One of Them Girls

pauses his game, looking at me.
“Nothing.”
“Ah. Girl problems.”
I throw a pillow at him.
“Hey, don’t be mad at me because you ignored my advice.”
“What advice was that?”
He chuckles. “I told you that Ace was one of them girls. You went after that anyway. Now you’re fucked.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Sure, that’s why you’re here moping on your bed instead of being out with the sexy as fuck firecracker of a girlfriend of yours. Just admit it. You fell for her.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” I swallow hard at the admission. “We never put labels on it.”
“I see. Well, since that’s the case, you wouldn’t mind if I take her for a spin?”
I jump off the bed, punching him hard in the arm.
“Ow, what was that for?”
“Being an idiot.”
“I’m just saying. Stop playing games and claim her. We both know you want to.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Really? That sounds like a line a woman would use.”
“Fuck you, man. You asked.”
He shakes his head. “Fine. Let’s have a pussy ass bitch session. Tell me what makes it complicated.”
I debate not telling him, but in the end, I need someone’s advice.
“She’s jealous of Tinsley. Plus, I don’t think she’s resolved anything with that Jared guy. It’s a mess.”
“First.” He holds up a finger. “Of course she’s jealous of Tinsley. The girl is your best friend, but even if she wasn’t, it’s in women’s DNA to be jealous of other women snooping around their man. Think about it this way, if Cassi had a male best friend, do you think you could be so calm and collected about it?”
I think over his words. Even the thought of another man being close to her makes my skin itch. “I would if she said they were just friends. I would trust her.”
“Well, it’s obviously an insecurity of hers. You should talk to her about it.”
“I’ve tried.”
“Try harder, man. Life isn’t easy. It takes work. Now onto my points.” He holds up a second finger. “Number two, you have your own insecurities. Why are you even still worried about Jared, man? I haven’t seen them around each other in a long time, man. That girl spends all of her time here with us or with that sexy friend of hers. It’s obvious to me it’s over, so why are you still stuck on it?”
“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 nightmare is 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.”
He attempts to lean down for a kiss, but I pull back.
Before he can respond, I hightail it out of there like a damn coward.
I absentmindedly rub my chest thinking about them. I can’t even be mad about the whole situation. He was honest from the start.
He told me what happened with them. How she chose this other guy over him. I