Chapter 3: Be My Girlfriend

Vanessa' POV

I sat in front of the mirror while Mom gathered my hair into a messy bun.

"I know you don't want to go back," she said quietly, "but changing schools this late would cost money we don't have. Moving would cost even more."

"I know, Mom."

We both knew the numbers. We both knew my parents had already spent more than they could afford trying to hold Nathan accountable, but knowing didn't make Monday easier.

Mom loosened a few curls around my face.

"There. You look beautiful."

She rested her chin briefly against my shoulder. Her smile was there, but I knew my mother well enough to notice how carefully she was holding it together.

"Your dad is waiting downstairs."

At the door, she turned. "You don't owe anybody shame for what somebody else did."

"Dr. Rose has been talking to you."

"Maybe."

"Traitor."

She smiled properly this time. After she left, I looked at myself again.

"You've got this," I whispered.

I said it twice more. I didn't entirely believe it, but belief seemed less important than getting downstairs.

Dad barely spoke during the drive. Usually, we argued about music or complained about whichever driver had offended him that morning.

Today, both his hands remained fixed on the steering wheel.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"That's supposed to be my question."

"You look like you're trying to strangle the steering wheel."

His grip loosened. "I'm sorry," he said.

"For what?"

"For failing you."

"Dad—"

"I should have been able to do more."

I reached across the console and took his hand.

"You fought for me."

"It wasn't enough."

"It was enough for me."

"Nathan is going to get his karma eventually," I added.

"I'd prefer something faster than karma."

I laughed softly. "Please don't get arrested before graduation."

"No promises."

When we reached school, the first stare came before I had even closed the car door.

Dad lowered his window. "Call me. For anything."

"I will."

I walked toward the entrance.

My body wasn't the shameful thing; Nathan's choice was.

I repeated that silently as I entered the hallway.

Whispers started immediately.

A boy nudged his friend. Two girls looked at me and then at each other. Someone laughed behind me.

My stomach rumbled, but I kept walking.

I didn't feel beautiful; I didn't feel brave. I felt nineteen years old and painfully aware that half the people around me had seen something they had never been entitled to see, but I kept walking anyway.

At my locker, I concentrated on the combination until my fingers stopped shaking.

I put my books away and shut the locker.

Cole Grayson was standing on the other side.

"You didn't answer my DM."

"What exactly was I supposed to say? You sent 'we need to talk' like you're somebody's disappointed father."

His mouth twitched. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

"Why?"

"Because I'd rather not have this conversation with an audience."

Several people were pretending not to watch us.

"Fine."

I followed him into an empty classroom.

"You go to therapy," he said.

I folded my arms. "That is none of your business."

"I know."

"Then why are we here?"

"Because you saw me, and I need you not to tell anyone."

I blinked. "That's it?"

"That's it."

"Dr. Rose has been my therapist for years. I'm not going to apologize for being there."

"I'm not asking you to."

"Good. I'm not telling anybody."

"Not the media team either."

"You know I work with the media team?"

"I know a lot of things."

"That sounded creepy."

"It wasn't supposed to."

"What is so horrible about therapy anyway?"

His amusement disappeared. "I'm a Lycan."

"I've noticed."

"You know what my family is like."

Everyone knew what his father was like. The Graysons came from one of the oldest Lycan bloodlines in New York.

"In my family, therapy isn't viewed as getting help. It's viewed as weakness."

"That's stupid."

"Agreed."

"Then why follow the rule?"

His gaze moved toward the window. "Because you don't know what happens when I don't."

That stopped my next sarcastic comment.

"Okay. Your secret is safe."

"Thank you." I reached for the door.

"And in return, I'll protect you."

I looked back. "From what?"

"From them. No one is going to bully you about that video again."

"You saw it?"

Cole's face hardened. "Yes."

Heat crawled over my skin.

"Nathan is an ass," he said.

"He's your teammate."

"That doesn't make him less of an ass."

"You don't have to protect me. I'm keeping your secret anyway."

"I know."

"If people see you around me, they'll talk."

"People already talk."

"It could ruin your reputation."

"Who fucking cares about my reputation?"

"Probably the same family that thinks therapy is weakness."

"Fair point."

I almost smiled. "Still no."

"Why?"

"Because I don't need another popular boy deciding I'm useful for something."

Cole didn't joke this time. "I am not Nathan."

"I know."

"Do you?"

I looked at him.

Finally, I asked, "How exactly do you plan to stop an entire school from talking?"

His smile returned slowly. "That's actually very simple."

I immediately distrusted that smile. "What?"

"You become my girlfriend."