Page 66 of One of Them Girls

“Past experience and before you ask, no, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Whatever, man.” He holds his hands up. “Sounds like to me you need to stop comparing Cassi to your past. She’s her own person. Until she gives you reason to believe otherwise, you need to treat her as such.”

“I guess.”

“Good. Now, are we done with all this feelings bullshit? I need you to pick up a controller and help me beat this kid’s ass. I swear he’s probably a fourteen-year-old, but the fucker keeps killing me.”

I chuckle. “Did you seriously only get deep with me because you had ulterior motives?”

“Of course, I did. Why else would I go out of my way to look like a pussy?”

Shaking my head, I pick up the controller. “I hope you get knocked on your ass one day.”

11

Cassi

My worst nightmareis here and standing in front of me.

For the past two weeks, I’ve been stuck in a funk. My head has been overanalyzing everything with Xavier. Part of me wants to tell him I need more from him. I need a commitment, but then the other part says I’ll lose him if I push too hard.

So when he told me his best friend, Tinsley, was coming to town unexpectedly, I reluctantly agreed to meet him in the quad so he could introduce me to her.

It was a mistake.

Watching him laugh and hug this gorgeous girl is hell on my confidence. The girl is so glamorous. She fits into his world better than I could ever hope to.

They both turn toward me, so I try my best to mask my face. I must not do a good job because Xavier gives me an odd look.

“Tin, this is Cassandra, we’re, um...” I don’t miss what the silence says. We are complicated. “Friends. We’re friends. Cassi, this is Tinsley. She’s my best friend.”

I internally cringe as she reaches forward hugging me, but I manage a small pat on the back and smile.

“It’s so great to meet you. Xavier has told me so much about you. I’m only here until tomorrow, but maybe we could do dinner together? I’d love to get to know you better.”

The peppiness and sincerity in her voice makes me want to puke. Or punch her. Maybe both.

Okay, not really. Any other time, I think I would love to be friends with this girl. She seems sweet, but there’s one slight problem with her.

Not that she’s gorgeous, or that she’s sweet. No, the problem is she holds Xavier’s heart in her hand even if she doesn’t know it.

I can see it in the way he hugged her tightly. Or the way his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw her.

My heart aches at the love he holds for her.

I want that. No. I need that, but I want it from Xavier.

Fuck, I’m in deeper than I thought.

“I have to get going. I just remembered I told Mara I’d help her get ready for a date tonight.”

Another odd look crosses Xavier’s face.

He knows Mara, and I have been on the outs, but I couldn’t tell him I was going to meet Rebecca. I could see her across the quad with Jack.

Xavier steps closer, pulling me in for a hug, but his arms remain stiff. “I’ll call you later?”

“Sure. I might go to bed early though.”

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