Page 133 of Can't Always Get What You Want

This tops the most humiliating evenings of my life.

And that includes the time I accidentally tucked the back of my jersey into my hockey pants during a televised game, skated around with my number wedged into my ass crack, and didn’t notice until it was all over TikTok.

That? That was funny.

This?

This is something else entirely.

Because tonight, it wasn’t strangers laughing. It was her pretending I wasn’t sitting beside her.

“Ouch,” I say at last, pushing my drink to the middle of the bar top, no longer thirsty. Or in the mood. “That wasn’t fun.”

Nova plops back down on the barstool, eyes wide with immediate remorse. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she says quickly, grabbing my arm like physical contact might fix the words she just used to sever me from her reality.

I nod once, but don't look at her.

“I panicked,” she goes on, voice rushing. “It wasn’t aboutyou. It was about Gio and the situation and—I don’t know, I just didn’t want to make it worse.”

Worse than pretending I was a stranger?

Worse than watching her lie like I meant nothing?

“Worse. That’s hilarious.”

Jesus, I all but told her I was falling in love with her when she was at my house playing doctor, and all she can say is she didn’t want to make things worse?

She wanted to make it easier for herself. That’s the truth.

Nova bites her lip, guilt flooding her face like she knows it too.

“Luca,” she pleads. “Please don’t shut down on me.”

Too late.

I exhale slowly, dragging a hand down my face. “You just told your brother you were going to hang out with me like you were my little sister. To humble me.”

“No, that’s not?—”

“You didn’t even hesitate.” I finally look at her, and I can see the words land. “You looked him right in the eye and made me invisible.”

Nova’s face crumples, just a flash, like she wasn’t expecting me to be this upset.

But I am.

I’m devastated.

“I was trying to protect you,” she says, voice breaking. “Protectus.This thing between us, it’s still new and Gio is—he’s complicated.”

“Bullshit,” I snap, bitterness creeping up my throat. “You were trying to protectyourself.Don’t spin this like you were doing me some favor.”

She blinks, stunned.

I take a breath and go on. “I’ve worked really fucking hard to become someone I’m proud of.” Pause. “I’ve worked on my communication. My ego. My ability to open up. I’ve sat through therapy. I’ve journaled. I’ve listened. I’ve grown. And now I’msitting here with my dick in my hand the moment your brother comes around.”

Nova’s eyes glass over, her lips parting, but I don’t stop. I can’t.

“I don’t know how I feel dating someone who’s embarrassed by me,” I say, shaking my head. “You wanted to bolt the second you saw him.”

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