Page 26 of The Play

“Morning,” I echo, before gesturing to Nico. “This is my boyfriend Nico. Nico, Hunter.”

“Hey, man, how’s it hanging?” Hunter sticks out a hand.

Nico gives it a hearty shake, his dimples digging a groove into his cheeks as he smiles warmly. “S’all good. I hear you’re working on a project with this one—” He jerks a thumb at me. “Good luck, bruh.”

“Uh oh. Please elaborate.”

“Mess up even once, and the tongue-lashing you’ll get…” Nico mock shudders, and Hunter snorts with laughter.

“She’s a real nightmare, eh?”

“Seriously?” I demand. “You two are ganging up on me? That’s not allowed.”

They ignore me. “Any tips on how to handle her?” Hunter asks solemnly.

Nico thinks for a moment. “Give her a lollipop when she’s cranky. All other times, just feed her, or plant her in front of a TV and put on a murder mystery.”

Hunter nods. “Got it. Thanks.”

“Screw you both,” I say cheerfully.

Grinning, Nico gives me a peck on the lips. “A’ight, I got to go. I’ll see you later,mami.”

“Bye, babe.”

“Doesn’tmamimeanmother?” Hunter inquires after Nico leaves. He furrows his brow.

“Well, yeah, that’s the literal translation, but it’s also a term of endearment. Mami, papi—it’s like babe or sweetheart or whatever.”

“Huh. Okay.” Hunter pauses. “I give you permission to start calling me Big Daddy, then.”

“Gross. Never.”

He’s chuckling as we enter the building. TJ waits at the door of the classroom, uneasiness flickering through his eyes when he sees me with Hunter.

“Hey. Where’s Pax?” I ask, glancing around.

“No idea.” TJ gives me a side hug and a peck on the cheek.

“Let’s go in,” I say.

Inside the lecture hall, TJ takes the seat beside me, while Hunter flops down on my other side. TJ raises a brow at the intrusion. We don’t usually sit with other people. I just shrug and grin at him. I find Hunter amusing.

The room fills up and Professor Andrews arrives. Pax is still nowhere to be seen.

“Did Pax text you?” I ask TJ.

“Nope.”

“Who’s this Pax?” Hunter butts into the conversation.

“He’s a friend of ours,” I answer. “You talked to him last week—you called him Jax?”

“Oh, right. Jax. That little dude is hilarious.”

“His name’s Pax,” I say in exasperation.

“Pax,” TJ confirms.

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