I got a scholarship.

I seriously got a scholarship!

My mouth is gaping open as I sit in front of the dean not knowing what to say. My knotted-up nerves are replaced with equally tightened excitement. I had applied for some scholarships but never thought I'd get one.

And it's a BIG one!

"You'll need to keep your grades up and continue your volunteer time, but I'm positive you'll have no problem with these terms." He smiles at me and my eyes start to water.

"Thank you so much, sir! I promise I'm going to work really hard."

He gets up and shakes my hand. "I know you will. You're a hard-working student."

I beat back the tears and awkwardly shake his hand with wide, disbelieving eyes. "I'm so honored. Thank you again."

He walks around his desk to see me out, but his next words remind me of the other reason why I'm here. "I also think it might be in your benefit to think about joining a sorority."

Happy feelings gone.

"Oh, uh, I actually have something I also need to talk to you about."

He pauses before opening the door and his face stiffens along with his body that's draped in a perfectly tailored suit. He motions for me to sit back down and I comply, waiting for him to come back around.

I tell him everything.

The whole shabam.

I leave out some names though.

By the end of it, Dean Charles is rubbing the bridge of his nose and exhaling a deep irritated breath. "Another complaint. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Miss Mitchell. I'll be handing over punishment soon and will make sure your hospital fees will be covered by them. Is there any way you can get the bill for me today?"

Another huge relief washes over me. I won't have to worry about the hospital bill anymore. "I haven't received it yet but I can call them and ask."

"Please do and if anything else happens you come straight to me."

"Yes, sir." I want to ask what their punishment will be, but refrain because it's not my place. He walks me out into the waiting room. "I suggest staying away from the frat houses for now until this matter is settled, okay, Miss Mitchell?"

Don't have to tell me twice.

"Absolutely. Thank you so much again for the scholarship."

This time his smile is strained and his crow's feet lines deepen. "You're very welcome. Have a good rest of your day."

"You too, Dean Charles."

He goes back to his office and once I walk past the waiting area and into the small room at the entry of the doorway, I start celebrating.

Hardcore.

Dancing, singing, fisting pumping, and all.

"What's the occasion for this cute little jig?" My body freezes at the sound of that addictively sexy British accent.

Bug-eyed, I turn to Ellis, who looks beyond entertained with a cocked brow and dazzling smile as he walks in from outside. He's dressed to kill. White button-up shirt tucked into dark well-fitted jeans, sleeves rolled up showing his dark skin off. "Is this a victory dance? If so, I don't mind joining in as long as you let me in the loop."

I give an awkward laugh and straighten. "Um, well, I just received a scholarship."

"Oh, well that is cause for celebration. If you don't mind waiting here, I'd love to take you to lunch if you don't have any plans."

The door in front of me opens and the wind brings in that sinful gingery scent. The sound of hands hitting metal makes my head swivel and my face to be confronted with Tariq's swelled chest. His hands grip the top of the door that's propped open by his body, which is deliciously close to mine as if he's staking a claim.

"Oh, hey again, Elliot."

Ellis's face drops and his bright blue eyes lose their shine as his body stiffens. "It's Ellis."

"Ready to go, babe?" Tariq asks, ignoring Ellis completely. My stupid heart concaves on itself at being called babe. "You have lunch with Heather soon."

I want to smack him, but the way his eyes are set on me and gleaming, tells me I need to play along. "Yeah, sorry, Ellis. I have to go."

Tariq maneuvers his body so he's now holding the door open for me with his foot. As I pass by him, his eyes are set on Ellis and something about the way he stares at him sets me on edge.

"That's real polite of you to be hitting on another guy's girl." My footsteps halt at the sudden change in Tariq's tone. "Real slimy, man."

Is he serious right now?!

I'm his fake girl and he's acting like...

It has to be part of the act.

Right?!

Ellis straightens. "How's lunch harmful? Plus, I didn't know you two were really a thing."

Tariq doesn't move and he's either actually upset or a very very good actor. His fists clench, forearms flex and coal eyes narrow as he shoves his hands into his pockets and leans in, kicking the door back more. "Now that you do, you won't be asking my girl out anymore, right?"

And there goes my heart again.

I'm going to need an ambulance at this point.

I shouldn't be reacting like this to Tariq's possessiveness. It's an act and Ellis is the one I'm crushing on...

I think.

Ellis's piercing eyes shift to me. "I can't make any promises. Especially since I don't really believe it."

Okay... why wouldn't he?

Tariq breathes out the words I was thinking, "And why's that exactly?"

"You honestly think people around campus believe you're into her?"

All the color drains from my face.

"What did you just say?" Tariq asks, his eyes wide and blaring with rage.

Ellis rolls his eyes. "You were out with another girl just last week. Whatever you two have, it's obviously not that serious. And she's not your usual type from what I hear."

Well, that makes sense.

I'm not and Tariq did go out on a date.

What's the game plan now?

My eyes set on Tariq and my teeth dig into my cheek from the way he's looking at me. Intense and analyzing every inch of me from head to toe, but this time with a purpose that makes my face heat up and my neck and chest feel blotchy.

"Blue is definitely my type. She's anybody's type." His suffocating eyes peer back at Ellis and I can finally somewhat breathe again. "Which is why you want her too."

With that, his body slides off the door and I'm literally a furnace right now as I stand in the cold. My eyes shift to the ground, because, well, that's the most amazing thing a guy has ever said about me.

"Come on, Blue." Tariq passes by me and I stumble after him.

He opens the passenger door for me and slams it shut once I'm inside. When he gets in, it's awkwardly quiet. I have no clue what to say because Ellis had insinuated I'm not pretty enough for Tariq, which is super insulting, but at the same time, he's not exactly wrong.

Gah!

I don't know what to think right now!

Do I allow one comment to base my opinion of Ellis negatively?

"I told the dean," I say, trying to ignore what had just happened. "He's going to have the frat pay my hospital bill and it seems like they're going to get punished." There's only silence from Tariq, which causes me to talk more. "I didn't even have to show him the picture, although I probably should've. Anyways, I'm going to call the hospital and ask for the bill so--"

"It's already been taken care of."

I freeze mid ramble. "What?"

Tariq turns the key in the ignition, making the car roar to life. "I told you. I got you."

My face heats and my fists clench at the sides while my eyes zone in on his car floor. "I didn't ask you to do that."

Tariq yanks down on the gear shift, putting the jeep in reverse. "Yeah, well, I did. Someone has to take care of you."

"I don't need anyone."

Tariq gives a loud snort, "Yeah, you do. Especially now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He starts driving and I'm once again rewarded with the sound of his fingers drumming against the steering wheel, except this time it's in irritation.

"What's your problem?" I practically shout. "I did what you asked and now you're all pissy with me."

"You have crappy taste in men. That's what." He hits the brakes a little too hard at the stop sign. "You seriously like that guy?"

I bite my tongue because honestly, I don't know anymore.

"He straight up insulted you and you were going to let him. Just like you did with Connor. The only guy you seem to be able to talk back to is me."

Here come the prickles. "Are you kidding right now?" I bite back. "What he said was true, so how was I going to argue with it? We're pretending, Tariq. And it seems like it's not going to work because everyone knows I'm not your type."

Tariq continues driving, growling out, "So what? You let the guy insult you and say you aren't good enough?"

My face rages in heat. "I've seen the girls you date, Tariq. He's not wrong."

"And what makes you think you know me so well, that you know my taste in women? Elliot borderline admitted to you being, eh, okay, not good enough. You should be even more pissed off than me."

I curl into myself and glare out the window. "Whatever."

"That's all you're going to say? Whatever?" he asks, irritated. "Stick up for yourself. Don't go for a guy like him. He's an arrogant prick. I could tell the first day I met him in your class."

"So he's interested in me but not really?"

Tariq parks in front of the dining commons and Heather waves at us from the steps as she talks with someone. I open the door but Tariq reaches over me and pulls it shut. He leans in, eyes dark and intimidating, sullen mouth firm. "He thinks you're cute, but he doesn't see you for what you are."

"And what's that exactly?"

"A freaking awesome woman, who's funny, adorably stubborn, and smart. All that idiot sees is easy."

My teeth clench. "What is with you saying I'm easy? I'm a freaking virgin for crying out loud, which is why my boyfriend broke up with me. I plan on staying one until I get married. Thinking some charming guy with a British accent is going to get me to drop that just because he's cute is insulting."

Tariq's eyes dilate and he's eerily still. His stretched-out arm tenses for a beat in front of me, while his hand holds the door so I can't escape. Something electric sparks between us and it's like an invisible fire ignites in the car.

"I'm not saying you're easy. I'm saying he thinks that. And a guy like that isn't worth your time."

I blow out a sigh in an attempt to collect myself. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"I am." His hand grips the handle, his veins popping and my heart hurts from how hard it's beating in my chest.

"So, can we drop the facade now?" I ask.

"Can't."

I hit my head on the back of the seat, laughing with a touch of bitterness. "And why not?"

"I have my reasons, and also, you're my ticket to N64 game nights." His irritation evaporates as he winks.

I roll my eyes. "Well, maybe I don't agree to it anymore?"

His brows straight and he takes in a deep breath, exhaling out, "It's the best way I can keep you safe now. If Colin hears we're dating he won't try anything on you."

"You act like Colin is some kind of psycho or crazy assassin."

Tariq's face stiffens and his eyes shine with a fierce fire that takes me in with its roaring black flame. "I'm not risking it. Having you as my girl keeps you out of his grasp. No one will mess with you."

"Or it puts a target on my back because he thinks I'm important to you. Use me to hurt you."

A sharp click and whipping sound from the seatbelt fills the car and Tariq's hands grip my hips, yanking me into him. His lips on my ear, growl out, "You are, Elodie, and if he tries that I'll make sure he gets put on a breathing tube for the rest of his life."

My palms reach up and push him back a little. They're shaky and my breathing is heavy as I swallow some of the suffocating air between us. "Be careful, Tariq. I might actually start to think you do want me."

His mouth makes the blood in my ear purr as he outlines it. "Never said I didn't. But understand this, Blue. I'm the one that's not good enough. And once this is all over I'll help you find a guy that'll take care of you."

It's like a termite dug into my chest and burrowed itself into my heart, but I hide it with a tense smile as I untangle myself from his magnetic hold. "I doubt you'll be able to find someone who can handle all this awesomeness."

His mouth twitches into a smirk. "Challenge accepted, Blue."

"Not a challenge. I'm good. I'm happy with being single." I let go of his hand. "Can I go now?"

He straightens and his eyes flicker behind me and his head cocks up in that signature guy greeting. I turn and Heather is right at the window making a ridiculous face at me: bug-eyed, lips pouted like a fish as she makes some weird guppy noise.

"We aren't kissing, weirdo!" I laugh out, knocking the window with my knuckles to get her to back up.

"I wouldn't mind trying that," Tariq jokes.

"Nope, my lips are reserved for another lucky guy, thanks." My tone is a little harsh and maybe a smidge bitter, but Tariq doesn't catch on.

"We still on for dinner?"

"Sure," I say and open the door as Heather's already grabbing my hand, dragging me out.

"Blue, wait!"

I swivel around as a key is thrown right at my face. "Hey!"

"Gosh, woman, we need to work on your reflexes," Tariq states as I snatch the key up from the ground. "We're all going to be at practice so let yourself in."

"Fine." I shut the door and Heather leans into me as we walk up the steps to the cafeteria. "What was going on in there? I swear it was like watching the scene from Titanic where all the windows fogged up."

"Nothing even close to that was happening and the windows were crystal clear."

"He gave you a key to his house," Heather shoots back. "You have no idea the kind of power you hold."

I gasp. "Could this be Grand Folks State's one true ring?"

"Don't turn into Gollum, please."

My feet halt. "You're my soulmate."

Heather throws her head back laughing."I am, aren't I? I love LOtR and making googly eyes at Aragon."

"Power, huh?" My fingers hold up the dull key, thinking. "Possible prank.... copy it and deliver a bunch of keys to all the crazy chicks here."

"Ooooo that would be so good!" Heather practically shouts, wide-eyed and excited.

"We are horrible human beings."

She grins. "That's what makes us fun. Trip to Home Depot after lunch?"