Fake It 'Til You Break It

Krista flings her hands all around, and the large group of girls break away, leaving her and her core group standing there. They huddle up for some shots of the four of them.

They take their time, going from big smiles to goofy ass faces and even unflattering poses. That’s what I like about their little crew. They don’t feel the need to be picture perfect or shoot for sexy all the time, they have a good ass time the way they want to.

Krista whips around right then, shouting across the pier. “Come on, baby,” she calls for Trent. “Nic, you too!”

Trent gets up with a grin, downing whatever he was drinking and makes his way to her, but I stay planted in my seat.

Trent growls, lifting Krista off the ground and spinning her around before pausing so the girls can take their picture.

Seconds later, Alex walks by me with our boy Thompson, another player on the team, both headed in their direction.

Krista spots them coming, and smiles. “Yes! Boys come over here, get in on this!”

My eyes fly to Demi, who of fucking course has hers on Alex, but the same second I think it, they shift.

She stares at me with indecision, as if there’s something at the tip of her tongue or the edge of her thought.

What to do, Little D?

Alex tries to squeeze beside Demi but Carley shoves him over with a frown, looking this way.

Knew I liked that girl.

“Nico Sykes.” She pops a hip out. “Get your never smiling ass over here and take a picture.”

I move my gaze back to Demi and she frowns slightly.

Come on, girl, you know what to do. All in, remember?

With a playful roll of those green eyes, meant to hide her nerves, I’m sure, she calls me. “Come on, Nico, don’t keep me waiting!”

And there it is, her accepting.

I push to my feet, eyes focused on her as I make my way over. I know the others are watching, not everyone was able to confirm the rumor throughout the day. I’m known to hook up, but I’ve never attached myself to anyone outside of Josie, so people want to witness us together for themselves, and more than simply disappearing behind a closed door.

They will.

Instead of stepping beside Demi and into the space left open for me, I slip behind her, loosely folding my arms around her shoulders.

Her hands automatically come up to grip my forearms, so I tip my chin a little to whisper, “Now you get it.”

She shakes her head, but I’d bet money she’s fighting a smile.

Krista snags someone, starts explaining how she wants the picture to be taken, so Demi capitalizes on the free second by tilting her head sideways, peeking at me.

She whispers, “There will be more people around tonight, and everyone here has already been staring.”

“And?”

“Last chance to back out.” Her eyes narrow, challenging me as if she’s assuming I might want to do just that.

Wrong, Pixie.

“There is no ‘backing out’, Demi. It’s done.”

Her grip tightens with her stare.

“I told you.” I lower my head the slightest bit, so she has to tip hers back even more. “You’re mine now.”

With a small pinch to her forehead, her tongue comes out to play with her lips and my eyes are forced to follow.

“For now,” she gives a sassy whisper.

My smirk is slow, and I look up.

When I do, I find Krista has the camera pointed right at us.

She gives a small wink, then passes it off to one of the security guards.

“All right, everyone, eyes forward!” She jumps in Trent’s arms, the guy counts to three and the picture is done.

“The food is coming out now, Ms. Krista!” the staff member shouts from the tables.

“Thank you, Mary! We’re coming!” Krista calls back and all the groups make their way over, but I hold Demi back by her waist.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

“Waiting.”

She shifts, so I loosen my grip, and she spins in my arms to face me. She surveys me a moment before a small laugh leaves her. “Waiting so you can stand here and stare at me?”

“No. Waiting so everyone sits and notices it’s just us left standing.”

“Why?”

“Why you ask so many questions?”

Her little nose scrunches. “Don’t be a dick.”

“Don’t ask things you already know the answer to.” I shrug. “Why would couples stand off to the side or walk away from groups and shit like that?”

She purses her lips, giving a sassy, “Privacy.”

“Exactly.” I shift her more, so they can’t see my face. “Right now, at least half of them are staring right at us, each one thinking something along the lines of how bad you must need me, or how hard I must be for you, if we have to take a few extra minutes to ourselves before we can even consider sitting through a dinner with the rest of them.”