**JADE**"Myles, are you okay?" I asked. He lifted his face from the kitchen sink, looked at me strangely, and nodded as he breathed, "Yeah. I'm just tired, that's all." I wasn’t stupid; I knew that wasn’t the case. It was instinct, the same way I knew there had been no mugger. That was an aggressive make-out mark. The reason his face had turned red when I touched it. But that bruise on his face—he’d been hit, and not by any mugger. "Give me a moment," he said as he walked around me, past the event where the audience had begun to clear out, and into the restroom. The crowd in the hall had started to thin. The ones remaining indulged in drunken revelry, the conversations louder than the music. But I was lost in thought, barely noticing any of it. What was wrong with Myles, really? Whatever it was... I walked out of the room, glaring at the figure emerging from the stairs. That had everything to do with it. Rage crawled up my chest. He caused it all. Myles had worked so
"I wasn’t myself."“Oh, come on, Astor, hold yourself accountable! You did it out of spite. Admit it!”“If you mean I was pissed, then yes! Anyone would be pissed if you gave their position away, darn it.”Silence. Then, “That’s the confession we needed. We’ll call you back after we’ve made a decision. You’re dismissed, Astor.”It was the next day, and I was still waiting for my name to be called as I sat in the cafeteria, skipping three classes in a row. My phone was switched off, unable to stand the endless ringing. The news had spread like wildfire. It was on everyone’s lips, and in no time, various versions of what had happened began to make rounds.“Yeah, the scholarship kid, the one with the shaved head? He was paid to steal the list, you know.”“He was always jealous of George. That must be why.”“I hate that I once pitied him when he was kicked off the team, but now it all makes sense.”Or the most popular one: “Being on a scholarship and such a vile human is insane.”They th
"...I don't really need you anymore." My eyes flew open, meeting the stark white ceiling above. Cold air chilled my bare upper body, bandaged and covered in medical stickers. I turned to my side, finding it empty except for a nurse asleep at the far end of the room. I swallowed hard. It was all in my head. He was all in my head. It stung that he wasn’t at school, yet he still ruled a corner of my mind, a part that wanted to crawl back to him and beg for the deal. But it was pointless now, with expulsion looming over me. I sighed, listening to the quiet—a fragile comfort keeping me together. But I felt someone nearby, this time real. I opened my eyes to see a second nurse. "You're awake." She pointed to the door. "Your friends want to see you. Feeling up to visitors?" My chest clenched, a different kind of pain than the one in my bones. How long had it been? They were still waiting outside? "I don't want to see them," I said. The nurse blinked, her brows furrowing. "Are you sur
JADEI slam the door shut, only to see him standing right in front of me. Eros takes a step closer, his expression stern. "I demand an apology."I blinked, glancing around for witnesses. Since that night I’d seen him at El Refugio, I understood he was no ordinary person. So I’d made it my goal to stay clear of him.But it was obvious we didn’t share the same goal.“Sorry,” I muttered. His eyes widened in surprise—probably at how easily he got it. I just wasn’t in the mood for anything. I wished I’d stayed home, anything to avoid hearing that Myles had been expelled. I felt hollow, like something essential had been ripped away. And breathing hurt. I didn’t even know you could hurt this much over someone who drove you up the wall as much as Myles did. But he was my best friend, the one who made me smile even when I wanted to strangle him. Being without him felt wrong, like a part of me had gone missing.“Jade,” Eros stopped me again, his hazel eyes softening. “I’m sorry about your fri
"...My sincerest apologies for how my actions might have hurt everyone." Tristan muttered into the mic, then turned to me. "Especially Myles..."The next day found us in the school hall, standing before a sea of students, their eyes sympathetic as they looked at him. They didn’t show this kind of pity for me. I’d gotten used to that.And Tristan played along, charisma oozing from him, hypnotizing. But I wasn’t fooled. I saw the glint in his eyes when he looked at me, the way he tilted his head, making it seem like he was adjusting his collar, or how he added a purr to his voice, his tone sending a shiver up my spine."We love you, Tristan!" someone screamed from the crowd."Thank you. Really, all of you," he replied, pausing for effect. Then he turned to me again. "Myles, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I promise..." His voice was smug, almost taunting. "Never to make you my plaything again."Applause broke out, the sound swinging in waves, echoing the confusion poundi
"..." "..." "Listen, I'd take all of your kinks..." "I don't have kinks..." "Let you sniff crack off my ass..." "Hmm, why haven't I thought of that?" "But I won't let you fuck me whenever or however you want." "How about wherever?" "..." He raised a brow. Bloody son of a bitch. We were on his seventh rule, a bunch of words he had strung together to piss me off and some that seemed valid but weird. Like... "Close the door without making a sound, you're enough of a migraine; I can't add noise to it." Or, "This is not a relationship. I'd rather this remain a secret." His voice was stern, no longer the playful tug, so I understood this rule was crucial. Besides, it wasn't like I was so proud of being his latest conquest that I'd whisper it to anyone. Rolling my eyes, I shrugged, "I wish the same." Then his sixth rule: resting his face in his palm, he read out, "You're not allowed to fall in love with me. If that happens, you keep it to yourself. This arrangement shouldn't g
MYLESHe takes my lips like his life depends on it, and I, unable to hold back, moan into his mouth. With him pressed against me, I can feel his heart thudding, quickening.I catch my breath as his fingers slip lower, finding that little spot, the one that makes me go… "Argh... Ha… Ha... wait..." My fingers dig into his sides, unsure if I want to pull him closer or push him away.He chuckles, and soon I feel his wet lips against my ear. "Keep making that sound, and we'll be here till morning."But those fingers are relentless, like they know exactly how to touch every place that sends waves of pleasure through me. Our breaths mingle, caught in a wordless struggle, each daring the other to be the first to let go, until he finally pulls his fingers away.The tension drains from me, but crashes back when he grips my thigh, raising my leg as he presses the tip of his length against me, pushing into that loosened spot."Wait!" I gasp, wrapping my arms around his shoulders to keep steady. "
He wasn’t lying when he said he wouldn’t be at school the next day, or the next, or even the day after that. I wasn’t exactly looking for him—it just seemed weird that Eros was present and he wasn’t. The green organism moved, and I kept my eyes locked on it. Where had he even gone? What exactly does he do?“Boo!” came a voice from behind, and I scrambled away from the microscope, heart thudding in my chest. “Told you, Leo,” Jade snorted. “He’s here, but not with his senses.”Leo sighed, “Yeah. You’re right.”“Now pay up.”We were in the biology lab, lab coats over our regular clothes, and in front of us lay a dissected owl pellet—an experiment long forgotten as Leo counted dollar notes and handed them to a beaming Jade.“You guys are unbelievable,” I huffed, returning to the microscope.“You know what’s unbelievable?” Jade leaned across the table, looking at me dreamily. “That your phone’s been off all day.”With that feigned look, I knew I was in trouble. “Uh, yeah. I had issues wi
For the rest of the week, Tristan didn’t so much as breathe in my direction. It probably had something to do with the fact that I avoided both the rink and the canteen. Instead, I spent most of my days in the chemistry lab.Nat was always around, and whenever she was, most of our experiments ended up blowing up in our faces. We laughed until our stomachs hurt, quickly cleaning up the mess before the teachers noticed. The sharp smell of chemicals clung to our clothes as we left the lab, giggling like kids who had just gotten away with a prank.At home, the silence felt heavier than usual. Mum was out more often, and even when she was around, she seemed distant. Whenever I caught her, she smelled like scented candles. With all this free time, I buried myself in reading. My phone stayed silent—so unlike it usually was. I couldn’t help but wonder if Jade was okay.Friday arrived too quickly, knocking me off my feet. Every breath felt heavier as I reminded myself: It’s just a date. No nee
**JADE** "...It's one-two, two, one-two, three! And spin! Jade, Jade McCoy, what is up with you today?!" The coach yelled. I had no clue, but suddenly, the gown felt too tight—so tight I struggled for air instead of skating. Then came the gunfire, suddenly piercing my thoughts, leaving me gasping, panting, and almost tripping. It's Monday, and I can't concentrate. I almost died in an intense gun chase, and they wouldn’t know it. I fainted in the car. Listening to Eros banter with the person on the other end made my stomach churn. It told me everything I needed to know: *They had come for him*. He was used to this. As I fainted, I wondered why he never pulled out a gun—for I damn well knew he had one. I woke up in his house, still fully dressed, on a bed that smelled like him. He lived big—I listened to the quiet house—and alone, too. I snatched my coat, ready to race out of wherever this place was. But opening the door, there he was, drying his wet hands with a towel.
Dinner with Jake was surprisingly pleasant. The awkwardness I had expected never arrived. Instead, we talked—about school, books, and random little things that didn’t seem important but filled the silence in a way that made me feel... normal. He wasn’t overbearing, didn’t ask invasive questions. For once, I didn’t feel like I had to guard every word I said.Afterward, we sat on his small couch, our plates balanced on the coffee table, the dim kitchen light spilling into the living room. He owned one of the nicest spots in the neighborhood. Considering how much he worked, I understood why—but I couldn’t fathom how he kept the place so spotless. Like he read my thoughts, he said, “Left home at sixteen, moved to D.C., found a job my first week, loved the pay, and haven’t looked back since.” When I stayed quiet, he shrugged. “I wanted to make it clear—I’m not trying to make you my next dinner or something.” I smiled, comforted by his easygoing tone. “Not that.” My eyes wandered ar
**TRISTAN** "...Get your fucking uncle in order!" Detonations and a feminine scream accompanied the angry order. For Eros to call it a glock, he was in trouble. I groaned, leaving the mini bar, the half-filled glass forgotten for a moment. It was almost two, and here I was, still drinking myself to stupor. "Tristan! Are you there?!" Eros's voice cut through my confusion. The screeching, the gunfire—it was all giving me a headache. "Jesus Christ, man! I'm going to die. Call your fucking uncle!" I massaged the side of my head, walking to the window. "Why do you think it's Nico?" "I don't know..." he snarled. "Maybe because he's been on my case since he found out about the little sessions you have with M..." He stopped himself just in time. I bit back a smile. "Just call your uncle and sort this shit out!" I walked back to the counter, taking the tumbler and listening to its quiet slosh. Picking up the house phone, I punched in the very familiar number. At the first ring,
**TRISTAN** Agreed too quickly—far too quickly for a girl who decided to bestow her attention on him only a month ago. Despite the smirk tugging at my lips, I felt my blood boil. What was wrong with me? I didn't know if I wanted to kill him—tighten my fingers around his throat—or fuck him hard. "You always make bad decisions," I breathed, soaking in the hatred his eyes exuded. "Tell me about it," he retorted. I gripped his waist, nails digging into his skin. He winced and swallowed. He looked so beautiful this way, from the damp waves of his hair down to his toes, and I hated how obvious that was, even as rage coursed through me. And that clear skin... I pressed my fingers deeper into his neck. Give it time—it wouldn't stay that clear. "Come on now," I whispered. "Get on your knees." He drew a deep breath, but he didn’t hesitate, sliding down until he was on the wet floor. Before my arousal, he blushed red but kept his eyes locked on mine. And that... that sent blood
**TRISTAN** *'...I can't stop talking to Natalie.'* My fist clenched on the bar counter as I stared into the golden liquid in my tumbler. That little pain in the ass. How could one fucking person grate so hard on my nerves? What would I have done differently if it were someone else, not those puppy-brown eyes looking at me from across the table? I downed the glass in one frustrated gulp. Maybe, for starters, I wouldn't have had him at my *fucking* table. The bartender refilled my glass before I could call out, his sea blues lingering right on my zipper—a blatant open invitation. Normally, I’d take it. God knows I needed the distraction tonight—anything to silence the voice in my head or the heat crawling under my skin. But for some reason, I wasn’t interested. Grabbing my glass, I left the counter for an empty sofa tucked in the corner of the room. The club buzzed with life—flashing neon lights, bass-heavy music pounding against my skull—but it all blurred into white noise. Ha
**MYLES** *Today. 6pm.* His text had said, and at that moment, my stomach sank. Even the laughter around me couldn’t drown out the unease twisting in my gut. Two hours later, after everyone had left, I pulled my hood over my head and walked to the deserted road where I was always picked up. There he was—not his driver, but Tristan himself, sitting behind the steering wheel. My brows knit, more in annoyance than shock. Great. So much for those two peaceful hours before the storm. Gone. “The front seat,” he said as I approached, not even glancing at me. I slid in next to him, shutting the door behind me. He started the ignition and pulled onto the road, his expression still unreadable. I studied the side of his face, trying to gauge his mood or his thoughts, but it was blank. The tension filling the car gnawed at my insides, warning me this wasn’t good. I turned to the window instead, refusing to let his mood swings keep me on edge. But no matter how hard I tried to relax,
**Oh God!** I groaned through a mouthful of tacos, licking my fingers. "I love your mum, Myles! Oh my God, this is so good." Leo, seated on Myles's study desk, shot me a look that screamed, *Seriously, Jade?* Meanwhile, Myles, standing beside him, chuckled and kept explaining his math working. We were at his house. I sat cross-legged on his bed next to a tray stacked high with tacos. Natalie was nowhere to be found—she had left the room with Myles's mum twenty minutes ago. A smile spread across my face, warmth filling my chest, as Myles gave Leo a playful slap on the back of his head. He had no idea how happy I was. It was obvious why he'd hidden his address from us—Myles was ashamed of where he lived. But suddenly, he wasn’t anymore? What changed his mind? Whatever it was deserved a kiss on the cheek. I loved the coziness of his room as much as I loved his mum, with her cute Mexican accent. I groaned again. "Oh God!" Leo turned to glare this time. "Really? Are you going
**MYLES**The plan was to keep recovering until next week. I’d let Mum keep me home Wednesday and Thursday, but by Friday, I couldn’t wait any longer. The moment I walked into the barn, I felt his eyes on me—like a velvet knife, slicing through my clothes and into my thoughts. But I didn’t look back at him. Instead, I turned to the far end of the room, where Leo was watching Jade, who was struggling to pull on her boots, frustration written all over her face.They were next on the ice rink for the figure skating club, but Jade looked ready to explode. Then, her eyes met mine. The boots dropped from her hands, her eyes widening. "Myles," she mouthed.I smiled, and in the next second, she was racing toward me, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace. I held her too, ignoring the attention she’d drawn and the slight pain digging into my sides.“You’re going to be the death of me,” she whispered, something warm and wet soaking into my shirt. “You’re going to be the fucking death o