Page 23 of The Nice List

“It’s not a crush. It’s…”

“Nothing,” Alexis barks, cutting off my words. “Look.” She points and I follow her gaze to see Cory dancing in front of some girls doing some kind of hip hop line dance. “He’s just a flirt. Don’t take it to heart.” Her eyes soften at my frown when he pulls Tracey’s friend, Skyler into his arms. “I hate to hurt your feelings, Livvy. But at least I’m doing it out of love.”

But what my sister doesn’t notice—or refuses to acknowledge—is that even though Cory is dancing with another girl, his eyes are fixed onme.

“Love,” I scoff. “Right.” I turn away from Cory’s concerned expression to face my sister. “Listen, Alexis. I gave Cory my number the first night I visited Thorngrove almost a year ago. We’ve talked every day since then. He’s not flirting with me to make you jealous, and I don’t have acrushon him. We’re together. We’re happy. So, either be happy for me or stay out of it. Because I don’t want or need a love that’s going to hurt my feelings.”

Even in the dim light, I can see her face turning red. Whether it’s from shock or anger, I’m not sure because her expression remains as impassive as always. Without a word, she nods before walking past me toward the house, shoulder checking me on the way.

Well, that could have gone better…or worse.

Chapter 15

Cory

I keep an eye on Livvy as Jenny tries to wrangle the crowd into doing the whip and nae nae dance with her. I was hoping Livvy would join them, but it looks like she’s in a heated conversation with her sister. So, I stroll up to the dancing girls and mirror their dance moves, making them all laugh.

When I step in front of Skyler, she takes a timid step back. Joey wasn’t kidding about her being shy. She finally loosens up and takes my hand after Jenny introduces us with a joke about spiking Skyler’s drinks with vodka. I pull Skyler into a slow dance just as the song changes to a slow country song.

“You’re quite the dancer,” I tell her honestly.

“Th…thank you,” she stutters as she smiles.

I can’t help but notice that the sight of her blushing cheeks doesn’t affect me the way Livvy’s does. I glance in the direction where I last saw my girl to see Alexis storming toward the house and Livvy shaking her head in disappointment.

I’m about to excuse myself to go check on her when Joey’s shout pulls my attention. “Hey, Cory! You’re gonna want to take your hands off the big guy’s girl before he completely loses his shit.”

My dance partner spins out of my arms before shouting excitedly and running to throw herself into the arms of the ‘big guy’ that’s stalking toward us like he’s ready to take my head off. Thankfully, once his girl is in his arms, his focus shifts to her.

I didn’t miss the name Skyler shouted—Devon—is the same as the guy that Joey and his girlfriend, Tracey are infatuated with. I can’t help but laugh at Joey’s scheming as I turn to make my way to my own girl.

I stalk my way toward Livvy, relishing the way her smile brightens with every step I take.

“Hi,” she says with a bright smile when I’m standing in front of her.

“Hey,pretty girl.” I lift my hand to reach for her before letting it drop back to my side with a sigh. As much as I want to claim her in front of the whole party, I won’t until she’s ready. Instead, I ask, “Is everything okay with your sister? It looked like you were arguing.”

Livvy lifts her shoulders and lets them drop with a huff. “I told her about us.”

My shock must show on my face, because Livvy giggles before stepping toward me and wrapping her arms around my waist,under my jacket. It’s innocent compared to the embraces of other couples scattered around the party. But it’s huge for us. It’s public. She’s claiming me the way I wanted to claim her just moments ago.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer, feeling like I’m on top of the world. I don’t think anything could bring me down…until I hear a familiar scoff behind me.

I step back and turn to face Alexis, trying to keep myself between the sisters so that Livvy doesn’t have to face more of the wrath she obviously received earlier. But Livvy keeps her left arm around my waist, tucking her hand into my back pocket as we face her sister together.

“So, it’s true?” Alexis glares at me. “You’ve been fucking my sister behind my back?”

“No!” Livvy says at the same time I say, “Yes.”

I hold up my right hand. “We’re together. Not fucking,” I clarify.

“Semantics,” Alexis scoffs.

“No.” I return her glare when I feel Livvy tense beside me. “Facts.”

“Whatever.” Alexis rolls her eyes before looking toward Livvy. “We’re leaving.”

“We who?” Livvy asks with a sarcastic edge to her voice. “You got a mouse in your pocket?”

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