I couldn't believe Estella was actually using this bet to make me into some sort of love Guru.

If I knew this was going to happen, I never would have agreed to it, and now, I had to go on a hunt for bubble tea every morning, drive her home, and do whatever her mind told her she desired.

The idea was sickening. 

I sighed as Brice and I leaned against Verda, waiting for little Miss Princess to show up.

"Tell me why you invited your friend again?" Brice asked when we had been waiting for more than five minutes.

I shrugged with my arms crossed. "Why not?"

He bobbed his head, not saying more. We met up at the stairwell leading to the basement, and I told him about the change of plans. I only told him "my friend" was joining us, but I didn't specify. He appeared taken aback that I had other friends that weren't him, Oliver or Tyler.

I wasn't sure if I was offended.

To be honest, I didn't know if I had friends other than the boys and Estella.

"The hell," Brice said after another five minutes passed. "Is your friend doing his makeup in the bathroom or something? What's going on?"

"Her," I corrected, and a lightbulb seemed to go off in his head.

"No wonder," he huffed and leaned back on Verda.

Surprisingly, I was less bothered by her tardiness and more concerned about her well-being.

Did she pass out in the bathroom or something?

Like damn.

I craned my neck to get a better glimpse of the school, and right at that moment, I spotted a familiar pair of caramel legs hurrying our way. I didn't have to glance up at the face to know it was Estella.

I couldn't believe I was saying this, but Estella had really nice legs. They always appeared smooth, and they had a nice shape. A little longer, and they would have been perfect.

She ran over to us, fast enough to move quickly but slow enough to not break a sweat.

"I'm so sorry," she said, resisting the urge to pant as she stopped before me and Brice.

Her gaze was stuck on Brice.

I furrowed my brows as something seemed different about her appearance. Her hair looked more kept-together. Her face more vibrant and her clothes more orderly.

Is that why she was late?

She was getting dolled-up for Brice?

I resisted the urge to frown. "Brice," I started, "this is—"

"I know who she is." Brice smiled while Estella continued to stare at him. "Estella, right?" She nodded. "We meet again." He seemed to remember something. "Outside of psych that is."

"Yeah," she said, "can't forget about psych." She flashed him a grin as they stared at each other.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, let's go." I pushed myself off of Verda and made my way over to the driver side.

"After you." Brice held the passenger door open for Estella, who's face lit up.

"Thank you." She beamed as she entered the car. "You're so sweet." Brice squeezed himself in as well.

"Only to pretty girls," he said, and I halted what I was doing to glance at Estella, who perked a brow. "I'm kidding." He placed a hand on her thigh and shook the area with a laugh.

He wasn't.

I had to admit, Estella was attractive. If she wasn't, she would have been opening her own door.

I started the engine and fumbled with my CDs while the two went on with whatever the hell this was.

Estella was in the middle and really close to me; hence, why I didn't like having more than one passenger in Verda. Surprisingly, it didn't irritate me.

I didn't like it, but I didn't hate it either.

I found my The Heart of Everything CD, and Estella grabbed it out of my hand. "Wait. This is Within Temptation."

"Within who?" Confusion took over Brice's features.

"Within Temptation," I said before focusing on Estella. "I bought it a couple days ago, and I like it so far."

"This is one of my favorite CDs by them. Told you they were awesome." She nudged my arm, and I shook my head at her.

"I have to check out the rest of your music," I told her. "Maybe this is an exception and everything else is a miss."

"Yeah, right," she scoffed. "My music taste is flawless."

Before she could hand the CD back to me, Brice grabbed it. "Within Temptation sounds great and all," he said, "but I had other plans for music."

"Like what?" Did he forget this was my car?

He snatched the AUX chord and plugged in his phone. "Like this." He scrolled through his playlist and some hip-hop song came blasting out of the stereo.

Predictable.

I reversed out of my parking spot as he bobbed his head to the beat. "Now, this is what I'm talking about." He turned it up and moved along to the beat. This dude just jacked my AUX chord.

Because he was Brice, I let it slide. No one else. Well, maybe Estella, too.

"At least someone in hip-hop company likes hip-hop," Estella said, eyeing me as we left school grounds and got onto the main road.

"It means I'm less predictable," I said.

Brice leaned forward to glance over at me with a brow arched. "Throwing shade, Velasco?"

"You know it," I said, and he punched my arm with a chuckle. "Why do you and Estella like to punch people while they're driving?"

Brice peeked down at Estella. "Pretty and feisty. I like."

She turned her head over to me so Brice wouldn't see the grin she was trying to hide. Why was I even here? I should have just set them up and left.

I focused on the road while the annoying hip-hop song continued. If he wanted to play hip-hop, he should have at least played the decent kind, like what Justin made us dance to. Not whatever this was. Then something dawned on me.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

Estella planted a finger on her chin. "That's a good question."

Brice sent her a look with a smirk forming on his lips. "Do you do this often? Get into cars with two boys without knowing where you're going?"

Her eyes went wide. "You're right." She glanced between us. "If Daddy—I mean my dad—" She paused with her eyes closed briefly, almost as if mentally kicking herself, before continuing. "If my dad knew, he'd be upset."

Estella never called her father "dad."

Brice rested an arm on the window sill, and he leaned away from Estella to get a better look at her. "Do you do everything your dad says? Are you a daddy's girl?"

"I am a daddy's girl," she said, "but I'm not always a good girl."

I sent her a funny look while Brice beamed. "Really?"

"Uh-huh," she said, and Brice shortened the distance between them. "Plus, I know Jax would keep me safe." She clutched onto my free arm. "Isn't that right, Jax?" I looked down to catch her peering up at me with expectant eyes.

"I don't know," I joked as I glanced between her and the road. "Iago may come out." She smacked my arm. "Ow!" I freed myself out of her grasp. "There goes the slapping again. Iago is definitely coming out now." She smacked me again, almost pouting but catching herself, and I busted into laughter. "Your face is priceless."

I turned into a gas station because this aimless driving wasn't cutting it anymore. Estella huffed with her arms crossed. "Fine. I guess you'll leave me at Brice's mercy."

Brice smirked as I parked at the front near the entrance. "Trust me." He moved in so close that there was barely space between them. "You wanna be left at my mercy. I treat my women right."

Estella's lips parted but no words came out, and that broadened Brice's smirk.

"Sabrina," I blurted out, and the car went silent.

Estella glared at me while Brice's demeanor remained nonchalant. "Throwing shade left and right today, aren't you, Velasco?"

"That's what I do, Abrams." I said it in a joking tone, but I was being dead serious.

"Part of the charm, I guess." Brice opened the passenger door to step out.

"Where're you going?" Estella asked before I got the chance to.

"We're here. Might as well get some beer," he said, and I snapped my head in his direction.

That wasn't part of the plan.

Brice had a fake I.D., but I preferred not to be around when he used it.

"Oh..." Estella's gaze dropped.

Brice lifted her chin up so she would look up at him. That was another thing about Brice. He was too touchy with girls. Well, everyone was too touchy for my liking.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Daddy won't approve."

She removed her chin from his grasp. "Daddy doesn't have to know."

Brice grinned and bobbed his head. "That's what I like to hear." He took a couple steps back. "I'll be back." He pointed at her in a faux scolding manner. "Don't go anywhere."

"Don't plan on it," she replied, and I wanted to roll my eyes again.

He turned around and headed for the gas station, leaving me and Estella alone.

"You know I was joking, right?" I said, and she appeared confused. "I was joking earlier about not watching out for you. I'll never let any guy take advantage of you or allow anything bad to happen to you while I'm around. You do some questionable things, and you can be annoying, but I got your back."

I wanted to make sure she knew that.

Estella placed a hand on her heart. "Jax."

Before she could move closer, I put a hand up. "No hugging. That doesn't change."

She squinted her eyes at me. "One day, you're going to hug me first."

"Keep waiting for that day." I got comfortable in my seat and looked ahead, waiting for Brice to show up.

"You're not so bad, Jax," she said, "and I mean that. I'm gonna be honest. I didn't really like you much when we first met."

The feeling was mutual. She annoyed the hell out of me, talking about that "hearing damage" shit.

"Iago is the worst you can be," she continued, "but even he's not so bad. I can tame you both."

"Tame?" I scrunched up my face. "I'm not a fucking lion, Estella."

"No one can tame a lion," she pointed out. "At least, not completely, so your analogy is flawed."

"I'm done." I threw my arms up. "You always tell me you 'can't even with me.' Well, I can't even with you."

"Whatever you say." She tapped my arm with a giggle right as Brice returned.

"Got it." He placed the case of beer on the floor of my car.

"If the cops pull us over, my ass is on the line," I made sure to remind him.

"Then don't get your ass pulled over," Brice said while getting in, and Estella snickered.

She was already taking his side.

With a hesitant sigh, I sparked the car, and we were off, still not knowing where to.

"Seriously, where're we going?" I asked again.

Usually, when Brice and I hung out, we didn't plan anything, and it was rather spontaneous. Oliver and Tyler were usually with us, and the four of us usually went to the mall to head to the arcade or we chilled at Oliver's place. Sometimes when it was a weekend night, we might play laser tag or do something similar. At the moment, Oliver had some after-school activity, and Tyler was hanging out with Bree. Estella was with us, so I wasn't so sure.

Estella and I could do just fine talking, listening to music and watching movies. Brice and I, on the other hand, needed more than that when we were together.

I knew what to expect when I was with Brice.

I knew what to expect when I was with Estella.

I wasn't so sure what to expect with the two of them together.

"Let's go to the beach," Estella suggested when we were approaching it. "We can park the car, sit out, drink and enjoy the view and each other's company."

The only beach in Creek Rowe was a hot-spot for many teens, especially on the weekends.

"Brilliant, Estella." She caught onto my sarcastic tone. "A bunch of teenagers openly drinking in public. There couldn't be a better idea."

I parked Verda above the sandy hill that led to the beach. I made sure to park with my trunk facing the beach since we were going to "enjoy the view."

"Live a little, Velasco." Brice hopped out of the car with the case of beer in hand, and Estella was right behind him.

"Right," I said while getting out as well. "Might as well live now before going to jail."

I opened up Verda's trunk, and Brice pushed the case of beer in. He and I hopped in right after. "Don't be dramatic," he said. "There aren't a lot of people here at the moment. It's a weekday, and school just ended and a lot of people are still working. We'll be fine."

Brice reached his hand out to Estella right as I did.

She glanced between our two protruding hands, and for a second, her gaze lingered on mine. She glimpsed up at me before taking Brice's hand, and he pulled her up.

My hand slowly returned to my side. What was I expecting?

Brice sat back as far as he could while I sat near the edge of the trunk with my legs dangling out.

"Where do I sit?" Estella asked while looking around. "There's not a lot of space for three people to be comfortable."

"Come here." Brice patted his thigh. "There's a spot waiting here for you." I peeked back to catch a glimpse of Brice's gaze locked on Estella. "If you'll take it."

She hesitated for a second before moving over to sit between his legs. When she left a couple inches between them, Brice pulled her back, so she could rest her body against him. I could almost see Estella melt in his arms.

She flashed a wide grin for only me to see.

They were acting as if this wasn't the first time they were actually hanging out.

I never understood how people could be so comfortable around each other so quickly.

The sound of cans reminded me of the beer, and Brice offered one to Estella. "Want a beer?"

"Aren't you going to offer Jax one?" she asked.

Brice's eyes met mine. "Velasco doesn't drink."

My parents did enough of that for all three of us.

Although, I could admit that I liked beer. I didn't like drinking it, but I liked it. When my father drank beer, he was okay. Not the best, but okay.

When he drank hard liquor, that was when we had a problem.

"Oh..." She hesitated, looking to me.

"I'm not your dad," I said. "Do what you want."

She looked back to Brice, who was watching her. I kept an eye on her, too, and when she took the can, disappointment sunk in.

I was hoping she wouldn't. At least, it was beer. Only lightweights got drunk off of that.

"Cheers." Brice stuck his can out to her, and she clinked hers to his.

"Cheers," she said, and they began drinking and resumed talking.

I didn't know why I was here. They chatted back and forth, and I chimed in here and there, but I mostly stared ahead. I ignored the few people who came into my line of vision here and there, and I actually took in the view. I watched the calm motion of the waves and enjoyed the light sea breeze. I stared up at the bright orange sky preparing for sunset in an hour or two. It was beautiful.

Taking in the sight before me allowed me to block out the relentless flirting and the obnoxious giggling from a schoolgirl with a crush.

More cans opened, and each new one pissed me off more. Why did people drink? Did they actually enjoy the taste? Or was it more a societal thing? A way to fit in and not be the odd one out.

        With the three of us, I probably looked like the odd man out, but I had never felt more connected. Connected to my environment and connected to myself. I didn't need beer for that. If anything, the lack of alcohol coursing through my veins made the feeling more prominent.

"Velasco!"

A can hit the back of my head. "The hell?!" I glared back at a chuckling Brice and a giggling Estella.

"Dude, you spaced out," Brice said, and Estella gulped down the last of her beer before placing the can down.

"Unless you two are talking about something worth discussing, I'll rather just space out." I turned my back to them again, but another can smacked me on my head. "The fuck, Abrams?!"

"Trust me, you wanna hear this." He paused with a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Actually, maybe not."

"What is it?" I turned my body around to focus on the two, who were still too close to each other for my liking.

Why did people like touching so much?

"There's a party this weekend." I groaned at his words. "Don't groan. You're coming."

"As if I don't have autonomy," I said.

"You do," he countered, "but being a good friend should be a part of your autonomy, and good friends accompany their friends to parties."

Being a "good friend" got me into this mess.

"I'll rather not." I didn't even have to think about it. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll return to spacing out."

I faced forward again, but it didn't last long because another can hit the back of my head. "Okay, that's it." I took the can and chucked it back at him

Brice rose his hands up, but the can hit Estella in the face instead. "Ow!" She rubbed her cheek as my jaw dropped.

That wasn't supposed to happen.

Brice stifled a laugh as he rubbed Estella's face for her, and her expression softened at his gesture. "Is this what you do, Velasco? Hit girls in the face with beer cans?" he teased, but all I cared about was Estella.

"You okay?" I scooted closer to them to get a look at her cheek.

That really wasn't supposed to happen.

She pouted. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

A regular guy would have rubbed her cheek, too, but I wasn't a regular guy. I only touched girls I was sleeping with, and that didn't include Estella.

"Hey." I lifted my hands up. "Your face shouldn't have been in the way." I grinned.

"You jerk." She pulled me over, making me almost fall on top of her and Brice.

"Whoa." Brice shoved me off, which I was grateful for. "I'm all about three-way fun, but not with another guy." Estella gaped at him.

        I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. You wish."

"He won't even touch me," Estella said while motioning to herself. "I doubt he would be able to please me."

"Oohhh." Brice placed a closed fist over his mouth, and I narrowed my eyes at the girl before me. "She threw all the shade you've been throwing back at you."

"It's a part of the game, Estella," I played along, moving beyond my comfort zone to get close to her. "Ever heard of foreplay?" A little closer and Estella's focus was solely on me. "Teasing." I smirked at the smug expression disappearing from her face. "When you can't have me and my touch, you want it that much more." I allowed my breath to fan over her face as her eyes became less focused. "Isn't that right?" I put aside everything screaming within me not to, and I caressed her sore cheek. "Estella." We stared into each other's eyes, silent for a couple seconds.

The sun hit her features in a way that brightened her eyes, making them a lighter brown than usual. That was when I noticed a faint beauty mark below her left eye that could easily be missed.

Huh. Never knew.

Brice cleared his throat and that was when I realized that my hand was still on her cheek. Fuck. I quickly removed it and pulled back to put some distance between us.

I could breathe more easily now, another reason why I hated being too close to people. Estella continued to watch me until Brice nudged her.

"You should come to the party." He gently shook her shoulders. "It'll be fun. I'll be there."

"I bet." Her eyes flickered between the two of us, even though she wasn't even talking to me. "I'll think about it."

"Don't keep me waiting too long."

"I won't," she said, and her gaze was completely on him now.

It didn't return to me.

I hopped off of Verda and began grabbing the empty beer cans. "I need to head home."

"Velasco." Brice threw his arms up. "What the hell? Already?"

I sent him a hard look. "Yes." I walked over to a nearby trashcan to dispose of the cans while Brice and Estella moved from their relaxed position. "Some of us have important things to do," I mumbled under my breath. I didn't even drink and I was cleaning up the mess. "What are you gonna do with the beers?" I glanced own at the almost full case still on my car floor while we settled in.

Brice shrugged. "Hopefully my dad isn't home, and I can stash it somewhere for later."

"Next time you wanna do this, I'm in," Estella said.

"Oh yeah?" He appeared impressed, and she nodded.

She didn't want beers. She wanted Brice.

With my annoyance rising, I started the car, and we were off. Brice continued to play his annoying hip-hop playlist while Estella joined him in moving to it. I was actually relieved when we reached Brice's house.

It was a luxurious house with a long driveway and a large front yard. I was acquitted with the outside, even though I had never been inside.

I was more than ready for the two to separate. Who knew two of the people I was most tolerant of could be so annoying together?

"See you later, Velasco," Brice said while getting out of the car, and he turned around to face Estella. "It was fun hanging out with you, Estella. We should definitely do this again."

She nodded with a closed-lip smile before saying, "Definitely."

"I'll be looking forward to it." He returned her smile before closing the door and turning around to walk off.

Before he made it to his front door, I was driving off, more than ready to drop Estella off at her house and get home.

When we were a safe distance from Brice's house, Estella squealed. "That was amazing!" She threw herself back further into the seat. "Thank you so much, Jax. I owe you big time."

She scooted over to where Brice sat before putting on her seatbelt again.

"No problem," I murmured, not even caring about sounding sincere.

She forced me into this.

I hoped this wasn't going to be a regular thing. I hung out with Estella, and I hung out with Brice. They were two different aspects of my small, social circle. I wanted to keep it that way.

We were silent for a while until she jutted some bills at me. "What's this?" I eyed the money.

"You have to buy me bubble tea tomorrow morning," she said. "Here's the money."

I forgot about that. Great. I grabbed the money and pocketed it. This week of servitude wasn't going to be fun. At least, not for me. Before the silence returned, Estella spoke up.

"I have another request."

"What is it?" This wasn't going to be good.

Estella stared ahead. "Come to the party Brice was talking about."

"No way." I shook my head as I turned for her neighborhood. "Not happening."

"Come on, Jax," she pleaded. "Come with us. I really wanna go with Brice, but it'll be less intimidating if you're there, too."

"You can't be alone with him?" I inquired. "You need me, of all people, there to feel comfortable?"

"I know," she said. "Weird, huh?" It was. "But I do. You being around makes me a little less nervous. I could use that with the way my nerves act up around Brice." I wrinkled my nose. "Please." She cupped her hands together with pleading eyes. "Do it because you lost that bet." I sent her a sideways glance. Really? "Fine. Do it for me then?"

"That's the best you've got?"

"Jax." Her hands came down with a sag of her shoulders.

"Fine." I stopped in her driveway. "I'll go. I can't promise I'll have fun though."

"You don't have to," she said. "Just be there. Like the good friend you are."

"Whatever," I mumbled.

In reality, I didn't trust her alone with Brice. He wasn't a bad guy, and he wasn't going to force himself on her, but she liked him too much to think rationally. I didn't want her doing something impulsively and regretting it later.

If I was there, nothing would happen. It was a win-win, for everyone but me. Never mind. I was doing it for the bet.

"I'll go to this stupid party," I said. "Happy?"

Estella squealed. "Happy." She was about to hug me, but she stopped herself. "No hugs."

"No hugs," I repeated. "Now, you're getting with the program."

Estella's lips curled up at the corners. "Or I'm waiting for the foreplay to be over." My jaw dropped as she opened the door. "See you later, Jax." She stepped out and glanced back to wink at me.

My mouth was still open even as she chuckled at my expression before scurrying away. She was messing around. Earlier, I was messing around. I should be used to this by now.

I waited for her to enter her house before driving off, and the whole ride home, thoughts of Estella and what she said replayed in my head.

I'm waiting for the foreplay to be over.

I shook my head at her naiveté. As if. She would be waiting a long time then. I could never give a girl what she desired. I could only make her want it more.

Estella didn't even want me.

She wanted Brice, and I was reminded of that fact today.