But apparently, hewasdifferent. And girls were noticing. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, given that he was always so funny and kind. But I didn’t like that he had kept his dating details from me. I tried to keep my jealousy at bay. But I was jealous.
Because he was dating someone. Because he hadn’t told me.
“Look at you. Guess I’ll have to start training if I’m going to keep up with Max McKinnon, thirst trap in the making.”
“Careful, Trouble.” I could hear his mouth tilting into a half-grin. “You’ll be lucky if you get to see me in one.”
“Oh, so you’re admitting it?”
“Please. I’m fucking hot as hell.”
“Oh, sure. Who lied to you? You’ve dated the entire senior class, now, right? Those girls must be blind.”
“I’m selective, Trouble. I only pick girls who can keep up with me. And trust me, they aren’t blind.”
“So, what happened? Did they tap out or realize how big a nerd you are?”
“Maybe I’m just waiting for someone who can actually challenge me,” he said. His tone sharpened just a touch. “Someone who doesn’t get bored the second things stop being easy.”
I raised a brow.
“Someone who will make me beg,” he added. I could almost hear the smirk in his voice. “I like being on my knees.”
I blinked; once, twice, three times.
“Wow. Cocky much? I hope those aren’t the one-liners you’re using on those girls because it sucked.”
Heat crept up my cheeks. This was the first time he’d ever made a sexual joke like that.
He scoffed. “Please. I don’t talk to them like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because they don’t get it,” he said quickly. Then, quieter: “They’re not you.”
I laughed. “Max?—”
“Don’t laugh at me, Trouble.” His voice lost the teasing edge. “They seriously make fun of me. They lose interest immediately. Like I’m something they tried on and decided didn’t fit.”
He paused, then added, almost too casually, “You don’t do that.”
I shook my head, ignoring that comment, but my pulse skyrocketed. Was I… actuallynervousaround Max McKinnon?
“Why? You have a tick?”
He laughed.
“No, I tell them I have a girl best friend from summer camp, and they think I’m lame.”
I could hear him saving his video game, the familiar click that meant he was getting ready to turn in for the night.
I didn’t like him talking about those girls. The feeling surprised me. I’d never felt territorial over him before, but now it sat heavy in my chest. It wasn’t that I wanted to claim him—just that the idea of anyone else having him made my stomach twist, and that realization unsettled me.
I was starting to feel a bit… possessive.
And the worst part? It sounded like I wasn’t alone in that feeling.
“That’s because they don’t get it,” I said. “I’m awesome.”
