登入***~~~RIVER~~~***Fuck.That's all that leaves my mind when Chan passes me by—and our eyes meet.I don't know what I read in her gaze. Disappointment? Definitely that. Hurt? I don't know. She wants professionalism, so I don't even understand the hurt part. But she does seem hurt, if I were to ask my gut.After our kiss, I don't know if I made her think something could go on between us. But I was so fast to clarify that.And I did hope she understood.If only she knew.Sasha and I are just dating to keep her rank up, and to keep our secrets safe. She's blackmailing me. And Cortney can't find that out because it will bring her focus to Chan and me.Which I can't risk.She's mad at me for being with Sasha. What will she do if she finds out about Chan and me sneaking behind her back? The sex? The deal of having her do a makeover? And now tutorial?She'd move away from me completely.I turn to Sasha. "You got what you wanted. I have to go.""Why rush, boyfriend?" Her fingers trail across
I wait outside my house for Cortney.Usually, she'd be here by now—and I'd have already hopped into her car and we'd be on our way to school, laughing about something stupid. But Cortney doesn't have a car anymore.Which I find really weird. Cortney without a car is like a human without air to breathe.She called me this morning. Said she'd get a ride to my place.I finally hear the sound of an engine. A red car pulls up to the front of my house. The door swings open and Cortney steps out, then the car peels off so fast, it's like it's being chased.She walks toward me. Her shoulders are slumped. Her face is pale. She throws her arms around me and squeezes."I hate my life, Chancé." Her voice is muffled against my shoulder. She pulls back and looks up at me with a puppy face. The big, sad eyes and trembling lips.Then she releases me."He took everything." She gestures wildly. "My car. My card." She counts on her fingers. "He even said no rides from River or Ricky.""Then who drove y
***~~~CHANCÉ~~~***My eyes are wide open as I stare at the picture Cortney shoves in my face.With every fiber of my being, I hold my tears in, clenching my jaw, swallowing hard, so she won't ask questions. So she won't see how much this is destroying me.My heart is pounding fast. Hurting like I've been stabbed—over and over and over.What the hell is this?How could he kiss her?How—I'm as confused as Cortney. Earlier, her scream had shattered the silence after she checked her phone. I went to her. She was frozen, staring at the screen."A—are you sure that's real?" My voice stutters. I'm trying to confirm—trying to hope—that this is some cruel prank. "Who sent that to you?""Sasha did.""And it's real?" I lean closer, searching the image for any sign of editing. "Not one of the things she does to get under your skin?""Chancé." Cortney's voice is bland. Hollow. "I want to believe it's a prank. But the school logo is on it.""That doesn't mean she couldn't have edited it."She st
This is going to be a blow to my face. The team will laugh at me. Everyone will.I'm being blackmailed by Sasha Mackline, and I can't get out of it because I can't let Cortney know about me and Chan.I look down at her. She's smiling so happily at her phone, scrolling through comments, probably watching the likes roll in. I'm furious. I just want to snatch the phone away and smash it. Erase all of this before it goes any further.She looks up at me, and clears her throat."Your secret is safe with me. Just play your role well. I'll do the breaking up when I'm ready."I scoff. "What does that even mean?""The world knows you're my man now." She gestures vaguely with her phone. "So I don't want to see you with another girl until you and I have broken up. If you don't abide by this..." She lets the threat hang. "I'll tell Cortney everything."I open my mouth to protest—She turns around and walks away.Is she kidding me right now?I stand there, fists clenched, watching her disappear. My
***~~~RIVER~~~***What was I thinking?And why the hell did I say that — my body moved on its own?Geez, River.I’m sitting on the same table I had her pressed against when I kissed her. And the truth is, I think I actually wanted to do it. Kiss her. But was it because I was genuinely excited about how well the exam questions lined up with what we’d studied? Or was it something else entirely?Honestly? I don’t know. I can’t figure out what’s happening inside my own head right now. And the worst part is I think I confused her. Which means I’ve made things complicated. Again.She wanted professional. She said it clearly, more than once. Professional, River, we are professionals, and I pulled her into a storage room and kissed her like that conversation never happened. Like none of it mattered.And she still wants to tutor me. Like the kiss didn’t happen at all.I groan and drag both hands through my perfectly placed hair, ruining it completely.Well. The tests are done. I have a good
Cortney clears her throat and laughs nervously, caught. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”“You stole your father’s yacht.”“I didn’t steal it,” she says defensively. “I just… took it.”My brows climb. “You just. Took it.”“Chancé. My father is rich and always absent. He won’t even notice.”“That doesn’t make it right.”“You know what isn’t right?” Her voice changes. “Him and mom being too busy to ever actually show up for us.”I look at her. “So this is a rebellion thing?” I wait for her to respond, but her jaw just tightens. “And you made me part of it?” I shake my head slowly. “Well played, Cortney.” I turn to leave.She follows immediately, footsteps quick behind mine. “Chancé—”“You said you wouldn’t do anything stupid.” I don’t stop walking. “You promised me. Four fingers and everything.”“Chancé, please—”I finally stop. Not because she caught up to me, but because I genuinely cannot wrap my head around what she’s done. I turn back to face her. “I trusted you.”“I know.” She sigh
The door to Sasha’s closet is already open from the girls before me, and I step inside and stop.It’s enormous.Racks and racks of pink — every shade imaginable. Blush. Fuchsia. Dusty rose. Hot pink. Barely-there pink that almost looks white. The shoes are arranged on shelves along the far wall, li
***~~~RIVER~~~***If I knew the tiredness and sneezing that came out of me would lead to me being sick, I'd not have fallen asleep.I wake up feeling a little better than I was a few minutes ago. But my blanket is gone away from me. The air conditioner is turned to the highest setting, and I'm ou
What is this smirk about? Did he already know I agreed to tutor him?I tear my eyes away from him and smile at Cortney. She hands me her key. "I'll meet you in the car.""See you later, Chan." River winks at me.I swallow hard.I watch the twins walk off together. Just as I'm about to leave, my pat
***~~~RIVER~~~***The whistle blows as we get onto the ice. On Friday, we have another school to battle. If we beat them, our rank goes up and we have a chance to enter Regionals. Just 29 more schools to go. "Focus!" I yell at my teammates as we take our positions. At least this time, Ricky know







