chapter two

Chapter two

Adrian’s POV

“Your wish finally came true,” I said, watching her closely. “You get me as your husband for the next six months.” 

Most girls would’ve softened at that, or even blushed, smiled, or even adjusted themselves around me like they always do, but this specimen before me didn’t. Instead, she looked at me like I had personally offended her entire bloodline.

“Not happening, there is no way in hell I am staying married to you for a whole six months.. Just kill me if that's the case..” she said, folding her arms.

I went still for a second, wasn't even offended, just… noting it, because that was new, and for some reason… I found it intriguing.

“Your signature would tend to disagree with that awful statement, freshman,” I said, slower now.

“I did not sign anything,” she snapped. “And even if I did..which I didn’t, you think I’d pick you? On purpose?”

I studied her properly, intrigued by her ego. Most girls try to get close, this one was actively trying to get away, strange.

“You don’t get to pick,” I said calmly. “Not anymore.”

“Trust me,” she shot back, “if I had a choice, you wouldn’t even be in the options.”

I almost laughed, I was enjoying seeing her break down… at least something to calm me down in this brooding chaos.

A knock cut through the room, as she was about to open her mouth; probably to argue again, I moved before she could, taking one step and placing my hand over her mouth. Silence.

Her eyes flew wide, her back hitting the wall as her hands grabbed my wrist.

“Don’t,” I murmured near her ear. “You’ll ruin this for yourself.”

She stilled instantly.

“Adrian?” a voice called from outside.

I recognized that annoying voice from anywhere; Stacey.

“Babe, are you awake? We have to go, the bus is leaving soon.”

I felt Sophie tense under my hand, confusion turning into understanding as she looked up at me.

Yeah. She got it.

We were not walking out of this room together, not like this, not with her in my jersey, and definitely not without a plan.

“Adrian?” The handle rattled. “Should I come in?”

“Ten minutes,” I called out smoothly, not moving. “I’ll be out in ten minutes.”

“Ohhh,” Stacey dragged, amused. “Or should I help you get dressed?”

The handle turned instantly.

I dropped my hand from Sophie’s mouth and leaned in.

“Hide.”

“What?”

“Now.”

For once, she didn’t argue. She moved fast, slipping behind the couch just as the door opened.

Stacey walked in like she belonged here, with her bitchy aura filling the room.

“Good morning, babe.”

I stepped into her path before her eyes could travel too far.

“Morning.”

She frowned slightly.

“Why does it feel like you’re hiding something from me?”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not,” I repeated, tone flatter now.

“Wait, is there another woman in this room… Adrian, I swear…”

She was about to lighten a fuse I couldn't handle right now.

“What? No, we already talked about this.. there is no woman in this school that can ever match your standards,” I said softly, hoping that would calm the storm dressed in a tennis skirt and red top.

She watched me a second longer than usual, then decided not to think too hard.

“Ok then, I trust you.. So let’s go?” she said, looping her arms around my neck. “The bus is leaving.”

“Then go,” I said.

She blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“I mean I ’ll meet you there, I still have to get dressed first,” I corrected smoothly.

Behind me, I caught the faintest shift,fabric brushing.

Stacey narrowed her eyes.

“You’re acting weird.”

“I just woke up.”

“Hmm.”

Then she smiled.

“Okay. I’ll leave… if you give me a kiss.”

Of course.

I hesitated, not because I couldn’t, but because I didn’t want to. Not after finding out what she traded for her grades.

But I leaned down anyway.

Quick.

Controlled.

Enough to end the conversation.

She smiled immediately.

“That wasn’t so hard.”

No. Just unnecessary.

“I’ll see you outside,” she said, stepping back. “Don’t take forever.”

“Mm.”

She walked out, the door closing behind her.

Silence returned.

I waited a few seconds, then turned.

“You can come out now… wifey.”

There was a pause, then movement.

Sophie crawled out from behind the couch, already frowning like she’d been personally disrespected by the universe.

I smirked. I couldn’t help it.

She noticed instantly.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re enjoying this.”

“A little.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’re actually insane.”

“And you’re still in my room,” I replied calmly.

She crossed her arms.

“First of all, don’t call me that. I am not your wife.”

“You keep saying that like it changes anything.”

“It does in my head.”

“That’s not where the law exists.”

She rolled her eyes and pointed toward the door.

“Secondly, how am I supposed to leave this room when your fans are probably outside guarding it like bees?”

I followed her gaze, then looked back at her… then lower.

The jersey, bare legs…

That’s the problem.

Definitely not for me, but for her, and somehow, that made it interesting.

I stepped closer, and she stiffened immediately.

“At this point,” I said quietly, eyes locked on hers, “your biggest problem isn’t leaving the room.”

Her brows pulled together.

“Then what is Einstein?”

I let the silence sit for a second, then,

“My father.”

That wiped the attitude off her face faster than anything else had.

Because unlike everyone else in my life, that man doesn’t play; nothing like jokes or mistakes, and especially no second chances, and if this…” I glanced at the ring on her finger, “turns into a problem, it won’t just ruin your morning. It’ll ruin everything I’ve built.”

My jaw tightened slightly.

I don’t lose control, I don’t get blindsided, not like this.

I looked back at her, calmly.

“So, you’re going to do exactly what I say.”

She blinked, then frowned again like she physically couldn’t help herself.

“Or what?”

I smiled slightly.

“Or you’re going to wish this marriage was the worst thing that happened to you today.”