#Chapter 66: The Mask

Kayla Emma dragged me over to the center of the room before I could stop her. As she poured me a drink, I risked a glance over my shoulder. Nicholas was seated on the couch, long legs stretched out in front of him and one arm lazily draped across the back cushions. He was talking to one of the males, his head thrown back with laughter and his eyes squeezed shut as if he’d just heard the funniest joke in the world, but I knew it was fake. Maybe he was coping. Or maybe he was trying to make me believe that he was completely unbothered by Noah’s interest in me, as if he hadn’t just tried to punch Noah in the face over it. Either way, I saw right through the facade. Because I’d used a similar facade far too many times for comfort—whenever I wanted to appear unfazed by people’s cruel words or threats. As I was looking at him, Nicholas’s eyes flickered over and met mine briefly, but I looked away just as fast. My cheeks flushed, and I was glad to hear him pick u