Something is wrong with me. Seriously fucking wrong.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I hastily throw on some black leggings and an off-the-shoulder royal blue tee.

I blow through the house and into the kitchen, pulling out all the junk food I can find, then make my way into the living room and toss it all down on the coffee table. As soon as I reach for the remote, I hear the rumble of his engine.

A minute or two ticks by, and still no knock.

Perplexed, I walk to the door and swing it open. I’m greeted with the smell of leather, grass, and sweetness, accompanied by an apprehensive Nate. Relief fills his features as soon as he looks at me.

I laugh, tilting my head. “Second thoughts?”

He shrugs. “I wasn’t sure if I should knock or not and I don’t have your number. I didn’t wanna get you in trouble or whatever.”

I grin, pulling the door open wide. “It’s fine, just us. Come in.”

He walks in and loiters in the entryway.

He’s changed into a pair of red and black basketball shorts and a long-sleeved black thermal shirt that fits him perfectly, nice and tight over his pecs and arms.

I step up next to him. “The movies are on the back wall, go ahead and pick one.” He nods and I follow him into the living room. The second he passes the threshold of the carpet, the bitch strikes.

Nauni jumps out of fucking nowhere and attacks his ankle.

“Shit!” he jumps, eyes round as saucers. His body shifts awkwardly to avoid stepping on her, which makes him bump into me, knocking me over the side of the couch.

Laughing so hard I can’t breathe, I tuck and roll off the side of the couch - a sight to see, I’m sure. Tears roll down my cheeks I’m laughing so hard. When I look up at him, he’s shaking his head, hands on his hips.

“You could have warned me,” he chuckles.

I nod through my smile. “Yeah, I could have. But that was much more fun.”

“Now you have to pick what we watch,” he says, plopping down onto the couch.

“Fine.” I hop up and pop the movie in, scooping up my cat on the way back to the couch.

“What’s the little shit’s name?” he asks, nodding toward her.

“This is Nauni, the she-devil.”

Please don’t ask.

His lips twitch.

He’s totally going to ask.

“Nauni, huh?”

“Yep.” I turn my attention to the screen, preparing the movie on the PS3.

“As in…”

I close my eyes. “Yes. As in Kalani’s Punani.”

He tries real hard to hold it in, I’ll give him that, but it’s a lost cause. He laughs so hard, he hunches over and grabs his ribs. “I was legit attacked by your pussy.”

I cross my arms and legs, sitting Indian-style on the couch. “You let me know when you’re ready for me to push play.” I squish my lips to one side to try and cover my smile.

He reaches out and grabs a peanut butter M&M. Popping it in his mouth, he throws his hands up in surrender, but can’t help himself and has to get one more in. “Can I at least pet her?” He teases, and I roll my eyes, reaching for the remote.

Just as we settle and I press play on The Sandlot, my phone rings on the table.

“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias streams through the air, and I laugh loudly.

“That sneaky bastard. Hand me that, please.” I motion toward my phone, a wide smile on my face.

With a small scowl on his face, Nate picks it up and hands it to me.

“Why hello, Hero,” I answer the call, seeing Nate’s scowl deepen out of the corner of my eye.

“Lolli Bear!” Parker shouts.

“Love the new ringtone, by the way.”

“Oh shit.” He laughs. “I forgot about that. I hit the nail on the head on that one, didn’t I?” he asks, sounding mighty proud of himself.

I roll my eyes, amused. “What can I do for you?”

“You didn’t call me. You promised me you would,” he says, louder than necessary. Alcohol is clearly his best friend tonight.

“Indeed, I did, but I forgot.” I give him my pouty voice. “Forgive me?”

“Always, beautiful.”

I laugh a little. “Okay, Sir Calvin, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Why you trying to get me off the phone?” he asks suspiciously.

“Because, Nosy Rosie. Handsome and I are trying to watch a mov-” My eyes shoot wide and I slap my hand over my mouth as soon as I say it.

“Whoa, wait. WHAT?” Parker yells with a laugh.

“Shit.” Hanging up immediately, I throw my phone on the table like a hot potato.

I peek over at Nate and he looks pissed, just as I assumed he would.

With a shake of my head, I drop my face into my hands as he stands from the couch. “Nate,” I speak through my fingers, “I am sorr-”

“Don’t worry about it, Kalani. I get it,” he says, his voice holding a little bite. “Can’t have people thinking you’re hanging out with the school playboy, right?”

My jaw drops, and I stare at him. “Is that what this is about?”

“Is that a serious question?” he challenges, his face a mixture of anger and hurt.

He thinks I’m hiding the fact that he’s here? And that... bothers him?

“Look.” Now I’m getting pissed. “I told him you were here because, duh, you are, and he was buggin’. I freaked because I thought, after I opened my loud fucking mouth, that you’d be pissed I told him you were here. Preserve your reputation or what-the-fuck-ever.” I wave my hand in the air, bringing it down on a slap against my thigh.

He shakes his head, unbelieving. “But you didn’t tell him I was here, Kalani, that’s the point. You freaked out because you knew he’d ask you who was here.” He narrows his eyes. “But nice try.”

I give him my ‘you wanna fuckin’ bet’ face and answer my phone that has yet to stop ringing, choosing to place it on speaker this time.

“Hello again, Hero,” I say with a nasty grin, my eyes pinned to Nate’s.

“Nate’s there?” he instantly fires off in excited confusion.

My smirk deepens when Nate drops his eyes to my phone, his brows pulled in. “He is,” I tell him as I sit back on the couch, extending my legs to the coffee table in front of me.

“Liar!” Parker accuses.

“I don’t lie. Ever.” I tell him, tuning into the movie, grabbing some caramel corn while I’m at it.

Not a care in the world.

Parker laughs. “I know, that’s why you’re my favorite.”

“Ditto.”

“Let me talk to him.”

“Speaker.”

He barks out a laugh. “Nate!”

Nate places his fists on the edge of the couch, and drops his chin to his chest. “Yeah?” he answers reluctantly.

“Oh shit, this is good.” I picture Parker rubbing his hands together. “Lolli Bear?”

“Yes?” I answer, purposely adding a hint a sexy.

His smile is evident in his voice. “Can I tell Jarrod?” Nate’s eyes pop up to mine, obviously wondering why he’d ask me that. “Please tell me I can go tell him you came to the party with him and went home with Nate?” I watch as Nate’s jaw ticks, realization setting in, though I’m not sure why he cares.

“I’m a big girl, Hero. I could care less what you tell him,” I answer him honestly. “You may want to ask your QB here, though.” I shrug, for bitch factor, since he’s watching me. “Bad blood and all that, but make it quick. Scotty’s about to shit his pants when he finds out that ball was signed by the Great Bambino.”

Before Parker can respond, Nate butts in, his fiery eyes locked on mine. “Tell him thanks for keepin’ her company,” he pauses, eyes torching me, “but I’ll take it from here.”

I lift a single eyebrow at him, and the smirk he gives me in return...

This is bad.

Parker’s laugh booms through the phone, bringing my attention back to my screen.

“Lolli Bear?”

“Yeees?”

“Call me to post your bail,” he howls.

His laugh is last thing we hear before the line goes dead.

“Well... that was fun.”

I look up and into Nate’s eyes, and pat the spot next to me. He drops down, placing his elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the TV screen in front of us.

“Listen,” I begin, “I know we don’t know each other from Tom, Dick, and Harry, but one thing you should know about me, Nate, is I dance to the beat of my own drum.” I shrug, even though he’s not looking at me. “Always have. I won’t lie or hide or sugarcoat things, and I sure as shit don’t care what other people think. If you’re here, it’s because I want you to be. Plain and simple.”

He nods, blowing out a deep breath. “Right. You just, uh, threw me off for a minute, that’s all.” He chuckles, a low, husky sound. “Not something I’m used to.”

“Yeah, well…” I trail off, because what do you say to that?

He looks at me and grins, then we sit and watch the movie in comfortable silence.

When the credits start rolling, I look over to see Nate has passed out. With his arms crossed at his chest, feet propped up on the coffee table, he looks thoroughly relaxed. Too relaxed and at home, in fact, so I kick him.

“What the…” He jolts, glancing around briefly before his eyes settle on me, and he grins. “I passed out.”

I nod. “You did. Now go home. Movie night is over.”

Nate stares at me for a second, then shakes his head, laughing lightly. He stands, stretching his long, tanned, toned body, and glances from the TV to me. “Sorry, I guess I was beat.”

“You had a long day,” I tell him, following him to the door. I open it and lean against the frame, looking up at him. “Good game tonight, by the way.”

His eyes light up and his smile is all too conceited. “Thanks.”

I laugh, crossing my arms across my chest as the breeze makes its way in the door. “Get outta here before that hot air you’re full of makes me sweat.”

He takes one step out, then hesitates before turning to face me. “I can’t tell you the last time I just chilled out and watched a movie on a Friday night.”

“I bet.” I straighten and begin pushing the door closed.

His dark eyes look right into mine. “Night, Kalani.”

I nod and shut the door, leaving him standing there. I hear him chuckle as I walk back toward the couch.

Bastard.

My phone chimes from the table the second my butt hits the sofa. I laugh out loud when I see the message that pops up.

 

Unknown number: thanks for the wild night.

 

Right as I’m about to hit send, asking him how he got my number, a second text comes through.

 

Unknown number: Parker sent me your number the second he hung up on you. Said you’d never give it to me. Save it.

 

I program it and text him back.

 

Me: I think he was right.

 

I may have.

Probably.

 

Handsome: glad he has my back then.

 

Me: don’t get it twisted, Monroe. If it came down to you and me…he’d pick me.

 

Handsome: funny. I think I would, too.

 

I stare at his text.

 

Handsome: choose you, I mean.

 

I still don’t text back.

 

Handsome: night, Kalani.

 

I toss my phone on the floor and make my way to my room, Nauni hot on my heels. I throw myself in my bed, and the two of us fall asleep together as we have every night for the last year and half.

The next morning, I wake to the sound of my front door slamming and twenty seconds later, my bed dips. I throw my covers off my face to find Parker’s baby blues shining back at me, a smile on his lips.

“Mornin’ sleepyhead. Certain someone keep you up all night?” He wiggles his eyebrows and I hit him in the face with my pillow. His laughter booms and I want to punch him.

I’m about to ask him how he got in, when the culprit herself walks in, carrying a box of my Waffle Crisp, wearing the same thing she had on last night.

I raise an eyebrow at her. She shrugs, popping some dry cereal in her mouth.

Parker laughs. “Someone fell for Austin’s charm last night.”

“And the night before,” Mia adds with a laugh.

“Congratulations, assholes. Now go away. I’m sleeping,” I tell them, rolling over and tucking myself under the blanket.

Parker wraps his arms around me and scoots in. “Lolli Bear, we’re hungry.”

My voice is muffled by my blankets. “Then go eat.”

“You’re the only one who knows how to cook,” Mia whines. “Come on, pleeease?”

When I don’t budge, she goes in for the kill.

“Parker needs his energy, he played his little heart out last night.”

God damn her, pulling the athlete strings.

I throw my blanket off my head and cross my arms.

She grins from ear to ear, knowing damn well she won.

I turn to find Parker giving me his puppy dog eyes and groan.

“Fine.” I shove him, but he doesn’t budge. “Get out of my bed, you big brute.”

He chuckles, squeezing me harder, then releases me and stands.

“I’m going to rinse off really quick,” Mia says, as she walks out the room and into the bathroom in the hall.

“Come on, Lolli Bear.” He reaches down and scoops me up, bridal-style. “Feed me.”

Parker carries me to the kitchen, sets me on my feet and hops up on the bar stool while I start pulling the stuff out to make French toast.

Once everything is set up and ready to go, I turn on the Keurig and make a quick cup of coffee.

“You want one?” I ask him, not bothering to turn around.

“Nope. I’m still a growing boy,” he jokes.

I settle in on the stool next to him, waiting for Mia to get out of the shower before starting breakfast.

“So.” Here it comes. “You and Nate, huh?”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“What?” he asks innocently.

“You gave him my number.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“’Cause, it would have taken you a minute to swallow your pride, and give it to him yourself.”

I smile into my mug, knowing he’s right.

He’s still looking at me expectantly.

I roll my eyes. “We watched a movie. He left. The end.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”

I stare at him blankly, making him laugh.

“Shit. Good job, Lolli Bear. You’re officially the only girl at Alrick High with the willpower to hold out on my boy.”

“What about you, Hero?” I change the subject. “Any girls fall at your feet last night?”

He shakes his head. “Nah, the downfall to being the party thrower. Gotta keep shit in check.”

“Okay,” Mia walks into the kitchen, looking fresh and clean, hair up in wet, messy bun, donning a pair of my sweats and a t-shirt. She pops a pod in, making herself a cup of coffee, and leans her elbows on the counter. “Now, you feed me.”

“And me,” Parker pipes up.

“Us. Feed us,” Mia corrects herself.

We eat and chat about the night before, the game, and my first few weeks at school. Mia grills me about my night with Nate. Parker covers his ears when she tells me about Austin and his ‘preferences’. I really didn’t need to hear it, but girls will be girls.

The morning transitions into the afternoon and, before we know, it’s nightfall. It was, quite honestly, one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in a long time.

Mia looks up from her phone with a huff. “Alright, guys,” she says. “I’m going home. My mom says I’m required to show my face for a few minutes today.” She stands and walks to the front door. “Night,” she calls over her shoulder before leaving.

Once she’s gone, I tell Parker to pop a movie in and give me a minute. I take a quick shower, throwing on a pink tank, a matching pair of sleep shorts, and fuzzy slipper socks.

I reclaim my spot on the couch, laying across it, and Parker squeezes himself behind me.

“No movie?” I close my eyes.

“I was too comfortable to move,” he laughs.

I smile and kiss the arm that’s under my head.

We lay there in the quiet, just relaxing, but I can feel him thinking.

After a while, Parker clears his throat softly.

I hate this part.

This is why I prefer solidarity.

As if on cue, he whispers into my hair, “What’s your story, Lolli Bear?”

A friend who’s curious, he’s simply asking, and my throat closes.

I don’t do deep shit.

I laugh. I joke. I make inappropriate comments.

I don’t share.

Parker’s great, and in the short time I’ve known him, he’s somehow become my best friend. And while I’ll always be honest and loyal…I don’t share.

I open my mouth to tell him so and, praise the Dr. Pepper gods, I’m saved by the bell.

I look back at Parker with creased brows.

“Mia?” he guesses.

I shrug, “Come in!” I yell, having no energy to attempt moving.

When the door opens, Parker lifts his head to see who has walked in, then looks back at me with a huge smile. He kisses my temple and hops off the couch. “I was just leaving,” he says, a hint of laughter in his voice.

My eyebrows pull in, and I sit up to look toward the door.

Nate.