Page 39 of Pump Fake

“Yep. Someone bumped my leg with their bag, and a tidal wave of rage consumed me. It was the weirdest thing, but I think that’s the closest I’ll ever feel to what it’s like being a guy.”

It explained Ares’s hair-trigger response to the viper squad. I pressed my lips into a tight line. I didn’t want to forgive him. But I got it. They’d insinuated I was using him, and no one wanted that. Not really. Still, he knew me well enough that someone calling my character into question shouldn’t have stuck.Right?Or is it just my body he knows inside and out?

I worried my lip, and Ser reached over and tugged a lock of my hair.

“Your head is going to explode with all that thinking. Share with the class, sis.”

“I don’t want to see his side of things.”

“Then don’t.” Mal’s voice was hard. “He had no right to treat you that way.”

I studied her, noting the dark circles under her eyes for the first time. “What happened?” A light bulb went on in my head. “Oh no, I’m an asshole. Did Brett break up with you?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. Her fingers swiped at itangrily. “I did after I caught him with his tongue halfway down Suzie Rubin’s throat.”

“What a fucker,” Ser sneered.

“Rat bastard,” I growled and pulled her in for a hug. “Is that why you were going to break up with him? Was he cheating?”

“There were rumors, and… I didn’t want to believe them.”

“But his wandering eye keyed you in?”

She’d mentioned it once or twice. I hadn’t been sure there was anything to it at the time. He’d been crazy about her. I couldn’t help wondering what had changed.

“It’s for the best. We were fighting more often than not, and the sex was just… routine.”

Ser shuddered. “I can’t even.” She gagged.

It had the desired effect I knew my sis was going for.

Mal burst out laughing. “I’m glad you’re here, Ser. You’re good for my soul.” She wiped her eyes, and her shoulders dropped an inch as the tension eased from them. “He’s not worth it. I don’t think I’ve been into him for the past month. I should have ended things weeks ago, but we’d been together for so long that I kept convincing myself it was just a bump in the road and things would return to how they were.” Mal pasted on a half-hearted smile. “Enough about us. How’s your dating life, Ser? Please let it be good because we both need some bolstering that relationships are worth it.”

She spread her arms and laughed. “I’m here to tell you I’m officially dating Remi Monroe—and to lay your fears to rest. Things are fucking phenomenal.”

“She’s older, isn’t she?” Mal asked.

I needed to know more about that too. All I knew was that she was a barista at the coffee place around the corner from her and Mom’s apartment.

“She’s nineteen and took a year off after graduating to save money. She’ll start at Fall Lake U after Christmas. It’s nice that she’s not connected to the psycho trust fund squad that Mominsists I socialize with. She’s sincere and real, and I’m crazy about her.”

I squeezed her ankle, which was still on my lap. “I’m happy for you. And back to Mom’s delusions, is she on your back all the time?”

“Nah. It’s bad on Sundays because she doesn’t always have luncheons at the country club with her fake friends. Those are the hardest, so thanks for opening your dorm to me. It removes the pressure.”

Mal flicked Ser’s toe. “You’ve got a key. Come here anytime.” She shot me a sly look. “Brielle’s rarely here at night anyway. You can always sleep in her room.”

“You can, but I’ll probably be here now because Ares is an ass.”

“Girl, that’s temporary. With all the sex you two are having, there’s no way he’ll just quit that.”

“Hmm,” I said noncommittally.

I wasn’t so sure. The guy had moves and stamina. He wouldn’t have a problem finding my replacement. A loud knock rapped against our door, and I jumped at the same time as Mal. We were both on edge with heightened emotional boy drama.

Ser swung her long legs off my lap and stood. “I’ll get it. Any messages for the asshole brigade if it’s one of them?”

I pursed my lips, holding my tongue. I wasn’t sure how I felt. Ser just nodded at me, understanding because she was awesome.

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