“What’s the deal with you and Nick?” Kennedy asks, taking a seat at one of the barstools in my kitchen.

“What do you mean?” I ask, inwardly cringing. I knew this was coming after Nick signed that he loves me, and they noticed.

“How serious is this? You’ve been so tight lipped about him for almost three months now.” Her purple nails tap rhythmically on the granite countertop of the island.

“Yeah, I want to know too,” Reagan chimes in, taking the stool next to Kennedy.

Reaching inside the fridge, I pull out a bottle of water. Holding it up for them both to see, I silently ask if they’d like one. Both nod and I grab two more, before hip checking the door shut. Padding over to the opposite side of the island, the tile is cold against the bottom of my bare feet. Handing off their bottles, I face them. Let the inquisition begin.

“Stop stalling and give us the deets,” Kennedy says. Cracking the cap off her bottle, she takes a sip of the ice-cold water while I determine how much I want to tell them. My sisters are both nosy, but they’re not gossipers. I know they won’t run to anyone with what I confide.

Resting my elbows on the counter, I lean forward. “I’m in love with him,” I tell them, bluntly.

“Wow, I don’t know that I was expecting that answer,” Reagan says, eyes wide.

“Really?” My head tips to the side. “What did you think was going on? I’ve been going out with him for just under three months now and we kissed for the first time like eight months ago.”

“What?” Kennedy squeaks. “You little slut. When did this happen?”

“At Reagan and Noah’s engagement party.”

Reagan frowns. “Hmm, I wonder if it was before or after I told him to stay away from you?”

“It was after. He told me when we were in New York, but you can’t blame him. I was the one who kissed him.”

“See, slut.” Kennedy smirks, pointing to me.

“Takes one to know one,” I quip.

“Does Dad know about you guys?” Reagan asks.

“I haven’t said anything to Mom or Dad. I’m twenty-six years old and I live on my own. It’s not like they have a right to complain.”

“I know Dad thinks a lot of Nick, but is anyone really good enough for his girls?” Reagan questions.

“He never liked Joseph.”

“I didn’t like Joseph,” Kennedy announces.

“Me either,” Reagan agrees.

“Why didn’t you guys say anything while we were together?”

Kennedy presses her lips together. “I’ve had my own issues with bad taste when it comes to guys. How could I criticize your choice?”

“I was in California for most of the time you guys were together, and I didn’t really get a chance to get to know him that well. But whenever we were all together I hated how you acted like a Stepford Wife.”

“Was I that bad?”

“Yes,” Kennedy yells.

“You guys should love Nick then. He lets me be who I am and never controls what I do.”

“Not even in the bedroom?” Kennedy asks, wiggling her eyebrows.

My cheeks heat as visions of being tied up on my hands and knees the other night, invades my mind.

“I think we got our answer.” Reagan gestures at my pink cheeked complexion.

“Can we talk about something else?”

Kennedy rolls her eyes. “So typical of you to change the subject when we’re getting to the good stuff.”

“There will be hot guys at Nick’s tonight.” I casually drop that tidbit of information.

Kennedy leans forward. “Tell me more.”

* * *

“Carter this is my younger sister, Tabby.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I give her my warmest smile. This is his twin and it’s important I make a good impression.

“Hi,” she answers coolly, barely glancing my way. “Nick, Samantha is here.”

“That’s nice.”

“She wants to talk to you. She’s upset about the way things ended between you two.”

My stomach clenches nervously. I know he has a past, I just never knew any of the names associated with it. Samantha. Great.

“There wasn’t anything between us to end,” he says, calmly. “She shouldn’t turn occasionally sleeping with me into a relationship that never happened. She’s a drama queen. Now I see why you guys are friends.”

Tabby stomps her foot and it’s all I can do not to roll my eyes. “Nick.” She pouts. “You really should talk to her.”

He scowls. “Tabby, I’m not ever going to talk to her about anything. Let me repeat that in case you didn’t hear me the first time. Not evah,” he informs her, his Boston accent coming out more. “You might want to clue her in ASAP because if she tries to discuss it with me, I’ll ask her to leave and she won’t be welcome back. I have a girlfriend and she’s right here.” He slides his arm around my shoulders.

Gee, glad you remembered Nick.

My molars grind so hard they creak as I fight off the tears of frustration tingling my nose. Every time things go well for me in a relationship something happens to make me question it.

“I need to use the bathroom,” I mumble, ducking under his arm. Rushing off before he can stop me, I weave through the thick crowd of people. Opening his bedroom door, I halt when a hand lands on my upper arm.

“Hey, what happened?” Harlow questions me, concernedly.

“Nothing,” I mutter. She’s one of Nick’s best friends and although we’ve gotten to know each other fairly well, I don’t want to put her in an awkward position by talking about what just happened.

“Come on.” Her grip on my arm is firm as she pulls me inside his room. She shuts the door and leans back against it, trapping me inside. “Now tell me, or you can’t leave.” She winks, releasing her hold on me.

“I met Tabby.” I pause, sighing.

“You don’t need to say anymore. I’m well educated when it comes to Tabby’s manipulating ways. She’s not a fan of mine either. She wanted Brady and never got him.”

“Yeah, she barely acknowledged me when we met and then went on to talk about some friend of hers that Nick slept with as if I wasn’t even there.”

Her head bobs in understanding. “That sounds like, Tabby. She’s a witch. It’s hard to believe she and Nick are related. He got all the ethical genes.”

“It wasn’t just Tabby that bothered me. He let her continue rambling about this girl, Samantha, like there was nothing wrong with it. Finally, he mentioned I was his girlfriend. For a while, I wasn’t sure he remembered he had one or that I was standing right next to him.”

“He’s clueless about how to be a good boyfriend. Don’t forget you’re his first girlfriend and he’s younger than you. You’re at different points in your life and that’s bound to cause some disagreements.” Instead of reassuring me like Harlow intends, her words make me worry more. Is our age difference going to cause problems for us?

“Come on, let’s get back out there and have a good time. Don’t let Tabby win.” She opens the door and as we enter the hallway my eyes wander to the open space of the living room, settling on Nick. He’s surrounded by scantily dressed sorority girls and judging by the wide smile on his face, he’s not troubled about it.

“Harlow, there you are,” Brady edges up next to her. “Hey, Carter, how are you?”

I smile, closed lipped. “I’m good, thanks.”

“Do you mind if I steal Harlow away for a few?”

Shaking my head, I answer, “of course not.”

“Chin up, Carter,” Harlow encourages me as Brady sweeps her away.

Gazing back at Nick, I observe as he knocks back a shot before taking another one from the dark-haired girl standing next to him. Tipping the small glass between his masculine lips, he downs the contents, grinning once he’s done. He speaks, but I can’t tell what he’s saying. Whatever words he utters has the group of adoring girls giggling. My stomach heaves with nausea as I watch the same girl press her chest into his arm.

“They look striking together, don’t they?” Tabby appears next to me out of thin air, like a demon summoned by my self-doubt. “My parents are best friends with Samantha’s. They’ve always hoped to unite our families through marriage.”

Unite their family through marriage?

Who says stuff like this?

So that’s Samantha.

Crap. She’s gorgeous. Her sexy outfit screams expensive. That’s not all it screams. She’s a blinking sign advertising sex on a lonely stretch of highway.

What guy isn’t going to jump at what she’s offering?

Glancing down at my jeans and plain black fitted t-shirt, I grimace.

How can Nick want me when he can have someone like Samantha?

Even her name sounds sexy. Not like my masculine name.

Does it bother Nick that I have a boy’s name?

“Samantha graduates this year too,” Tabby continues, reminding me she’s still here. “Whichever NFL team he ends up playing for, she’s free to move with him. She doesn’t have any other commitments. Didn’t Nick say you were starting dental school soon?”

“Yes, in January.”

“Wow, that’s a long-term commitment for you. You must really want to be a dentist.”

“I do. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing.” My answer is automatic. I’m thankful I don’t have to think about it because my heart is breaking with each detail Tabby reveals. If she continues much longer, my heart will be a pile of tiny, jagged pieces on the floor.

“I think it’s great you know what you want and how to get there. Nick has his future mapped out too. Has he shared how he’s always dreamed of playing for the NFL and how it’s almost a sure bet now?”

“No,” I whisper, eyes still locked on Nick as he entertains the group of girls.

Is he paying more attention to Samantha or is that just my overactive imagination?

Has he been messing around with her while we’ve been together?

When was the last time they slept together?

Troubled thoughts whirl about in my mind faster than cars racing around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“There were scouts at the game tonight to watch him play. My father said they’re extremely interested in Nick. I’m thrilled my brother’s dreams are about to come true.”

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Excuse me,” I mumble, pivoting and rushing out the front door. Tugging my keys from my pocket, my hand trembles as I unlock my door. My heart races so fast I almost fall to my weak knees when the knob turns and I’m safely inside. Flipping the lock, I lean heavily on the smooth, cold wood, as I begin to sob uncontrollably.

Tabby’s words replay repetitively in my mind, ringing with more truth each time I hear them. By the time I wash the tears from my face and tuck myself in my bed, I’ve convinced myself I need to end things with Nick.

Why hasn’t he been honest about his future and what his dreams are? I’ve been open with him about mine.

Maybe I’m difficult to talk to.

Have I been a bad listener?

Maybe I talk about myself too much. I’ve been selfish.

Am I holding him back?

I’ve been on the flip side of the coin. Joseph held me back and thinking we were in love, I allowed it. Nick says he loves me and I’m the most important thing in his life.

Am I the reason he’s changed his plans? I can’t allow that to happen.

I won’t be that girl.