They Bet to Sleep With Me, I Split Them

Chapter 3

I was happily enjoying my ice cream on the way home when another person caught up with me. Jace Taylor, one of the guys involved in the whole mess, showed up and got straight to the point. He wanted me to go explain everything to Eric.

I shook my head without hesitation. "You were all part of that bet. I don't owe anyone an explanation to help a bully save face."

Jace frowned. "I can make it up to you. Just tell me how much you want."

"I was hurt, so you should feel miserable too. That's only fair. I don't want your money," I shrugged.

"I don't have time to waste on this." Jace pulled out a black card. "Take the money and do what I ask, or say goodbye to your spot on the exchange student list."

I stared at him. "And why exactly do you get to decide that?"

He answered impatiently, "Because my dad sits on the university's board."

Right then, Lucian came walking over from across the street. I reacted instantly. I bit my lip and looked at Jace with tears welling in my eyes.

The second Lucian saw me, he hurried over.

"What are you doing here?" Lucian grabbed Jace by the arm. "Come on. Let's go."

Jace yanked his arm away. "She knows who did it, but she refuses to say. Eric is accusing everyone left and right. Are you seriously okay with that?"

Lucian replied, "I don't care who it is. As long as it wasn't you, why are you making her life difficult?"

Jace froze. Then he stared at Lucian like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"So it was you!" He pointed at Lucian. "I knew it. Why else would you suddenly hate her so much? You called her a poor nobody, insulted her every chance you got. You were acting like that to throw everyone off because you were scared we'd figure it out, weren't you? Damn, Lucian, I never knew you were this good at putting on an act!"

Lucian was completely speechless.

I stayed calm on the outside, but inside, I was laughing so hard that I could barely hold it in. Oh, the classic fake bromance!

Lucian looked completely overwhelmed. "What are you even talking about?"

"He wasn't the one." I turned to Jace. "He really does dislike me. We never had anything going on behind the scenes, so don't misunderstand."

Jace cursed quietly, "Then why did he jump in and make himself part of this?"

I let out a tired sigh, "I don't know. But it really wasn't him. Jace, I'll clear things up with Eric for you. Please don't get me removed from the exchange student list."

Jace glanced between me and Lucian, his expression darkening. Then he walked away. I turned to leave as well, but Lucian suddenly stepped in front of me.

"Hey, wait." He looked strangely uncomfortable. "About that, I..."

I turned around, confused. He stood there for ages, but nothing came out.

Seriously, I got it.

His conscience was eating at him. He wanted to make things right, but his rich boy ego was too stubborn to admit he was wrong.

After a while, he finally said something completely random. "My grandma raised me too."

I put on the perfect look of surprise and sympathy while silently rolling my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain.

"Alright." I nodded. "Anything else?"

He immediately became nervous. "About the money, is $5,000 enough? I checked. A good hearing aid costs at least ten thousand. And I noticed you..."

I looked at him, puzzled. "Noticed what?"

It was like he was finally looking at me for the first time. Autumn in Evermont City had already turned cold, but I was still wearing a thin, faded hoodie that had been washed so many times the original color was barely there.

"Why aren't you wearing a coat?" He coughed awkwardly.

I answered calmly, "Because I only have one coat, and it hasn't dried yet after being washed."

He went quiet. I turned to walk away, but he stopped me again. Then, without saying a word, he dragged me into his car, drove me to the nearest mall, and bought me a coat that cost over $3,000.

Before I could say no, he slipped the coat over my shoulders and finally looked relieved.

'Great. So one apology wipes your slate clean, and now you think you can go back to talking behind my back with a clear conscience? Nice try.'

I clutched the coat collar and stayed silent for a long time.

Lucian said, "Don't even think about saying no. The tags are already gone."

I looked up at him. My face remained calm, but tears started streaming down before I could stop them.

Lucian was startled. "I'm giving you this coat, not trying to humiliate you. Can you not take everything the wrong way?"

I nodded. "I know. I just suddenly realized I haven't felt this warm in a long time, and I couldn't hold it in. I never thought you were trying to insult me."

Lucian was at a loss for words.

I lowered my voice. "I thought I would hate you forever, just like I hated my old deskmate. I never thought one coat could make me stop hating you. Guess I'm really too easy to forgive."

Lucian immediately became anxious. "Don't say that about yourself."

I lowered my head and pretended to wipe away my tears, but I was actually hiding the smile that was about to take over my entire face.

'Of course I had to. How else could I have you wrapped around my finger this easily? You i***t!'

"Thank you." I sniffed and looked up at him. "I really mean it."

Lucian stood there awkwardly. "Really? Was it really that warm?"

I nodded. "Yeah. My hands aren't cold anymore. Look."

Then I gently placed my hand against his palm. Lucian instantly stiffened, his ears turning red before the color spread all the way down his neck. With my hand resting against his, he looked completely lost, like he couldn't decide whether to hold it or let go. He was so nervous that he was practically sweating.

"Really? No, wait, it's still kind of cold. Why are your hands so cold? Maybe, maybe I should warm them up for you."

He finally worked up the courage to hold my hand, but I pulled it back.

"It's fine. Maybe your hands are just warmer than most people's." I smiled at him. "I still need to go to the library. Can you drive me back to campus?"