Three seconds

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Harper’s POV

“This looks amazing, Mr. Carter,” I said quietly.

“Thomas,” he corrected, smiling.

“We are family now.”

Jace snorted.

I gripped my fork.

Don’t cuss him. Harvard. Harvard.

“So,” Thomas said, passing me the potatoes.

“Marla tells me you are top of your class. Valedictorian track?”

“Hopefully,” I said, grinning.

Jace’s head lifted at that. His eyes met mine for one second.

Judging me?

He raised his brow, and I could read that from his face.

I smirked, turning to Thomas.

“Marla also tells me you scored exceptionally well on your last SAT.”

I straightened slightly, loving this. My mum has never been the type to care or praise me for my good grades.

“1580,” I said.

“I’m aiming higher on the next attempt.”

Then I winced.

Brag much?

Jace scoffed, ignoring me.

Marla’s eyes lit up.

Thomas nodded approvingly, and I caught the familiar look of pride on their faces.

“Jace, did you hear that? 1580! That’s almost perfect!”

Across the table, Jace stabbed a piece of carrot.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m not deaf.”

“We are very glad you will be helping him,” Marla said, glancing briefly at her son.

“He is actually taking time off the team, so it’s a good time to see if his grades can be saved.”

“Oh,” I mouthed, chewing my steak but wondering why.

Jace Carter is practically the face of his team and the youngest.

I have seen the school banners and local newspaper features.

Hockey was the one thing that made him more than just another arrogant rich kid.

I kept my face neutral and gave Marla a warm smile instead.

“I will do my absolute best. I’m very committed to making sure he hits a strong score.”

I looked towards Jace to see if he was upset, and sure enough, he was.

Man, that made me so happy.

“But I’m not sure what areas he is weak in…” I stressed, pulling out the small notepad I had slipped into my pocket before dinner.

Old habit.

Thomas leaned forward, clasping his hands together.

“We are particularly concerned about his science subjects and mathematics.”

That’s everything!

“You mean the four core subjects?” I asked to be sure.

“Yes. Maths, chemistry, biology and physics,” Marla answered.

I had to physically stop my mouth from falling open.

That’s not struggling. It’s a complete wipeout.

Those were four of the most foundational subjects on the SAT, and he was failing all of them.

“But you only have to tutor him in maths and biology. We got the rest handled,” Thomas said.

I pressed my lips together and exhaled through my nose.

“That’s perfectly fine. Those happen to be my strongest areas,” I said brightly.

Marla beamed, and Thomas looked relieved.

I didn’t look directly at Jace, but I could feel his eyes on me, burning quietly.

I raised my head and met his eyes before quickly looking away.

The thought of messing with him using his parents seemed to be going well, but then, I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do.

But then, I didn’t stop.

I even insisted on doing the dishes after lunch since Marla and Thomas had to return to the hospital.

Jace quietly headed back to his room.

I was rinsing the last plate when I heard footsteps on the stairs again.

Jace was back to his no-shirt mode and headed straight for the wine rack on the counter.

He pulled out a dark bottle, turned it over to check the label and turned back towards the hallway.

“Are you allowed to drink?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I guess I lost my mind for a moment.

He stopped and slowly turned his head towards me with an expression like I had just spoken to him in a foreign language.

“Excuse me?”

“You are underage, Jace. Put it back or I will tell your parents,” I replied, unable to stop.

“Why is that your business?” he retorted, stepping closer.

I panicked, quickly dropping the plate in my hand back into the sink and backing away.

I must have gotten carried away with the role I was playing earlier and forgotten to mind my business.

“I’m... just concerned your parents might…”

“Cut the perfect girl act, freak,” he threw at me harshly.

The space between us thinned.

“You think I don’t know what you are trying to do?”

“What are you talking about?” I managed, looking up at him as he stood in front of me.

I wished at that moment that I wasn’t so short.

He moved his face past mine and leaned closer.

I stifled a breath, startled.

His hand came up, brushing past my shoulder. His fingers grazed lightly against my hair as he tucked a loose strand behind my ear.

My heart slammed against my chest, my mind scattering.

What is he…

His lips hovered right beside my ear.

“You are just some desperate little reject trying to earn her place,” he mumbled.

The insult landed heavily in my head, settling in my brain.

That’s how he thought of me.

He pulled back enough for me to see his face and smirked.

My jaw tightened, but I kept my eyes level.

Well, he just got it.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.”

He smirked, satisfied, and walked away.

“Go to hell, Jace Carter,” I whispered to the empty kitchen.

Then I finished up and headed back to my room to prepare the schedule for Jace’s tutoring.

Weekends are a perfectly good time to tutor him. Maths on Sundays, biology on Saturdays.

I took a few minutes to draft the whole lesson process out and put on my earpiece to avoid any disturbance.

Then I started to study.

I didn’t realize how much time had passed until my alarm for dinner rang and I realized it was already seven.

Marla and Thomas already mentioned that they wouldn’t be back home tonight and to have dinner by ourselves.

I pondered for a while, deciding I could make some noodles and head to Jace’s room to ask if he would have some as well.

I knocked once and pushed the door open.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

“Ah!” I screamed.

The door slammed shut so fast my hand stung from the impact.

I stumbled back to my room, my heart pounding violently.

What the hell did I just…

Jace was straddling a girl on his bed!