Page 89 of One of Them Girls

His hand slaps his heart. “We can’t have that. How would I ever survive without your sunny disposition and smart-ass comments?”

I shrug. “Hey, with me gone, you might actually win a game of darts.”

He gives me a mock glare. “How dare you? You know, back home, I’m the reigning champ at darts.”

“Oh, how cute. You know it doesn’t count if no one else competes, right?”

He reaches out and pinches me. “You’re not being very nice, missy.”

“But you still love me.” I beam up at him.

He pulls me into a side hug. “I do.” Then quieter, he murmurs, “He does too.”

I pretend I don’t hear, but we both know I did.

I pull back, giving him a smile. “So six?”

He sighs, nodding. “Six.”

* * *

Xavier

“I saw her today.” I glance up at Jack as he comes back into the room.

“Yeah? How was she?” I don’t bother hiding my desperation.

At first, I tried to hide it, but Jack wouldn’t have it.

He came into the room one day, talking about how my feelings for Cassi must have been fake seeing as I’m was so calm about everything. Then he suggested I go out and find a new booty call.

I had him up against the wall before he could finish his sentence.

Then he laughed.

“There you are. I thought Xavier, the friend I know and love, had been replaced by unfeeling aliens. Now, what are we going to do to get her back?”

That was when I realized not only did I not deserve Cassi, but I don’t deserve Jack either.

He’s a one-of-a-kind friend. He might be the fun of the party, but he would have your back in a heartbeat.

“She’s good, man. She misses you, I think. She didn’t want to talk about you, but she’s good. I’m going to see her tonight.”

I tense up. “What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “She’s going to help me study for humanities. I figured I could find out what she’s been up to while I’m at it.”

I let out the breath I was holding. I shouldn’t have doubted him for even a half a second. He’s a genuine friend.

“Thanks. Keep your hands to yourself,” I add in on a tease.

“It will be hard, but I will. The question is, who is going to keep her hands off of me?”

I jump up to hit him, but he takes off out the door.

“Asshole,” I holler at his retreating form.

“You love me.” His words flow back to me.

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