Filed to story: Katy and Brayden Cooper Novel
She shoves the mirror into her bag and looks at me. “As long as he can still walk, he’s not pulp. So let’s finish what your brother started.”
I lean toward her and tap her chin with my finger, pressing my lips together. “I’m not ready to go to jail for murder. You’re on your own.”
She mock-glares at me, scrunching her nose like she smells something gross and I can’t help smiling. She talks big about murder and fights but she’s the one who screams at spiders. She wouldn’t last an hour behind bars.
“Katy.” Someone calls my name.
I drag my gaze up and groan a little when I see Zhao Lan standing in front of our desk. He’s leaning on the edge like this is his personal stage.
“Got your application fee yet?” he asks. “Tomorrow’s the day.”
I slouch back in my chair, not even trying to hide my irritation.
“This is what I’ve got right now.” I lift my middle finger slowly, just to make sure he gets the message.
He lets out a short laugh. “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last girl on earth.”
“Piss off,” I shoot back, my eyes tracing slowly to the middle of his jeans. “It’s definitely the size of your brain…like a pen cover.”
“You wish.” He smirks, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walks away.
I roll my eyes, grab my pen and spin it between my fingers. “Why does he keep talking to me if he hates me so much?”
Allie grins beside me. “You two are starting to have chemistry.”
I turn to her, frowning. “Are you-“
The door swings open before I can finish and Mr. Patrick walks in with his laptop bag, his usual coffee cup in hand. Allie bites her lip, trying not to laugh.
“Saved by my favorite professor,” she whispers.
I hiss and grab my notebook, focusing on the podium.
For the next hour, Mr. Patrick goes over Advertising Ethics. Normally, I’d be bored out of my mind because I’ve covered the course on my own already, but his classes actually keep me awake. The man could talk about toothpaste ads and still make it sound deep.
When it’s finally over, I stretch my arms over my head. “See? That didn’t feel like an hour,” I mumble.
“That’s why he’s my favorite.” Allie says, blushing.
Slowly, we pack our things, moving at our own pace while everyone else rushes out like the building’s on fire.
We’re halfway to the door when a few voices drift from the row behind us.
“I can’t believe she asked her brother to beat him up just because she got dumped.”
I pause mid-step, my heart thudding in my chest. Even though they didn’t say any names, it’s not exactly a coincidence that brother and beat up ended up in the same sentence, especially a day after Justin went after Bryan.
“I heard he got suspended. It’s a shame Cadston just lets anybody in. He’s a thug,” one of them adds.
A cold wave rushes through me. They’re talking about my brother, no doubt. He’s a thug? My fingers curl around my notebook until my knuckles ache. Is this what people think now? That I told Justin to do it? Is that the version Bryan’s spreading?
“What is it?” Allie asks, studying my face. “You forget something?”
I force a smile even though my chest feels tight. “Nothing. Let’s go.”
We step out of class, but my mind keeps spinning around their words. It’s insane how nobody used to care what I did before this semester. I could breathe, exist, and screw up quietly. But now, it feels like every move I make comes with five different rumors attached. Someone out there is definitely twisting the story, maybe even adding a few bonus lies for fun.
We turn the corner and Allie suddenly nudges me, stopping in her tracks. I glance at her, confused, until she tilts her head forward.
My heart skips. Braydon’s walking toward us, his usual lazy grin in place.
Oh, right. We were supposed to meet today.
Yesterday, he got me Chinese takeout, drove me back to my dorm, and handed me a literal list of things we had to do as a couple. The guy’s serious about this fake-dating thing for someone who swore off relationships.
But then again, I can’t exactly say I’ve been sticking to all my own rules either.
“Hey, Peach,” he drawls as he reaches us. Before I can answer, he takes my bag and books from me like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “You look exhausted… and cute.”
Allie fawns beside me, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“How exactly can I look exhausted and cute at the same time?” I ask, tilting my head.
He grins. “Your eyes look tired, but your cheeks are cute and-“
“Don’t even say puffy,” I warn, pointing at him before he can finish.
He laughs softly. “I was going to say puffy.”
Allie groans and claps our shoulders. “Okay, enough flirting. I’ll see you both later. I’d hate to third wheel this moment.” She winks at me. “You’re really cute though.”
“Get out of here,” I snap jokingly as she walks off. “I love you.”
“Hate you,” she calls back over her shoulder, blowing me a kiss.
When she disappears, I turn to Braydon, who’s looking down at me with one eyebrow raised. “Why don’t we have something like that?”
“Something like what?”
He mimics my tone perfectly. “I love you.’ ‘I hate you.’ You know, that kind of thing.”
I punch him lightly in the stomach, but my hand hits solid muscle, I glance up at him. “What do you even eat?”
He grins. “I’m a growing man, Peach. I’ve got more impressive parts than that.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet,” he says, smirking as he starts walking, “You still hang around.”
I shake my head, falling into step beside him.