10. Amelia

Amelia (Girlfriend by Charlie Puth)

We're at Oakswood, and I've been sticking to Everett like glue since we got back. The boys are out celebrating their win, probably making enough noise to wake the entire campus, but I have more important things to deal with.

Like convincing the most stubborn man I've ever met to train me.

Everett trudges upstairs, his gym bag slung over one shoulder, and I'm right behind him, refusing to take no for an answer.

"Pleaseeee. Huh? Huh?"

He doesn't even bother turning around.

"No."

"Everett!"

"No, Hart."

"Please?"

"No."

I groan, quickening my steps until I'm practically on his heels. "You haven't even heard me out!"

"I heard enough in the locker room."

"But Rachel needs help!" I insist, following him up the last few steps. "You heard what the coach said. They're losing because she's carrying the entire team, and the championship is right around the corner. She needs someone who can actually..."

"She needs a volleyball player. Not you."

I stop dead on the stairs.

My mouth falls open. "Excuse me?" I frown.

Everett finally reaches the top and turns around, wearing that annoyingly calm expression he always has when he knows he's getting on my nerves.

"You've barely played volleyball in your life, Hart."

"I used to play in high school. I can learn."

"From who?"

I stare at him.

He stares back.

Who else, dumbo?

"...You?"

The corner of his mouth twitches.

I beam.

He lets out a deep sigh, like I'm already giving him a headache.

"Pretty please with strawberry on top. I'll do anything you want. I'll be your maid for a whole month..."

Something shifts in his eyes, and a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

I know that look.

My heart flips as I study him. This guy is definitely cooking up something, and judging by that smile, I have a feeling I'm not going to like it.

"That deal already ended tonight."

True.

So...?

"If I'm going to be training you, we need a new deal."

I blink, suddenly silent. I'm eager to hear it, yet somehow dreading what he's about to say.

"So... what's the new deal?" I swallow.

He smirks. "You'll... be... my... girl... friend."

What?!

My eyes practically bulge out of their sockets.

What?!

Does this guy never have good deals to offer? It just keeps getting worse!

Girlfriend?!

"Girlfriend your ass!" I fire back with all the force I can manage, but his smirk only widens.

"Then forget about the training."

Son of a...

Shit!

"Don't flatter yourself, Hart. It's just fake dating, to keep the girls who are always on my heels away. Plus, it's not like we haven't already put up that front. Everyone thinks we're together anyway."

I go quiet.

...That's true, though.

He pulled that stunt in Ethics... and then there was that whole thing with Georgina.

Sigh.

Fine.

"Fine."

"Deal?" He stretches out his hand.

I stare at it for a moment before slipping mine into it. "Deal."

Whatever. It's just a pretend girlfriend arrangement.

Now tell me, why does the thought of being Everett Griffin's girlfriend, a fake one at that, feel a little too good?

And why is that tiny smile on his face making me suspicious?

"How do you intend to help her, anyway? You attend a different university."

And why is this guy so smart? I mean... I haven't thought that far yet.

How do I help my queen when I attend Gladdis and not Pitchers? Tch.

"I'll sort that out later." I wave him off. "Let's just get started with the training first."

He just smirks at me.

Then he resumes walking. "Okay. Let's go over the rules. There are three."

Oh, wow. I hurry after him.

"First, until the championship is over, you're not allowed to date anyone else."

Like I have anyone I'm interested in getting together with. I only have huge crushes on people. The moment I actually get together with them, I'm instantly irritated. Maybe I should tell Dad I need to get checked or something.

"Hello?!" Everett snaps his fingers in front of me.

"Huh? Sorry. Fine."

"Two, you're moving in."

What?!

His brows furrow. "How do you intend to get good at volleyball if you're not here? You really want to keep juggling home and campus... and now volleyball?"

Sooo true. I really need to move in with the guys. It's high time I moved out of my dad's place anyway...

"Fine."

"The remaining third rule will be communicated as time goes on."

Erm... what happened to saying it right now? I throw daggers at him with my eyes but keep my mouth shut.

"Fine."

"Any complaint?" We're now standing in front of our rooms. I mean, I'm moving in, so it's MY room now. Right? It's not like I'm getting ahead of myself or anything... whatever.

"No, coach."

He smiles.

"Goodnight, Hart." He turns away.

"Goodnight, Griffin."

His back is already to me, but I can bet he's smiling right now. I beam and enter my room.

***

The next morning, I head home to break the news to Dad.

"I'm moving out."

Dad looks up from his newspaper. "Moving out?"

"Yeah." I swallow. "I'm moving in with Everett."

His brows rise. "Everett?"

"The boy next door," I quickly add. "He has a house off campus, really close to school."

Dad studies me for a moment. "Who else lives there?"

"His teammates. It's a full house."

He nods slowly, folding his paper. "Of course I know who Everett is. He's a good kid."

My brows furrow. Oh. Really? Well... maybe a little bit.

"He's going to train me to play volleyball," I explain.

Dad is quiet for a moment, then smiles.

"If this is something you really want to do, sweetheart, you have my blessings."

Aww.

My eyes immediately sting, and I jump into his arms.

"I'll be here every weekend," I promise.

He presses a kiss to my forehead before pulling back. "You're sure about this?"

"Very."

That's not entirely true, though.

But I have to learn to play volleyball. Rachel needs help. And besides, I've already made the deal.

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Though something tells me... I'm going to regret not asking about rule three.