Suddenly, Nick stared right at me and I could barely breathe. “Did you know I’m a hot commodity now?” he asked before focusing on the returning waitress. After delivering our drinks and taking our orders, she left us alone and Nick finally looked at me again.
“Ever since I started fighting, girls think I’m a stud,” he said, winking at me. “Some of the girls now throwing themselves at me used to think I was a loser. One of them even called me a trailer trash douche.”
“What’s her name?
“You don’t remember calling me that, do you?”
Frowning, I shook my head. “I never called you that.”
Nick grinned. “Anyway, girls around here really want a piece of Dragon. I don’t blame them. I’m on a winning streak. Problem is I’m bored of easy pussy and that’s all they’re offering. I don’t want to tell them that though. Why hurt their feelings when they’re trying to be nice to me? Instead, I tell them about my townie girlfriend named Betsy.”
“Wait, so…
After giving a head nod to someone he recognized, Nick downed his soda, started in with the appetizers, and drank his beer. I wanted to ask about his fake girlfriend, but he ignored me until the food arrived. Suddenly, Nick looked at me and smiled.
“Are you waxed?” Nick asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Is your pussy waxed?” he asked, digging into the pork nachos.
“What does that matter?”
“Just curious.”
Hands in fists, I wanted to storm out. Or throw my drink at him. Maybe pull my gun and make him piss himself. Mostly, I needed to punish him for making me feel like shit.
I didn’t do any of those things though because I had waited too long for him to pay attention to me. Deep inside I was disappointed Nick wasn’t the guy I imagined. His nice guy persona was a lie. Or maybe he had been nice, but bitches like me made him harder. Meaner too.
“I’m not waxed,” I whispered, ready to cry. “You’re not like I thought you’d be.”
Even without crying, I hid my face in my hands. I felt like a fool to have spent so long idealizing this guy.
Nick said nothing as he sat next to me. Glancing up, I wanted to be pissed and say he was shit. Except I’d made him feel like a loser a year earlier. Was this my punishment?
“Why now?” he asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and reaching for a fry. “Is it really because I smelled like bacon?”
With Nick sitting against me and the feel of his arm around my shoulders, I really wished he wasn’t a jackass loser.
“I thought you were nice and I want a nice guy.”
“Nice, huh?” he said, popping an onion ring into his mouth. “Why do you want someone nice?”
“I want you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Why do you want me?” I asked, remembering my new boobs.
Nick finished chewing his food then cleared his throat. “You’re beautiful and I’m shallow.”
“Well, you’re hot so that’s why I like you.”
“You like watching me fight?”
My cocky smile faded. “No. I like when the other guys fight, but not you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t like seeing you bleed.”
Nick’s face was unreadable then he lowered his lips to mine and this time I took advantage of the kiss. I wanted him so much even if he was an asshole. Before I could get too comfortable with the spicy taste of him, Nick pulled away his lips.
“Does it really matter if I’m waxed?” I asked when he returned to eating.
Nick shook his head. “I just wanted to mess with you.”
“Why?”
“To see if you’d freak out and leave.”
“No offense, but what the fuck?”
Nick gave me a side glance then grinned. “I told you. I’m a hot commodity, but I don’t want a groupie. You’re the hottest chick in town and now you’re into me. I wanted to know if it was a passing thing. Like if I pissed you off, would you run off to the next guy?”
“So the waxed thing was a test?” I asked, irritated, yet relieved.
“I like you Bailey and I don’t give a shit if you’re waxed. I do care if you’re going to toss me aside after showing me off to your stupid friends.”
“My friends aren’t stupid,” I growled without thinking. “I’ll kick your ass for saying otherwise.”
“Those dippy chicks you hang around with at school are stupid.”
“Fine, but they’re not my friends. They’re my groupies. Winnie, Raven, Tawny, and Lark are my friends. Farah and Maddy are my family. Talk shit about them and I’ll cut you.”
Nick laughed. “You can’t know what you look like when you threaten people. The expression on your face is classic.”
“Don’t make fun of me.”
“See, I was right. If you knew how you looked, you’d know I was snug in the jeans now.”
“You’re being gross. Is that a test?”
Nick leaned over to whisper in my ear. “I haven’t gotten laid in over six months and I’m sitting next to you and you smell so fucking good.” Nick paused and his green eyes studied my face. “No, it’s not a test. Our food is here.”
Nick looked ready to stand and return to the other side of the table. I placed my hand on his strong thigh and stopped him.