Page 48 of Trust Me Always

Only when a few people shout out catcalls do I pull back.

Brady licks the seam of his lips, brow lifting as he stares at me.

“Am I gonna fuck up your bed game if I ask to stretch out your fake boyfriend idea for a while?” I whisper.

Brady shakes his head, a question in his eyes, but then I’m yanked from his arms with a yelp.

Brady drops his shit, shoving Alister so hard, he falls on his ass, but Alister gets back up, and before I can move, Chase’s arms lock around me, holding me still.

“Quit with this shit already!” Alister seethes, not cowering from the man who has a good sixty pounds on him, not to mention being nearly a head taller. “I get it. Leave her alone. Wait for her to come to me. Just…stop fucking kissing her.”

“I’ll kiss her anytime I want…anywhereI want, if you feel me.” Brady smirks.

“See?” Alister shouts. “And you’re supposed to be her friend! Everyone knows you’re nothing but a player. You screw anything that walks and then you do the walking. There is no way she would actuallydateyou.”

Chase’s hand clamps over my mouth before I even get a chance to attempt to speak.

I look to Brady, hating Alister’s words on his behalf, but settle a little when I find his smirk is still in place.

“You done, bitter baby?” Brady cocks his head mockingly.

Alister turns my way, his eyes seeming to dive deep down and search for the truth of what’s really happening here. He must not find the answer because little creases form along his forehead.

I wait for him to snap at me, to call out more lies in front of all the people watching, and there area lotof people watching, but he doesn’t do that.

He clears his throat and offers a small smile. “I’ll make sure my part is done for the project. I’ll see you Thursday, okay?”

I try not to frown as I nod in response.

Alister nods back, grabs his backpack, and walks away.

It’s not until he’s far, far away—Ari having made her way to us and the rest of the onlookers going back to whatever the hell they were doing before we became a sideshow—that the boys look between Brady and me with wide,what the fuckeyes.

“Right.” I clear my throat, wiping the lipstick that must be all over my mouth if the sight of Brady’s tells me anything—really need to switch to the long-wear shit. “So…I guess Brady is my boyfriend now.”

I’ve never wanted to have a camera at the ready more than I do in this moment.

Their expressions are priceless.

Brady tells them what happened at the party the other day, and they start to laugh. They don’t ask questions, don’t offer opinions, but simply wrap their arms around me and Ari and lead us toward the cafeteria.

Guess the boys need a sandwich too.

After we all find food to grab, we make our way over to a long table and set it out in the middle to share.

Everyone starts to sit, but I pause, facing Brady.

“What’s the matter?” He reads the concern in my expression with ease.

“I’m sorry he said all that about you.”

Understanding dawns and he shakes his head. “Don’t stress onmy behalf. People can say whatever they want about me. It doesn’t change anything.”

“How are you not bothered? I’m pissed.”

Brady smiles, tugging my hair gently. “Because it’s a bunch of bullshit, Cammie Baby. That’s how.”

I frown and he grins wider, motioning for me to sit, so I join the others on the picnic-style table.

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