FAZER LOGINAnne-Marie’s P.O.VThe one person I’ve spent the past two years trying to bury from my memory—the one person who brings me the most heartache whenever I think of them, is my classmate. And I’ve been paired up with him for group work. This has to be a deadly prank life playing on me, and it’s not funny at all.My head is pulsing from worry. My heart is pounding in my chest, wanting to break out. Taking deep breaths, my eyes follow him as he races out of class without sparing anyone a glance, roughly pushing his way through the throng like he’s being chased.It’s really him. Champion… the guy I saw two nights ago. Marcus’ younger brother.“Memphis?” Someone calls after him.I drop my eyes in a blink, quickly packing my books into my backpack, my hands trembling. I could barely concentrate on anything Miss Blake said during class. I snatch up my phone on my desk, toss it inside my bag, zip it up, grab my backpack, and spring to my feet.“Hi,” Caleb stops me in my tracks, gripping his bac
Memphis’s P.O.VHer head snaps over her shoulder while my mouth still hangs slack. I quickly shut my mouth. She tracks back to Miss Blake, and I hear her stutter, “Ma’am, can I switch partners with someone else?”“You know her?” Avan inquires. But terror has got my tongue clipped.“You can’t. Memphis is the only one without a partner.” Miss Blake answers.My heart pounds unguardedly, like it’s about to leap out of my chest. I feel stares at me, prickling my skin, and I can tell everyone is wondering what connection exists between us.“Class is starting. Return to your seat.” Miss Blake dismisses her, the fondness vanishing from her eyes.Anne-Marie is frozen on the spot, her back to the entire class. She folds her right fist.I dig my teeth into my lower lip, unable to fathom what’s going on in her head. She’s probably losing her mind like I am, or worse, thinking of sending me where her late mom now resides. She turns suddenly. I drop my head fast to avoid her gaze, hoping I can act
Memphis’s P.O.V~Monday~I’m back on campus after an awful weekend and a sour birthday. At least Sunday wasn’t all that bad. No training, no Coach Gale yelling, or getting another bruise to add to my batches of honor. After I arrived at the house I share with Avan and Norman, I slept in, something I haven’t had the luxury of doing in months. Then, the boys and I played video games in the evening. It was a day well spent.A new season starts next month, so we get two full weeks of rest. I plan on sleeping every single day. However, there’s still one pending battle to win—the figure skaters never setting foot in the Den. And a new development—green-eyed princess. Anne-Marie. The girl from my past, from a different state entirely, several miles away, is now involved with my brother. How does this even happen to anyone?‘I may have made things worse. I kissed her.’‘I kissed her.’Even if she’s rejected him, it only confirms that something really is going on between them. I mean, they’re
Anne-Marie’s P.O.VChamp is Marcus’ brother. How? How? Why on earth?My mind mocks me for the millionth time, replaying that moment I turned around, and he was staring right into my eyes, his blue eyes filled with the same recognition I felt. My heart weighs too heavily, searing with pain as my mom’s dying image latches to my mind—how pale and worn she’d looked, the blood covering her head, the way she’d lain in that bed and touched my face, telling me I was her favorite daughter while drawing her last. All my life I’d believed she loved Mary more; she had way too many expectations of me and grilled me harder than she did with my older sister.As soon as I saw his face, I was painfully reminded of what my night with him cost me—seeing Mary alive one last time and giving my mom the comfort she needed before she lost it and walked into the busy road. A few days before that fateful night, Mary had been cramping slightly. We went to the doctor and were told it wasn’t time yet. Her EDD w
Memphis’s P.O.VMarcus cocks a brow at me, his eyes filled with questions. But the minute I pull the door open, he straightens his face and shifts his gaze to my father seated at his desk.I know he’s gotten the memo not to mention anything that can put Princess in a tight spot, yet my heart wouldn’t stop pounding. As soon as I arrived, I’d barely found a comfortable position when my mom asked what I knew about the woman Marcus came with. Thank goodness I heard Marcus’ footsteps.My parents—my dad in particular—are chronically interested in Marcus’ romantic life, and have tried to set him up with several women of their choice. We’re gathered here in the middle of the night because every one of their attempts has failed. They didn’t think he’d show up with anyone for my party. I made a bet with him to get him to act. Maybe I shouldn’t have. I don’t know anything about her; I want to, but not like this – in an interrogation room disguised as a study – that will only give my parents’ lic
Diana’s P.O.VTears blind me quickly as I stare at Anne-Marie curled up in her bed, shaking and stroking her baby. My lips quiver. Fear pounds inside my chest. My gaze flicks up to meet Beatrice’s terrified gaze.“What happened to her?” She mouths to me, her eyes brimming with tears.Marcus. That’s what happened to her. I clench my fists so tight, my nails dig into my flesh. My jaw ticks. Without wasting another second, I storm out of her room, marching to the living room.“Diana?” Beatrice calls after me. But I only see Anne-Marie, looking disheveled and scared, as soon as I opened that door.What did that son of a b***h do to her?“Diana, where are you going?” Beatrice yells.My feet carry me faster. I flick the tears in my eyes, making a beeline for the umbrella stand. I grab the longest one and move.“Diana?!”I motion for the door, tightening my grip around the umbrella.“Diana, where do you think you’re going to with that?”“To break that idiot’s head!” I say through gritted te







