The fact that he remembers my class schedule is such a boyfriend thing to do.Which is the point, I remind myself. We’re selling a relationship. Of course, he’s going to remember things like this.
“Yeah, I was up all night studying,” I say, trying to sound unruffled even as his hand finds the small of my back, guiding me down the hallway. “I think Ryan could take the test for me and ace it at this point.”
“You’ll kill it,” he says with such confidence that I almost believe him. “You always do.”
As we eat breakfast in the dining hall, Drew’s leg presses against mine under the table. He steals bites of my eggs, I snag pieces of his bacon, and to anyone watching, we’re probably sickeningly domestic. The entire time, I’m hyperaware of every point of contact between us. His foot bumping mine. His fingers brushing against my hand when he reaches for the salt. The way he unconsciously leans into my space when he laughs.
“You two are nauseating,” Kyle says, dropping into the seat across from us with his usual scowl. “I liked it better when you were pretending not to be together.”
“Aw, Kyle’s jealous,” Drew teases, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, buddy. Someone will tolerate your sunny disposition eventually.”
Kyle flips him off. “Just keep it PG in the dining hall. Some of us are trying to eat.”
Drew responds by planting an obnoxiously loud kiss on my cheek. I roll my eyes but can’t help grinning, pushing at his shoulder while the spot on my cheek tingles.
“Children,” Kyle mutters, but I catch the tiny smile tugging at his lips before he schools his expression back to its usual grumpiness.
Desperate to change the subject before Drew demonstrates any more PDA, I ask Kyle, “How’s Alex doing with his internship prep? He starts with the team soon, right?”
Kyle’s entire demeanor shifts. The perpetual scowl softens into something that might be pride. “Yeah, next week. Kid’s been driving himself crazy preparing.”
“Nervous?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“I’d say excited more than nervous.” Kyle takes a sip of his orange juice. “He’s been practicing his deep-tissue massage techniques on me every night. I’m basically his guinea pig, but honestly? The kid’s got magic hands. My shoulder hasn’t felt this good in years.”
Drew perks up beside me. “Wait, Alex gives massages? Like, professional ones?”
“Soon-to-be professional,” Kyle corrects. “But yeah, he’s damn good at it. Gerard already called dibs on being his first official patient once he starts.”
“Of course he did.” Drew snorts. “Probably wants Alex to work on that legendary ass of his. Give those glutes the deep tissue treatment they deserve.”
The words barely leave Drew’s mouth before Kyle’s foot connects with his shin under the table. Hard.
“Fuck!” Drew yelps, jerking sideways into me. “What was that for?”
“Watch your mouth when you’re talking about Alex,” Kyle growls, but there’s less venom in it than usual.
Drew looks at me expectantly, probably waiting for me to defend his honor or make some joke about Kyle’s overprotectiveness. But I’ve seen Kyle truly angry, and I have no desire to be on the receiving end of that.
“Sorry, man,” I say to Kyle, holding up my hands in surrender. “I’m not getting involved. I value my shins.”
Kyle’s eyebrows raise slightly, and then in what might be the most shocking moment of my college career, he extends his fist toward me. “Smart man, Monroe.”
I bump his fist, trying not to appear as surprised as I am. Kyle Graham gave me his approval. The same Kyle who once made a freshman cry because the kid was kind enough to hold a door for him.
“Damn, a fist bump!” Drew says. “That’s the equivalent of Kyle kissing you!”
This time, Kyle kicks Drew’s other shin.
“Jesus, Kyle! I need these legs for hockey!”
“Then stop being an idiot,” Kyle says simply, returning to his eggs as if he didn’t just assault both of Drew’s shins.
I probably shouldn’t find it funny, but watching Drew rub his legs while pouting is kind of adorable. Not that I’m thinking about Drew being adorable. Because this is fake.
Allof this is fake.
“You’re my witnesses,” Drew announces to the surrounding tables. “My boyfriend let Kyle Graham brutalize me.Twice.”
