How long before he realizes I want to be an us?

“Don’t, D,” he whispers, and my eyes fly back to his. “Don’t think.”

Don’t think.

Don’t think...

Fuck it.

“I don’t want him anymore.” The words fly from me before I can stop them.

Fully and completely, every muscle in his body locks and my stomach begins to stir.

Holy shit, I said it. It’s out.

“What?” His tone is harsh, but I know it’s not coming from anger.

“Alex,” I admit quietly. “I don’t want him. I can’t even remember why I ever did.”

His grip on me tightens, a heavy sense of possession radiating from him to me, warming my body from the inside out. “Don’t play, baby.”

“Tell me I am,” I rasp.