Page 79 of End Game

“My economics professor.” He says it with such a straight face, I almost believe him.

Almost.

“You’re a liar.” I grab the pillow from behind me and try to toss it at his head, but it’s heavy, and he blocks me with his hand, snatching it from my grasp. “You’re also really fast.”

“I do this out on the football field every single day. Don’t test me.” He’s grinning. “I will win every time.”

“So cocky.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” His voice is a sexy drawl, and from the way my body goes on high alert, I’m here for it.

I grab the other pillow behind me and sit up, clutching it close to my chest. He watches me with a wary gaze, completely onto me. “You never know. I might catch you when you’re not paying attention.”

“Just try it,” he taunts like the arrogant football player he is. “Like I said, I will beat you every time.”

“You’re drunk. Your reflexes might be slower.”

“Not that slow. And I’m not that drunk.”

I smile at him, realizing that I am indeed that drunk. “I might be.”

The side of his mouth kicks up in a faint smile. “I can tell.”

I’m frowning. “How can you tell?”

“Your body is doing this ... swaying thing.” He chuckles, and he must see the flash of panic on my face. “Don’t get freaked out. I think it’s cute.”

He thinks it’s cute? Oh, come on.

“You don’t see me like that.” I tilt my chin up with a sniff, steeling myself for his agreement. “I’m just your roommate, remember? We made a deal.”

“Oh, I remember.” Nico’s gaze never wavers from mine as he brings the bottle to his lips and takes a long swallow, nearly finishing it off. “You think I don’t notice you?”

“Of course you don’t,” I retort, waggling my fingers at him. “Gimme the bottle.”

Without hesitation he hands it over, and I’m the one who polishes off the mezcal, setting the empty bottle back on the nightstand while smacking my lips and making a satisfiedahhhsound.

“There goes our party,” he murmurs, which for whatever reason makes me laugh.

“I think our party ended when Portia started screaming at us,” I tell him.

“True.” His expression turns somber. “Sorry about that. I didn’t know she’d lose it like she did.”

“It’s okay.” I shrug. “And it’s not your fault.”

“It kind of is.” He studies me for a moment, his lips parting and then closing. Like he was about to say something but changed his mind.

I wish I knew what he was going to say.

“You’re pretty cool, Ever,” he eventually murmurs, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “Going along with my bullshit story for Portia.”

“Not sure if she believes it.” I roll my eyes, trying to lighten the moment, but the air suddenly feels heavy around us. Humming with invisible energy, as if something major is about to happen.

“Don’t forget that you kissed me. And I think it was pretty convincing.” His gaze is still on my lips.

Mine is on his.

“You kissed me back,” I whisper, swallowing hard. I can feel my body swaying, just like he pointed out to me, and I try to rein myself in so I don’t fall into his lap. “That probably helped.”

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