CHAPTER FOUR
MIKEL'S POV
I’ve spent three years watching Brianna from the edges of my vision.
To the rest of the school, she was a ghost in a chunky sweater, but I’d noticed her back in freshman year—the way her nose crinkled when she was thinking, that sharp, dry wit she’d whisper to herself in the back of the class, and, yeah, the fact that she was undeniably cute in a way that didn't require three layers of foundation.
I’d played it cool, but the cafeteria disaster had handed me the perfect opening.
Leaning back in my chair as she agreed to my terms, I felt a surge of adrenaline that had nothing to do with hockey.
Coach had been breathing down my neck all morning, his face turning a dangerous shade of purple as he waved my mid-term grades in my face. “One more D, Mikel, and you’re watching the playoffs from the bleachers.” Failing wasn't an option, but neither was letting Brianna slip back into Kenneth's grip.
Now, having her in my arms was a test to my self-control. My gaze moved from those beautiful blue eyes of hers to her lips. And Oh fuck, how I wanted to kiss them until she was breathless and aching into my touch.
“I think someone has to keep to her rules" I mumbled, forcing a sly smile, trying to steady my racing heart.
She stumbled to stand upright as if snapping out of her daze. She looked away immediately but I could see the blush on her cheek clearly and that was enough to tell me, I've got a chance.
"Okay, we meet by 6pm. But for now if you don't want to miss class, let's go, girlfriend,'" I said, offering my hand.
She stared at it like it was a coiled snake before slowly placing her smaller, colder hand in mine. We walked out like that—hand in hand.
As we walked out of the library and into the main hall, every head turned, every conversation died and all their gaze were fixed on us.
I swallowed hard trying to not leap for joy. Only I know how much I've waited for this day, waiting to walk hand-in-hand with her as my girlfriend.
I laced my fingers through hers, pulling her slightly closer to my side. I could feel her trembling, but I leaned into the silent brag.
Every jealous glare from the guys and every shocked gasp from the girls was a hit of pure dopamine.
As we turned the corner, Brianna’s steps suddenly slowed, her gaze fixed forward. I traced it and there stood—Kenneth.
He was there flanked by his teammates, looking like some kind of king. Imogen was tucked under his arm, her eyes narrowed into slits.
The second Kenneth saw our joined hands, his face contorted and immediately, he stepped forward, blocking our path.
"What is this, Mikel?" Kenneth spat, his voice vibrating with a fury he usually reserved for the rink. "You’re actually doing this? Using her to get to me?"
"I don't need to use anyone to get to you, Ken," I said, my grip on Brianna’s hand tightening. I felt her tense, ready to bolt, but I stepped in front of her. "Maybe I just recognized what you were too blind to see. She’s too good for your little sister box, she's better off as my girlfriend."
"Oh please, we both know she isn't your girlfriend," Imogen shrieked, her voice echoing off the lockers. "This is a pathetic show you came up with and I'm sure you two probably haven't even spoken two words to each other before today!"
A sly smile grazed my lips but instead of explaining to her— which I was pretty sure her IQ was too low to understand— I gently pulled Brianna’s palm upward and placed a soft peck on it.
She wringed but didn't push me away and that alone and the burning hurt in Kenneth's eyes was the taste of victory
Kenneth took another step closer, his fists clenched. "Let go of her."
I was ready to drop my bag and settle this right there, but suddenly, Brianna pulled back, snatching her hand off my grip
"Enough!” She yelled, her hands clenching and unclenching. “Can you two just stop this!" I gave her a curt nod.
“You heard her, she said you…”
"Stop it, Kenneth," she said, her voice surprisingly steady as she cut him off. "There's no need for you to pretend to be my overprotective brother"
“It’s fucking ironic how you only noticed me when I became a scandal and the last time I checked, you didn't care where I was or who I was with yesterday morning, so don't pretend it kills you now. It’s not fair, and… it’s too late."
The hallway went dead silent. Kenneth looked like she’d punched him in the gut. He just stared at her shocked and the warmth of satisfaction spread through me.
"I wonder what you offered him to speak to Kenneth in that manner. But let me remind you, no matter what you do, Mike is a Playboy and when he's done ruining you down there, he'll move to his next target.” Imogen's voice rang and I had to ball my fist so as to not punch her in the guts. I don't hit women.
I knew she was trying to stand up for her boyfriend and now, I was going to ruin that and put her in her place.
“You wouldn't need to worry about that but trust me the next time you send me those irritating nudes of yours, I'd upload it to the hockey platform. And trust me, you'd get more popular than you ever can.”
The color drained from her eyes immediately. Kenneth's gaze move to hers. "You send him your nudes?”
"He's lying. He's trying to slander me because…” Her voice trembled trying to sound pathetic and regaining faith.
"Really? Good thing I've got proof, I think I've got one you sent me yesternight." Before she could stop me, I pulled out my phone, typed in her name and shove the proof in her boyfriend’s face.
His face went white. “You're..
You're seducing him?"
I clenched my fist trying hard to fight a laughter that was threatening to spill through.
Kenneth looked at Imogen, then at the phone, his face a mask of dawning horror and embarrassment. He looked pathetic.
"We're done here," Brianna said. She didn't wait for me this time. She started walking, and I had to grab my phone and hurry to catch up, intertwining our hands again, even though all I wanted to do was watch the drama unfold.
Once we were around the corner and out of sight, she stopped abruptly and wrenched her hand away from mine, her eyes blazing. The shy, trembling girl from the library was gone.
She stood tall, her eyes flashing with an assertion that caught me off guard.
"New rules, Mikel," she said, pointing a finger at my chest. "You don't speak for me, you don't use my life to settle scores with Kenneth and if you ever pull a stunt like that 'evidence' thing again without telling me, the deal is off. I tutor you, we play the part in public, and that is it."
I stared at her, stunned into silence. Shouldn't she be proud and happy I did this for her?
Before I could say anything, she stormed off into the class.
