“But I don’t like him.”
“I know you don’t. He just doesn’t seem to know that. I thought when you mentioned going to the game with him, it was just friends, but—he didn’t pressure you or anything, right?”
“No, the game last week was fine. It was—good.”
“Well, you certainly made a statement as far as the you and Nicholas fake boyfriend things go. You wearing his jersey sure made the rounds. His publicist has been having a field day with all the attention.”
“Don’t remind me,” Andrew groans, the idea of strangers looking at him making him mildly nauseous.
“Seriously though who—oh. Oh, Andrew.”
“What?”
“Sweetie.”
The look on her face is somewhere between understanding and pity, and Andrew most definitely might be sick. He’s had a low grade headache since he woke up and a little nausea. He thought it was because he forgot to eat, but that feeling magnifies tenfold at the expression on Amanda’s face.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like that,” Andrew hisses.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt. I should’ve realized when he asked Denise for the jersey, but Denise said I was wrong, that there was no way.”
That does nothing to make Andrew feel better. Knowing two of the people he’s closest to, besides Charlie and Eden, think his relationship with Nicki is impossible only cements the insecurity he’s been ignoring.
“Look, Andrew?—”
“I’m a big boy,” Andrew says, cutting her off. “I’m not a naive kid, despite the way everyone treats me sometimes. Just because I miss social cues for dating, doesn’t make me incapable of handling myself romantically.”
“I know that.” Amanda’s tone softens as she inches closer to Andrew. Her perfume is sweet, her expression gentle, and he has to remind himself that she and Denise are two of his favorite people in the world. “Look, I know Nicholas is very charmingwhen he wants to be, and very handsome. If you're, you know—into that.”
“I’m into that,” Andrew says.
Amanda makes a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”
“Aren’t you supposed to tell me not to hurt him?”
“Sweetie, you would never hurt anyone, which is kind of the problem.”
“That’s not a problem,” Andrew objects.
“Not for everyone else. It’s a problem if you protect everyone but yourself.” Amanda takes both of his hands in hers and squeezes them firmly. “Just remember your peace is worth protecting, too. Don’t let Nicholas steamroll you into something you’re not comfortable with. I know how he is.”
“This isn’t like that.”
“You only agreed to fake date him in the first place because this is exactly like that. To be honest, I’ve felt nothing but regret and guilt since me and Denise asked for your help. I wanted to help Nicholas because as selfish and annoying as he is, I love him, and he’s family. But I love you, Andrew, and I should never put you in this position.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine, Andrew.”
“I like helping people.”
For some reason, this makes Amanda look sad. “I know you do, sweetie. It’s why me and Denise want to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection.”
