Chapter 6

LENNY'S POV

I woke up with a heavy heart from everything that went on yesterday, and I thought my mood couldn’t worsen, but it did. When I switched on my phone, I realized that the news of my brother transferring to another university was going viral.

It had shocked me since I didn’t hear that from him, and despite trying to call him, he wasn’t picking up. He hadn’t been picking my calls ever since the issue with Jace.

As I arrived at school, the hallway felt longer than usual. With every step I took, I heard the whispers.

"That’s her," a girl muttered, pointing at me.

"The one who broke Marcus James's heart?" another whispered.

“I heard he’s not even speaking to her."

I kept my head down. I felt exposed and if I wasn’t betraying my brother to save my academic life, I would say I deserved it.

I hung my head low to prevent further attention. I just wanted to get to class, but then a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bathroom.

"Whoa!" I stumbled and I came face to face with Annette. She has been giving me silent treatment ever since our argument the other day, so I wondered what she wanted from me now.

"People are talking, Lenny," Annette said and I sighed.

"I know. I have ears, Annette."

"They’re saying Marcus is going to transfer. They’re saying you chose Jace’s money over your own blood." Annette said, then she leaned in.

“Is the sex that good? Or is it just the fancy car?" She shot at me and my brows creased.

What was she saying? Wasn’t she the one supporting the fake dating and reminding me of the rules a few days back? Why is she making it sound like I wanted to do it now?

"You know it’s not like that and I’m not sleeping with him!" I argued and she scoffed.

"Sure," Annette laughed.

“That’s why you were wearing his jersey. That’s why you stayed in his car for twenty minutes after the game. You are lying to yourself that it’s fake. It’s already turned into something real.” She went on and I nodded in realization.

It was now that I knew what a fake friend she was. She always tried to make me look at fault and has never believed anything I said. She would always choose my enemy or support the rumour, rather than me.

"I thought you were my friend," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“But I was wrong. It took me time to realize how fake you are, but I am glad I have.” I added, then I walked away from the bathroom.

Tears were rushing out of my eyes as I walked through the hallway, then I pulled out my phone and texted Marcus.

Lenny: Please talk to me. I can explain everything.

He didn't reply, he didn’t even read it. And I couldn’t hold it against him. If I was in his shoes I would do the same.

Lenny: Please just tell me that the rumours aren’t true.

I sent him another text. Despite understanding him, I still needed to talk to him.

***

The day went by so painfully slowly. Since I couldn’t handle the whispers anymore, I skipped my first two classes. After getting bored of sitting in a bathroom doomscrolling, I decided to go to the athletic building.

I knew where Jace would be. He had told me about his private lounge, a place only the top players could go. And he was the one that was making me go through all these.

I barged into the entrance of his lounge and I was met with a dimly lit room, with couches and a huge TV.

He was sitting on a couch, watching game film on a laptop.

He looked up when I walked in.

"You’re not supposed to be in here," Jace warned.

"I don't care," I said, slamming the door behind me.

"My brother hates me, my friends are turning on me. Everyone thinks I’m a gold-digger. Are you happy now?" I shot back and Jace shut his laptop.

"I’m not happy or sad, Lenny. I’m winning. That’s all that matters." He replied coldly as he stood up and I chuckled bitterly.

"You’re not human. Don't you feel anything? My life is falling apart because of your game.” I retorted walking towards him and he shrugged.

"Your life was falling apart the moment you broke into that office," Jace reminded me, his voice calm.

“I just gave you a way to keep the pieces together."

“No. You manipulated me into this!" I yelled. I didn’t care. I felt like I was going to explode.

"Because if you, your enemy targeted me, yet you made it look like I was a criminal then I had to be forced into a deal with you which is ruining my life!” I yelled again and he sighed, but I wasn’t done.

Today I was going to say everything that was going through my mind and I wouldn’t let him stop me.

“You’re a wicked and selfish jerk. And I will always remember you as the one who stole my happiness away from me! Because of you, no one is on my side!” I barked with tears now coming from my eyes and Jace’s jaw clenched as he reached out to wipe my tears, but I took a step back.

"You have me," Jace said softly and I shook my head in disbelief.

"I don't have you! I have a contract! I have a guy who threatens to ruin me every single time!" I exclaimed and Jace stepped closer, stopping just an inch away

I had to look way up to meet his eyes and they weren't cold anymore, they were soft and looked sad. This was the most vulnerable I had seen him.

"Is that what you think?" he asked.

"It’s what I know."

"You don't know anything," Jace said, then he swallowed hard and I could notice that he was getting nervous.

“How about if I told you the main reason I chose you was to protect you better since I noticed my enemy was on your back because I liked you? What would that make me to you?” He asked and my throat went dry.

What?