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I grabbed my bike keys, leather jacket, and helmet, then went outside. Winter was just pulling out when I made it to the lot. She didn’t see me, and that suited me just fine. I got on my bike and started it up, angling out of the lot the same way Winter had gone. Her taillights glowed in front of me. I followed far back enough that she probably wouldn’t see me if she wasn’t looking.
I tailed her back to Hade Harbor, through town and all the way to Greek row. She parked around the back of the sorority house, and after a few minutes, reemerged to walk up the stairs and disappear inside.
Tonight had revealed a sobering truth. I had told Cole Bailey that Winter was my girlfriend, because the idea of him hitting on her had made me want to attack him, and that wasn’t a ticket to living a long and healthy life.
Still, if he’d made a damn move in her direction, I wasn’t confident I could have stopped myself.
Winter DeLaurie was no longer just the untouchable Ice Queen of Hade Harbor. She was devious and smart, stubborn as fuck, and funny when you least expected it, and the thought of any other guy moving in on her bothered me.
It really fucking bothered me, which was totally unacceptable.
Clearly, I was going to have to do something about it.
A ringtone cut through my thoughts, and I answered quickly. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“I-I think I’m being followed. There’s this man who is showing up everywhere I’ve been the last few days, and he’s sitting outside the house in his car right now,” Melly, my mother, whispered, as if she thought someone outside in a car could hear her.
What the hell?
“Don’t go anywhere. Lock the doors. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Winter
The next day, I had back-to-back classes, cheerleading practice, and then the party where I’d promised Isabelle I’d get her an interview with important players on the team.
I still didn’t have my damn portfolio, and I was also running out of time to make everyone believe that Asher was my boyfriend. My dad would be expecting that dinner soon. A whole week had passed since we’d started the game, and I felt no closer to winning.
It was time to consider owning up to the lie to my father. I hated the very thought of it. I rejected it with all my might. It was embarrassing and disappointing, especially since Dad had been so impressed by that article about Asher. Worst of all, I’d end up having to go out with Trent; I’d have no excuse not to.
I was in the locker room after cheer practice getting changed with the rest of the squad. I was dragging my feet, paralyzed with worry about my situation.
Selena sat on the bench beside me, chewing her fingernail. “So, it’s still a no?” she asked.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“What the hell? I thought Asher just wasn’t into me, but he won’t even pretend to be your boyfriend and get paid?” Selena chuckled. “Maybe he’s just not into women.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not it. He doesn’t want to lose. He’s competitive as hell,” I told her.
Selena raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you finally met your match. Whatever, just ask one of the football guys. They’ll probably do it without getting paid.” She waved her hand toward the football field outside.
“No, it has to be him,” I said mulishly.
Selena raised a manicured brow at me. “Because?”
Because it’s always been him. I swallowed that uncomfortable truth. “I already told my dad it was him. I can’t turn around now and trot out someone else.” I sighed, unmotivated to go and shower.
Selena studied me for a long moment. “Are you into him?”
“What? Of course not! He’s annoying as hell, arrogant, morally superior, mean, fucking insane…” My cheeks heated up under her long gaze. “What?”
“You like him, don’t you?” A grin spread. “Winter has a crush…finally.”
“I do not have a crush.”
“Yes, you do. You have a crush on the only guy to ever turn you down…the one person money can’t buy.”
I stood and rolled my eyes. “Whatever. This is boring, and I need to take a shower or we won’t have time to eat before the party. You go home, see you there,” I snapped at her.
