I start to leave, but he tugs me back. “Why is this bothering you so much?” He shrugs. “Who cares what Casey thinks.”

It’s not just Casey…it’s everyone.

“Yup. You’re right. Good talk.”

I try to leave again, but he halts me.

“Don’t do that girl thing where you say one thing when you really mean another. You’re always demanding honesty from me, so give me some back.”

He’s right. I hate it.

“When people talk about us…it’s never in the context that you’re not attractive enough for me. It’s always the other way around.” I close my eyes. “I’m tired of feeling like I don’t measure up.”

He tips my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Fuck them. Ninety percent of the idiots here will never amount to anything anyway. They don’t matter.”

“Casey does,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “She shouldn’t, but she does. Everyone does.” I close my eyes. “Your team members already know the truth, and if she finds out we’re only dating because of a stupid bet—”

“Then we make it real.” He clears his throat. “We make it look as real as we can.”

“We’re already doing that.”

He snorts. “Trust me, there’s room for improvement in certain areas.”

I glare at him. “What’s that suppo—”

“Look, if she keeps running her mouth…we deny it. Simple as that. No one can prove it’s not real between us.”

“Right, like you won’t spill the beans when all is said and done in order to save your reputat—”

“I will never tell anyone the truth.” His hands frame my face. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

My first instinct is to believe him. “Promise?”

“You have my word.”

The sinking feeling in my chest eases up a bit. “Okay.” The clock on the wall catches my eye and I mutter a curse. “I’m late for English class. Talk to you later.”

Apprehension flashes across his face. “Look, I wasn’t gonna say anything…but I…uh. Um…”

Watching him stumble over his words would be comical if he didn’t look so serious.

“Spit it out, Covington. I don’t have all day.”

Blowing out a breath, he squeezes the back of his neck. “You losing weight wasn’t a requirement for our arrangement, okay? I don’t—”

“Shut up,” I croak, a combination of anger and humiliation burning my cheeks. “Don’t ever, and I mean ever comment on my weight again if you want this arrangement to work between us. Got it?”

His expression falls. “I didn’t…I’m not—”

“You’re right. You’re not. Because my weight is none of your goddamn concern. You lost that right when you embarrassed and disrespected me in front of the entire school.”

With that, I walk out.

Chapter 38

Cole

Sawyer hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday.

Given she has a lot on her plate with school, work, church shit, and tutoring Oakley, I wouldn’t take it so personally…if she wasn’t going out of her way to actively avoid me.

People are starting to notice.

Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I shoot her a text.

Cole: You’re ignoring me.

I’m stunned when she responds.

Sawyer: Wow, you don’t miss a thing. Gold star for you.

Swallowing my pride, I do something I never do.

I apologize.

Cole: For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about yesterday. You’re right. Your weight is none of my business.

Sawyer: Thank you.

I watch as the dots appear and disappear before they appear again.

Sawyer: I accept your apology.

Good, now maybe she’ll accept something else I want to give her.

Cole: However, as your boyfriend I feel you should know it would be a shame if anything were to happen to your ass and tits.

Cole: Well, any of your body parts.

Sawyer: Jesus, Covington. Are you moonlighting for the mob?

Yeah, that came out wrong.

Before I can tell her what I meant, she shoots me another text.

Sawyer: Look, I already accepted your apology. You don’t need to go overboard and spew a bunch of lies to make the fat girl feel better about herself. I appreciate the effort, but really. I’m good.

That’s not what I was doing.

Cole: Are you always so defensive when someone tries to give you a compliment?

Sawyer: Only when it’s you.

Cole: How come?

It feels like an eternity before she responds.

Sawyer: Because we both know you don’t have an honest bone in your body.

The growing boner in my pants disagrees.

Cole: Trust me, I have a very honest bone, and he wants inside you.

Cole: But he’ll settle for other stuff if he has to.

Sawyer: Do you always talk about your cock in third person? It’s a little weird.

Cole: Do you always deflect whenever the topic of sex comes up between us?

Sawyer: I’m not deflecting. I’m just not interested in hooking up with you. Thanks for the offer though.

Cole: We both know that’s a lie.

Sawyer: Whatever eases the sting and helps you sleep at night, champ.

I clench my teeth.

Cole: We have chemistry. Lots of it.

Sawyer: Yoko and John had chemistry too. Look how well that worked out for them.

I have no clue who those people are.

Cole: Who?

Sawyer: Are you kidding? The Beatles.

Cole: I’m sorry. I only listen to music from the last decade.

Sawyer: And that’s another reason we’d never work. You wouldn’t know great music if it crawled out of your laptop and slapped your big head.

We’ll have to agree to disagree on that…but I’m not above compromise.

Cole: If I start listening to The Beatles will you hook up with me?

Sawyer: No. But I’ll have a lot more respect for your taste in music. Also, since we’re on the subject of music, you should add some Nick Jonas to your collection.

I’d rather chew my arm off.

Cole: That won’t be happening. Ever.

Sawyer: Your loss. He’s my soulmate…he just doesn’t know it yet.

In that case, he won’t mind me stealing you away.

Cole: You’re deflecting again.

Sawyer: Deflecting what?

Frustrated, my hand tightens around my phone.

Cole: Sex.

Sawyer: That’s because we won’t be having any. Ever.

I try a different approach.

Cole: I’d be willing to wait until you’re ready. For the sex.