Chapter 3 Chapter 3

“I think they're intentionally refusing to change my apartment, Mia,” I complained.

Mia rolled her eyes. “I doubt it. You're on scholarship, Evie. They probably think you should be grateful for whatever you're given.”

She might be right.

I'd spent all day hunting for another place, but everywhere was either unavailable or taken.

And my bags were still in Asher's apartment.

I'd left before he woke up, planning to return for them once I found somewhere else, assuming the bastard hadn't already thrown them out.

Hours passed, and I still hadn't found a single apartment.

“I told you to stay with me,” Mia reminded me. “Would you rather go back to Asher's after everything he did?”

“Never!” I snapped. “I'd rather sleep in a pigpen than spend another night under his roof.”

Mia laughed. “You're that serious?”

“Dead serious.”

“And you're still refusing to stay with me?”

“There are already three of you in that room. I'll figure something out.”

She gave me a doubtful look but said nothing.

As we walked down the hallway, two girls passed us, whispering after one look at me.

I ignored them.

Apparently, I'd kissed their sweetheart and they'd been on my neck all morning.

“About the apartment…”

A deep voice interrupted me from behind us. “How about I give you an apartment, and you do me a little favor in return?”

I turned around to see Ryder Blackwood standing a few feet away, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

He's Asher's stepbrother, his biggest hockey rival and his most hated enemy.

Everyone at Blackridge knew the Blackwood brothers' rivalry ran deeper than hockey. It was practically a blood feud, fueled by their constant fight for their father's approval.

Their father had once favored Asher, the beloved hockey hero who seemed to have everyone wrapped around his finger.

But not anymore.

Now, Ryder was the favorite.

The reckless playboy who was always in trouble and never took anything seriously.

No one knew the reason for that change till now.

Though, from what I'd noticed, Ryder could be surprisingly quiet when he wanted to be.

Back when Asher and I were together, Ryder barely acknowledged my existence.

And now he was offering me an apartment?

“What?” I blinked. “What exactly are you talking about?”

Before he could answer, his eyes shifted to Mia.

She flushed. “Oh, I just remembered I have a book to return.”

“Mia—”

“See you later, Evie!”

She practically ran down the hallway.

Such a traitor! I chuckled, turning back to Ryder.

“Hi, Evie.” He held out his hand. “I'm Ryder.”

“I’m Evie.”

“Everyone knows who you are.” He chuckled. “You're already making waves, and you haven't even been back for forty-eight hours.”

“Right.” I pulled my hand free when I realized he wasn't letting go. “I guess I'll have to deal with it.”

I shook my head and got straight to the point.

“So, what exactly were you talking about earlier? An apartment?”

“Yeah.” His eyes scanned the hallway. “But let's go somewhere private first.”

I nodded.

Ryder led me to a secluded corner of the cafeteria and sat opposite me.

“It's been ages,” he said. “I heard you were back and saw everything that happened online yesterday. I wasn't playing, so I had time to catch up.”

I shifted uncomfortably.

“I haven't seen you since you left. Honestly, I never thought you'd come back.”

“I had to.” I shrugged. “Though I didn't plan on becoming campus gossip within forty-eight hours.”

His lips twitched. “Apparently, you haven't changed much.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You were pretty popular back then too.” He chuckled.

“I thought you didn't even know I existed.”

“I knew who you were, Evie. You weren't exactly easy to miss.” He drummed his fingers on the table.

Something about his tone made me pause.

I shifted awkwardly. “You were gone for a long time too then, I remember. You left before I did.”

“For a while.” He smiled faintly. “I've been back for three months.”

I nodded, then remembered why we were there.

“So, about the apartment…”

“Right. What happened? Doesn't the school provide one?”

“I’m fine.” The lie came too quickly.

His eyes narrowed.

“I’m just having issues with the apartment they gave me. They won't change it, so I'm looking for somewhere else.”

“I figured it was something like that.” Ryder nodded. “I have an apartment near Uptown. It's spacious, with several rooms. You can have whichever one you want.”

“You're serious?” I asked, stunned.

“Very.”

For the first time all day, I could finally breathe.

“Thank you, Ryder. You have no idea how much—”

“But…”

My smile faded.

“You remember what I said about us both gaining something?”

I nodded slowly.

“Don't worry.” He chuckled. “It's not what you're thinking.”

“Then what is it?”

He paused, then dropped the bombshell. “I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

“What?” I stared at him as if he just grew two heads. “You want me to fake-date you?”

“Exactly.” His expression turned serious. “My girlfriend, Selena, has been cheating on me with Asher for a while now. I want her to think I've moved on to make her jealous. And, you're the perfect person for the role.” He paused. “It would only be for a month. It's all an act. In exchange, the apartment is yours. You won't pay me a dime.”

Wait ... .Selena had been Ryder's girlfriend five years ago. And even then, she'd wanted Asher while he was with me.

I remembered the way she'd glare at me, like she hated me simply for having what she wanted.

And now, she’s with him. Of course.

“But why me?” I finally asked. “Wouldn't it be suspicious? I just came back, and suddenly I'm your girlfriend? I already have enough rumors. I don't need another headline saying, Evie Faye is chasing Ryder Blackwood, Asher's stepbrother and rival, one day after kissing his brother.”

Ryder chuckled. “You really worry about those headlines.”

“Wouldn't you?”

He shook his head. “No one will suspect a thing.”

“How?”

“We'll make it look like we've been together before you returned. Everyone will assume you and Asher broke up when you left, then you and I got together.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“And think of it as payback for what Asher did yesterday.”

“You knew I didn't kiss him first?”

“I wasn't there.” He shrugged. “But only a fool doesn't know what Asher is capable of. The way he spoke told me enough.”

I sighed.

“But have you forgotten? I was Asher's ex... and he's your brother.”

His jaw clenched.

“Stepbrother,” he corrected.

“Whatever.” I shrugged. “So, my question…”

He cleared his throat. “And that's exactly why I'd said you're perfect for this.”

“I…I don't think I can do this.” I replied, doubtful.

My original plan was simple: avoid Asher, get my things, find somewhere else to live, and stay away from him.

Yet now I was considering dating his biggest rival.

It sounded insane. But what if it was also my perfect revenge against Asher?

And I'd get an apartment out of it, all for pretending to be Ryder's girlfriend for one month.

I would gain a lot too.

“Please, Evie,” he pleaded. “It's just one month.”

I hesitated. “Okay. I'll think about it.”

He nodded, pulled out a pen, and scribbled his number and address on a piece of paper.

“Call me when you're ready.”

Then he walked away.

I watched him d

isappear through the doors before turning back toward the cafeteria.

That was a big mistake because almost everyone was staring at me, curiously, jealously and some with pure, unfiltered hatred.

My stomach twisted.