Page 29 of The Playbook

We grabbed some food at the mall’s food court and walked around for bit, talking to the few people we knew. By the time we made it to Brent’s, his party was jumping.

“Hey! It’s Logan!” Dax greeted me, giving me a fist bump and pushing a glass of beer into my hand.

I took it from him and grinned. I could use a drink or two. No more worrying about Grace. The playbook had my thoughts all screwed up.

I greeted everyone as I made my rounds, high-fiving and fist bumping. By midnight, I was in a delirious state of drunkenness. Nikki had been all over me the entire night, her lips never far from mine.

At some point, I made it outside, and now, I was on a lawn chair in a darkened corner with Nikki on my lap and all my worries behind me.

“Mm, Logan,” Nikki breathed out, kissing along my neck.

I tightened my hands on her waist, as she ground her hot center against me.

“Wanna go upstairs?” she whispered.

Grace’s face danced in my mind’s eye. I breathed out and kissed Nikki, trying to convince myself she was Grace. Trying to persuade myself I wasn’t the biggest piece of shit known to man and was actually worthy of anything from Grace.

Before I could answer Nikki, Andy called out, “Hey, look who it is.” He grinned at me as I tore my lips from Nikki’s. “Thought you had a date tonight.”

Bleary-eyed, I looked behind him to see Piper with her phone out, giggling and recording the party. She had it focused on the group that had gathered around me. She was always recording everything we did like she was some kind of reality show director.

“Nah, I don’t have time for that shit,” I lied, my words slurred, and my chest heavy.

“Don’t want to win anymore?” Andy pressed, snickering at me.

“I’m going to win,” I proclaimed.

Nikki giggled on my lap, wiggling around.

“I’m going to get laid. And Grace Matthews will be a notch on my belt before this is over,” I proclaimed.

Nikki let out another laugh and then pressed her lips to mine in an erotic kiss.

“You’re nuts,” Andy said as I pulled away from Nikki. He was suddenly serious. He glanced at Piper who was still recording.

I hauled in a breath, my head spinning. I was being an asshole. A bitter asshole because the class nerd had rejected me. Yeah, maybe my confidence had been shattered. I wasn’t used to girls blowing me off.

“He doesn’t like her.” Nikki simpered, running her fingers through my hair. “It’s just a bet. Who really cares? Logan is a winner inmyplaybook.”

I shifted her off my lap and got to my feet, swaying. I needed some water. I felt like I was going to be sick. I made to move past Andy, but his hand landed on my chest and stopped me.

“We can end this if you want.”

“Why? Scared I’ll beat you?” I slurred at him.

Piper still clutched her damn phone. I ignored her. It was always her and Nikki with their phones in our faces. It was so fucking annoying.

“No, man. I just think you’re getting a little carried away. Grace isn’t going to screw you.”

“She will by the time I’m done with her.” I grinned at him.

He sighed and shook his head. This wasn’t the Andy I knew. Something was wrong. Or I was just really drunk.

“Whatever. You want to do this, then let’s do this.”

“I’vebeendoing it,” I shot back at him.

He dropped his hand from my chest and backed away from me. I shuffled past him to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before barricading myself in the bathroom with my phone. I needed to go home, but I couldn’t drive. Anyone I could call was at the party.

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