14 - The Deal

Nova's POV

My phone buzzed.

I glanced at the screen. Ryker. A text message, short and direct.

Old equipment room. Now.

I stared at it for a moment. Then I put my phone back in my bag and ignored it.

He thought he could summon me like a servant. He thought I'd come running just because he said so. The arrogance was staggering.

I packed my books and turned to Priya.

"Won't you get that?” she asked.

"It's nobody important."

She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

I was standing at my locker fifteen minutes later, Priya beside me, when he appeared.

One moment the hallway was empty. The next, Ryker was there. He moved fast and quiet, like he'd done it a hundred times.

He slammed my locker shut. His hands pressed against the metal on either side of me. His body pinned me against the cold surface.

"What are you doing?!"

I kept my voice steady. Quiet. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of panic.

"Since you decided to ignore my texts," he said, "I figured I'd try another way."

Priya was frozen beside us, her eyes wide.

"Let go of me."

He didn't budge. His face was inches from mine. I could smell the winter air on his jacket. The faint scent of soap.

I forced myself to hold his gaze.

"Okay," I said. "What do you want?"

"Good. Now that I have your attention." He leaned closer. "I happen to have a little difficulty with my grades. And it's threatening my happiness."

"Happiness?"

"Hockey. I need to pass my classes before the next game."

I stared at him. His face was serious. No smirk. No amusement.

"Okay," I said slowly. "Good luck with that. I don't see how that concerns me."

He leaned in closer. His lips brushed my ear. His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Well, I wouldn't like for everyone at school to find out that a certain someone waits tables in a restaurant."

I went very still.

"I couldn't bear the social disaster it would cause."

My heart stopped. Then it started again, faster than before.

I had known this day would come, but I had hoped it wouldn't come anytime soon.

"Are you trying to blackmail me?" My voice came out flat.

"Doing." He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. "Not trying."

I stared at him. The smirk was back now. He had me. He knew he had me.

I was about to respond when I heard footsteps. Harper's footsteps. I knew them by now. The click of expensive heels on tile.

She appeared at the end of the hallway with Courtney and Mia flanking her. She was mid-sentence, laughing at something one of them had said. Then she saw us.

Her face changed.

The smile died. Her eyes went cold. Her jaw tightened. She took in the scene in an instant. Ryker pinning me against the locker. His body pressed against mine. My face inches from his.

Jealousy rolled off her in waves. I could smell it from across the hallway.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

Two can play this game.

I reached up and placed my hand on his chest. Slowly. Deliberately.

"Ryker," I whispered. "I have my own terms."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're in no position to negotiate."

"Maybe not." I glanced at Harper. She was walking closer now, her eyes fixed on us. "But you'll pretend to be my boyfriend for as long as I want. No questions asked."

He didn't move. His face gave nothing away.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because you need me. We both know it." I kept my voice low. "If you expose me, the most it'll take is two days and something else replaces the scandal."

It wasn't true. Exposing me now would ruin everything. But he didn't know that.

I met his eyes.

"Two days and nobody remembers. Nobody cares. You still need a tutor."

He looked at me for a long moment. His grey-blue eyes searched my face, trying to find the lie.

I didn't blink.

Then slowly, very slowly, he lowered his head.

And he kissed me.

It wasn't like the party. That one had been for performance. This one was different. Harder. More insistent. His hand came up to my jaw, tilting my face toward him. His body pressed me harder against the locker.

I kissed him back. I had to. Harper was watching.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, I realized I wasn't just performing.

His lips moved against mine and I forgot about Harper. I forgot about the hallway. I forgot about everything except the warmth of his mouth and the way his hand cradled my face.

Then he pulled back.

"We have a deal." His voice was low. Rough. "I'll pick you up after school."

He stepped away from me. His eyes lingered on my face for just a moment longer. Then he walked past Harper without looking at her.

She stood frozen in the middle of the hallway. Her face was pale. Her hands were shaking.

I met her eyes.

I smiled.

She returned it with her meanest glare. The kind that promised retribution. The kind that had made Lily Chen scared.

I didn't flinch.

She stormed off. Her minions scrambled after her.

The hallway was empty again.

Priya appeared at my side. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open.

"Care to explain that?" she asked.

"Explain what?"

"You and Ryker. Are you together?"

I watched the empty space where Harper had been.

"We are now.”