Chapter 7

Sabrina and Mason both stared at Oliver in surprise.

"Wait…" Sabrina looked at him in disbelief. "Are you worried I'll fail my exams and get sent overseas? That you'll never get to see me again?"

She'd gotten the first part right, at least. The second part couldn't have been further from the truth.

Still, Oliver nodded. "More or less."

Sabrina didn't seem to know what to make of that.

Mason, however, immediately grabbed her arm. "Sabrina, what are you waiting for? That's such an easy request! Just say yes!"

Sabrina looked from one guy to the other.

Mason was practically begging her to agree, but only because he wanted to save his own skin. Oliver, meanwhile, lay pale and weak in his hospital bed, yet he was still thinking about her future.

Something twisted painfully in her chest.

"Okay." She finally turned to Oliver. "I promise."

…

Word spread quickly that Oliver had missed Westbridge University's early admissions assessment after being locked in a storage building.

The teachers were furious, but Oliver insisted he'd accidentally locked himself inside. Since he refused to blame anyone, there was nothing more they could do.

At least Sabrina kept her word. From then on, she stopped skipping classes and spent every day at school studying for her SATs.

But a week before the exams, she suddenly stopped coming to school.

Oliver had a bad feeling. He found Sabrina's best friend and asked, "Where's Sabrina?"

She didn't even bother looking up. "Finish all my worksheets for today, and I'll tell you."

Oliver took the worksheets without a word, completed them, and handed them back.

She stared at him. "Wow, you actually did them. You really are her lapdog."

But she told him anyway. "She went to an underground club."

Oliver's stomach dropped. "What for?"

"You seriously haven't heard?" She raised an eyebrow and shoved her phone toward him. "Mason's hooked up with some dancer who works there."

Oliver looked at the screen. Mason had posted a photo that morning of himself making out with a heavily made-up girl.

"Sabrina saw it first thing this morning and completely lost it," her friend continued. "She went straight to the club to…"

She broke off as Oliver hurried away. "Hey! Oliver! Where are you going?"

…

By the time Oliver reached the underground club, Sabrina had already changed into her costume.

It was barely more than underwear, and she stood stiffly under the stares of the people around her, clearly uncomfortable.

Still, she forced herself to hold her head high and looked at Mason. "Mason, do I… Do I really have to go out there wearing this?"

Mason raised an eyebrow. "You're the one who said you could do anything Lily can. She dances here every night, so why can't you? Look, if you get up on that stage, I'll break up with her. I promise."

The music started. Sabrina took a deep breath and turned toward the stage.

But before she could step onto it, Oliver rushed over and threw his jacket around her shoulders.

Sabrina stared at him in surprise. "Oliver? What are you doing here?"

Oliver glared at her. "I should be asking you that!"

Sabrina stubbornly lifted her chin. "I'm just here to dance!"

"Just dance? Are you serious?" Oliver's voice rose. "Do you have any idea what kind of place this is? You really think you can just dance onstage and leave?

"What happens when the guys watching decide they want more from you? You think they'll just let you walk away?"

That finally scared Sabrina. Her voice trembled. "Then… what do I do?"

Oliver grabbed her hand and headed for the exit. But before they could get far, several staff members blocked their path.

"Excuse me, miss." The man in front gave her a thin smile. "You agreed to perform tonight. You can't just change your mind and leave."

Oliver frowned. "What do we have to do for you to let her go?"

"Well, if she leaves, we'll be one act short. Unless you're willing to take her place."

Oliver stared at him. "Me? You want me to dance?"

The staff burst out laughing.

"Of course not. The girls dance. The guys fight." One of them smirked. "But fair warning, our boxing matches aren't exactly safe. If someone dies in the ring, we don't take responsibility."

Oliver's eyes widened. He glanced back at Sabrina.

With the SATs only a week away, he couldn't risk letting anything happen to her here. If she got hurt, she might not even be able to sit her exams. And if that happened, Phoebe would never let him hear the end of it.

He turned back to the staff. "I'll fight."