Then—laughter.
Howling.
Whistles.
“YO—”
“NO WAY?—”
“HE ACTUALLY DID IT?—”
My stomach drops.
Tristan steps back first.
Like I burned him.
Like touching me was a mistake.
His face goes red.
Not flushed.
Embarrassed.
Leo appears out of nowhere, grinning like a shark.
He slaps Tristan on the shoulder.
“Guess I owe you five grand,” he laughs. “Didn’t think you’d actually make out with the scholarship girl, man.”
The words hit slower than the kiss.
They made a bet.
My ears start ringing.
No.
No no no.
This isn’t?—
Tristan doesn’t laugh.
But he doesn’t deny it either.
Doesn’t look at me. His eyes are locked on Leo’s and at the crowd behind me.
Heat crawls up my neck.
My hands start shaking.
I taste humiliation where his mouth was a second ago.
“Qué estúpida eres, Stella,” I whisper to myself.
God, you’re so stupid.
