Fake It 'Til You Break It

So you can make sure to plan and be home to save face, sure, Mom.

“Yeah, Mom. I will.”

“Great. I’ll see you later, Demi.” The line goes dead.

I take a minute to breathe, get out of the funk every conversation with her seems to put me in, before I turn back to my friends.

They’re all laughing and cheering as Trent flicks a paper through Nico’s fingers that he holds up as if they’re goal posts.

Macy preparing to block Trent’s next shot, switches seats, taking the open spot beside my man.

A smile takes over my lips as I look at Nico, who happens to glance my way at the same exact time.

Holy shit.

My man.

That’s my man.

I stuff my phone back in my pocket and head right for him.

His eyes cling to me, and his body seems to relax into his chair. He licks his lips, his legs spreading wider.

I drop onto his lap, slide my hand into his hair, and kiss him.

Because he’s mine and I can.“I’ve got the Kahlua!” Krista lifts the bottle in the air as she pushes open the door to Trent’s truck.

“I got the Kahlua.” Macy frowns, pulling open her backpack to show us the A&W Root Beer bottles inside. “I already disguised them and everything.”

“Krista, you were supposed to get the coffee.”

“I thought you were getting the coffee.” She puts her hand on her hip.

Trent rolls his eyes and walks over to Nico who is sitting on my patio chair.

“I’m snacks, Carley’s blankets, Macy’s alcohol, and you were supposed to be coffee.”

“Ohhh... that’s why my alert went off at lunch! I thought I forgot to turn it off from this morning,” Krista says.

“You remind yourself to get coffee in the morning?” Carley teases.

“No, biatch, but if I’m not out the door when it goes off, that means I don’t have time to stop.” She laughs, then looks to Trent. “It’s fine, we’ll go get the coffee?”

“I can’t,” he tells her. “I have to grab my brother on the way and drop him at my dad’s office.”

“I’ll get it.” Nico pushes to his feet, moving toward me.

I love how his shoulders sway the slightest bit with each step, and how he’s always got a little lift or tip of his chin, giving him an I’m coming for you look, making me want him to do exactly that.

He plants his feet directly in front of me, grabs the snacks from my hands and lifts them over my head to set the bag into the little container in the back of my car. “What are you thinkin’ about, D?” he smirks as he asks. “A night under the stars with your man?” he jokes.

I pretend to gag and he laughs, bumping my body into the car with his.

“Please, never be the cheesy poet.”

“I thought it was cute!” Macy shouts as she walks off.

I hold in my grin while Nico’s deepens.

“You like me better when I’m bein’ a dick.”

“I like you better when you sit there and look pretty,” I joke.

He pushes closer. “You think I’m pretty, Pixie?”

A laugh bubbles out of me, and I wrap my hands around his neck, leaning into him, and satisfaction burns deep in his eyes.

“I think you’re a fine specimen, Nico Sykes, but if you don’t get your ass to the coffeehouse and to the school in time to have our bags checked, I might change my mind and—”

He captures my mouth with an unexpected kiss, but I’m ready for him, and need no time to think. I’ve been waiting to feel his lips again.

Nico’s lips are soft, but his kiss is hard, a strong pressure from his mouth to mine that doesn’t last near as long as it should. His tongue ghosts the edge of my lips, not invading, and quick.

Too quick.

He tugs away and my body tries to go with him.

A raspy, sexy, chuckle escapes him, and he whispers in my ear. “Watch it, D,” he teases and my core heats. “I might pull you into the house.”

“I might let you,” I whisper.

His laugh is louder this time as he tugs free and heads for his truck while I’m stuck, practically panting, as I stare after him.

“You need help, Dem?”

Trent pulls me from my mind. “Huh, no I’m good. We’re good.”

He studies me a moment before glancing around – the girls are digging through bags in the trunk, and Nico’s already in his vehicle turning the engine over.

“Dem.” He gets my attention once again. “Are things getting serious between you and Nic?”

I frown, an instant stir in my stomach putting me on edge. “Why are you asking me this?”

Tension lines his forehead and he takes a small step forward. “You know why, Demi.”

“Wha—”

“Ride with me, Trent,” Nico shouts from the driver’s seat of his truck, cutting off our conversation.

He’s got his window rolled down, eyes sliding from me to his buddy.