Page 26 of End Game

“Shit,” I mutter, dropping my head so I can stare at my feet. I’m tempted to leave, but I’m not abandoning Everleigh. But I don’t want Portia to make a scene either.

“What’s wrong?” Everleigh asks, her voice full of alarm.

I must be giving off major shit’s-about-to-go-down vibes. “There’s a girl here who—”

“Nico Valente! I haven’t seen you inforeverrrrrr.”

I wince at the sound of Portia’s grating voice.

What did I ever see in her again?

She magically appears in front of me, her glossy lips stretched into a smile, the scrap of a sundress she’s wearing barely containing her voluptuous curves. The skirt’s hem flirts around the top of her tanned thighs, and her tits look ready to bust out of the dress at any given moment.

Okay, that’s what I saw in her. Portia has a bangin’ bod, and she knows what she’s doing when she’s dressed like that. But she was too possessive, too mean ... just too damn much. I was bailing on her all the time there near the end of it, trying my best to ghost her, but she still wouldn’t take the hint. I finally had to tell her—to her face—that I didn’t want to see her anymore.

And she lost it. Put on an ugly scene that had Cooper threatening to call the cops if she didn’t leave our place. Back then it was just Coop and me living in a tiny apartment together. She doesn’t know where we moved.

At least, I don’t think she knows.

“Hey, Portia,” I finally greet her, taking a step closer to Everleigh. Unfortunately, she shifts out of my way, and Portia notices because that chick sees everything.

“What are you up to, hmm? Grabbing one of your favorite burritos?” I’ve brought Portia to this place too. Hell, I wouldn’t put it past her that she’s hanging around here in the hopes that she’d spot me.

I’m not an arrogant ass by saying that either. This girl was flat-out obsessed with me, and not in a good way.

“Yeah,” I tell her, taking another step closer to Everleigh. At least she doesn’t move away this time.

“Who’s your friend?” Portia sounds overly friendly and completely harmless, but I know the truth. She’s digging for information and ready to say something shitty to Everleigh.

“Hi, I’m Everleigh.” She extends her hand to Portia, who just stares at it like it’s a dead rat, giving Everleigh no choice but to drop it, sending me a concerned look. “Uh, nice to meet you?”

“Likewise,” Portia says breezily, lunging for me so she can wrap her arm around mine, pressing her tits against me. “You look good, Nico. I’ve missed you.”

“Hey, whoa. Can’t go grabbing at me like that, Portia. I’ve got someone else now.” I pull away from her still-grasping hands and slip my arm around Everleigh’s shoulders, tugging her close so she’s practically lodged under my armpit.

I can feel her stiffen against me, and I send a silent plea to the universe that she cooperates.

Portia stares at us for a second, her mouth hanging open for a moment before she snaps her lips shut. “Really.”

“Yep.” I give Everleigh’s shoulders a squeeze, the deliciously sweet scent of her flooding my senses.

“You told me you weren’t the exclusive kind,” Portia snottily reminds me.

“A man can change for the right woman.” I flash Everleigh my best smile, and she just stands there, looking stunned. The deer-in-the-headlights look isn’t what I’m going for. Hopefully Portia doesn’t notice, but she sees all so ...

“Oh my God, Nico, you are so full of shit right now. Text me when you eventually get bored with this one, because we so know that’s going to happen, and soon.” With a flip of her long blonde locks, Portia turns on her heel and stomps off.

The moment she’s out of sight, I release my hold on Everleigh. “Sorry about that.”

“Did you just tell her that I was your girlfriend or something?”

“Maybe?” I scratch the back of my head, glancing around to see if anyone is paying attention to us. Everyone acts like they’re absorbed in their own thing, but I know what it’s really like around here. Someone noticed.

More like a few someones.

Portia also has a huge mouth. I’m sure it’s going to spread like wildfire that I told her I have somebody new in my life.

“Nico.” The disappointment in Everleigh’s voice is obvious, and I immediately feel like a shit. “Why did you lie to her?”

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