Chapter One

The first rule of being best friends with Ethan Walker? Never fall for his older brother.

It's an unspoken rule—one that might as well be printed in bold, underlined, and laminated in our friendship contract. Ethan has made it painfully clear over the years that his brother, Jaxon, is off-limits. And honestly? That has never been a problem for me.

Jaxon Walker is the most insufferably arrogant, cocky, and basketball-obsessed human being to ever exist. He struts through school like he owns it, flashing that infuriating smirk at every girl who crosses his path.

Unfortunately, none of that changes the fact that I am currently stuck in a supply closet with him.

And not just any supply closet—the worst one. The one in the gym that smells like sweaty socks, desperation, and bad decisions. There's an actual dead spider in the corner, and if I get out of here alive, I'm sending a formal complaint to the janitorial staff.

I press my back against the wall, arms crossed. "This is your fault, Walker."

Jaxon leans lazily against a shelf, completely unbothered—as if we aren't trapped in a closet like some terrible rom-com setup. His stupidly perfect hair is still annoyingly in place, and his smirk is entirely too self-satisfied for someone who just got us locked in a space smaller than my childhood playhouse.

"Carter, if you think I planned this, I'm flattered." Jaxon's smirk deepened as he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make it infuriating. "But if I wanted you all to myself, trust me—I wouldn't have to trap you in a supply closet to make it happen."

I groan and drag a hand down my face. "Oh, please. If this school's entire fundraising budget wasn't on the line, I'd be anywhere but here—with anyone but you—doing anything but dealing with this ridiculous Bachelor Auction."

Ah, yes. The reason I'm currently in this nightmare scenario.

The school's biggest fundraiser of the year—a Bachelor Auction where the basketball players are auctioned off for charity.

Lucky me, I got stuck on the planning committee. And since our entire school thinks Jaxon Walker is some kind of high school basketball god, he's the main attraction. Which means I have to coordinate everything with him.

Which means he's been ruining my life.

Jaxon shifts, crossing his arms over his chest. "Relax, Carter. I'm sure someone will come looking for us eventually. It's not like I want to be locked in here with you either."

I narrow my eyes. "You literally just called this 'the best part of your day' five minutes ago."

"Yeah, because watching you suffer is my favourite pastime."

I scowl. "When we get out of here, I'm auctioning you off for five dollars."

Jaxon smirked, placing a hand over his heart like my words deeply moved him. "You'd bid on me for five dollars? I'm honoured."

I am going to murder him.

The first rule of being best friends with Ethan Walker? Never fall for his older brother.

It's an unspoken rule, but it might as well be printed in bold, underlined, and laminated in our friendship contract. Ethan has made it very clear over the years that his brother, Jaxon, is off-limits. And honestly? I've never had a problem with that. Jaxon Walker is the most infuriatingly cocky, arrogant, football-obsessed human being to ever exist.

If Jaxon Walker was the last person on Earth, I'd rather date a potted plant. At least a plant wouldn't wink at me every time I walked by.

Unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that I am currently stuck in a closet with him.

And not just any closet. The supply closet in the school gym—the one with an actual dead spider in the corner and the lingering scent of sweaty socks.

I press my back against the wall, arms crossed. "This is your fault, Walker."

Jaxon leans casually against the shelf like he's enjoying this. His stupid smirk is way too confident for someone who just got us locked in a tiny closet.

"Carter, if you think I planned this, I'm flattered, but I'm not that desperate to spend time with you."

I groan, dragging a hand down my face. "Oh, please. I wouldn't be caught dead alone with you if this school's entire budget didn't depend on this stupid Bachelor Auction."

Ah, yes. The reason I'm currently in this nightmare scenario.

The school's biggest fundraiser of the year—a Bachelor Auction where football players are auctioned off for charity. I, unfortunately, am on the planning committee. And since our school thinks Jaxon Walker is God's gift to high school football, he's the main attraction. Which means I have to coordinate everything with him.

Which means he's been ruining my life.

"Relax, Carter." Jaxon shifts, arms crossed, looking way too comfortable in this tiny, suffocating space. "I'm sure someone will come looking for us eventually. It's not like I want to be locked in here with you either."

I narrow my eyes. "You literally just called this 'the best part of your day' five minutes ago."

"Yeah, because watching you suffer is my favourite pastime."

I scowl. "When we get out of here, I'm auctioning you off for five dollars."

He grins. "You'd bid on me for five dollars? I'm honoured."

I am going to murder him.