Cody shook his head as he watched Hannah walk back to the courts, her tight little skirt hugging her ass as she marched ahead of him. Shit. This girl was going to be trouble and he didn’t need anymore of that in his life.

He pretended not to watch Hannah stretch, but it was impossible. Her body was effortlessly fit, no doubt from years of tennis. Her long legs went on for miles, strong and nimble. She bent to touch her toes and Cody took a steadying breath. Down boy. This one’s not for you. But no matter what he told himself, he couldn’t deny his attraction to her. Hannah was hott. But there could never be anything between them. Good girls like Hannah Stark didn’t date world-class losers like Cody. Plus even if he thought he had a chance in hell with her, she’d never take him seriously. The best he could hope for was to have a little fun. If he just played along he could get through this. Then he’d graduate and leave this place full of ghosts behind.

* * *

Done stretching, Hannah unlocked the utility room attached to the courts and grabbed a spare racket for Cody and a bucket of balls.

“Here,” she said handing him the racket. “This one should do. Do you know how to play?”

“I’ve seen it on TV. Doesn’t look too hard.”

It was Hannah’s time to arch an eyebrow. “I’ll go easy on you. Just try and return my serves.”

“Don’t go easy. I play basketball. I think I can handle a little tennis ball.”

“You used to play basketball,” she reminded him.

“Lesson number one. Don’t correct people when they’re wrong.”

“But—”

“Rule number two. Don’t ask questions.”

Hannah sighed. “So you’re telling me that people like to be wrong?”

“No, people want to be right. But more importantly they don’t want to be called out when they’re wrong. Especially the Goldens.”

Hannah nodded.

“Let’s make this interesting,” Cody smirked. “You serve and for every ball I return you answer a question.”

“Why do—”

“Rule number two!”

Hannah sighed. “Don’t ask questions.”

“That’s right. Besides. I need to get to know you to figure out what I’m dealing with. Unless you’re afraid I’ll tarnish your perfect record, tennis pro.”

“You’re on.” A coy smile danced across Hannah’s lips as she stretched her arm high and released a powerful serve at Cody’s head.

“Shit!” Cody dove out of the way. “You know we’re on the same team, right?”

Hannah laughed. “How about you get to ask a question even if you don’t return my serve?”

“Just serve. I’ll be ready this time.”

“Suit yourself.”

Hannah reached up again and slammed another ball Cody’s way. He barely managed to dodge it and stay on his feet. She knew he was nowhere near returning any of her serves today. “At this rate you’re not going to get to ask any questions.”

“Fine. Why are you so good at tennis? Is it your passion?”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “No. My dad taught me to play when I was five. He said it would help my mental focus.”

“And does it?”

“Yes. It’s taught me precision, focus, boundaries, dedication, strategy, how to spot an opponent’s weakness and deconstruct them. Like you, you’re weak on your left,” she said before slamming another serve to his left side.

“That doesn’t sound like any fun at all.”

“Isn’t basketball the same?”

Cody laughed. “God no. I love basketball. It’s like poetry and music, and when your teammates are all playing in sync, it’s like magic.”

“That’s an unrealistic description. Basketball is a sport. Not poetry or music. And there’s no such thing as magic.”

Cody groaned. “How is it possible that you’re good at everything except having a normal conversation?”

“My communication skills are more than adequate.”

“That’s what I mean. No one talks like that, Hannah. The Goldens sure as hell don’t.”

“Okay. Then teach me how they talk.”

“One step at a time. I’m trying to find out where to start with you.”

“Fine. Next question.”

“Have you really never seen a naked guy before?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Rules one and two,” Cody quipped narrowly missing the tennis ball he swung for.

Hannah rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine. No I’ve never seen a naked guy. No guy has ever seen me naked. I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never been kissed. I’ve never been on a date. Anything else embarrassing you’d like to know?”

“Hannah! How is that possible?”

“I don’t know? You’re the one who’s supposed to have the answers.”

“Are you straight?”

“Yes!”

“Are you sure?”

“I think so.”

Cody sighed deeply and wiped his forehead. He marched up to the net and beckoned Hannah to join him by curling his finger at her. When she met him he reached across the net and pulled her to him, roughly locking his lips with hers. Hannah gasped into his mouth in surprise. Cody took that as an invitation to shove his tongue down her throat. She shoved him off and slapped him hard.

“What the hell was that?” she yelled.

He smiled, rubbing his cheek. “Just checking.”

“For what, cavities?”

“To see if you’re straight.”

Her eyes widened. “And?” she demanded, hands on her hips.

“I mean you’re difficult to talk to, super conceded, but you’re not hopeless. Now you can even say you’ve had your first kiss.”

Hannah scowled at Cody.

“Relax. You’re pretty and that usually excuses all kinds of flaws.”

“Flaws? And I am not hard to talk to.”

“Hannah, if you want help you have to be open to the truth and that might mean criticism.”

“I can agree to that. But we need a strategy. It just feels like you’re picking on me.”

“You mean like I’m sizing up my opponent to spot their weaknesses?” he said mockingly.

Hannah frowned.

“Relax. Unlike you, I’m looking for your weaknesses so I can help you fix them.”

“That is the deal.”

“So, let’s study the evidence, brainiac. You’ve never had a boyfriend. Never been on a date. You had to blackmail me to get a party invite. And you only just had your first kiss.”

“How . . . how was it?”

“What, the kiss?” Cody asked not trying to conceal his smile.

Hannah felt her cheeks flush, but she needed to know. She shoved down her embarrassment and nodded.

“Well I can tell it was your first kiss,” he smirked.

“Is that bad?”

Cody winked. “Nah. Nothing a little practice won’t fix.”

“Practice.” Hannah repeated the word slowly. Practice was something she could do. Something she was good at. Hell, she was the poster child for practice makes perfect. “And you’ll help me practice kissing?”

He feigned frustration. “If I must.”

“So you’ll be like my practice boyfriend?”

Cody rolled his eyes. “Why do girls insist on labeling things?”

Hannah cocked her head in confusion. “Labels help clarify things. It’s something both men and women use equally. I believe women to be the superior of our species, so perhaps that’s why you assume women use labels more often?”

“It was a joke, Hannah. But why don’t you get your sweet cheeks back on the court, tennis pro, and I’ll show you the superior species.”

Hannah blinked while Cody retreated to his corner of the court—ball and racket in hand.

“By the way, that’s how normal high school students speak,” Cody added with a smirk. He bounced the ball, getting ready to serve.

“Bring it on,” Hannah called.

“That’s it. You almost sound human.”

If it was practice Cody wanted, that’s what he’d get. Hannah was prepared to kick his butt on the tennis court and then kiss him all night! Nothing was going to get in the way of her plan.

She took a swig of her water bottle and spun her tennis racket waiting for Cody to serve. He sent the ball sailing far over her head. She laughed out loud when it flew over the fence.

“That was my practice shot,” Cody called.

“There’s no do over’s in life, Cody.”

“You’ve got that right,” he muttered picking up another ball and lobbing it across the net.

Hannah smiled. This was too easy. She put some backspin on it and fired directly at Cody. He dove out of the way and she couldn’t suppress her laughter.

“You still want to serve?” she taunted.

“Ok champ. You proved your point. You own the tennis court. But we’ll see how good you are when you’re on my courts.”

“I don’t play basketball. I’m sure I’ll be awful.”

“I thought you were good at everything.”

“I’m confident I can master anything with the right amount of practice.”

Cody rolled his eyes and Hannah glanced at her watch.

“Last question. I’ve got to shower before class.”

“Alright. Why is going to Harrison’s party so important to you?” Cody asked as Hannah slammed a ball in his direction.

“Because I want Harrison and the rest of our class to see me. I want to be Hannah, the girl, for once. Not Hannah, the genius that no one talks to unless they need help with homework. I want to do something wild and carefree. I want to make memories.”

“Where is this sudden urge coming from?”

“You sound like a psychologist,” Hannah said wrinkling her nose as she squinted into the harsh morning sunlight.

“My shrink would be so proud.”

“You see a psychologist?” she asked, sounding surprised.

“You kill your girlfriend and try not needing a shrink.” Cody’s jovial mood vanished. “I think that’s enough for now.”