Page 11 of Caught Stealing

Which is why I do something ballsy. Even for me.

Rather than heading to my usual spot next to one of LU’s cheerleaders a few rows down, I make my way toward Phoenix and drop into the seat right beside him.

My sudden presence must startle him, making him yank his headphones from his ears at the same time those dark eyes lift again. Of course, the second he registers it’s me, they only fill with annoyance and disdain.

“Hey there, Nix. This spot taken?” I pluck the headphone from his fingers and go to put it in my ear. “Whatcha listening to?”

“Don’t call me that,” he says, grabbing the headphone back before shooting another glare my way. “And what’s the point of asking if it’s taken when you’re already sitting in it?”

“It’s called being polite.”

A dark brow arches. “Really? I’d call it being a douchebag.”

I let out a sharp laugh; he’s quick witted. “You really don’t like me, do you?”

He scoffs, the sound brimming with disinterest. “Thank you for the astute observation, Captain Obvious, but if that’s all, you can go now.”

The grin spreading over my face can’t be helped. Ruffling his feathers is fun. “Why would I go when I’m having such a great time pissing you off with my presence alone?”

“Because, unlike you, I actually plan tolearnsomething in this class,” he snaps before jutting his chin toward where I normally sit. “So why don’t you go back to flirting and fucking your way through college and leave me alone?”

This time, it’s my brows that hitch up. “I’m just trying to have a conversation. No need to get so…prickly.”

“Before this weekend, you’ve been perfectly content with acting like I don’t exist.” His lip curls back in some mixture of anger and disgust. “Which was perfectly fine with me, so why have you suddenly flipped the status quo?”

“I figured we needed to have a little discussion after the party.”

“I said all I needed to say. And seeing as we have absolutely nothing in common to chat about, I think it’s safe for you to go now.”

“See, but that’s where you’re wrong, Nix.”

The muscle in his jaw ticks as he stares me down. “I told you not to call me that.”

I ignore his comment, opting to prove my point instead. “You see, I think we do haveonething in common. Kason.”

His eyes are hard, giving nothing away as his stare bores into mine. Yet, the more impenetrable he tries to look, the more he ends up giving away.

“What do you want with him?”

“Whoa, now. Put away the shotgun,Dad.”

Phoenix’s eyes roll so hard, I’m surprised they don’t get stuck. “Funny, jackass, but excuse me for being protective. The last thing he needs after coming out is the likes of you using him for a night, only to drop him when you realize you’re ready to find the next notch in your bedpost.”

Spoken like someone who knows from experience, though I doubt Mr. Monogamous here has ever had a one-night stand in his life. Yet the tone of his voice and the fury in those dark eyes make me think maybe he’s had a night or two of regrets.

“First of all, you should know better than to project your own issues on Kason and me,” I chide, brow arched. “And B, what makes you think I’m only after sex with your bestie? Have you ever considered I might be interested in getting to know him for more than what lies behind his zipper?”

“Oh, please,” he snarls under his breath. “Don’t act like you’re unaware of the reputation you’ve built over the past few years. You’re the stereotypical playboy jock who screws anything that moves and refuses to commit to anyone for longer than a night. Of course, I don’t want you anywhere near my best friend. Any sane person would feel the same way.”

Well, damn.

My hand comes over my heart, feigning hurt. “You wound me, Nix. Even if I’m as big of a fuckboy as you make me out to be, I’ve gotta have some redeeming qualities to make me worthy of your blessing.”

Those deep brown eyes finally meet mine, and there’s not an ounce of amusement in them. “Not any that I can see.”

This is proving to be far more difficult than I realized. Normally I’d cut my losses and just deal with his distaste—after all, I’ve never felt the need to be everyone’s cup of tea. Only, this interest in Kason will never be satiated if Phoenix continues cock-blocking me at every turn.

It’s that thought which sparks an idea of sorts, and I twist toward him.

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