Chapter 7
992 Words
Jane
The silence in the car was heavy. Austin didn’t say anything, just drove with one arm draped over the wheel like he owned the world. I tried not to look at the band stickers plastered on his dash or the old playlist still loaded with songs I recognized - some of them I actually liked. That made my stomach twist worse. Because I didn’t want to have anything in common with him.
Outside the windows, the city slowly replaced the trees. My chest hurt. I couldn’t stop replaying the shelter. The dark, the laughter, my hand fisted in his sleeve. My face burned all over again. He cleared his throat eventually. “You always this quiet?”
It wasn’t gentle. It was teasing. Sharp-edged.
I jumped. “What?”
He glanced at me, eyebrow raised. “You haven’t said a word since you got in.”
“…I’m thinking.”
“About?”
I glared at him.
“None of your business.”
He hummed, tapping the wheel in rhythm with the music, not even bothering to hide the smirk pulling at his lips. When he finally dropped me off, I muttered a thank you I hated myself for.
He just leaned back in his seat, eyes glinting in the dark. “Remember the deal,” he drawled.
My throat felt tight. “I know.”
He nodded once, like that settled everything. But it didn’t. Not even close.
I practically bolted from his car, my heart racing, and let out a strangled yelp when Mia popped up at the door.
“Thank God you’re here,” I blurted, relief spilling out in one breath.
But the second I noticed her arms folded tight across her chest and her eyebrows arched in that I-know-everything way, my stomach sank. I could tell she was about to say something I really didn’t want to hear.
“Well well well,” she sing-songed, voice smug. “Look who’s getting dropped off.”
“Shut up.” I scowled, but the words didn’t have much bite.
“Was that Austin Rivers?”
I dropped my bag with a dull thud on the porch. My shoulders sagged.
“No… okay, maybe… yes.”
She snorted, like she’d known all along.
I let out a long, shaky breath and pressed my hands to my face.
“God. Just leave me alone, Mia.”
But I didn’t mean it. Not really.
She cackled, leaning in, eyes bright with curiosity.
“Uh-uh. Nope. Spill. Now.”
I groaned and finally sat down hard next to her, bag forgotten, the fight draining out of me. Because honestly? After everything, I couldn’t keep it in anymore.
So I told her. Everything.
By the time I finished, she was practically vibrating with glee, like she’d been handed the best gossip in the world.
“That’s the most romantic blackmail I’ve ever heard,” she sighed, actually swooning.
I nearly choked.
“It’s not romantic!” I snapped, voice cracking embarrassingly. Heat rushed to my face.
She grinned at me like she’d won the argument already.
“He kept your secret. He drove you home. He literally watched you squeal in a haunted tunnel and didn’t say a word to anyone. Come on, Jane.”
Mia.” I said her name flatly, hoping it would shut her up.
She just waggled her brows like a cartoon villain.
“Maybe he likes you.”
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. I hated that she said it so breezily. Like that made any sense. Like it was possible. I clenched my fists in my lap and scowled at my shoes, refusing to look at her stupid knowing face.
“He doesn’t like me,” I muttered. My voice sounded thin even to me. “He knows. He’s just… making sure I don’t ruin it for him.”
Mia snorted but didn’t interrupt.
“He caught me. He has leverage. That’s all this is.”
But even as I said it, I felt something cold and shaky in my chest. Because if that was true… Why was he so casual about it? Why did he joke so much? Why did he sit there so calm, like it wasn’t a big deal? Why did he keep the secret so easily? Did he really care about hockey that much? Or was there something else going on I was too stupid to see? God, it made me want to scream.
Mia sighed dramatically, but softer this time.
“Whatever you say,” she said, rolling her eyes.
I let out a sharp breath.
“Look, he’s Austin Rivers, okay? He’s… he’s Austin. Why would he ever…?” I waved my hands helplessly, like that explained everything.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Because you’re you?”
I almost laughed. Except I wanted to cry instead.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snapped. “He’s annoying. He’s pushy. He’s… he’s not even serious about this deal. He jokes about it all the time.”
But that wasn’t really true, was it? He did want me to tutor him. He did ask about my schedule. He did make sure no one else found out. I swallowed hard. But that didn’t mean he liked me. It meant I was convenient. That was it. Right?
Mia just watched me with that infuriating little smirk, but she didn’t push it.
And I didn’t say anything else. Because my brain wouldn’t stop spinning. And because for one stupid, reckless second, I’d actually wanted to believe her.
Idiot. Focus.
Being able to play hockey is the most important thing. That was all that mattered. It had to be.
After my conversation with Mia, Monday’s practice was worse.
I spotted Austin the second I walked in.
Our eyes met.
I froze.
He raised an eyebrow.
I turned on my heel and fled to the other side of the rink.
I didn’t see the knowing grin that spread across his face.
- Writer
