Chapter 8
Poppy
Ifollow Nick to his car, which is parked in front of the diner.
He opens the passenger door of his sleek-looking sporty car, and I climb in.
“This is really nice,” I say as he pulls out of the parking lot and heads toward my apartment.
“Thanks. It was a gift from my brother, Ryker.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that he bought Anna’s car too, right?”
“Yeah. He bought both of us cars when we graduated high school.”
I’ve met Ryker a bunch of times since Anna and I have been friends. He’s a lot older than Anna and Nick—he was a teenager when they were born. By the time Anna and I became close in middle school, Ryker lived on his own.
The times I’ve been around him, he’s always been quiet and serious, but it’s clear just how much he cares about his younger siblings. Any time Nick or Anna needs something, and he’s around, he drops everything to help them.
One time last school year, he picked up Anna from a house party when she drank too much, and a few of her other friends ditched her. He even let her stay the night at his place so she wouldn’t get in trouble at her dorm or with her parents.
“Does Ryker still play pro hockey for the Denver Bashers?”
Nick nods, smiling. “Yeah. He helped them win a Stanley Cup last season. We were there for the winning game. It was awesome.”
“Oh, that’s right. Anna told me about that. She showed me pictures of you guys posing with the trophy. You looked so excited.”
“I was pumped for Ryker. He’s been wanting to play in a Stanley Cup final his whole career. And he finally did it.”
“What an accomplishment, to achieve a goal like that.”
Nick eases to a stop at a red light. I glance over at him. “I’m guessing that’s your dream too, right?”
He tugs a hand through his hair and smiles down at his lap. “More like a far-off fantasy. My dream is just getting into the NHL.” His smile falters, and he clears his throat. “We’ll see if that ever happens.”
“What do you mean? You’re the best player on Hollis’s men’s hockey team. I remember back in high school when all those colleges were tripping over themselves to recruit you.”
Nick gazes straight ahead, the look in his eyes turning serious. “Yeah, but this is college hockey. Pro hockey is a totally different world.”
He’s quiet as he pulls forward when the light turns green. I notice a flash of uncertainty in his eyes.
I’m not used to seeing Nick like this. He’s always so cocky and outgoing, always joking around and smiling.
He seems really unsure of himself in this moment.
Almost like he’s insecure about himself.
Which is weird because I’ve always known Nick St. George to be confident.
Confident hockey player. Confident ladies’ man.
Confident guy who always knows the right thing to say in any situation. Always so smooth and unflappable.
“Which one’s your building?” he asks after turning onto my block.
I point. “The brick one over there.”
He pulls into a parking spot in the front, kills the engine, then hops out of the car and jogs over to my door.
“I can get my door,” I say with a surprised laugh.
“You’re my girlfriend now, hot tutor. That means I open your car door for you. Always.” He flashes that cocky half smile that makes the dimple in his right cheek pop.
My skin goes hot. I try not to smile as I climb out of the car.
“You really don’t need to walk me to my apartment,” I say.
“Yes, I do.”
I sigh, half-annoyed at his insistence, half-flattered that he wants to be around me this much.
“Fine. But only to the entrance. You’re not coming into my apartment with me.”
He grins. “Fine.”
He walks me to the entrance of the small brick building, which is split into four units.
As we cross the main sidewalk along the street, a group of female students who are walking by us looks over and starts whispering.
Nick grabs my hand in his. His giant hand swallows up mine, and it’s strangely comforting. I’ve never been with a guy as big and muscular as Nick. I think I like it.
“Looks like we’ve officially launched our relationship in front of a few Hollis U students,” he says to me in a soft, teasing voice.
I can’t help but smile. We stop at the entrance of the building. It’s getting darker now, so the porch light is on. The light illuminates Nick’s handsome face, highlighting his square jaw and the brightness of his bourbon-brown eyes.
He leans his face close to mine, that teasing smile dancing across his thick lips. He’s so close that I can feel the warmth from his body as it skims over mine.
Goosebumps flash over my skin. I tell myself it’s a natural reaction for my body to respond this way around a guy who’s as handsome as Nick. Even though he’s so cocky, it’s obnoxious. Even though he drives me nuts.
But right now, when he’s standing in front of me, cradling my hand in his and looking at me with something warm and soft in his eyes, I forget just how cocky and obnoxious he is.
He’s looking at me like I’m all he sees. Like I’m the only thing worth looking at.
He leans closer, hovering his mouth over mine. “I’m gonna kiss you now, Poppy.”
My mouth parts open, and I let out a breath. “Okay.”
He presses his mouth against my cheek. My eyelids flutter. My skin tingles where his mouth is on me. His lips are surprisingly soft.
He lets out a soft hum before leaning back. Then he presses another whisper-soft kiss to my forehead. I close my eyes and start to whimper. Oh. I really, really like that.
When he pulls away, there’s an amused flicker in his eyes.
“Looks like we should add forehead kisses to the approved PDA list.”
I nod. “Yeah. I mean, sure. If you want.” I sound a little too eager to do that.
I brace myself for Nick to give me shit for it, but he just grins. “Good. I love forehead kisses.”
He starts slowly walking backwards to where his car is parked. “Goodnight, Poppy. Text me when you get inside, okay?”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off with a head shake. “You’re my girlfriend. I need to know you’re safe.”
Tingles flash through my chest this time at how sweet that is.
Because he’s pretending to be your boyfriend. He’s trying to make this look real.
I nod at him, too flustered to speak actual words despite that silent reminder I gave myself. Nick is really, really good at pretending to be a doting boyfriend. We’ve been a fake couple for an hour, and already he’s knocking it out of the park.
I turn around and head inside, then climb the stairs to the second floor, where my apartment is.
When I’m inside, I text him and try to ignore the fluttery feeling in my tummy.
Me: Made it inside.
Nick: Was that so hard to text your boyfriend? ;)
Me: Yes. I don’t like being checked up on.
Nick: Too bad. You’re gonna keep doing it.
I roll my eyes, annoyed at how bossy Nick is being. A tiny part of me kind of likes it, though.
Nick: Stuff like that is what makes us seem convincing as a couple.
Me: Fine. I’ll keep doing it.
Nick: Good girl.
My eyes widen as I stare at my phone screen, surprised at what Nick has called me…and surprised at just how much I like it.