"Piss off," I tell him.
Rick looks between us, confused. "Is this some kind of inside joke?"
"Something like that," Tyler says diplomatically.
Caleb shifts beside me, and his breath is on my ear. "How many more Christmas activities do you think Drew has planned?"
"Based on his enthusiasm? At least a dozen."
He groans softly. "We're going to end up at every holiday event on campus, aren't we?"
"Probably," I say, then, quieter, just for him, "At least we'll be miserable together."
Caleb's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, neither of us seems particularly miserable at all.
As we drive back toward campus, Christmas music playing softly on the radio and Caleb warm against my side, I find myself wondering if maybe, just maybe, I don't hate this holiday stuff quite as much as I thought.
Chapter 15
Snowballs and First Kisses
CALEB
Inever thought I'd die in a snowball fight, but here we are.
Crouched behind a snow barricade, chest heaving, sweat freezing on my forehead despite being indoors, wondering how life has come to this. And by "this," I mean hiding from flying projectiles with James, who's too-gorgeous-for-my-sanity Hunter pressed close against my side, both of us breathing hard and covered in melting snow.
The problem is that James is breathing hard. That's it. That's the whole problem. Because my brain, helpful, rational organ that it is, has decided that sweaty, panting James crouched beside me is functionally identical to sweaty, panting James in bed. Now I'm having thoughts that are wildly inappropriate for our current snow-covered, fully clothed situation.
Stop. Do not go there. This is a snowball fight, not a fantasy.
Too late. Already there. Already imagining what he'd sound like making those same breathless noises in an entirely different context. Preferably, one involving significantly less clothing.
Or like no clothing at all. Shit. Stop thinking about naked James!
Brilliant. Just brilliant.I've been reduced to having horny thoughts during a frat house snow war. If this is what fake dating does to a person, I'm filing a complaint.
It all starts after we drop off the Christmas tree at the frat house. The guys are buzzing with holiday sugar-fueled energy as they prop the massive tree in the corner of the common room, promising to decorate it later that night. I'm fully prepared to bow out and catch up on my Contract Law reading when Drew, still wearing that ridiculous Santa hat, claps his hands for attention.
"Phase two of Operation Yuletide Brotherhood!" he announces.
Gavin whoops. Tyler grins. I contemplate jumping out the window.
"The university's indoor snowball arena opens today," Drew continues. "I've booked us a slot at five. Proceeds go to the community involvement fund."
"The what now?" I whisper to James..
"They truck in literal tons of snow and build these arena things in the old field house," James explains, looking equally unenthusiastic. "It's new this year."
"And we're going because...?"
"Because Drew will physically drag us if necessary," James says with a resigned sigh. "Trust me. Resistance is futile."
That's how, an hour later, I find myself bundled up inside the university field house, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland on steroids. The enormous space is divided into four "arenas," each with elaborate snow barricades, bunkers, and piles of pre-made snowballs. Staff in elf hats are directing groups to their assigned areas.
"This is..." I trail off, searching for the right word.
"Ridiculous?" James offers.
