Page 88 of End Game

“Friends,” I repeat, hating that word with my entire being.

She nods, her ponytail gently swinging. “Continuing along this path we started last night only complicates things. And I was just in arelationship that was terrible. I’m not ready to jump back into another one. Not that what we’re doing is a relationship but—you know what I mean.”

Ever is really going to compare me to her ex, the douche? Fucking Brad?

Give me a break.

“You’re really pulling the friend card back out?” I ask, my voice tired.

Hell, I am tired. Exhausted by the back and forth. Just when I think we’re making progress, bam.

It’s ruined.

I drop my hands from her body and take a step away from her, but she remains leaning against the door.

Her gaze narrows. I probably offended her. “I’m not pulling out any sort of card. This is how I feel.”

“And I guess I can’t argue with how you feel, right? You want to be friends, and all I can think about is kissing you. You’re just my friend, and all I want to do is get you naked.”

Ever goes quiet. So do I.

“I think we might want different things,” she whispers.

I should tell her how I feel. Right now. In this very moment, I need to admit that I care about her. That I want something more with her. But damn, putting yourself on the line like that?

It’s scary.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

EVERLEIGH

I’m trying to remain strong and stand by my convictions. My opinions, feelings, whatever you want to call them. Going out to lunch with Sienna and being able to talk about everything that happened last night between me and Nico was just what I needed. I’d been full of nonstop doubt ever since I sneaked out of his room, my head swirling with confusion after I left Nico sleeping alone in his bed. I went to my own bedroom, locked the door, and then just lay there thinking.

Thinking.

It was the most earth-shattering sexual experience of my life, but it also left me a mess—and not in a positive way. Good sex is one thing, and we didn’t even do the actual deed yet. I didn’t think I was this type of woman, but maybe I fall a little in love with a man who knows how to rock my world.

Nico rocked my entire universe with ease. Like it was no big deal for him to give me an intense orgasm with his mouth and fingers while I was left lying there in the middle of his bed, a gasping, overwhelmed bundle of bewilderment. A fumbling fool who tried to give him an adequate hand job. Who probably should’ve done more for him, but after three orgasms, I was sleepy.

Exhausted, really. And a little drunk.

I passed out only to jolt awake about thirty minutes later, my heart racing after the dream I just had. More like nightmare.

We were in a giant house where I lived with my current roommates. I went looking for Nico, but I couldn’t find his bedroom anywhere. I opened door after door, and eventually I found him in a bathroom.

Fucking Portia while she sat on the edge of the counter, a triumphant smile on her face, aimed right at me.

Feeling sick to my stomach, I sneaked out of his bed and went to my own, totally distraught. I barely slept. When Sienna sent me a text asking if I wanted to go to lunch, I immediately said yes. And the moment after we made our order and the server walked away, I spilled my guts.

Told her everything that happened between me and Nico the night before, though I saved a few details for myself. Like I refused to tell her his dick size, and trust that she tried her best to pry the information out of me. I repeatedly said it was sufficient and left it at that.

She had a moment of supreme jealousy becausestupid Gavin will never make a moveon her, direct quote. I let her have her moment of getting all her frustration out, but then she asked me a difficult question.

What do I want from Nico now?

I couldn’t give her an answer.

And this was what brought me to this point of being in his room and wrapped up in his arms while he’s naked and smells so freaking good since he just got out of the shower. His dark hair is wet and slicked back from his gorgeous face, and his cheeks are as smooth as a baby’s butt because I assume he just shaved, and he’s so tempting.

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