Chapter Three

ROXIE

I rolled my eyes as I shifted my car into park. It was six o’clock and I was pulling up for my tutoring session, my mood even worse than when this ridiculous punishment was first handed down.

I could only think of it as a punishment because it was so unnecessary. Five more months, one cheer competition, and I’d be done, I thought to myself.

I’d never have to see this place or these people again. I’d give them two hours, tops, then I’d be out of there. I had better things to do—like sleep.

I was worn out from another after-school practice before rushing here. All I really wanted was to unwind. Was that too much to ask?

As I walked up the path to the door, I remembered the one time I’d been here before. It was the time Nari and I had shared a moment.

That was almost four years ago, at the start of freshman year when everyone was still trying to figure each other out.

We’d all come from different middle schools and were trying to find our place in the sea of teenagers.

Nari had told a group of us that she had her parents’ entire basement to herself, almost like an apartment, and we’d all come over to hang out.

Her parents had turned the whole basement into a space for her. She even had her own bathroom down there.

We’d played Seven Minutes in Heaven that night. Somehow, Nari and I had been picked to go into the closet together. We were both kind of shy, but neither of us wanted to back down.

Things had gotten a little out of hand with Nari and me that night. She looked pretty in the dim light and I wanted to kiss her. She made me feel things I’d never felt for a girl before.

It honestly scared me, but I was also kind of intrigued. Things just sort of happened, but it ended before it really began.

When we walked out of that closet back into her basement, it was like nothing had happened. We didn’t even look at each other.

I wished things had been different then, that we hadn’t been so scared of what we were feeling. Maybe we could have tried to figure it out together. But here we were. She was who she was and I was who I was.

I rang the bell and waited, clutching my backpack. Nari opened the door but didn’t say anything. She was wearing a short black skirt and a crop top I’d never seen her wear to school.

She didn’t look like the nerdy girl who came to school. She looked pretty damn sexy, to be honest. I tried not to think too much about it—she and Kai must have plans after this session.

Instead of saying something like people usually do when they welcome you into their home, she looked me up and down then stepped aside to let me in.

She walked back to the basement without even looking back to make sure I was following her.

It was clear she wasn’t thrilled to have me here. Well, guess what, sweet face? I didn’t want to be here either, I thought to myself. I’d rather be in my bed in my empty house.

I closed the door behind me and headed down to the basement, taking my time. Since she was being rude, I could be, too. It’s not like either of us asked for this.

Nari was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed when I finally made it down to her room.

The whole basement was an open concept, like a studio apartment, and looked much different from when we were younger. She’d decorated with new couches and art on the walls.

She had a huge beanbag chair near her flat screen, too. I honestly didn’t know what I’d expected it to look like in here. I saw the computer chair across from her and placed my bag on the desk.

“Kai will be here in an hour. He asked me to get started,” Nari said, pulling out papers from her backpack and still not making eye contact with me.

For some reason, I was frustrated just sitting there as she dug through her bag. I didn’t know if it was because she wouldn’t acknowledge me or if it was just because I didn’t want to be here.

I let out a deep sigh and tried to relax. I didn’t have time for this. Nari glanced at me under her long lashes and rolled her eyes. I’d never noticed how long her lashes were.

I’d always known Nari was pretty, but right now she was sexy. Sexy as hell. But she clearly didn’t like me, and I didn’t think I liked her. What was her problem with me anyway?!

“Nari, I don’t have time for this, and you clearly don’t want me here,” I muttered.

“If you don’t want to graduate, be my guest, Roxie. No sweat off my back, and I never said I didn’t want you here.” She shrugged and continued to dig through her backpack.

“What’s your problem? Can you tell me that? Why don’t you like me? What do you want, Nari? What can I do to get out of this? Get you in at the popular table? Help with a guy?

“What can I do? I just can’t do this every day, I have too much to do. Between school, cheer, and college tours, I don’t have the time. What can I do to get you to sign my paper?”

I threw a million questions at her, and I wasn’t sure which one I wanted answered first.

“First off, I would never need your help with a guy. I’m in love with Kai, have been for the last four years, that won’t change. I don’t want any other ~man~.

“Second, I’ll pass on the lunch table because I would never ever fit in with your friends. But I think you can do something we both might enjoy,” she finished.

I stared at her in shock—I’d never seen her this bold and outspoken. Other than to answer a question, I hardly ever saw her speak. I waited for her to continue.

Nari smirked and looked like she was trying to figure out her master plan, but it didn’t take long.

“I’ll make a deal with you. Instead of three times a week, you’ll come over once a week until we graduate. Kai and I will get to do whatever we want with you. And I mean ~whatever~, Roxie.”

She stares at me, waiting for my response. My mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. I must look like a fish out of water. Who the hell is this girl?

Is she serious? Are she and her boyfriend into some kinky threesome thing? Does he even know about this? This is all so unexpected. Was this their plan from the start?

But they couldn’t have known Mrs. Joseph would pair us up. Nari is trying to manipulate me, and it’s mind-boggling. I can hardly wrap my head around it.

But there’s something about her boldness that’s kind of a turn-on. I could ruin her reputation at this school, and she doesn’t seem to care.

Without her and Kai, though, I won’t get the tutoring sign-off I need to graduate. Damn Mrs. Joseph for putting me in this position. This can’t be happening.

What does she mean by ‘whatever they want’? My mind is spinning with questions.

But how bad could it be? They’ve probably only been with each other, and they seem pretty vanilla. Nari can’t be that wild, and neither can her boyfriend.

I mull over my options. If I agree to this, am I signing up to be some kind of sex toy? That could actually be fun, maybe even a little liberating.

I’m not usually nervous around her, but now I am. I need to make a decision.

I swallow my nerves and meet her gaze. Her eyes are actually quite beautiful. She looks like she’s trying to read my mind. Screw it.

“Yes,” I whisper.