Chapter 4

Tessy’s POV

I stared down the crowded hallway, wishing Mrs. Zoey’s words were a hallucination. Out of everyone in the entire student body, she had paired me with Ryder King. This was a living, breathing nightmare.

"Hey! Hey, wait up!"

Ryder’s cocky voice echoed over the chatter of the corridor. I stopped mid-step, dragging an exasperated sigh toward the ceiling before turning to face him. "What do you want, Ryder?"

He caught up, slinging his hockey duffel bag over one broad shoulder. "Look, I don’t want you tutoring me either, okay? Let's get that one thing  straight."

I crossed my arms, letting out a dry scoff. "Good. At least we agree on something."

"But," he continued, leaning down slightly with a familiar smirk, "I need my grades up to stay on the ice. So I guess I’ll just have to endure it for a bit."

My jaw tightened. "Endure it?"

"Yeah." He chuckled, completely unfazed by my glare. "You seem like a lot of work, and I don't have the time or energy for drama. So, when are we doing this? Today at 4:00 PM?"

"I'm busy."

"Tonight then?"

"Still busy."

Ryder ran a hand through his messy hair, exhaling a sharp breath. "When, then?"

"Tomorrow morning," I demanded, jabbing a finger at his chest. "And don't waste my time, Ryder. If you aren't ready the exact minute I show up, I'm gone."

He raised both hands in mock surrender, a playful glint in his eyes. "Why are you always so feisty?" My deep scowl only stretched his smirk. "Geez... hate me much? Fine, tomorrow morning works. I'll text you my address."

"Wait, why can't we just do the sessions at my place?" I countered.

Ryder let out a low laugh, scanning me from head to toe. "Really? You want a star hockey player coming into your apartment? Think about the rumors, miss."

I paused, the reality of campus gossip crashing in. It would be a disaster for my reputation. "Fine. Your place."

"Good. Hand me your phone."

I reluctantly pulled it out and passed it over. He tapped the screen rapidly, sending a text to his own number so he could reply with the address. "See you around, miss," he said, throwing me a sharp wink before turning on his heel and sauntering down the corridor.

"Unbelievable," I muttered.

I marched back to my apartment, heat radiating from my face. The second I crossed the threshold, I slammed the heavy front door so hard the walls vibrated.

"Wow!" Sophie yelped from the kitchen, jumping. "Trying to bring the whole house down?"

"Sorry," I sighed, kicking off my shoes and collapsing onto the living room couch.

Sophie walked into the room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. "What is wrong with you? You were glowing this morning."

"I was," I groaned, burying my face in a throw pillow. "Until I found out I have to tutor Ryder King."

Sophie’s eyes went wide. "No way."

"Yes! And it is a catastrophic disaster. You know exactly how I feel about him—especially after what he pulled freshman year."

Sophie’s expression softened, though a smirk still crept onto her face. "I mean... who could forget? He turned you into a walking lightning rod on your very first day of college." She burst out laughing at the memory.

"Not funny, Sophie!" I snapped, hurling a cushion at her.

"Sorry, sorry!" she giggled, catching it easily. "But look at the bright side. If you're tutoring Ryder, you're going to be in close proximity to Tristan."

I blinked, my irritation halting as I looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it, Tessy! Ryder and Tristan are roommates. If you're constantly over there for these sessions, you automatically get to be around Tristan."

A sudden wave of clarity washed over me, and my heart gave a hopeful flutter. "Wait... that actually works. If Tristan sees me more often, he might finally notice me."

"Exactly!" Sophie pointed at me, smiling. "See this nightmare as the universe secretly working in your favor."

"Maybe you're right," I sighed, though a small whine still escaped my lips. "But I still have to tolerate Ryder. He's the worst."

"He isn't all bad," Sophie teased.

I shot her a lethal glare. "He’s toxic."

"Whatever you say," Sophie chuckled, turning back toward the kitchen. "Anyway, I’ve  got some meatloaf if you're hungry. Deli, not homemade."

We both broke into a quiet laugh.

The next morning, I stood on the porch of the massive off-campus house, double-checking the screen of my phone. The address matched.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I pressed the doorbell.

A moment later, the heavy wooden door swung open—and my breath caught. My stomach did a violent flip.

Tristan was standing right there.

"Hey, beautiful," he said smoothly, a warm, effortless smile spreading across his lips as his gaze settled on me.

"Hey... I..." I stammered, my mind short-circuiting as heat rushed to my cheeks.

Tristan let out a soft, amused laugh at my reaction, stepping aside to open the door wider. "Come on in."

I nodded dumbly, stepping into the grand foyer on numb legs.

"Ryder is upstairs," Tristan explained, gesturing toward the staircase. "First room on the right."

"Thanks," I whispered.

As Tristan walked away toward the kitchen, a giddy smile broke across my face. I never thought I would see him so soon. This felt like a sign.

I walked up the grand staircase, heart racing against my ribs as I reached the first door. I knocked firmly on the wooden panel.

No response.

I knocked a second time, but the hallway remained silent. Assuming Ryder was just being lazy and ignoring me, I turned the doorknob and pushed the door wide open.

“Ryder, I told you not to—”

The words died in my throat.

Ryder was on his knees at the edge of the bed, head buried between a girl’s thighs. Her back arched, fingers twisted in his messy hair, a breathy moan cutting through the air.

“Oh my god—”