Page 36 of Grace of Spades

"Sounds good. Well, I'm going to go get ready for school.Kennedy is coming here after school and Saturday afternoon is apparently a girls' day before the party. Just so you know." I shrug. What can you do?

"Then we're going to breakfast Saturday." He points his finger at me like it's a threat making me chuckle.

"Oh no! What a nightmare!" I cry out dramatically as I walk away.

I pull up to Kennedy's house and watch her run to me.

"How was the visit with the grandparents?" She asks.

"It was actually really good. They seem to like me." I smile.

"As if there was any doubt!" She beams.

"Okay, get on!" I smirk.

Before I know it, we're flying down the streets to school. Kennedy points out a frigging Bugatti just chilling at a red light. Man, life over here is crazy.

I go to store my helmet in my locker when I feel someone behind me. I turn to see Keir Chekhov smiling at me like I'm what's for dinner. It's a good look. I just wish I could do something about it.

"Hi, Keir. What's going on?" I ask with a friendly smile. Take the friend zone, Keir! Please, take it!

"Hey, Grace. I was hoping to talk to you in private." He says with his crooked smile.

"Uh... sure." I shrug closing my locker and following him to an empty classroom. What on earth is he up to? I hope it's not what I think it is. "Okay, you're starting to freak me out a bit."

"Sorry, I just know this is important." He hedges. I watch him straighten his broad shoulders and he pulls out a little black square jar and hands it to me.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"Just... read." He presses.

"Okay..." I look at the jar. Oh my god. Tattoo cover-up. I look up at him and I see that crooked smile again. "What's this for?" I ask trying not to panic.

"For your spade." He whispers. Fuck. "I'm not going to tell anyone. That's why I gave it to you. To help hide it better."

"How did you know?" I ask.

"I saw your tattoo the first day in gym class. Alek recognized it but I didn't believe him. I put two and two together when I saw you...the other night." He admits.

"What about Alek?" I ask.

"He's my second. He won't say a word." He assures me.

"Forgive me if I don't just take your word on this. It's my life at stake." I explain. He nods.

"Of course. How would you like to deal with it?" He asks.

"I'll handle him." I decide. I see Keir's eyes go wide. "I don't plan on killing him." I smile.

"Sorry, I just..." He looks contrite so I cut him off.

"I get it. It is what I do." I smirk. He chuckles a bit. "So, what do you want in return for keeping my secret?" I ask.

"Nothing. I just want to hang out like we were. I just want to get to know you." He shrugs. I nod.

"Okay. I can do that." The smile on his face is adorable. "It's gotta stay just friends though," I add and I watch that smile fall.

"Why?"