Chapter 2

The next morning, the sun was too bright and the campus was loud. People were screaming and wearing the school colours. I felt like I was walking to my own execution.

I knew that after this people would look at me differently. Even though a girlfriend was different from the numerous hookups he had, I still didn't like the idea of being associated with that ass hole.

The worst part of this was that I was on his jersey. He had delivered it to my doorstep through a dispatch this morning along with a note reminding me to wear something red.

And well, I did. I couldn't complicate things. My academic life, my reputation and a lot more were on the line.

I had borrowed a red dress from my friend Jenna, though I didn't like it. It was tight on me so it hugged my body. It was also below my knees— which was shorter than what I usually wore.

I reached the stadium and the noise was deafening; thousands of students were cheering while some girls were recording videos as the events unfolded.

And there he was.

Jace stood in the center of the field, surrounded by his teammates looking like a god. They still had fifteen minutes before the match started and they seemed to be talking about the match.

Jace was pointing at the goal post as he spoke to two guys when the guy everyone on campus knew as his best friend said something to him, making him turn in my direction.

Then he saw me.

He handed the ball to another player and walked toward the stands. The crowd went quiet as they watched him and my heart began to pound.

He climbed over the railing with his eyes fixed on mine and I looked back as I thought of leaving and luring him to a less crowded place, but when I looked forward, he was already in front of me.

"You're late," he whispered and I sighed.

"You should be glad I came. It took all my courage to be here." I answered bluntly and he looked me up and down.

"Not too bad. Now, I can't wait to see you without my jersey on." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

Damn flirt.

Before I could react, he reached out, grabbed my waist, and pulled me against him, making my eyes widen.

The stadium erupted in gasps and whispers.

"Look at me, Lenny. Remember rule number one." I could feel his hot breath on my skin, and my breath hitched.

To be honest, it should be easy to pretend to like him since he's actually handsome. But his personality was too trashy. And whenever I remembered what he was like, I always felt sick.

I looked up at him and tried to soften my gaze, trying to act like I didn't want to scream.

"Smile," he commanded and I forced my lips to curve upward.

Jace leaned down, his face inches from mine and my heart quickened. I have never kissed anyone in public before, yet now I was about to kiss this manwhore in front of the whole school. The worst part of this was that my brother hated Jace and now, he would also watch me kiss him!

I could feel his breath on my lips and I closed my eyes in despair.

"Perfect," He whispered and when I felt his wet lips on mine, it was nothing like what I had earlier thought it would be. I found myself parting my lips to let his tongue in.

The kiss was intense and possessive, and if not for his hands on my waist, I think I would have fallen from how weak my knees were.

It wasn't until he pulled away that I remembered that we were in front of a crowd. I could now notice the camera flashes on my face, the numerous screams from girls and some other people calling me downgrading names.

"By the way," he said, his voice loud enough for the people around us to hear. "I found your necklace in my bed this morning, try to be more careful next time, babe."

My heart stopped. I didn't have a necklace.

I looked around and I noticed that everyone was staring. The girls glared at me with pure jealousy, the guys were grinning. Wait, what did he mean by that statement?

Jace leaned in one last time, his voice a low growl only I could hear. "Now they think you slept with me. There's no going back now, Lenny, you're part of the show."

He turned and jumped back onto the field, leaving me standing there, unsure of my next move. Should I go back to sit with his fan girls who would obviously devour me with questions, while some would hate on me?

Or should I just leave and make up a silly excuse to tell Jace?

My phone buzzed in my pocket stopping my train of thought and when I pulled it out, I realized that it was an anonymous text.

No name. No number. Just a video.

I pressed play.

It was a video of Jace. He was in a dark room, standing over someone who was crying on the floor. He held a lighter in his hand, flicking it on and off.

"Tell me where it is," Jace's voice said in the video.

The person on the floor sobbed and the video cut to black.

A second text followed immediately.

Unknown: You think he's saving you? He's the one you should be running from.

I looked up at Jace on the field. He caught my eye and winked. I realized then that I wasn't just playing a game.

I was caught in the middle of something more dangerous.