I guess it makes sense that he’s now buddies with Tristan. Harper would like that. She loves keeping all the people close to her in a tight-knit group. She encouraged me to get to know Tristan because of that.
That ended quickly though.
Serena looks down at her half-eaten taco. “Nick is Harper’s younger brother, and he’s in Tristan’s frat. He’s a really sweet guy.”
My face heats. I ought to say something, but fuck… It’s so hard to talk about what these people used to mean to me. “Why did you break up?” I ask instead.
She huffs, shaking her head. “I never got a straight answer from him. He said he had family stuff going on and couldn’t concentrate on being in a relationship, but I can guess what was really going on…” Her dark eyes meet mine. “Harper and Tristantold him to do it. They shit-talked me enough that he finally started to believe them.”
“That makes sense,” I say in a small voice. It makes perfect sense.
Tristan must have done the same thing to me. He talked enough shit about me to Harper that she eventually believed him.
She smiles sadly. “I can forgive Harper. She’s insanely protective of Nick, but Tristan…” She shakes her head. “He never liked me. And I think he used his influence over Nick to kick me out of their friend group.”
“God, he’s a dick. Why would anyone listen to him? Why is anyone friends with him for that matter?”
Serena laughs, a sound as melodic as an acoustic guitar. No wonder she was chosen for the game. Even her laugh is beautiful. “Because he’s a hot guy.”
I snort. “That’s all he’s got. People are so damn boring to be swayed that much by a pretty face.”
“It’s about what he can do for them. Or they’re afraid of going against him. He has social status, you know?”
I shake my head. “It’s like we’re living in Regency England, and Tristan has ten thousand a year.”
Serena grins, baring all her teeth. “I think my Jane-dar is telling me I’m hanging out with another fangirl.”
“Are you a Jane Austen fan too?” I nearly shout.
“Girl, I watch the 2005Pride and Prejudiceon loop when I do homework. It’s my comfort movie. And I read the book once a year, at least.”
“Oh my God, me too! I’ve been obsessed with that book since I was twelve and barely understood any of the language.”
She smiles radiantly. “I knew you were my type of girl. I just sensed it when we were waiting in line. I hope…” She shakes her head. “Never mind.”
“What?” I ask.
She’s quiet for a moment as she stares at the large redwood tree that towers above us. “I want you to win the competition.”
“Why?”
She shrugs. “To beat Tristan at his own game. If he really nominated you just to embarrass you, I’d love it if you could embarrass him back. Make him fall for you right before you reject him.”
A chill skitters over my skin. Did she read my mind?
“I don’t know how I could possibly do that,” I say, too embarrassed to tell her that is my plan.
Though I suppose she’ll see it if she watches the YouTube video of my date with Tristan. Fuck, I can’t believe I actually talked about my seduction plan while being filmed.
Her gaze meets mine. “Let me help you.”
I swallow. “What could you possibly do?”
“I know Tristan. I learned a lot about him when I was dating Nick. I know how he works.”
“And how is that?”
“He wants what he can’t have. I think that’s part of the reason he pushed Nick to break up with me. As soon as Nick had a girlfriend, Tristan wanted his best friend all to himself again.”
