The school is buzzing. Everyone, even those who’ve probably never even seen a football, teachers included, have Championship fever, and are decked out in their school spirit gear.

Three years in a row, Nate has helped carry this team to the state Championships and came out on top - that’s golden.

I’m stuffing my English book into my locker when it’s suddenly slammed shut, almost hitting my hand in the process. Whipping around, I come face to face with a smirking Olivia.

“You better back up a couple inches or I’m gonna help you.”

She lets out a sadistic laugh, but complies, turning to lean her shoulder against the locker to the left of mine.

“You finally gave it up, huh?” She raises an eyebrow.

“Why are you asking a question you clearly know the answer to?”

“Confirmation.” Her head jerks, eyes narrowing.

“Sure, Liv. You want to know?” I cut her a quick glance, reopening my locker. “Yeah, we fucked.” Several times now.

She surprises me with her response. “It’s about fucking time.”

When I laugh, she stands to her full height.

“I didn’t realize you were waiting for it.”

“Of course I was.” She crosses her arms like a prissy bitch. “You’re off the radar now.”

Ahh…okay. I get it now.

“Right.” I close my locker and lean against it, holding my Chem book against my chest. “The one hit wonder rule. I almost forgot.” I smirk at her.

The way she keeps adjusting her arms and glancing away, it’s clear she’s not sure how to read me.

“You still plan on entertaining him?” she spits out.

I grin. “Now, how could I do that if my lucky number’s already come up?”

She grins this time. “Didn’t you know, Lolli?” She says my name with a venomous tone. “He only fucks once.” She flops her blonde hair behind her. “I’ve pleased him several times in other ways. Most of them while sitting in that pretty little truck of his.” She looks so smug.

“Awe,” I coo and her head jerks back. “A hummer in the Hummer, Olivia?” I laugh, nodding my head in fake approval. “Very original.”

“Listen, bitch-” she starts, but I cut her off.

“No.” I lower my book. “You listen, bitch. I don’t normally waste my time on chicks like you,” I scrunch my nose. “You know, the ones desperate and self-absorbed, looking to latch onto something bigger and better, out of fear of being left behind or forgotten after your reign here in high school is over.” I nod. “But I’m sick of your shit.” I step into her space.

Again, she surprises me and holds her ground.

“I’ll do whatever, whoever, whenever, where-the-fuck-ever I want, and no threat or warning, or anything else, from you or anyone, is going to stop me.” I give her a little shove for good measure. “So back the fuck off!”

The cunt laughs.

Right then, my body tightens and relaxes at the same time.

My eyes dart over Liv’s shoulder, finding his immediately. Nate is walking down the hall - headed straight for me.

Her back is to him, so she doesn’t know he’s coming - doesn’t sense him the way I can. I try to keep my eyes on her so I don’t give it away, but they refuse to listen, and keep shifting to him as she rambles on about some kind of nonsense I couldn’t give two shits about.

I swear, he must define the term ‘beauty sleep’ because every day this guy gets more and more pretty to look at.

He winks at me and heat spreads up my neck so I quickly focus back on Liv.

Thank God I added the scarf this morning.

“Don’t worry, Lolli. Now that Nate’s done with you,” she looks me up and down, pursing her lips, “I won’t be wasting any more time on you.”

I simply nod, attempting to hide my grin as Nate steps up next to us.

“Lookin’ out for me, Liv?” he asks in a playful manner, but I see the mischief in his eyes.

She shifts, placing her slimy hand on his left bicep, and my eyes are frozen to where her skin is touching his.

“Always, Nate.”

Bitch.

I catch her smirk before my eyes drop again.

Why is she still touching him?

“Thank you,” he says in a low, computed tone and I think she might faint. “Class is about to start,” he continues, not taking his eyes off hers.

“Yeah,” she breathes, tilting her head and that skeezy hand starts to slide down his arm, making its way toward his hand.

His eyes still on her, he holds his hand out for me. In one swift movement, he pulls me in front of him, wraps his massive arms around me, and drops his chin to my shoulder.

Liv’s brows jump as her eyes widen.

“Better get a move on, Olivia. Don’t want to ruin your perfect record or anything,” he tells her coldly.

She stares at his arm around my waist. When her eyes finally come back to mine, she glares and stomps off.

Nate laughs, spins me in his arms and slides his hands into my back pockets. “That was fun.”

I laugh too, glancing at Liv’s retreating figure. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a shrine of you on her wall.”

He nods, not at all listening to me, his eyes zeroing in on my mouth as he licks across his bottom lip, from one corner of his mouth to the other. My traitorous body shudders in his arms, from a damn look, making him chuckle lightly.

I pull away from him to head to Chem. “Class, Handsome.”

When I hear him laugh, I lift my finger over my head and I flip him off. His laughter only grows.

It’s deep and rich, and my hand flies to my chest bone, attempting to soothe the sudden pang. I try massaging it with my fingertips, but the pressure-like feeling doesn’t dissipate.

My skin starts to heat as I continue forward, Nate hot on my heels.

I glance at him over my shoulder, earning a wink and a genuine smile. No teasing. No added sex appeal. Just a simple, easy smile directed right at me - hitting hard.

Facing forward, my brows pull in and my steps falter. Before I can stop it, I trip over my boot. Right as I prepare myself for the hit, a solid arm wraps around my middle and pulls me in tight. The impact of my back hitting his chest causes my head to fall back slightly, leaving my neck semi-exposed.

Nate dips his head, caressing my skin with his soft words. “You didn’t think I’d let you fall, did you?” he whispers.

I peer up at him and my cheeks starts to heat as moisture forms above my brows.

He holds my gaze for a moment before stepping back and squeezing by me to enter the classroom. As he passes, his lips skim my temple. It’s a small, probably unnoticeable, move. Simple, stupid, and maybe even by accident, but I feel it in my toes. A tingling, heated sensation spreads through me, warming more than just my core.

My body roots itself in place.

What the hell is happening to me?

He turns back to me, his tousled hair perfect, those dark eyes open and bright, happy. “You coming?” He smiles. The gentle one that turns his features soft and tender, and I’m officially about to freak.

“I, uh, I think I need some air.” I go to turn, but his voice wraps around me, holding me, before my feet move.

“Kalani…”

Ever so slowly, I raise my gaze back to his.

His eyes are amazing. They’re not the deep espresso color they normally are when he’s looking at me. They’re lighter. More milk chocolate than dark.

He gives me a subtle nod, asking me not to go…not to freak out, and I have no idea what to make of it. No idea how he always seems to know when I’m on the verge of running,

metaphorically speaking. I think.

He does that a lot. Reads me, speaks to me without words, like he can see all the things others can’t. Or maybe, when I’m near him, the clear, bullet-proof glass window that shields me from all prying eyes, opens.

That’s fucking ridiculous.

Completely out of my element, I pull a classic Kalani move: roll my eyes to cover my discomfort, walk past him to take my seat, and refuse to think about it.

Of course, he had to go and make it worse by giving me the space I needed to chill out, choosing a desk a few spaces away, further proving me right when I kind of wanted to be wrong – Nate understands what I need.

Clever bastard.

As the day goes on, I avoid eye contact with everyone, ignore when my name is called in the halls, and skip out on lunch –God knows how that would have gone.

When PE rolls around, I’m thankful for the reprieve.

The first one on the field, I skip stretches altogether, which of course means I’m able to skip any real interaction. But halfway through my run, I feel him fall in place behind me where he stays the remainder of the class period. It’s equally agitating as it is calming, and I’m not sure what annoys me more.

When the longest day ever finally comes to an end, I’m beyond grateful practice is no more.

I kick the door shut behind me, drop my bag, and walk to my room. Throwing my hair up, I strip my bed bare, and head for the garage. Adding two detergent pods, just to be safe, I shove my Nate-infused duvet cover, sheets, and pillowcases into the wash.

I skip homework, skip a shower, skip dinner. I’m not even sure if I fed Nauni. All I know is my body is heavy and my mind is done.

Laying on the couch with a throw blanket, I smile when I feel sleep take over and everything begins to fade away.