Chapter 1
The metal of my locker bit into my back, but I couldn't move. Marcus was leaning against the adjacent row of lockers, trapping me in the small space between his outstretched arms. The hallway around us was a blur of slamming doors, laughter, and students rushing to catch their buses, but to Marcus, we were the only two people in the building.
"Just one conversation, Sasha. That’s all I’m asking for," Marcus said, his voice dropping into that familiar, smooth tone he used whenever he wanted to manipulate me. "You're overreacting. We can fix this."
"There is nothing to fix, Marcus," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the flutter of panic in my chest. "We broke up three weeks ago. Let me go."
He didn't budge. Instead, he leaned closer, his shadow completely eclipsing me. "I don't think you mean that."
My heart hammered against my ribs. I looked past his shoulder, desperately searching for a teacher, a friend—anyone. That’s when I saw him.
Jacob Thorne.
He was walking down the center of the hallway, a battered leather jacket slung over one shoulder, effortlessly parting the crowd of students like the Red Sea. He was the school's resident enigma—captivating, completely detached from the usual high school drama, and utterly untouchable. Nobody messed with Jacob, and Jacob messed with nobody.
An insane, reckless idea sparked in my mind. It was dangerous, but desperation is a powerful fuel.
As Jacob drew parallel to my locker, I pushed past Marcus's arm, lunged forward, and grabbed the sleeve of Jacob’s leather jacket.
"Hey, babe," I blurted, my voice trembling slightly but loud enough for Marcus to hear. "I'm so sorry I'm late. Ready to go?"
Jacob stopped instantly. He looked down at my hand on his sleeve, his sharp jaw tightening, and then turned his dark eyes to meet mine. For a second, the sheer intensity of his gaze made me forget how to breathe.
Then, he looked at Marcus. Then back at me.
"Do I know you?" Jacob asked, his tone perfectly flat.
My stomach dropped into a cold, hollow abyss. Marcus scoffed behind me, a victorious smirk already forming on his face.
Desperation entirely overtook my pride. I leaned in just an inch closer, lowering my voice to a sharp, pleading whisper that only Jacob could hear. "Please. Just for one minute."
For a grueling beat, Jacob didn't move. I was certain he was going to shake me off and leave me to drown. But then, a slow, unreadable smile spread across his face.
Instead of pulling away, he wrapped a heavy, warm arm around my shoulders and pulled me flush against his side.
"Yeah, babe," Jacob said, his deep voice smooth and perfectly calm as he looked over at my ex. "I've been waiting for you. Let's get out of here."
Marcus froze, his jaw practically dropping to the floor. Without waiting for him to recover, Jacob guided me down the hallway, his grip firm and steady.
We made it all the way through the heavy double doors of the school exit and out onto the concrete steps before Jacob finally let go of me. The sudden loss of his warmth made the afternoon air feel freezing.
He turned around, crossing his arms over his chest, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "You owe me an explanation."
"I am so, so sorry," I started pacing, the words tumbling out of my mouth in a panicked rush. "That was Marcus, my ex, and he won't stop cornering me, and I just panicked because you were walking by, and I didn't know what else to do—"
"Relax," Jacob interrupted, his voice cutting through my frantic rambling.
I paused, holding my breath.
"I'll keep pretending to be your boyfriend," he said casually.
I blinked, completely thrown off balance. "Wait... really?"
He stepped closer, that slow, dangerous smile returning to his face. "For a price."
