Conceited, cruel, addicted to their own reflections. Honestly, they should just date already and save us all the drama. Except they'd probably implode in a week because of two oversized egos smashing together.
Still. Ugh. I hate it, but they're not totally wrong. Beating Easton is a huge deal. And as captain, Zach probablyshouldbe out there celebrating with his team.
I sneak a look at him. His expression has gone flat. It's the mask he puts on right before he caves. And I know what that means. He's already talking himself into it. Already drifting their way.
And just like that, I feel my shoulders sag. Heavy. Like the last balloon keeping me afloat just popped and I'm sinking, sinking, sinking.
Cici slinks in closer, perfume wrapping around him like smoke. Her voice drops into that sugar-sweet drawl that makes my teeth grind.
"Come on, Zach," she purrs. Her hand spreads over his chest, fingers drifting slow like she's staking her claim. Nails skim his collar. Lips hover by his ear—close enough to look intimate, loud enough for the whole crowd to hear.
"You know I'll make your night feelsooogood if you come with us."
The guys behind him start nudging each other, barely holding back snickers. One of them mutters, "That's our captain," while another fist-bumps the air, like Zach's already scored.
Their faces light up with that stupid mix of envy and pride, watching the hottest girl in school drape herself all over him.
She presses closer, her breath skating over his ear as her hand trails down his stomach, nails catching the hem of his shirt. "Remember the hot tub last time?" she practically moans, letting the memory hang in the air.
"Didn't think you had such a feral side in you...and the way you kissed me," She lets out a low hum, the kind that earns her a few wolf whistles from the boys. "Too bad we got interrupted before we could, you know,finish." she giggles.
A couple of the boys howl, eating it up.
Her lips hover at his jawline now, playful and daring. "Come tonight, Zach. We'll finish what we started."
Her grin widens, eyes flicking to the boys as if they're part of the deal. "And this time? I'll make it even better."
Her words slam into me like a sucker punch, sharp and brutal, and I swear my chest caves in at the sound of it.
Zach suddenly coughs, enough that a couple of the guys slap his back and laugh. They don't even try to hide their grins.
One of them elbows another, muttering something about the captain finally getting some with the hottest girl in school. More snickers follow, like this is all some big inside joke.
My stomach twists.
I don't want to believe it. Irefuseto believe it!
Before summer break, I heard the rumors—Zach and Cici, sneaking around. I asked him once, pretending I was just curious, keeping it light so he wouldn't suspect how much I cared.
He denied it, swore nothing happened.
I remember walking away so lightheaded, so stupidly happy, like the denial itself was a gift I could hold onto.
My eyes squeeze shut.
The images her words paint flash too vividly in my head—her hands on him, her lips where mine willneverbe. My hand trembles on my side, but I force my expression into something calm, unbothered. I can't let them see me break.
Not here. Not in front of them.
Still, it feels like someone dumps a bucket of ice straight into my chest, scraping against my heart as it freezes over. I bite down on my lip so hard I taste copper.
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away. Crying in front of them isn't an option.
When I finally dare to look at him, his face is red, his jaw clenched. That's all it takes. The confirmation I never wanted.
Damn it!
I really didn't want to believe it. But I should've known better. He's my best friend—and this is Zach Westbrook we're talking about.
