Chapter 5

Tessy’s POV

I slammed Ryder’s bedroom door so hard the heavy oak frame rattled. My cheeks are still  from what I just walked on. 

Sophie was going to die laughing. I was going to die of mortification.

I made it halfway down the grand staircase before heavy footsteps thundered behind me.

“Tessy, wait!”

I didn’t stop. If anything, I moved faster, gripping the banister like it owed me money.

Ryder caught up at the bottom step. He wore nothing but grey sweatpants, No shirt. No shoes. His dark hair was a disaster, and a fresh hickey glared from his collarbone like evidence.

“Look, I’m sorry you saw that,” he said, voice still rough. “I lost track of time. It won’t happen again during our sessions.”

I spun around. “Sessions? You think I’m still doing this after—” I gestured sharply upstairs. “You were occupied, Ryder. Very occupied.”

A smirk tugged at his mouth.

“Wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you,” I hissed.

The smirk faded, replaced by something sharper. He jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Come on. I’ll make coffee. You look like you’re about two seconds from committing murder.”

"You are actually insane," I muttered, turning on my heel.

I yanked the front door open and stormed outside. Cool air hit my burning face as I hurried down the driveway toward my car. I was done. The second I got behind the wheel, I'd call Professor Zoey and tap out. She could find someone else to tutor the campus playboy.

"Tessy! Hey, Tessy, please!"

His voice followed me outside. A second later, hurried footsteps pounded behind me.

Before I could reach my car, Ryder rushed past me and stepped into my path, forcing me to stop. He was still shirtless, breathing hard as he spread his arms to block my way.

"Just listen for one second," he pleaded.

"What the hell are you doing?" I snapped. "Put a shirt on before someone sees you."

“I don’t care,” he rushed out. The cocky mask slipped, revealing raw panic underneath. “I know it was shitty. I know I disrespected your time. I swear on my spot on the team—it won’t happen again. Just… don’t walk out.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “Find another tutor, Ryder.”

“I can’t.” His shoulders dropped. “Zoey says you’re the best in the department. Coach is riding me hard about my grades. If I fail this class, I’m off the team. Done.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes locking onto mine with sudden intensity. “I know you don’t want to be here. I know you think I’m a lost cause. But maybe we can make this mutually beneficial.”

I crossed my arms. “Mutually beneficial? What could a hockey player possibly offer me?”

A familiar mischievous glint returned to his eyes. “You help me actually pass art—teach me how to put some ‘soul’ into those drawings Zoey keeps yelling about.” He leaned in slightly, voice dropping. “In return… I’ll help you get Tristan.”

The floor tilted under me. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve been gone for him for years. The party, The café,It’s painful to watch, Tessy.”

Heat flooded my face. “How do you even—”

“You don’t need to know how I know,” he cut in, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “What matters is I can help. I know Tristan. I know the whole team. I can teach you how to flirt, how to tease, how to actually get his attention instead of pining in the background.”

I stared at him, jaw tight. Part of me wanted to slap him. The other, more pathetic part was already calculating how tempting this was.

“Why would you do that for me?” I asked.

“Because I need to stay captain.” He shrugged, the movement casual but his eyes serious. “And it’ll be entertaining.” His gaze flicked to my mouth for half a second before returning to my eyes. “Besides, you’re not hopeless. You’ve got… potential.”

I narrowed my eyes. “This is a terrible idea.”

“Probably.” That wicked grin flashed again. “But it’s a win-win. You get the guy. I stay on the ice. We both survive these tutoring sessions without killing each other.”

 Every sensible part of me screamed to walk away. This was Ryder king —campus heartbreaker—offering to coach me on seducing his own roommate. It was a disaster in the making.

But then I pictured Tristan laughing with yet another gorgeous girl while I stayed invisible, sketchbook clutched to my chest like a shield.

"Fine," I said, blurting the word out before my brain could chicken out. "But there are strict rules, Ryder. No more walk-ins. No more girls during our scheduled sessions. And if you make even one sleazy comment, the deal is completely off."

Ryder’s smile turned thoroughly wicked. "Deal, baby."

"Don’t call me that," I snapped, my voice laced with sharp annoyance.

"Alright, chill," he half-laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. A playful spark dancing  in his eye. "So... are we going to have a session today?"

"Absolutely not," I said, adjusting the strap of my bag. "We'll continue tomorrow. And you'd better be on your best behavior."

"Alright. See you tomorrow," he said with a grin. He winked at me, turned around, and walked back inside, letting the front door shut behind him.

I stood on the driveway for a moment, staring at the house as silence settled around me. The rush of adrenaline slowly faded, and reality finally hit.

I had actually agreed to this. I had made a deal with Ryder—the biggest playboy on campus—to help me get his teammate.

Holding my sketchbook tightly against my chest, I walked to my car. My thoughts were all over the place, and I could only hope this crazy plan wouldn't blow up in my face.