Page 66 of Faking Forever 1
“Can we talk about something?”
Nick stands there like the dumb jock he is, waiting for me to answer.
“No, thank you.”
“Paisley, please?”
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HEY NICKY
His thumb rubs along my elbow as he makes himself closer to me. Too close.
“You’re pathetic, Nick. Stop.”
I retrieve my arm, distancing myself yet again.
“So let’sgosomewhere and talk? I want you to hear me out.
WithoutJosh or Darcy around.”
Does he think I’m dumb? We all know how that would end.
“You would love that, right? Get me alone so you can manipulate me again—can you not make me make a scene right now?” I shake my head.
I wasn’t going to about to allow this jerk-off to take advantage of me. The way he treated me the first time around wasn’t some accident.
“No. See, you got it wrong. It’s complicated with me and Darcy. Ever since you came back, you’ve been this huge distraction.” his grimy hand reaches for my waist, squeezing it.
“And that’s supposed to be my problem?” my eyebrows crinkle at the sight of his hand, reaching to pry at his fingers.
His forehead forms lines as he raises his shoulders. There was nothing but self-serving intentions behind those eyes.
Even knowing that they were still just as sincere as they were before I found out who he indeed was.
“Get real,Nicky.” I sneer, mocking his cunt of a girlfriend.
I smile right in his face, using one finger to push his arm away, backtracking until I can turn the other way. I could be harsh to him for the first time without making a fool of myself.
And still, I feel guilty for the guy I used to love.
Ahead of me was my team getting ready, waiting for the last few of us to get in their assigned positions. I’d almost 153
FAKING FOREVER
forgotten about my drink, and in remembrance, I immediately take it to the head, tossing it in a recycling bin as I reach the side of the net with the green team. Fixing my hair, I look around, feeling more guilt overcome as I watch Nick get in his position on the other side of the next, his focus already on me.
In that second, it felt great, but the more I replayed it in my brain, the more I wondered what would’ve happened if I had taken him up on his offer.
What I miss is not Nick, specifically, but the experiences I had with him. When I see his face, it’s all I can think about. And how I wasted all of those good moments on someone so shitty.
Then, he’ll do something like he’s done before, trying to get on my good side again. I’m painfully convinced that people can change when history has proven repeatedly—that’s just not true.
I would surely love to know why things are complicated between them. Maybe he found out about her being better at cheating than him. It sucks, but it’d be nice to know that he got a taste of his own medicine for once. Then again, he could’ve just wanted to talk. The seventeen-year-old girl inside me likes that idea a lot better. In her heart, he would be giving me the apology I deserve,but based on the placement of his hands, I highly doubt that was his plan. I would bet huge money he’s just bored of her.
“Paisley, smack the ball!” Beau yells, running my way at full speed.
The game had started, and I was already light years behind, but there was no time to catch up. Pushing my feet against the sand, I jump as high as possible, connecting the palm of my hand with the ball with as much force as possible, sending it back over the net. Hitting the sand again, I gain my footing 154
