Page 8 of I Blame the Rival

“You told me you were keeping it low key!”

Wesley grins, popping out his dimples, “I’ll take that as a thank you.”

Trip rolls her eyes before turning to the rest of us with a shy smile. There’s only six of us in the small study room, but Trip gets nervous being the center of attention. Unlike my brother, she struggles to feel comfortable in social situations, although she has come a long way since they started dating last year.

As if reading my thoughts, Stella lets out a shriek and runs over to give her roommate a hug. Cody watches the interaction with a grin, the old lacrosse captain waiting to take his turn to wish the birthday girl a good day.

Nico sighs beside me, the birthday hat pinned to his dark hair perfectly matching the stripped dress shirt he’s wearing.

“My idea was so much cooler. I said we should throw a rave in the library.”

I pat his shoulder in sympathy, “Your party ideas are legendary, but this is perfect for Trip. I’m surprised Wesley resisted inviting all his friends.”

“Babe, that’s what happens when you’re pussy whipped.”

I adjust my party hat and give him a knowing smile, “You’re just mad Mo couldn’t make it. Where is he anyways?”

Nico sighs, “Working. But at least I’ll get to play out my CEO fantasy later.”

“Mo’s a CEO now?” Cody joins us with a juice box in hand, the tiny carton a comical contrast to the stocky build beneath the plain white t-shirt he’s wearing.

“Hell no. My man’s a financial advisor but we like to role play.”

Wesley lets out a groan, “Dude. What did we say about keeping the sex talk to a minimum? It’s disturbing when it’s our assistant coach.”

“And my older brother.” Stella chirps in hopping up on the desk beside Cody and stealing his juice box. Her platinum blonde hair hangs in loose waves, the ends brushing the top of her leggings.

Both the O’Brien siblings are attractive in very different ways. Where Mo is tall and built like a gladiator, Stella is small and lean.

Wesley and me, on the other hand, have been mistaken for twins on countless occasions. I missed out on the dimples, but the midnight-coloured curls and green eyes make it hard to convince people he was adopted.

Nico waves his party blower like it’s his royal sceptre, “Taber University is so small it’s one giant incestuous pool. You either fuck a friend’s sibling or your own.”

Cody chokes and Stella slaps him on the back.

Wesley does a full-body shudder, “Too vivid, man. Take it down a notch.”

Trip tilts her head thoughtfully, “He’s not wrong. We all ended up being related to each other in some way.”

“See? This right here is why the birthday girl is my favourite.” Nico grins and saunters over to give her a kiss on the cheek, “Happy Birthday, Gorgeous. Thanks for putting up with our class clown.”

My brother flips him off and I laugh.

“Can we get to the presents now? I’ve been dying for her to open them.” Stella shimmies on the table, her hands clapping with excitement.

“Presents? You guys didn’t need to get me anything.”

The flush returns to Trip’s cheeks, but before it can give way to discomfort, Wesley swoops in and picks her off the ground. He swings her around, Disney-movie style, and by the time her feet are back on the ground, there’s a smile shining in her grey eyes.

“Don’t worry, there’s only a couple of things for you to unwrap.” Wesley grins, planting a kiss on her lips, “Until later anyways.”

“Wait. He can talk about sex, but I can’t?” Nico sniffs, crossing his arms, “I’m calling double standard.”

I lean over and tap his shoulder, “If it makes you feel any better, I just threw up in my mouth.”

“That does make me feel better, thank you.”

He grins at me, and I can’t help but smile back. Wesley and Nico have been best friends since the second grade, but Nico has always been a brother to me as well.

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