CHAPTER TWENTY Tyler

A day was left until the competition, then it would all be over, and I would put Daniel in his place. But also, I would have less time here in Waves, because after the competition I got one week, and then I had to leave this place I grew to love and adore. It felt more like home than my actual house. But I still got a week with it, which wasn’t a lot, so me, Noah, Nika, and Clara decided to throw a party—the last one this summer.

So we gathered in the living room and started planning. Clara was responsible for the food and drinks, Noah for the people—he had to invite as many as he could. Nika and I were responsible for the house: to clean it and make it as party-vibes as possible.

I found the things we used for Daniel’s birthday. He didn’t use some of them, so we still had a lot of things to make the house what we wanted it to be. Me and my girl spent the whole afternoon preparing everything. Clara made nice snacks like nachos with guaq and frozen Twizzlers, which I found weird, but when I tried, they tasted heavenly. Some drinks. And of course, where would we be without Reese’s?

“Wow, you guys made all this?” Evie asked, walking into the house. She and Daniel had left early in the morning to visit someone I didn’t know, and didn’t care about, because only a little more and me and Evie wouldn’t be forced together like that. I hoped she stayed at her house and didn’t visit us all the time—but she sure would, because Daniel also lived in my house.

“Yeah… are you guys joining our fun or?” Evie directly jumped at the idea. “Yeah, yeah, is there anything to help with?” “It’s fine,” Nika told her. “We did it ourselves. You’re late, like always.”

Suddenly, tension crept into the air. These girls were going to end me. I didn’t get it—why did she hate Nika so much? Probably because she was Daniel’s ex. How stupid could I be to not see it before?

“Okay, sorry. You don’t have to be a bitch about it,” Evie mumbled, and that won her a glare from Nika. “Oh, trust me, I know what a bitch acts like… probably plays with guys’ feelings, because Evie, aren’t you doing the same?”

Evie froze while I looked between them both. Gosh… they were fighting because of me.

“Please leave us alone. We got this,” Nika waved her off, and just like that, Evie left. She doesn’t prove herself to people when they don’t like her. That’s unchangeable—not that she would care to change it.

“Don’t you think you were a little mean?” Nika sighed at my words, her hand covering her forehead as her eyes radiated fire. “She fucking yelled at you over nothing two days ago in the car, remember? God, you excuse every little thing she does. Are you still in love with her or what?” Nika raised her voice.

Was I still in love with Evie? I’ll always be, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love someone else. I know Nika is my girl, so I would show her that.

“I don’t. I love you. If you want, I can go and stay over at your house so I’m not staying here with her after the party. How does that sound?”

Nika smiled and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Sounds perfect.” Then our lips stirred against each other, and I felt that feeling when you are on a rollercoaster: adrenaline, fire. That’s what it was with her, and it made me want more and more. I chose Nika, and nothing would change my mind.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go get ready,” Nika let go of me, and I felt that emptiness, like something was missing. “Don’t take long,” I pouted. “I won’t, I promise,” and she gave me one last smile before leaving the house to go to her own and get ready.

I had to as well, so I went to my room and threw on a leather short-sleeve button-down with the same pair of pants. I left the button-down fully open, and underneath I had a tight white T-shirt, chunky black shoes, and I was done. What a wonder I didn’t need much time—maybe because I had a unique accessory this time: my smile.

When I went down, the living room was crowded already, just like the last party Daniel threw. But this time it was mine and Noah’s.

“Aw, look at us. We outgrew our geekiness,”