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All this tiether and I’d never even asked Niko where he was frouys in my troop And you knohy I joined? Because it was fun I mean, I learned soall the time"

"You must have really ed

"I will tell you guys so to believe, but back in Buffalo, I had a lot of friends I really did," Niko continued He brushed his hair out of his eyes "I knoill strain your iirlfriend"

"What’s her name?" I asked

"Is she hot?" Jake said at the saain

"She’s very pretty She was a senior last year Now she’s at Sarah Lawrence"

"Wait aa senior?"

Niko shrugged "Yeah"

After a moment, Jake said, "Cool"

Brayden squinted at Niko I could tell he was thinking what I was thinking (and probably Jake, too): No Way

Niko was h, not a one of us, not even Brayden, called hiot a question for you boys," Brayden said "Where’s the craziest place you ever did it?"

"Oh God" Jake rolled his eyes "Not this again"

"What?" Brayden protested

"This is like his favorite question," Jake snorted "And anyway, man, not all the present company can answer this one" He nodded towardto be mean

"Oh yeah," Brayden said "No speakee the nookie, eh, Dean?"

I feltred

"Why do you all assu, I’m sure

Jake reached across the table and poured us all another big shot

"Dude," Jake said "We only assuood-naturedly

"You guys are a-holes," I said, playing it off

"Hey, Brayden," Jake said "Speaking of the nooks, how’s Josie treating you?"

I shot a look at Niko What was Jake thinking?

Maybe he didn’t know that Niko liked Josie Was that possible?

Brayden took a swig frorinned

"It’s all right," he said "Very nice girl"

"Ha!" Jake laughed "Thatout"

Niko studied the cup in his hands

"We do a lot of cuddling," Brayden said

Niko looked so relieved, I had to laugh Jake clapped etting laid is so aweso his head "It’s just absolutely the best thing ever Once you get it, all you can think of is getting it again So sex and I’ed back the rest of et there, in time, Dean You’ll discover for yourself the beautiful, beautiful world of the hot little cla about Astrid

He didn’t love her He just wanted her for her body

It wasn’t fair

"It must be so easy for you," I said My face was hot

"How so?"

"You come to our school, you’re immediately popular You’re the best player on the football teairl, without lifting a finger"

I was loose I felt big, like I could say what I really felt I was drunk

"And who are you, really?" I said to Jake, pouring myself another drink "I mean, what do you have, besides charht, settle down, Geraldine," Brayden said

I drained ht like you," Jake said

"You don’t deserve her" I stood up "She’s so smart, so beautiful She’s wild and funny and kind, and you’re just a dumb jock You don’t even love her You just want her so you can get your rocks off"

Jake got up, sending his chair crashing down behind hi and I laughed

"Out of line! Yeah, I know If I ever speak up If I ever stand up for ht? Because I’ood as you? Is that it?"

Niko ca to calm me down

I pointed at Jake "HE DOESN’T DESERVE HER She’s a goddess and he’s named her body parts after Disney princesses!"