018

Ocean’s POV

“Bro, you’re not even trying anymore.” Calvin’s voice cut through the room as his character got taken out again.

I didn’t look at him, didn’t react either.

I just tightened my grip on the controller, my eyes fixed on the screen as my character reloaded and moved forward.

“I am trying,” I said flatly.

“Lies,” he shot back immediately. “You’ve been distracted since we started the game.”

“I’ve been winning.” I replied, adjusting on the couch.

“Barely.” He retorted, casting me a quick side glance.

“That still counts.”

Calvin scoffed then leaned back into the couch like he had just lost a championship instead of a video game round.

We had been at it for almost an hour now, the TV casting flickering light across the living room while empty soda cans and snack wrappers littered the table between us.

It was supposed to be a distraction to shut my brain off but it wasn’t working, not even close.

Astrid kept slipping into my thoughts.

It had been a month since we started fake dating and the last thing I wanted was being the first to fall for it.

I exhaled slowly, pushing the thoughts away as I fired at an incoming enemy.

“You’re doing it again,” Calvin said.

“Doing what?”

“That thing where you pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“I genuinely don’t know what you are talking about.” I drawled so it would sink in but instead, he snorted.

“Okay, let me make it simple for you,” he said, leaning forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

“Astrid.”

My jaw tightened at the mention of her name.

“Don’t start.” I cautioned, keeping a straight face.

“Oh, I already started,” he said, grinning.

“Are you actually doing this fake dating thing, or are you just using that as an excuse because you’re already falling for her?”

I paused just for a second.

It was subtle but Calvin noticed everything.

“Ah,” he said, pointing at me. “There it is.”

“There is nothing,” I replied calmly, resuming the game.

“You hesitated.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“Focus on the game.”

“I am focused on you,” he said dramatically.

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” I huffed, rolling my eyes at him.

“Nope.”

I sighed then set the controller down on my thigh.

“Calvin.”

“Yes?”

“Stop trying to psychoanalyze me,” I said through my teeth.

“So I’m right.” He was grinning widely now.

“You’re annoying.”

“That’s not a denial.”

I leaned back into the couch, running a hand through my hair.

“This isn’t what you think it is.”

“Okay,” he said, holding his hands up. “Explain it to me then.”

Sucking my teeth, I stared at the screen for a moment before speaking.

“She hates me. She doesn’t like me, not even a little.”

“That’s… not what it looks like each time you two hang out.”

“That’s because you don’t pay attention,” I replied, eliciting a laugh from him.

“Please, I pay more attention than you think.”

I snorted then continued. “She was with Reis, everything about her world revolved around him. I was just the guy she tolerated because I existed in the same space.”

“And now?”

“Now,” I said slowly, “she’s only dealing with me because of him.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

“She agreed to go out with you.”

“She agreed because it benefits her,” I said bluntly.

“And what about you?” He asked, tilting his head sideways so his whole gaze was on me.

I didn’t answer immediately because that question was complicated.

“It benefits me too,” I finally replied, staring at the snickers wrapper lying by my feet.

“How?”

“Reis.” Came the one worded reply which was accompanied with a smirk.

Calvin groaned, dropping his head back against the couch.

“Of course, it's him.”

I leaned forward again, picking up the controller.

“This isn’t about feelings.”

“Right,” he said dryly. “Because nothing ever is with you.”

Picking up another soda can, I ignored the sarcasm.

“How long are you planning to keep this up?” he asked after a while.

“As long as it takes.” I replied with a shrug.

“For what?”

I didn’t hesitate this time. “For her to walk away,” I said. “Or for him to.”

Calvin turned his head toward me.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning,” I said calmly, “this ends when Astrid decides she’s done or when Reis is.”

“And what does ‘Reis is’ mean?” He asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

“When he leaves.” I replied, meeting his gaze.

Calvin stared at me for a second then laughed. He was not amused, it was more like disbelief.

“You’re serious.”

“Always.”

“You want him off the team?”

“And the school,” I added.

Shaking his head slowly, he muttered, “You’re insane. This isn’t just a rivalry anymore, this is obsession.”

“Call it whatever you want, I don't care.”

He studied me for a long moment before sighing.

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s say you get what you want. Reis leaves, Astrid walks away. What then?”

I didn’t answer because I hadn’t thought that far or maybe I had and didn’t like the answer.

Calvin leaned back, folding his arms and I swear, I wanted to lunge at him.

I hated when he got into this pose as it always meant more interrogation.

“What about Caitlin?”

The question was sudden, causing a sudden shift in the temperature.

“What about her?” I asked flatly, tightening my grip on the controller.

“I heard she finalized her transfer,” he said carefully. “She’s coming here.”

“What?” I gasped, my eyes almost popping from their sockets.

“Yeah,” he continued. “Next Monday.”

The room felt different suddenly. It became smaller and tighter like it was closing in on us.

“Who told you that?” I asked.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

“No, it doesn't.”

My jaw clenched as something dark stirred in my chest.

“Say something,” Calvin said after a long silence but I didn’t.

Instead, I stood up abruptly.

The controller slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a dull thud.

“Ocean, don't…”

I kicked the coffee table hard causing the empty soda cans to rattle violently.

“Damn it,” I muttered, pacing the room.

“She’s coming here?” I snapped. “Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

Calvin stood slowly, pushing his hands outward.

“Hey…”

“No,” I cut him off, running both hands through my hair. “No, she doesn’t just show up here like nothing happened.”

My chest rose and fell sharply as memories I didn’t want came rushing back.

“Maybe it’s not what you think,” Calvin said.

Shooting him a glare, I let out a bitter laugh.

“It’s exactly what I think.” I huffed but couldn't go on as my ringing phone interrupted.

For a second, I considered ignoring it but something made me reach for it anyway.

The moment I glanced at the screen everything inside me went still.

It was Caitlin.

Calvin must have seen the caller ID because he whispered, “You gonna answer that?”

Staring hard at the screen, I allowed my thumb to hover over the decline button but I accepted the call instead.

“Ocean!” her voice came through the speaker, bright and familiar, like no time had passed at all.

“Finally. Why haven’t you been picking my calls or replying to my texts?”

Digging my nails into my palm, I closed my eyes briefly.

She was using the same tone and the energy like she still had the right.

“I’ve been busy,” I said flatly.

“Busy?” she repeated lightly. “Too busy for me?”

“Yes.”

There was a pause then she laughed softly, like she didn’t take me seriously.

“I’m in town,” she said.

My grip tightened around the phone but said nothing.

“I figured you should know.” She mouthed.

Shoving my free hand into my pocket, I walked toward the window, staring out into the dark street.

“Do whatever you want,” I said coldly.

“Ocean…”

I didn’t let her finish before I ended the call.