Page 56 of End Game

Yes,my brain screams.I never stop thinking about you.

I should be real with him like he’s being with me. I just—I don’t know how.

I’m too scared.

He shifts even closer, and I can’t move. I’m trapped, but I don’t mind. He reaches for me, settling his hand on my waist, his fingers pressing into bare skin, and a shuddery breath leaves me at first contact.

Oh God.

His body heat seeps into me, warming me from the inside out, and I tilt my head back. His gaze drops to my lips, lingering there, and holy shit, is he going to kiss me?

“Yo, Nico—oh.” Coop comes to an abrupt stop when he catches us, and Nico removes his hand from my body, turning so he can face his friend.

Me? I scurry away like a scared little mouse and resume cleaning the kitchen. My hands are shaking, my breath rattles my lungs, and I try my best to spy on their conversation, automatically giving up when I can barely hear them speaking above the running water.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I’m completely rattled, and it’s all Nico’s fault. And I just know he was about to kiss me. I know he was. And I would’ve gladly welcomed it. Most likely enjoyed it too.

Maybe it was a good thing that Coop interrupted us. Once we take it to that step, nothing will stop us from pursuing it further. Until the next thing I know, I’m naked in bed with Nico.

And that sounds . . . amazing.

I chance a glimpse over my shoulder, wanting to make sure they’re not arguing or anything stupid like that, but they appear friendly. Coop even slaps Nico on the shoulder at one point, both of them looking in my direction, and I hurriedly turn away, embarrassed I got caught.

I wonder what they’re saying to each other. What are they talking about?

Me? Us? I hope not.

I finish loading the dishwasher, doing my best to ignore the conversation currently happening between my roommates. Though it’s unfair of me to think of them in that way. They’re more than just roommates to me already. I consider them my friends.

One of them specifically a friend I have a massive crush on.

This isn’t good. Not even close to being good, but there’s a small part of me now filled with hope, thanks to Nico’s confession.

Beautiful, grumpy Nico, who’s frustrated because he can’t stop thinking about me. Looks like Sienna was right after all. He’s frustrated by his feelings for me.

Feeling is mutual, bud.

By the time Coop leaves us alone in the kitchen, I can feel Nico’s eyes on me. I’m wiping down the counters, putting my all into it rather than facing Nico because I don’t know what to say to him.

I’m also afraid of what he might say to me.

Eventually I finish wiping down the counters and return to the sink, rinsing out the dishrag I was using when I feel him approach. He stops just behind me, his presence wrapping around me like a hug, though he’s not even touching me.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier,” he murmurs.

“It’s fine.” I turn off the water and brace my hands on the edge of the sink. “I never did answer your question.”

He’s quiet for a moment before he asks, “What do you mean?”

“You asked me if I thought about you as much as you thought about me.”

Nico shifts closer, setting his hands on either side of mine along the sink’s edge. “And?”

He’s so close, I can feel his chest rise and fall with every breath he takes. And when I glance up at the window, I can see our reflection thanks to the overhead light. He’s watching me with that intense expression on his face. The one I think he’s wearing because he’s upset with me, or irritated.

But now I’m starting to wonder if it’s something else.

“Maybe I do think about you as much as you think about me,” I whisper, swallowing down all the anxiety that comes with admitting your real feelings. Leaving yourself raw and open to pain.

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