Chapter 2 Legal Garbage

MIA

The email came in the morning. I was on the bus, holding a protein bar I didn't want to eat, and my phone buzzed. Twelve pages of legal garbage. I scrolled straight to the payment section because I didn't care about the rest. Thirty thousand dollars. Half now, half later. Enough to keep my mom's chemo going and keep the landlord from throwing us out.

"You look like you're selling your soul," Chloe said, dropping into the seat next to me with her usual coffee.

"Close enough."

She grabbed my phone and scrolled. "There's a clause about physical affection. Hand-holding, side hugs, cheek kisses. Required at team events."

"I saw it."

"Cheek kisses, Mia. Not lips. But still." She handed it back. "You're going to have to let him touch you."

"I'll live."

Outside the window, the city went by. Same buildings, same streets. Somewhere out there, my mom was sleeping in her pink beanie, getting smaller every day. She didn't know about any of this.

"There's a non-disparagement clause too," Chloe said. "You can't say anything bad about him."

"I already say bad things about him."

"Then stop."

I looked at the signature line. My mom's hospital bill was due in two weeks. My brother's skates were held together with duct tape. The landlord raised the rent again.

I signed my name.

Then I texted Caleb: Done. When do we start?

Three dots appeared. Tonight. Team dinner at seven. Don't be late.

I'm always late.

Then change that. Wear something that doesn't look like you slept in it.

I looked down at my sweatshirt. Energy drink stain with Hole in the sleeve.

No promises.

Then I'll buy you something. Size?

I should have said no. But the thought of wearing something clean felt like a vacation I'd never get.

Small. Don't be weird.

Too late.

Chloe read over my shoulder. "He's buying you clothes?"

"For the act."

"You are a charity case."

"I know. That's why I'm doing this."

At school, something felt different. People were staring. A girl I didn't know stopped me in the hallway. "Are you really dating Caleb Kessler?"

"What are you talking about?"

"His Instagram. He posted a photo of you two."

I pulled out my phone. There it was. Me and Caleb at last year's team banquet, standing next to each other, not touching. He cropped it so we looked alone. Three hundred comments already.

Who is she? Not his type. She's the manager. Poor girl. Gold digger.

I texted him: You posted a photo of us? Without asking?

My agent said we need to build the narrative.

You could have warned me.

Would you have said yes?

He was right.

I hate you.

Good. That makes it convincing.

At my locker, a note was taped to the door. Red marker. Stick to managing the equipment. He's out of your league.

I tore it down and threw it in the trash.

My phone buzzed. Caleb. You owe me.

I know. Dinner tonight. Pick me up at six thirty.

How do you know where you live?

I know everything about you, Mia.

I didn't answer. But I saved the message.

The rest of the day was full of whispers and stares. By the time the final bell rang, I was exhausted and I hadn't even done anything yet.

At 6:30, a black truck pulled up outside my building. Too clean for this neighborhood. I watched from the window for a minute before I walked out.

Caleb was leaning against the driver's door. He was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, and he looked like he hadn't slept.

"You're early," I said.

"You're on time for once."

"Don't get used to it."

He opened the passenger door for me. I got in.

In the truck, He didn't play music. We drove in silence for three blocks.

"You're quiet," he said.

"So are you."

"I'm always quiet."

"No, you're not. You're loud in practice, loud on the ice, loud when you're pissed." I looked out the window. "This is different."

He didn't answer that.

The restaurant was a pizza place with red plastic cups and the smell of grease. The team was already there, taking up three tables in the back.

Eli waved. Chloe was there too, because she'd invited herself. She gave me a look that said survive.

Caleb pulled out a chair for me. I sat. He sat next to me.

"Ground rules," I said.

"Already?"

"Number one. No touching unless there are cameras or teammates watching."

"Agreed."

"Number two. You don't ask about my mom. I don't ask about your dad."

His face changed. "Agreed."

"Number three. When this is over, we go back to hating each other. No strings. No feelings."

Caleb stared at me for a long time. Then he laughed. "You really think I'd want to be friends with you after this?"

"I don't think anything. I'm telling you how it's going to be."

He leaned closer. "You're a job, Mia. An expensive one. Don't confuse the money with anything else."

"Good." My voice stayed steady. "Then we understand each other."

"We understand nothing."

Chloe appeared with a slice of pizza. "Eat," she said. "You look like you haven't had food in days."

I ate as Caleb watched me and I pretended not to notice.