Page 16 of One of Them Girls

Yet yesterday when Xavier called, I smiled. When he teased me, I laughed. Not a forced laugh, but a genuine laugh. Then, before I knew it, I was inviting him with me.

Let’s not talk about the ride here. I don’t know why I called him Avi, but it stuck. I didn’t lie to him. It’s easier to say, and it’s a cute nickname. What I didn’t tell him is that it makes him hotter.

Maybe that’s why butterflies swarmed my stomach when he said only I’ve ever called him that. Or why my heart raced when he picked out his own nickname for me. One that’s only his.

“How long is this hike and do we have a game plan?” he asks, pulling me out of my head.

I shake my head and say over my shoulder. “Don’t get killed. I don’t have a very solid alibi.”

“True. I did leave my car at your place and I told Jack and Tinsley I was going hiking with you.”

“Tinsley?” I frown.

“My best friend from back home,” he says, falling into step with me.

“Ah. The infamous best friend from the video message.” I can’t deny the pang of jealousy that hits me.

“Don’t worry. You’re my only Adra. So this way?”

He breaks off, heading in the wrong direction.

“You’re going to get lost. This way, dummy.” I point toward the sign, telling us where to go.

“Ah that’s what those signs are.”

I smack his arm, taking up the lead. “Don’t stare at my ass.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, but as I peek back, he’s totally staring at my ass.

He glances up and gives me a cheeky smile. “Sorry. It’s like it’s the Earth and I’m the moon. I can’t help but gravitate around it.”

“That was cheesy as fuck.” I face forward.

“Cheesy, but you liked it.”

“Not at all,” I say, hiding the smile on my face.

* * *

Xavier

I follow Cassi up the trail, watching her ass sway side to side.

Do not pop a boner, do not pop a boner.

“So tell me something about you.”

“What do you want to know?”

“What are you majoring in?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.

“I’m going for my teaching degree. I want to work with kids.”

“Really?” I hear the skepticism in her voice.

“Really.”

“Uh.” She turns around, walking backward as she looks at me. “I can see it.” She nods. “You’d be the hot teacher all the high school girls want.” She winks, turning around.

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