Page 26 of Bribed by the Billionaire Bad Boy

“Because I don’t have any,” I murmur, swallowing something bitter as the words escape. I honestly don’t evenknowwhat Lex is. Friend doesn’t seem right. Regardless of the fact we went out for ice cream Friday, it feels like more qualifications need to be met before that title is offered.

Even though Mom’s expression hardens on me, Lex doesn’t so much as bristle. “It’s true, Mrs. Kole. We’re just classmates.”

Her brows shoot up, my affront put aside at his confirmation. “Oh?” Waving a hand, she adjusts our bag of produce. “I thought all you kids were friends so long as you knew each other’s names.”

“It’d be nice if things were simple like that, wouldn’t it?”

Charming and pleasant. Perfectly plastic.

My eye twitches, and I stare at Lex a long moment before realization comes cold and strong. He’s acting. A switch flipped the second he saw my mom. There’s something a littletoopolished about his manners. I’ve watched him put on a casual act before, back when he pulled that sob story about his mother out of his rump, but why does he feel the need to play a game withmymother?

My blood boils, and my cheeks heat.

No crap.

It’s almost too obvious.

If he acts like normal—flirty, teasy, too close and too knowing—around me, Mom will think we’re dating or something equally horrendous.

I cover one cheek with my palm, confirming my face is ablaze, and accidentally make eye contact with Jason. The boy grins.

“Lex, we shouldn’t stick around too long. We’ve got that thing later, you know. You promised.”

Lex pulls his attention out of small talk with my mom concerning classes, where he’s somehow managing to entirely avoid everything about theater, music, or art. A feat, considering the school we go to focuses completely around those topics. “Oh. You’re right.” His blindingly bright smile makes me internally cringe. “It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Kole. And I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow, Calypso. Enjoy your shopping day.”

With that, the two of them pass by, and once they’re fading back into the crowd, Mom turns on me, all aglow. “Lex?” she asks, in a specific way that makes my heart drop into my intestines.

“No.”

“Really?” Her brows pucker, then she straightens. “Oh. Wait. Don’t tell me. Was that boy with him…”

I literally have no idea. I don’tthinkso. But who am I to judge?

I’ve only been talking to him for a week.

Mom, determined, huffs and strolls along to the next table, shaking her head as she skims through the pottery. “No. He called yousugar. That’s a little too endearing, isn’t it? ‘Notfriends’ my foot. I’m not blind.”

“I think he calls everyone that.” But, again, I don’t know. All I know is that it’s an inside joke. Maybe with Jason? Who has dubbed me Lex’ssugar glider.

What doesthatevenmean?

My head is screaming. How can five minutes with that guy have already turned my entire world upside down again? The way he eats away at everything that makes me feel safe and stable is beyond unfair.

“You’re red as an apple, Caly. What am I supposed to believe here when you obviously have a crush on him, and he obviously knows you a little better thanjust classmates?”

What I feared is happening. Despite Lex not saying anythingabout how we’re involved, Mom has found her way to making it both romantic and secret.

I adjust my glasses and want nothing more than to hide away in my room with the lights off. “We’re just partners in a group project,” I find myself muttering. “I don’t like him. He irritates me. There’s really nothing more to it.”

“A group project? So early in the semester?”

Figures she’d hone in on the most difficult question to answer.

Thankfully, she continues before I feel obligated to reply. “What about him irritates you? He seemed nice.”

Fake. That was the fakestniceI’ve seen since last I watched a high school chick-flick.

I roll my eyes. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s a show off. Teacher’s pet. Thinks he’s real perfect and all that.” A know-it-all with the ability to actually put literal money where his mouth is would irritate anyone.