It’s written all over his face:
This is the worst idea in the history of the world.
Maybe he’s right.
Maybe I’m mad with lust.
I’ve liked him forever. Since the day we moved in next door and he came over all sweaty and out of breath.
He was a cool older boy. A brooding athlete with dark eyes, tattoos, and a stoic disposition.
We became friends. My crush grew from oh my God, you’re hot to oh my God, you have such a soft center under that hard exterior. Can I please have the key that unlocks your heart? All the soft parts. And all the hard parts. Especially the hard parts.
Then Mackenzie stayed with us for the summer.
He liked her.
She liked him too. But she promised me she wouldn’t go for him. She said sisters before misters. I’d never go after a guy you like, Skye. I wouldn’t do that to you. Even if he’s out of your league.
Then she did.
And she acted like it was for my own good.
Sorry, Skye, but he kissed me. What was I going to do? Tell him I didn’t want him to kiss me? Do you really want me to lie to him? It was magic. Fireworks. Like something out of a movie.
He’s so handsome. And tall. Too tall for you. And guys that hot—they never date the chubby girl. It wasn’t meant to be. We’ll find you someone. Maybe that guy in your bio class? He’s cute.
She can be horrible, yeah. But it’s only obvious in retrospect. At the time, I believed her. I believed she was looking out for me. That she wanted the best for me.
Forest was hurting so much. He was still carrying around the weight of his mom’s death, taking care of his dad, his brother, his sister.
With Mack—
It was like she lifted that burden.
I wanted that for him. Even if it killed me. Even if I hated her for betraying me. Even if the sight of them kissing made me sick.
He was happy. For a long time, they were happy.
There’s an awful side to Mackenzie, but there’s another side. This charming, cool, fun, popular girl. She shines under the spotlight. Her smile is dazzling. It really is.
There’s just something about her.
I want her to like me.
Everyone wants her to like them.
Everyone wants to bathe in the light of pretty, popular, thin Mackenzie.
The girl with the cool tattoos and the bright red hair.
The girl with all the gossip.
God, the things I’ve heard about Forest.
He’s huge, Skye. I thought I was going to burst the first time.
He’s not like my ex. When he goes down on me, I see stars.
He says I’m the best he’s ever had. That he’ll never want anything else.
My veins buzz with righteous indignation.
Then desire.
Sure, thoughts of Mackenzie and Forest together hurt.
But the thought of his thick cock, his skilled mouth, his strong hands—
God, it’s hot in here.
It’s so hot.
His voice pulls me from my dirty thoughts. “I can’t lose you.”
I can’t concentrate. Deep breath. Steady exhale. “You won’t.”
He shakes his head don’t be ridiculous. “I’ll figure something out.” His voice is strong. Sure. “We can orchestrate a breakup. Find you a fake rebound guy.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“She already believes it.” I swallow hard. He’s all I have. I shouldn’t risk that. Even if I want to make my cousin jealous. Even if I want to protect him from her smug smile. Even if I want to prove we’re both better off without her. “Right?”
“Yeah.”
“And that…” Mackenzie may be the star of the show most of the time, but she can’t stand when she’s not. She gets jealous like that. And she always hated that me and Forest were friends. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want to make her jealous.”
“I’m twenty-eight.”
“And?”
“I’m too old for this.” His eyes meet mine. “You’re too old for this.”
I clear my throat. “Rude.”
His laugh breaks up the tension in his shoulders. “See. You’re fucking funny, Skye. The only person who always makes me laugh.” His fingers brush my wrist. “I’m not risking that.”
“We’re old. Like you said. Wise.”
He shoots me some serious side-eye.
“Mature.”
“You want to pretend you’re in love with me to make your cousin jealous.”
I clear my throat.
“That’s mature?”
“It’s more than that.”
He makes that sorta motion.
“It is.”
His lip corners turn down. “I’ll think of something.”
“If you don’t?”
“I will.”
“Then there’s no risk agreeing. If you don’t think of something better, we’ll pretend we’re together.”
Apprehension streaks his expression.
Okay, I need to sell this. But softer. He needs room. “Sleep on it.” I hold out my hand. “You’ll agree in the morning.”
He stares at me like I’m crazy, but he still shakes.
Chapter Five
Forest
The hum of the shop is familiar. The buzz of my tattoo gun. The low murmur of conversation. The pained vocals of Chase’s favorite band (my favorite album).
The poor singer can’t get over his ex. Every song is about her, even the ones he insists aren’t about her.