Page 66 of Rivals

“Fine, what?” I mumble around a dumpling.

“Fine, stay here. Work extra shifts, but you have a month. If we don’t have a third of the money we need, then you move in with me and sublet to get the rest.”

“And if I say noagain? Because last time I checked, school is over, and you can’t get me expelled,“ I say.

He chuckles dryly, setting his chicken down, and steps towards me. I take a step back, and we dance like that. It’s the opening act every single time we perform, yet I keep doing the steps instead of throwing myself off the stage.

The back of my legs hit the couch. It cuts my knees out, and I fall into the cushion. Lachlan leans over me, his hands landing on the back of the sofa, framing me in with his arms. He presses his forehead against mine. I watch his lips part like he’s about to say something or kiss me, but he closes them and takes a deep breath. My hands are clammy, and I’m itching to run them through his hair. The calm of my high makes this whole close proximity thing feel amazing.

“No, little bird, I can’t. But there are still competition rules, and if I’m going down, I’m bringing you with me. I will go to the head of the competition board and tell them everything. I’ll be honest…” He pauses and kisses my forehead. Shudders ride down my spine, even though I want to punch him because of his words.

“I don’t want to do that, Revna. It won’t look good for me. Despite that, I think the only thing keeping you back is fear. And if it holds you back, then it holds me back.”If only he knew.“But, I will do it, Revna. If I have to blackmail you, strong-arm you, or live with you to get you to help us get to Italy…” He kisses my nose next. “Then I will do it.”

I feel like a fish gasping for air. He has always had something to hold over my head since this started. The teeter-totter has tilted in Lachlan’s favor, and it doesn’t matter because the fact is, I want to go to Italy. I just have to force everything else away to do it.

“Fine,” I mumble. He grins, pecking his lips on mine, and returns to his orange chicken. My heart flips over, and I hate myself for it. It’s probably the drugs, it likely is. But this is the last time he threatens me with something I’m not so sure was my own choice as it is. “On one condition.” He drops the fork in the box and looks at me like he’s trying to read the words in my mind.

“You will never, ever, hold what happened over my head, ever again.”

“Or what,” he taunts.

I stand from the couch and walk over to him, grabbing another dumpling. “Lachlan, for as insane as I think you are and closed off as I am to you, I know you. I know that you are better than your threats. I will help us get to Italy because I want us to win. But I want to do it on our terms, Lachlan, not just yours.”

I watch him take another bite. “Fair enough.” I smirk at him, and a sense of satisfaction lifts my chest as we circle each other like predators to prey. “I’ll hold you to it, little bird.”

My mind goes to the letter that I have yet to read. I feel like I need to decide before we go to Italy, or I’ll be packing the demon in my carry-on. I’m sure that would go over the weight limit.

“Was this the only reason you came here? To get me to agree to Italy?” I ask. He shrugs and grabs an egg roll while I eat some subpar teriyaki. The Kung Pao is still better.

“I wanted to know if you were…ok.” I jerk back. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. He said he cared, and he’s showing me that.

“I’m fine.” I cross my arms and burrow deeper into my hoodie.

“No, you’re not.”

“For the sake of repetition, I don’t understand why you care.”

“If I want something, Revna, I will do whatever I need to get it.” He drops the food box on the counter and slips his hand through his hair. I stare at his rings that reflect the light. “And if I want you, then I’ll get you.”

“You already had me,” I mumble. He smiles softly, and my face feels like it’s on fire.

“Was that a joke, little bird?”

“No, it was the truth.”

“You’re right, it was, and I want to keep you.” The food in my stomach is twisting and threatens to come back up. “Why have you been hiding?”

I roll my eyes and go to the door. “I’m not hiding. I just don’t want you here, Lachlan. Take a hint.” I open the door, hoping he will walk through it. I miscalculated when he slams it shut and then pushes me against it.

“My roommate could be home any second,” I whisper.

“Then we should probably move this to your room.” I whimper a little, and he grins because he called my bluff.

I know he has an angle here, but my resolve is all but gone. I know he wants more from me, but I can’t give him what he needs. I can’t even give myself what I know I need. He lifts me and carries me into my room, kicking the door shut behind him. His lips trace my jaw, and my head tips back, opening for him despite my protesting mind.

He lays us down and rests himself on top of me. He takes two fingers and pulls at my neckline, laying his warm lips against my collarbone. I moan quietly, and I can feel him smile against my skin. He comes back up to my jaw and over my lips. His eyes open, and he peers into mine. “Why are you still high?”

He leans back and pulls me up to sit up. “Revna.” He takes my face between his hands. “What are you doing to yourself?” My eyes burn again, and I can’t keep the tears from streaming down my face. He kisses my nose and pulls back again, his beautiful green eyes search my dark ones. I’m at a loss for words.