Page 132 of Well Played

“Yes?” His voice is soft and reassuring. I’m not used to this agreeable side. He’s nice. And it’s scary. Because if Niko continues to act like this... No. No. No. Out of the question.

“Why were you coming to my apartment?”

“I wasn’t,” he snaps.

Like my mother always says, all good things come to an end. No worries of developing feelings. The Nico I’ve come to know and dread is back.

“You sort of were.”

He sighs. “I was visiting my buddy who lives in the same complex. I happened to run into you, or rather, you ran into me, before I got there.”

“Oh.”

I don’t mention that he hasn’t bothered calling or texting his “friend” to tell him that he hit a detour and won’t make it. Maybe I’m making too much of this. It’s not like Mr. Perfect has shown the least bit of interest in me. Not even as a friend. Until now.

Every interaction we’ve had has been about spikeball. And whywouldhe come to my apartment? Actually, I’m surprised he hasn’t laced into me for missing our game Thursday. On cue, as if he can read my thoughts...

“Is your face the reason you missed league this week?”

He reminds me that he notices my face. My swollen, blotchy, ugly face. Yeah, Mom also taught me how to read between the lines.

I shake my head. “I had to work late every night this week.”

“Work?”

“Yes.”

“Can you evenseeout of your eye?”

I nod. “My vision is fine, it’s... I must be straining, or overusing it.”

“Eye strain leads to headaches, not swelling of the entire side of your face.”

I look away. I don’t need him to keep reminding me that not only do I feel like shit, I look like it as well. Whatever the hell is going on has my forehead red and swollen, making me look like I’m a Klingon fromStar Trek. I close my eyes, hoping to tune out the world around me. But Nico can’t let me be. He has other ideas.

“Do you haveanyfamily here?”

I shake my head. “No. I moved here because my company asked me to transfer and I thought it was a good opportunity.”

“How about friends?”

I shake my head and wince. Why does doing something so simple hurt?

“Just me.” I offer a fake smile.

“Summer Sadler.”

Upon hearing my name, I get to my feet and head to the triage nurse. To my surprise, Nico’s right at my side. We start by going over my personal information: name, date of birth, and insurance information. Once that’s done, she looks at Nico.

“Who do you have with you today?”

“I’m Nico,” he doesn’t hesitate before responding. “I’m her fiancé.”

9

Nico

ThankGod I have a better game face than Summer. She looks like she’s about to fall out of her seat. I don’t know why. I told her, I’m here for back-up. Considering she doesn’t have anyone else she can count on, I don’t have a choice but to pretend to be her fiancé. Otherwise, they can kick me out on my ass, and she’ll have no one to advocate for her if she needs it.

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