Fake It 'Til You Break It
Page 10
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.”
She attempts to glance over her shoulder, so I shoot my hand up, catching her chin before she can, my fingers spreading along her jaw and neck in the same move.
Damn, she doesn’t even flinch.
I continue. “The girls are wondering what filthy things I’m promising to do to you later when you come to my room, you are coming to my room by the way.” Her eyes narrow, but it’s playful as hell. “The guys are wondering if you’re biting into your bottom lip, if your eyes are growing darker, and wishing they knew what that looked like, knowing they’ll never get the chance now that you’re mine.”
“Wow,” she teases, purposefully breathy. “You really think you’ve got this whole prepped and ready thing down.”
A laugh escapes me before I can squash it, and I tug her a little closer.
She stares a long moment. “So, I’m challenged with convincing everyone your mood swings turn me on?”
“And I get to be the possessive boyfriend who doesn’t want you outta arm’s reach.”
“Get to?” She smashes her lips to the side, tryin’ real hard not to let her grin slip.
“Get. To. D.”
“What makes you think possessive is what I’d like?”
A light chuckle leaves me, and I lick my lips, leaning into her as I slowly slide my arms down. When she doesn’t budge, my palms slip a little lower, now resting just below her waist, my pinkies propped on her ass cheeks.
She inhales, waiting.
“Demi,” I whisper. “I’ll tell you right now, the last thing you want is a pussy ass dude who won’t push you. You’re too smart, too independent for a doormat of a guy, and too strong to ever be one yourself. You’ll take charge... but you’ll like it more when I do.”
Her ass tightens against my hand and instantly my brows snap together.
Hold on...
I skim my hand across her waist, gripping her hips and squeezing until she lets out a small yelp. She falls against me, and my mouth plants right at her ear.
“Rule number one, Little D.” Her breath fans across my chest. “Don’t ever go panty-less again... unless there’s a real good reason for it.” I pull back, locking my eyes to hers. “A reason that includes me.”
She studies me a minute before her head tips down and a light laugh leaves her. “This is going to be interesting, isn’t it?” She looks up again, humor written across her face – hidden heat behind her eyes.
“Fun.” I shrug. Letting my arms fall. “It’ll be fun.”
“Will you always be so... extra?”
“Yes. And you’ll still want more.”
“Uh-huh.” She laughs. “We’ll see, now let’s go eat before it gets cold.” She gets a few feet away, and then adds in a mischievous undertone, “And before the wind starts. Wouldn’t want my boyfriend to get mad when it gives away my lack of underwear.”
I dart for her, but she evades, smiling wider.
She skips back to the table, proud of her little teasing, and drops in the middle of Carley and Macy.
I take my seat at the end by Trent, lifting my chin when she looks my way.
She brings her straw to her lips, grinning like a brat.
With a shake of my head, I reach for a fresh beer bottle from the iced beer tub in the center of the table and pop one open.
“Damn, Nic,” Trent says under his breath.
I glance his way, my eyes narrowing when he cuts a quick glance toward the girls, only to bring them right back.
“What?”
A scoffing laugh escapes from him and he shakes his head. “Nothing, man.”
I get it, he’s unsure about what I’m doing, but so the fuck am I.
Still doing it.
I grip his shoulder, giving him a little shake. “Let me worry about what needs worrying, Trent.”
He lifts his hands as if to say do your thing.
I plan to.
The boardwalk is pretty fucking crowded, as expected on a three-day weekend, but for the most part, everyone who came for Krista’s birthday is sticking together.
Right now, we’re all in line for the trolley ride that takes you from one side of the coastline and drops you on the opposite end. Demi ran ahead with the girls and is almost in the front, while I’m stuck several spaces back with a few guys from the team.
Of course, I’m not the only one with eyes on her.
Alex snakes his way through our crowd, slithering right in line beside her.
She’s talking with her friend Ava when he inserts himself in their conversation.
Her head snaps his way, and instantly she throws her head back, laughing at whatever lame ass joke he’s spit.
“Now they look right together.”
I don’t bother to turn when Josie’s voice finds me. “Who invited you?”
“Does it matter?”
I scoff, moving forward as the next group of people are let on.
“So, is it true then?” she asks. “Did the princess see the toad?”
“Get the fuck out of here, Josie.”
“Oh, so much tension. It must not be what it seems,” she guesses.
I turn my glare on her. “What the fuck do you want? Why you standing here right now? We’re not together anymore. You couldn’t keep your legs closed, remember?”
Josie’s gaze falls a minute but comes up stronger. “Don’t judge me. You didn’t even care.”
My head pulls back. “What the fuck did you expect, me to grovel? Fucking please, Josie. You know better than that.” I lower my voice. “You didn’t come at me when you found out I slept with Sandra, but now that you heard about me and D, here you are. Worried you’ll never get another chance to slide down my dick like you’ve been able to in the past? Tell me, Josie, if you didn’t give a damn about the girls I’ve fucked since you, why you trippin’ on little Demi Davenport?”
That pisses her off. “She’s not just some girl, is she Nic?” she forces past clenched teeth.
“You’re right, she’s my girl, something you’ll never be again.”
That has her dark eyes hardening. “Look whose side she’s by right now.”
Despite myself, I do, finding her and Alex now next in line to ride.
Irritation tightens my muscles, something not missed by Josie, and a dark chuckle leaves her.
Demi chooses this moment to cut her smile this way, spotting me standing a few rows back. Her brows knit the slightest bit, the tip of her lips straightening.
Josie leans closer to my ear, and Demi’s eyes cut her way. “Seems none of us can resist a perfect white boy—”
My glare slices to Josie and she stops short, swallowing hard on her words.
“Forget about her, Nic,” Josie backpedals, a desperate flare taking over as she takes a step in. “She’ll never want you like you—”
“Hey.” Demi’s peppy voice surprises us both, even more so when she slips in front of me, leaving Josie at her back as if she didn’t see her standing here at all.
She did.
Her big green eyes stare into mine, unsure of what she can or can’t do right now, but even though she doubts her place, her voice is strong. “It’s our turn.”
“Excuse you,” Josie spits, stepping to the side slightly.
Demi’s hand plants against my chest as she turns toward Josie. She smiles sweetly at her. “Hey, Josie.”
Josie glares, opens her mouth to speak, but Demi grips my hand and tugs.
“Come on,” she says, throwing one long ass leg after the other over the chain that closes off the line and I’m right behind her.
I don’t look back at my ex once.
The ride attendant pretends she’s annoyed for us holding up the cart an extra few seconds, but a small smile tips her lips as we pass.
Demi slides inside, not letting go of my hand, so I drop right beside her.
I glance over, eyeing Alex who stands at the head of the line, only for a split second before the cart jolts forward, and he’s out of sight.
The second we’re moving, Demi lets go, scooting over several inches.
We’re both quiet the first few minutes, but it’s me who breaks the silence.
“What happened, lover boy didn’t want to ride?”
My flat tone has her head snapping toward mine.
“He did.”
“And?”
She eyes me mockingly. “And then I remembered everyone thinks I’m dating someone, so I did what I would if I really was.”
“Ditch the asshole trying to get at what he knows to be mine?” I throw out.
“Make sure the ex knows where she stands,” she counters, holding my gaze. “Behind me.”
Damn if heat doesn’t spread through my groin.
It’s been a minute since anyone’s felt greedy for me. Fake reasoning or not.
“Rule number two.” She scowls.
I sit back, nodding my chin.
Let’s hear it.
“Don’t make a fool of me by sleeping with your ex while people think we’re dating or whatever.”
“Just my ex?”
She frowns but doesn’t ask for more. She should.
“Demi, I won’t be fucking anyone.”
“That’s not my business, but if you do, at least avoid people we know or go to school with. I’ll do the same.”
A scoffing laugh leaves me, and I shift on the seat. “You’ll do the same?” I crack. “Meaning you’ll fuck if you feel the need, but not someone we know and not your boyfriend?”
“Fake boyfriend.”
“Same fucking thing.”
“Not at all.”
“You’re a virgin.”
She gapes, slowly shaking her head. “I’m not a virgin, Nico.”
My muscles curl, my eyes locked on hers. “Don’t play with me.”
“I’m not.” She gauges me. “I thought you knew this and were just teasing me when you said it before.”
“Who?”
Her eyes widen, panic flashing across her face. “No way.”
“Who, Demi? When?”
“Look.” She turns toward me.
I don’t let her speak. “A boyfriend would know these things.”
“Not necessarily,” she argues. “Girls lie about this stuff all the time.”
“Are you for real right now?”
“I’m not telling you,” she snaps. “So you can stop with all your angry eyes and this deep chest voice thing you’ve got going.”
I throw myself back in the seat, looking away from her, glaring out the window.
“You should have ridden with Alex. Might have been able to cut this thing quicker.”
“I’m sorry, am I cramping your style so soon?” she cracks. “Don’t forget you’re the one that said we needed more time. If you wanted to get it on with your ex, who you must have invited because Krista and Josie don’t even like each other, then you should have said something.”
My eyes slice to her. “If you think I’m gonna back out of this so easy, and for pussy I’ve had plenty of, you’ve got a rude awakening coming. I said I was all in. I am.”
“So this is some sort of ‘Nico Tantrum Time’?” Her brows lift jeeringly. “Can I expect this type of shit every time things don’t go your way?”
My eyes narrow but she doesn’t back down right away.
She stares, attempting to read me, but after a moment she looks off, randomly saying, “She was jealous.”
“Let her be.”
Demi hesita
tes before asking, “Do you want her to be?”
“Why do you care?”
“Well, asshole, if you do, you might as well use me.”
I glare. “Use you how?”
“I bet she’s planning to come back to the hotel for dancing tonight. Obviously, I’m all over that. So, if you want to go...”
“If I want to go?”
“Yeah.” She shrugs.
“If you’re going, I’m going,” I tell her matter-of-factly. “Possessive, keep you in arm’s length, boyfriend, remember?” I lean in. “And so there’s no confusion in that pretty head of yours, I don’t give a shit what Josie wants, does, thinks, or sees. Fuck her. I will never touch her again, but I’m not interested in purposely trying to piss her off either. She gets mad seeing us together? Oh fuckin’ well.” I confirm, “This isn’t about making anyone jealous.”
She considers my words a moment. “It’s not?”
I shake my head.
“What is it then?” Her tone is doubtful. “What are you hoping to gain?”
So fucking much I could say right now, none of which I should. Instead, I go with a solid amount of truth. “I want everyone to believe it.”
“Believe what?”
“That you want me.”
She shifts in her seat, looking at her hands. “I guess that would be the first step in faking being together.” She glances my way, but only with her eyes. “Making people believe we’re into each other.”
“It won’t be hard.”
That has her lips smashing to the side to hide her grin. “Is that right?”
I nod. “Everyone will see how attracted you are to me.”
Her eyes narrow, but just as quick a loud laugh leaves her, and I hold in my smirk.
“Did we just make up?” she teases.
“That what you call a fight?”
She chuckles, looking away. “You know, I’m not afraid to admit I think you’re more than okay looking,” she clowns. “So, I guess all we really have to work on is getting them to believe you are into me.”
“They already do.”
Her mouth drops open slightly, and she smiles. “Nico Sykes, so sure of himself and his unspeakable plan, even though, to everyone around, you and I together will have come completely out of left field.”
I ignore her statement. “I’m gonna need you to use football references from now on.”