CHAPTER 9: SNOW
I wanted to hit something.
Bad.
Preferably the SOB who’d defiled Ash’s car on my watch. It was a travesty to do that to such a beautiful machine. Not to mention, embarrassing as hell. When we pulled into The Academy, Smith was standing there, waiting to take over guard duty. He shook his head at the slashes.
“Drop out now?” he said. “What the hell, Veronica looks like she’s been in a knife fight. Mrs. C won’t be too happy when she sees this.”
“I’m supposed to guard him, not his car,” I muttered, stepping out.
Smith crossed his arms. “I told her you weren’t ready.”
I took a step a closer. He was taller by about a foot, outweighed me by at least fifty pounds, but I’d be damned if I let the jerk intimidate me. “And how do you figure that?”
“This isn’t a game, Snow. You’ve been on the Strykers’ payroll, what, eight hours? And already”—he held his hand out to the car—”this happens.”
Ash cut in between us and said, “Chill out, Smith. It wasn’t her fault.”
Smith didn’t listen. “Teenage girls just aren’t equipped with the knowledge and skills it takes to be a bodyguard. You should leave security work to the professionals.”
I cocked a brow his way. “If you see any professionals, you let me know, Agent Smith. I’ll be happy to hand him over.”
Smith stared at me hard. I stared back. Maybe I’d get a chance to hit someone after all. Not only had he insulted my intelligence, but he’d also questioned all the training I’d done over the past decade. Agent Smith was a douche. Period.
“Alright, alright,” Ash said, pushing Smith back. “That’s enough of that. Can’t we all just get along? Smith, I’m going to need you to drive Veronica over to the body shop later. Try your best not to let Mom see.”
The agent mumbled something, fell into the passenger’s seat, and Ash shut the door.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Smith’s just jealous. You’re my mom’s new favorite.”
I shook my head. “Not after this.”
“Hey, I’ve got great insurance, and no worries. It was probably Buddy Jr. blowing off some steam.” I knew he didn’t really think that. I didn’t either. Buddy had looked plenty scared after our little talk. And the words, “DROP OUT NOW!” were obviously about the Senate race. The phrase was in several of the threats I’d read. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow? Come on, ninja girl. It’s no big deal.”
It kind of was, but I said, “Yeah sure.”
Over the next week, I attended classes at CCDS. We reported the incident to the administration, but the cameras hadn’t caught a thing. In the exact space where Ash had parked, there was a blind spot. Of course. Omma scoffed at this, calling the school’s security “inept” and “unprofessional,” telling me to keep my eyes open.
And I did.
The Top Three Things I noticed were:
1) Ash really did love country. “Uh-uh, ninja girl,” he’d said on Day 2 when I reached for the iPod. “It’s my turn to DJ. Sit back and enjoy the twangy goodness.” Blech. I still hated the genre. But to be honest, a few of his songs weren’t that bad. I didn’t know if I’d ever like Taylor Swift as much as Ash…but she was growing on me.
2) A rental SUV was a lot like a Challenger: The front seats were close. My knee was inches from Ash’s hand resting on the gearshift. The car rides to school were nerve-racking. But he never crossed the small distance. When we got to CCDS, I couldn’t decide whether to be relieved—or disappointed.
3) The girls. Good Lord, it was crazy. They flew to him like bees to honey. The sheer amount of girls who flirted with Ash was ridiculous. Even more crazy: how often he pushed them away. On average, eight to ten girls approached him a day. I tried my best to stay out of it. But Ash always brushed them off. Pretty, plain, didn’t matter. I might’ve thought he was gay—if it wasn’t for his reaction to that dumb skirt.
And my reaction to him? I walked outside every morning, feeling a tiny jolt in my stomach when I saw Ash waiting for me. I tried to ignore the jolt. Really, I did—but honestly? It scared the hell out of me.
“Holy shit, isn’t that Ash Stryker?”
Koi sidled up to me and Bae Bae, eyes glued on the front lobby like he’d just seen a movie star.
“Unfortunately,” Bae Bae said, watching Ash walk into the gym.
My stomach did that stupid jolt again. I glared down at it. It was Thursday, and Ash was signed up for self-defense, I reminded myself. No big deal.
“Wow,” Koi breathed.
“Wow?” I asked. Ash grinned setting off more small sparks. God, I was in trouble.
“Yeah,” he said. “Don’t you guys know who he is?”
I shrugged. “Wesley Stryker’s son.”
“A rich punk with his eyes on our Snow-Soon.” The glare I shot Bae should’ve shut him up, but the big guy just blinked. “What?” he said. “You know it’s true.”
“What I know is you’re an ass,” I said.
Koi looked at the two of us like we were stupid. “Geez, how do you live here and not know? That, my uninformed friends, is Ash “The Whip” Stryker. The guy used to play Varsity for Chariot High. Hell, he used to own that soccer pitch. It was a widely known fact that up until last year, he and Becks Kent were well on their way to becoming soccer Gods. Then Becks went off to UNC, and Ash’s politician daddy pulled him out of Chariot. Tragic, really.”
“I knew it,” I said, smiling. “With a body like that, I knew Ash played some kind of sport.”
“Not just played,” Koi said. “In the world of high school soccer, The Whip is legend.”
Bae Bae snorted. “I’ll believe it when I see it. And why were you looking at his body, Snow-Soon?”
He was seriously asking for a smack.
Ash was about five steps away when Koi sighed. “He is such a BAMF.” Seeing my look, he said, “You know, BAMF? Bad Ass Mother Fu—”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” I interrupted. His giddy reaction was starting to freak me out.
“Snow, you just have to introduce me.”
“Huh—”
“Just do it,” Koi whispered in a rush. “I’ll never ask you for anything ever again.”
Ash stepped in front of us then wearing his usual grin. “Hey, ninja girl. How’s it going?”
I shot him a glare. “I thought we agreed you’d stop calling me that.”
“You agreed,” he corrected. “I didn’t.”
Koi cleared his throat, and I sighed. “Ash, have you met Koi? His family owns The Singing Fish. He says you’re a BAMF.”
“A what?”
“Hey, man.” Koi pushed me out of the way, latching onto Ash’s hand. “I’m Koi, Koi Woo. You know, like the fish? I’m one of your biggest fans.”
“What’s up, Koi,” Ash said. Apparently, he wasn’t put off by Koi’s brand of crazy. “So, you like soccer?”
“Hell yeah, I like soccer. I’m nowhere near your level, but I’ve got the love. Last year, you and Becks gave me a reason to live. That was a hell of a season.”
“Thanks, man.”
Shaking his head, Koi said, “Real shame you couldn’t take Chariot to a four-year streak, though.”
Ash grimaced.
Interesting, I thought. It was one of the first times I’d seen Ash lose his grin. The soccer thing must’ve been a real sore spot.
He recovered after a moment. “Hey, maybe we could kick the ball around sometime.”
At this, Koi looked about ready to faint. “Wow…that would be amazing.”
“You could bring Snow along,” he suggested.
Bae Bae scoffed, but Koi was already nodding. “Yeah, totally. I could bring the Snow Queen. No problem.”
Noticing Min-Hee waving from the bleachers, I left the boys before Koi could make any other promises. I still hadn’t gotten him back for the karaoke incident. I’d been trying to wait for the perfect moment, but Koi was making that damn hard.
“You’re full of it, Min,” I heard Nara say right as I walked up. “He’d never go for her.”
I realized who the “her” was when all four girls locked eyes on me. Min-Hee had always come to my practices, but Nara and her crew only started coming recently to check out the guys. It was disgusting. They’d just sit in the bleachers, giggling, reapplying lip gloss, watching as the Elite members showed off for them. Lisa and Lynn were wearing outfits similar to Nara’s: short skirt, tight shirt, great push-up bra. But I was betting only Nara’s Gucci sunglasses were the real deal. They were pushed up, holding her hair back, rhinestones glinting, as she stared at me.
“A guy like that would never be so desperate.”
“Snow, tell her,” Min-Hee demanded.
“Tell her what?” I said.
“Ash is the guy you kissed at the movies, and now you two are together.” I blinked as Min threw Nara a smirk. “He even picks her up every morning for school. Isn’t that right, Snow?”
I was so stunned I could barely speak. “Min, what are you talking about?”
“You and Ash,” she said, rolling her eyes. “No need to be modest. Bae Bae told me everything. Ash is totally into you. He said he comes to this class just to see her.”
Nara laughed. “Good one, Min-Hee. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”
“Explain it to her, please, before I go off.”
It took me a second, but I picked out the important bit. “You said, Bae Bae told you this?” I asked, trying to sound calm.
“Yeah,” Min said, crossing her arms, “which I’ve been meaning to tell you is totally screwed up. You should’ve told me yourself. Would it have killed you to give me a call, text, something?”
“But—”
“What the heck are best friends for,” she added, “if we can’t gossip about our love lives? Ash is the first guy you’ve ever shown any interest in. I have to say, I’m really disappointed in you, Snow.”
“Min, I—”
“The only thing I didn’t understand is why you’re repeating senior year,” she said. “But Bae Bae explained that, too.”
I raised a brow. Oh, I couldn’t wait to hear this. “What exactly did he say?”
“Well, Crispin Catholic Day School might give you a leg up when you try college next year. I know you didn’t go immediately because of…” Min cleared her throat, shot a look a Nara, then let it drop. Thank God for that. “Anyway, you and Ash are such a cute couple. I’m really happy for you, girl.”
Somewhere in the middle of Min’s speech, my left eye had started to twitch. I closed my eyes. Bae Bae was the one who’d always wanted me to go to college. He’d hoped I would further my education, get a safe, boring desk job with a nice salary. I had other plans. I still wanted the nice salary, but boring and safe? No, thanks. I didn’t think Bae Bae had outright lied. He’d just told Min-Hee his thoughts—leaving out the whole bodyguard situation—and let her draw her own conclusions. The result? The total shitstorm I currently found myself in.
“Can we all just cut the crap?” Nara said. “That doesn’t even make sense, Min. If they are hanging out—which let me tell you right now, I don’t buy for a second—there has to be some other explanation. Snow’s not feminine or attractive. He’s hot as sin. That body, those eyes…good God, they’re green, right? Gorgeous.”
She threw a smile over my shoulder, and I instinctively knew her gaze was on Ash. That pissed me off more than any of her remarks so far.
“So, what’s the real story?” she said, eyes on me now. “No, wait, don’t tell me. You’re tutoring him, aren’t you? You’ve always had a huge brain, Snow. That has to be it. He’s hot and dumb, and you’re just helping him pass a class.”
“Ash isn’t dumb,” I gritted out.
“Oh, really?” Nara raised a brow, lips curving. She knew she’d hit a nerve. “Boys who look like that are usually pretty stupid.”
She stared at me, waiting for an answer, while I tried not to react. Bruce would’ve played it cool. He wouldn’t have shown any weakness. I tried to do the same, but hearing her insult Ash was really too much. Plus, I hated the fact that she knew Min was wrong. Ash and I weren’t together, but maybe Bae Bae had made that up as a cover story. Nice try, I thought. But a look at Nara’s smug face told me no one besides Min was buying that lie.
“Actually, I’m surprisingly intelligent.”
Ash was suddenly next to me. His grin was in place, but his eyes were hard. For the life of me, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Hot and smart,” Nara said, making her voice even higher, girlier, smiling like she hadn’t just insulted him. “A lethal combination. Hi, I’m Nara Chung.”
“Ash Stryker,” he said then nodded to Min. “Hey, Min-Hee.”
Looking pleased as punch, Min nodded back. I thought it might have something to do with how close Ash and I were standing. Our shoulders nearly touched. All I’d have to do is reach out, and I’d brush the back of his hand. Ignoring the fireworks in my stomach, I resisted.
“Great to meet you,” Nara said. “We were just talking about you, Ash. Maybe you could settle a debate for us.”
I stiffened.
“Min-Hee seems to think you and Snow are hooking up.” A laugh then, “I told her that wasn’t possible.”
“Why’s that?” Ash said.
She waved him off. “Snow’s obviously not your type.”
“And how do you know my type?”
“A girl just knows these things.” Her eyes went to me. “I mean, I’m guessing you wouldn’t want someone so…butch.”
My cheeks flamed, but Nara seemed to be enjoying herself. Her DDs were up and out in all their glory, long legs crossed, head tilted in the perfect pose. She looked like a poster girl for the Rich and Fabulous. I wanted to puke.
“Well?” she asked. “What exactly is your relationship to Snow if you don’t mind me asking?”
“We’re cousins,” I blurted—and immediately wished I could take it back.
The silence was absolute. I knew it was stupid. Unlike Barbie Buchanan, I’d grown up with these girls. They knew me. They knew Omma was the only family I had. But I’d just wanted Nara to stop.
Which she did for all of five seconds.
“Cousins?” Her laughter was piercing. Lisa and Lynn followed her example, getting a good chuckle out of my lie. “Come on, Snow. Do we look like idiots to you?”
“Do you seriously want me to answer that?” I asked.
Her eyes sharpened. “I knew it. You are such a liar. Min, I told she could never get a guy like Ash.”
“I never said—”
I stopped as I felt Ash’s palm slide into mine, our fingers lacing together.
“Alright, ninja girl, there’s no use denying it,” he said then flashed me a smile. “Looks like our secret’s out.” Leaning down, in a voice lowered so only I could hear, he said, “Don’t worry, Snow. I got this.”
“Ash, this isn’t funny,” I said, trying to pull away, but he tightened his grip.
“I know you didn’t want people to know just yet, but I can’t help myself.” His eyes sparkled as he placed his other hand on my cheek. I froze. “They were bound to find out sooner or later.”
“Find out what?” Nara said, sounding suspicious.
“Snow’s mine, and I’m hers,” Ash announced. “This little lady has stolen my heart, and I hope she never gives it back.”
He’d said it loud enough for everyone in The Academy to hear, and I couldn’t hide my disbelief. It got worse when he planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. The skin there burned.
Good God, I thought as he winked.
Just like that, my first client had become my first fake boyfriend. I thought that only happened in the cheesy romantic comedies I secretly loved.
Nara looked disgusted. Min-Hee looked like she wanted to start clapping. But my physical reaction was downright embarrassing. I couldn’t catch my breath, heart fluttering fast and furious like moth’s wings. It obviously didn’t understand this was all for show. Snow’s mine, and I’m hers. Ash was just helping me out. I frowned. Bruce had taught me there was a defense for just about anything in martial arts—but heartbreak wasn’t one of them.
And had he really called me little lady?
Ash Stryker was dangerous, I decided. The small jolts in my stomach could easily turn into a wildfire. I’d have to lock down my shields if I didn’t want to get burned.