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Maison’s my rock at social events; I don’t do well at them. And I don’t have many people I consider friends.

One of them rubs my arm and asks me all about the upcoming hockey season and how exciting it must be for me to go into my senior year of high school. They eventually get bored with my one-word answers and flutter off, leaving me alone, especially when she sees my fists clenching.

I search the yard and fidget just as Naomi spots me and heads over. Ezra’s nowhere in sight, otherwise I doubt she’d be talking to me. “Hi, Micah,” she says to me through her fake eyelashes as she walks up, a hesitant smile on her face.

Naomi’s looking good tonight, wearing a tight white dress I’m sure her dad wouldn’t be too pleased about. Her parents split years ago and can’t stand to be in the same room as each other, so I bet her mom’s here. I wish I was more into her. Even so, annoyance tightens in my stomach at being second fiddle tonight. Both these bitches were in my bed the other night while their boyfriends slept.

I arch a brow and cross my arms. “Enjoying your night, Naomi?” Uncertainty shines in her face at my underlying tone. She wavers slightly as I step forward, closing the distance between us. “What?” I whisper. “You don’t want your boyfriend to see us talking? What if I licked your pretty lips like I did the other night? Do you think he’d like watching?”

She flinches and takes a step back from me.

I’m an asshole—she’s young, inexperienced, and experimenting. She’s the girl all other girls in her grade want to be—captain of the junior cheer team, and a classic beauty like Olivia.

She probably thinks I’m the guy she should be with. On paper, she should think that. But I’m fucking not. I’m damaged, and she has potential.

“Micah, don’t say that.” She widens her eyes but keeps herself composed. “Why haven’t you called me all summer? I’ve wanted you to call me.”

“Stick with your boyfriend, Naomi,” I say, turning away from her just as Ezra sees us talking and pushes his way over to us. I glare at him and get the fuck out of there. Not the drama I need tonight.

Maison and Olivia head toward me, holding hands as I cut through the crowd.

This fucking chick … seriously. My ego can’t take this shit. She gives me a half smile and acts like I didn’t fuck the living daylights out of her three nights earlier, and Maison shoots me a don’t you dare ask look. Fucking guy only thinks with his dick. Not that I’m much better.

I run my hand through my hair, excuse myself, and head back to the bar. Maison and Olivia walk to my parents, holding hands and announce that they are back together.

The night carries on … I sneak some drinks from the bar and wander around the party, avoiding everyone, until it’s an appropriate time to excuse myself. I spot Maison in the crowd and notice him and Olivia sitting alone, cuddled up and exchanging glances and pawing at each other on a patio chair. She’s not catching my attention as she did at the pool party.

Fuck this …

I head inside and restrain myself from punching a wall, but definitely stomp on a stray balloon, aware an outburst wouldn’t be appreciated by my parents. I barely make it in the kitchen when Maison’s voice carries through the house.

“Micah,” he yells.

My body goes rigid, and I turn to face him. The fire inside me is burning strong now. I cock a brow at him. “I thought we were going to fuck shit up tonight. What the fuck is she even doing here?”

He frowns. “Look, man. I like her okay, I’ll admit it. We got back together tonight. I’m not planning on messing around on her again. It was a mistake with Serena. I fucked up.”

I scoff. “I’m so happy for you.”

He pauses and stares at me as if he can see into my soul. Every dark thought, all the primal rage I have hidden within me.

“Fuck. I knew it. You fucked her again, didn’t you, Micah?

I freeze.

“Don’t lie to me.”

I could never lie to Maison, and I can’t hide from this either. He brought this on himself the moment he let me have her that first night. I just didn’t think I’d want her so badly now. I don’t ever think about girls for longer than a fucking day—and since the other night, I can’t get this chick out of my head.

He shakes his head. “When did it happen?”

I shrug. “It was the night you broke up with her. She came onto me though, bro. I was minding my business.”

“When though? She slept in my bed and was still there when I woke up.”

“It was after you fell asleep. I ran into her in the kitchen after my workout.”

He wrinkles his brow and pauses. “Are you still having trouble sleeping?”