“Connor!” Thea sniffles, swiping a stray tear. The sight of her tears twists my insides. I don’t want to make her cry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I don’t normally care how my blackmail affects people. “What do you want with me? Hurry up and spit it out, so I can go.”
“Go where?”
She shrugs. “First stop, ladies room so I can clean up.”
I guess she means cry her eyes out that the real Wyatt isn’t texting her. “And after that?”
“AP Chemistry.”
My brows lift in surprise. “Not, like home or to cry to your gal pals under the bleachers?”
Thea wrinkles her nose. “No. The school day isn’t over yet.”
I cover my face with my hand and groan. “God, you’re a nerd.”
“Are you threatened by intelligent women?”
I scoff. “Hardly.”
“If you have a problem with it, you’ll have to suffer. I’m not changing what I do with my life for anyone.”
“No. It’s nothing.” I shake my head. A lopsided smile tugs at my lips. “It’s perfect, actually.”
Mom won’t be able to deny me. Thea is studious, wholesome, and appears innocent. I’m the only one who knows she isn’t.
“Perfect for what?”
“For what I need from you. We’re going to strike a deal. That’s how this works when I have leverage on people around here.” I stroll over and hook an arm around her shoulders. She’s so short next to me that I could tuck her head against my chest. “You’re going to do me a favor, and in exchange I won’t tell anyone about this Thea Kennedy.” I wave my phone. “Shame, really, she’s way more entertaining than you.”
Thea’s mouth drops open and it’s kind of cute, all indignant and affronted. I’m tempted to stick my fingers in her mouth to turn it sexy and bring one of my fantasies to life. They twitch against her shoulder, and I thread them into her hair instead.
“That’s—like extortion, isn’t it? That’s horrible!”
My amused smile stretches. “Well, I’m not paying you. This is good, old fashioned blackmail, baby. So do as I say, or I’m going to play Russian roulette with my contact list and all the private pictures you’ve sent.” I tsk, tilting my head. “You know, you should really be careful who you send nude photos to. Make sure you trust them and all that. Or that you’ve got the right number.”
“But I…he put his number in my phone, I don’t…”
“Damn, that’s cold.” I’m holding back from cracking up. “Either that was on purpose, or he’s an idiot.”
Her eyes flash with a burst of fierceness. “Wyatt isn’t like that! He’s kind and funny and dedicated to his job as a lifeguard.” She gives me a once over. “Unlike you.”
My eyes roll. “Sounds like a wet blanket. You need to accept that your lifeguard gave you a fake number because he didn’t want you, or that he probably couldn’t handle you.” I poke my tongue from the corner of my mouth as my gaze travels over the curves I know hide beneath her frumpy uniform. “Not like I can.”
“You haven’t said what you need from me yet,” Thea argues.
“It’s easy, sweetness. I need you to pretend to be with me. Pose as my girlfriend.”
She sputters, trying to get away from under my arm. I hold her tight. When she can’t break free, she huffs. “Be your fake girlfriend? What the hell, Connor? I don’t ever see you date.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But this is important and it’s all I need from you. It has to be you.” I don’t tell her I can’t get out of it, so I’m forced to pick someone. “This is a good deal, so take it. I’m not asking you to memorize my favorite color, or even interact with my friends. You need me to not spread information about you around school, and I need you to do me this small solid until I’m done with you.”
“Small! You’re talking about a relationship. That’s a huge deal to me!” Thea’s mouth works as she formulates a response. After a minute, she flaps her hand. “You’re not even asking! You’re just demanding I let you control me by threatening me with blackmail so I can’t refuse.”
She bites her bottom lip and pinches her brows together. I set my phone on the lab table, curling my fingers into my palm to tame the urge to trace her pout.
“You really are as wicked as everyone says,” Thea finishes in a hush.
I smirk. “Better fucking believe it, baby.”