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“Is he kissing someone right now?” I gasp at the sight of Greyson tongue-fucking some random woman I don’t know right after he said he’d be my fake boyfriend.

The group of girls I’m with gasp. Sydney says to them, “They’re not official. It’s no big deal.”

“Sydney,” my eyes widen, watching Greyson kiss. He’s so passionate and hot when he’s kissing. Holy hell, what have I gotten myself into? Why am I turned on by this right now? It’s like some sick mental game. What the fuck is he doing?

Sydney whispers, “That’s Grey. Just go with it, okay?”

“What?” I pull her to the side.

She stumbles to the side and says into my ear, “Babe, you can’t change a leopard’s spots. You’re only doing this with Grey to get back at Matt, so let Grey be Grey. Okay?”

“I’m supposed to just let this go?” I ask, glancing over at where they just were. Now Greyson and the hot girl are gone.

“Yeah,” she takes my hand. “It’s all for fun.”

I follow her back to the group of girls. We take another shot. Then I take another one. I tell myself to just let it go. I don’t even care about Greyson. Some respect would be nice, but Sydney is right. I can’t control him. Tonight is the start of getting revenge on Matt. He’s here with Michelle, and I’ve never felt so disgusted, disrespected, and hurt in my entire life. I’m thankful that Greyson pulled through.

Sydney’s eyes double in size after I take another shot.

“Maddie.” I hear my name being called, but I don’t want to turn around. “Maddie.”

It’s Matt. I can hear his deep tone of voice. He’s drunk.

“What do you want, Matthew?” I say without looking at him.

He says, “Can we talk?”

I smile at Kara who’s watching me. I’m way too drunk right now.

“No,” I say. “I’m going home. Why don’t you go talk to Michelle?” I laugh, clapping as if to high-five myself.

“You’re ignoring my calls and my texts. We need to talk,” Matt insists, so I glance at Sydney. I need saving, and she’s already on it. “You haven’t given me a chance to explain.”

She grabs Matt, pulling him through the dance floor. I wish I could hear what she’s telling him, but I know she’ll tell me for the rest of my life. If there’s something to know about Sydney, it’s that she’s protective of the ones she loves. She’ll defend me until the end of the earth. She’s someone I’ll always want on my side no matter what.

When she comes back, she says, “I took out the trash. Ready to go?”

I nod, reaching for my things.

“Kara, Crystal, Tori,” Sydney calls out. “Do you need a ride home?”

They shake their heads and then kiss our cheeks before we leave.

When we’re outside, Sydney clutches my arm. “Mission accomplished tonight?”

“Kind of. Yeah,” I nod, smiling. I’m so grateful for her. Our revenge plan is starting to work.

“Did you notice that Grey got jealous before Matt did?”

“What?” I ask, not comprehending what she’s saying. I don’t even know where we’re walking to. I’m just letting her guide me.

She nods. “When you were kissing Billy.”

I tilt my head at her in confusion.

She laughs. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Madison,” I hear my name being called. I sigh because there’s only one person who calls me by my full name.

“Greyson,” I murmur, turning around. He’s out of breath, so I laugh. “I wonder why you’re so worked up, horse boy.”

“What?” he says, glancing at Sydney.

“Yeehaw, you fucked that girl in there, didn’t you?” I glance at his crotch and laugh. “Look your zippers down.”

He grabs himself and realizes his zipper isn’t down. I laugh harder. Sydney laughs with me.

“I made a joke,” I laugh.

He clicks his tongue and smiles. Holy shit, he is the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen. Gray eyes and wavy brown hair. A perfect smile. The right amount of bad that would lure any woman in. And the worst part? He fucking knows it.

“Why are you out here chasing me down, Greyson?” I ask, leaning on Sydney and looking at her. “Was that like three minutes?”

We giggle.

“Yeah, I need your number,” he demands.

“That’s it?” I say, glancing at Sydney with a sarcastic squint in my eyes. “That’s it?” I throw my hands to wave him off. We walk away. “I’ll see you around, Greyson Cress.”

Sydney whispers, “You should probably get his number.”

I shrug. “It’s going to be okay, just like you said. Hey, Sydney.”

“Yeah,” she says.

“I don’t think I’m going to cry tonight. I think I’m okay.”

She rubs my back, proud of me. I scream because she’s untied my top in the process. I quickly grab the front half as I scream again because I feel the cool air and it feels like my shirt just fell off. Sydney and I burst into laughter when I pretend to flash the party. We’re about to fall over from laughing so hard.

“Oh my god, Grey is still there,” Sydney says.

“Oh, hey, Greyson,” I say, releasing my top. It’s hanging on my shoulders. He can’t see my boobs. Not yet. Not until I lift it.

Sydney grabs my top and waves at Greyson while tying it. “Don’t you dare show him your boobs. You keep these sexy things locked up. You hear me? He can’t ever see these beauties.”

“Good night,” I laugh, waving at him. She ties the top tight as hell as we get into her car. “You’re like the bestest friend ever, Syd.” She starts the car and blasts the heater. “Like seriously. I love you.”

Sydney looks over at me and laughs. “You almost just flashed Grey. Who are you?”

I stiffen my body and pretend I’m a popsicle stick. “I’m single,” I say in a funny voice.

We both laugh our heads off.

When we get to our house, we’re still laughing. She walks me to the bathroom and starts the shower. I remove my makeup while the steam fogs the mirrors. I get under the blazing hot stream, content with how tonight played out.

If only I could tell Sydney how wondrous this shower is, but she turned it on for me and left like I’m an incapable child. No, that’s exactly what she does. She’s a natural mother and I feel like I’m under her wing. She’s a real adult, going to make big changes in the world around her. She’s already changed my life, and that’s even more wondrous than this shower. I think that’s my new favorite word.

“Wondrous,” I say out loud with a smile on my face. Sydney is in her room when I enter mine. My room is not as decorated as hers, and I think it’s time to ask her for some genuine interior design tips. Maybe even tips on where to buy new clothes. I throw on an old tee I still have from high school and underwear and then I hop into bed. I’m the perfect amount of drunk. I’ll probably only have a headache tomorrow, but I can sleep soundly with no tears. Seeing Matt with his bimbo tonight comforted me, like maybe his cheating was because he fell for her. I will always root for true love no matter what.

The next morning, Sydney is already downstairs with coffee in her cup. She is far too energetic for a hangover. It’s obvious with her smile while looking in the cupboard for my coffee mug. She finds the only coffee mug I brought from home. It was a gift from my dad, a handmade mug with hand drawn blue checkers that is the same shade of blue as the hockey team I used to play for. My women’s hockey dream ended at the peak of thirteen. Nonetheless, this coffee mug filled with Sydney’s brew is by far my most precious everyday item. I cherish this mug more than many other things I own.

“So,” Sydney smiles. “We need to talk about last night.”

I take a sip from my mug and hold it tightly for the warmth. Her blend is always earthly with hints of cherry and dark chocolate. “I have homework I need to get to. We can talk about stupid boys later.”

She hums. “Okay.” Sydney has a scrunched nose and duck lips. The face that screams she knows something I don’t. I take my coffee mug, glancing at her through my messy blonde hair, and I walk up the stairs.

“Why’re you being so weird?” I ask, wondering what’s with the face.

“Nothing,” she prolongs.

I stop on the steps, giving her questionable eyes.

“We’ll talk later, babe,” she says, taking a sip of coffee as I continue the stairs.

When I enter my room, I place my coffee on top of my white dresser from Target and pull out the digital textbook on my iPad. An hour passes by the time my coffee mug is empty, and another hour is gone when I’m done with this assignment. I upload it, hitting submit and throwing my hands in the air. Finally done with that.

“Yes!” I shout. “Now for a break.”

I look into the mirror and judge the old tee and underwear I’m still in. My heater makes it feel like the Bahamas in here. I pull my hair into a ponytail, but it doesn’t look as cute as it did last night. I change out of my pajamas and into my mundane clothes. Everything I have is so boring. White tee, black tee, white tube top, faded jeans. I enjoy my minimal style as I throw on a white long-sleeve thermal and jeans.

When I’m ready to leave my room to wash my cup, I bump into the housemate I see the least of, Crew Nixon. He’s my older brother’s best friend, but he’s a year younger than him which makes him my age.

“Oh, just the person I was looking for,” Crew says. I turn on my heel as he walks past me, smelling like clean laundry like always.

He says, “I’m throwing your brother’s game on the screen tonight.”

“Oh,” I snap my fingers. “That watch party, right?”

“Yeah,” he smiles. And I smile too because having Crew around makes me feel at ease. He’s like my brother. “I invited the team. I need to run to the store and was hoping you’d come with?”

I stumble on my words, imagining the hockey team inside my living room. Matt… Greyson… Greyson doesn’t come to these kinds of things, does he? I nod. “Yeah, I’ll come with. Not a problem.”

He pats my shoulder. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Crew walks away, leaving me to my imagination of what will unfold tonight. I head to the campus gym after grabbing a quick bite. I head for the treadmill and power it up to walk.

“Jeans, huh?”

I look over to my left. Greyson is starting the treadmill next to mine, drenched in sweat.

“I wasn’t planning to come here,” I admit, looking straight ahead. I don’t need to see Greyson’s dewy complexion. “But I need to clear my head, so here I am.”

“After last night?” He whistles.

“Yeah,” I pick up the speed on my treadmill as he starts running. “Where did you disappear off to, Greyson? What is her name?”

He runs with a stupid smirk on his face, but I only see that in my peripherals because I’m purposely not looking at him.

“Why do you care?” he asks.

“Because my new boyfriend is cheating on me already.” My eyes dart to his. He’s sprinting and panting. His chest is rising and dropping far too quickly with parted lips. Dark gray eyes bore into mine, so unamused. I stare forward and say, “I guess I shouldn’t care.”

“You shouldn’t,” he gleams. “Because what I do doesn’t concern you.”

I shut off my treadmill. My pace slows to a stop. “Why are you so difficult?”

He jumps onto the side of the treadmill to quit the sprint. The machine rolls quickly under him. “I’m difficult? You won’t even give me your phone number.”

“We don’t need to text,” I say.

His lips press together in disappointment. “If you’re my girlfriend, I should probably have your number, and we should probably hang out.”

I smile, countering his suggestion. “You shouldn’t be sleeping or kissing or touching someone else if you’re going to call me your girlfriend,” I whisper.

Greyson smiles. “I don’t follow rules. I make the rules.”

I turn the treadmill back on, deciding to remain unbothered by Greyson and the rulebook he lives by. I start power walking. “So, if that’s the case, Mr. Cress, how are we going to make Matt jealous? Isn’t it the whole point?”

He jumps back on the treadmill belt, his legs instantly catching up to speed. “Don’t worry. I know what to do.”

I press the treadmill to go a little faster due to my impatience with Greyson. The mystery he leaves hanging in the air is like he’s holding something above my head and I can’t quite reach it. I wish he would be more forthcoming, none of this unknown bullshit.

“I want to get back at him for what he did,” I mutter, not wanting to be in the dark about what Greyson has planned.

“You’re going to,” Greyson reassures me. When he’s done sprinting, he slows it down to a walk. He gives himself a minute to cool down. “So, why don’t you come to the gym more often?” he asks.

“And be bothered by you?” I snark but he smiles. “No, thanks.”

“Matt’s here.”

I shoot my eyes around the gym.

“Well, don’t look frantic. Jesus,” he scoffs. “He’s just back there.”

My heart is racing as I continue my power walk. Greyson is making an annoyed face with a half smile. He loves to mess with me. I inhale, trying to catch my breath.

Now he’s studying me, and I don’t like it.

“Why are you staring at me?” I ask, meeting his gaze.

“Why are you so scared?” he gently asks, observing me. His eyes stare straight into mine. I don’t like that he’s using my phrase against me.

I sigh. “I came here to clear my mind, Greyson, not to be questioned by my cheating fake boyfriend.”

“Ouch,” he says. “Labeling me a cheater when this isn’t even real?”

“How do you think it makes me look?” I scoff. My feet are heavily stomping on this moving belt.

Greyson’s eyebrows flick. “Nothing they weren’t thinking before.”

I cock my head to the side to look at him. “That’s really nice, Greyson.” I am trying hard not to overreact. Because that’s what guys like him want, right? They press buttons for any sort of reaction, and I need him to know he can’t irk me. He’s not ever going to win. But I do feel like I could cry. I suck it up and save it for tonight when I’m alone in the shower. “That is so nice of you. Really.”

He remains silent like he should, continuing to walk on the treadmill.

I say, “You’re insane if you think I’m going to be your friend after this.”

He stops me with his sarcastic fucking chuckle. “Friend?” He shakes his head. “Baby, I don’t have friends. I only do two things: fuck or disappear.”

“Oh,” I break into laughter. “So, I should consider myself lucky then? Baby? ”

He’s nodding. He’s actually nodding nonstop sarcastically. So I start nodding back at him.

“Yeah?” I question, still nodding like a psycho.

“Yeah.” He lifts a brow, shutting off the machine. “I’ll see you at your place tonight.”

“You’re coming?” I ask because he normally skips out on these types of things. I turn off my machine and hop off.

“I don’t know about coming , but I’ll be there.”

I’m instantly disgusted, and in return, he laughs.

“Save the visuals for someone who cares,” I scoff.

“Oh, right. We established earlier that you don’t care. My apologies.” He steps closer to me, touching my hair. I know every move of Greyson’s is calculated. He wouldn’t be doing this to lead me on, he’s getting closer because Matt is watching. I stare up at him, allowing him in my personal space.

“By the end of this, you’ll be apologizing for everything,” I whisper.

He smiles, and wow. He’s alluring, hypnotic. This close to him, and I’m almost convinced that I make him happy. I know that will never be the case.

“It’s cute you’re wearing jeans to the gym,” he says, hooking his finger in my pocket, forcing me closer to him. Why am I suddenly frozen? I’m supposed to be playing cool, like this proximity doesn’t mean a thing. “You should wear these and come here more often.”

I wink an eye, scrunching my face. “You seem more of the yoga pants kind of guy, waiting for the girls to bend over.”

He laughs. “True, but I don’t need anyone looking at you like that.”

I wince like that hurts. He is clearly not attracted to me. I lean up and kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He doesn’t know how to react as he stares forward. He’s breathless? I walk away, and head back to my place.

Crew and Sydney are in the kitchen, talking about hockey when I enter the house.

“There she is,” Crew shouts. “What are those little things your mom always fed us when we’d play?”

I nod, glancing at Sydney. “Pizza bites?” I question.

Crew laughs. “Fuck, wow, I couldn’t figure that out? My brain’s fried from class. Can’t think about anything else. Are you ready to go?”

I nod. “Are you coming?” I ask Sydney.

“No,” she points at me. “I’m on cleaning duty. Want me to clean your room?”

I laugh. “Wait, are you serious? No, come with us.”

She winks. “I’ll clean your room for you. Crew?”

“It’s already clean,” he winks.

I laugh. “What’s with all the winking?”

I leave with Crew, feeling like this is some weird setup. They must’ve been talking about me. We get into his car, and Crew throws on his sunglasses.

“I saw the video,” Crew says, turning down the music. I roll my eyes. Here we go with the big brotherly talk.

“Yeah,” I cross my arms. “How awkward, right.”

“You’re too good for Matt, I think. I knew he was always a dick, but this is a whole new level.”

“How did you know about the video?”

He inhales, checking his mirrors. “He was showing it in the locker room.”

I snicker. “Like proud of it?”

Crew nods.

“What a fucking asshole,” I say, uncrossing my arms and laying my head back on the seat. “And now you invited him over.”

“It’s nothing personal. Coach recommends we watch the NHL games and take notes. And I know you want to watch Ryan play.”

I take a deep breath, thinking about my brother, Ryan Wilder. I should probably call him. “I do.”

He taps on the steering wheel.

I ask, “Did you tell Ryan about the video?”

Crew shakes his head. “Of course not, Maddie. That’s for you to tell.”

“Don’t be mad, Crew. But I’m dating someone else.”

Crew’s baffled face throws me off.

“Don’t tell Ryan either.”

“Who is it?” he asks.

“Greyson.”

“Grey?” he scoffs, shaking his head. “You –“ he sighs. When he grips his steering wheel, I start to feel like warning him about Greyson was a bad idea. “You shouldn’t date someone like him, Maddie.”

I shrug. “I know why you’re saying that, but just trust me that I have it under control. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Crew holds tightly onto his steering wheel, clearly upset.

“You can’t tell Ryan. This thing with Greyson isn’t going to last very long. I don’t need my brother overreacting and fighting with me about my choices. I get enough of that at home, okay?” I hold out my pinky.

He hits my hand away playfully. “I always have your back.”

I put my pinky back up because I’m serious. I don’t want Ryan to know about Greyson. Ryan hates Greyson too. I don’t think anybody likes Greyson.

He grabs my pinky with his and says, “If you like Grey, maybe he’s not as bad as everyone says.”

I release his pinky, laughing, because I don’t know about that. Greyson sure does live up to the hype, but I don’t mention it. Fixing his reputation is the least I can do for him. “He’s good at hockey. I’ll give him that.”

“Come on,” Crew says. “Better than me?”

I shrug. “Better than you and Matt.”

“Oh-ho-ho-ho,” he chuckles. “Shoving me and my boy under the bus.”

I give him dead eyes. “He’s not your boy anymore. He made a porn with some girl, cheating on me. Aren’t I like your family?” I tease, being honest yet sarcastic. I wish he didn’t just say that.

Crew tries to say something and then retracts. He exhales, “You’re right. If he’s cheating on you, then he’s not my boy anymore. Family first.”

He shows me his knuckles, so I fist bump him.

“Thank you. It’s been really hard, Crew. That video –”

“But you have Grey now, right? He’s a good rebound. No commitments or strings. Hey, I get it. That’s what happened after I broke up with my ex.”

I tap the car door to the beat of the music while nodding. “Exactly a rebound.”

Greyson Cress is my rebound. What a perfect scenario.