“This is Devin. Rhymes with heaven, but he’s closer to the devil,” I sing with a wide grin. It’s not the first time I’ve used that line. Devin fucking hates it, which is about ninety-nine percent of why I say it. He glares at me and I can’t help but laugh. Jessie is oblivious. She hasn’t taken her eyes off Devin.

I’m yesterday’s news.

“I’m Jessica. Jessie,” she coos with a sweet smile. “Are you a transfer? I don’t think I’ve seen you on campus before.”

“Not a student.” His answer isn’t even a complete sentence. He stares at her impassively. He’s my friend, but he’s also a prick.

Jessie is undeterred. “Just visiting? It’s an awesome campus. I can show you around sometime if you want. How long are you going to be here for?”

Devin shrugs. Jesus, he’s impossible. How the hell does he ever get laid?

“Devin’s a local boy. But I’m sure he’d love to be shown around some of your sights.”

Devin doesn’t appreciate my insinuation, judging by his glare, but Jessie doesn’t seem to notice. A loud crash draws our attention to the center of the living room where some guy just took a swan dive off the pool table. In the packed space, it causes a chain reaction of people falling like dominoes. The human wreckage sends Jessie tumbling into Devin’s lap. He wraps a steadying arm around her, pulling her against him and sheltering her from the spilt drinks raining down where she was just standing.

“Thanks,” Jessie purrs at Devin as she tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She’s smiling from ear to ear, a total goner.

Devin just huffs, but he hasn’t taken his hands off her. He glances at me, catching the satisfied smile on my lips. I’m about to spit out another one-liner when a quick nod from Devin sends my gaze searching the other side of the room. I spot Elizabeth quickly. Some guy has his arm wrapped around her waist, whispering in her ear. What’s fucking worse, she’s smiling.

Fuck no.

I cross the room in a matter of seconds, not caring who I shove out of the way to get to her.

“Austin,” she calls out happily as soon as she sees me. It’s too late, my blood is already boiling.

I turn to the guy, who wisely drops his arm from her waist and takes a step back.

I step into his space and growl, “Fuck off.” Thankfully, he does. I don’t need to go to jail for cracking some guy’s jaw tonight.

Elizabeth glares at me. I snake my arm around her waist and pull her against me. I don’t just kiss her, I claim her. It’s rough and dominant. She bends to my will, following my lead.