I didn't skip out on biology again, and it was a miracle—perhaps God's gift—that Nico Romero had somewhat become civilized in terms of his attitude towards me.

When the hands of the clock pointed to two o'clock, I had to drag my feet across the floor on the way to the locker room in the gymnasium for PhysEd. My hatred for that particular subject went beyond words.

Paula, who was already dressed with her hair tied up into a single ponytail, came up behind me to occupy the locker next to mine. "You still owe me that calculus session, you know."

I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face as I dumped my school bag inside, already dreading the fact that I had to change into the skimpy uniform. "Give me the when and the where, then bring your brain and something for it to do."

The cheerleader tipped her head back and laughed. "You're something else, Thea Simmons. No wonder why Faust is so smitten with you."

My hands froze, and I had to keep myself from changing expressions as I let out a short scoff. "Faust Carter? Smitten? What are you—"

"Oh, don't bother denying it," she said, rolling her eyes.

I sighed, holding the clothes in my hands as I closed the locker, facing Paula. "Please don't tell anyone. And how did you know? Are we that obvious?"

"What kind of friend do you take me for, Thea? Of course I won't tell. And no, not really, I'm just really observant that way." Her shoulders lifted as her lips quirked up. "Thea, Faust is struggling to keep his eyes off you during lunch. The scene in the cafeteria a few days ago didn't help as well."

I bit my lip, embarrassed, as the heat rose up to my cheeks.

When Paula and I finally stepped out of the locker room in the annoyingly short uniform with my fingers playing with the hem of the bottoms, the blare of Coach Greenberg's whistle, the squeak of Nike shoes and the basketballs bouncing on the cemented floor met my ears. Confused, I asked Paula, "What's the basketball team doing here?"

My brother saw me entering and lifted a hand to wave with a small smile. I gave him a brief one back before my eyes began searching for Faust, but I couldn't spot number eleven anywhere. "Maybe their training had to be pushed back for an hour," answered Paula, crossing her arms. "They've been training all week, and I heard their next game was this Friday."

I pursed my lips as we made our way to the bleachers, where the rest of our classmates sat, greedily drinking in the sight. Before I could climb up the stairs, Paula nudged me with her elbow. "Is that Faust? What's he doing behind the bleachers? Is he waiting for you?"

I didn't know, but I was going to find out. "Save a seat for me."

I didn't miss the wink she passed my way before she headed up.

In the dim light, I could clearly see the build of a man in his jersey with one hand propped against the wall, positioned as if he was debating whether or not it was a good idea to come inside. Subtly ducking behind the bleachers, I grabbed his arm and pulled him with me.

Faust Carter was a walking sin in his basketball uniform.

Of course, I'd already known that during his first game when I caught up with him to ask questions. My eyes couldn't miss the fact that he was dripping with sweat as the cloth of his jersey stuck to his tanned skin. No woman in the right mind wouldn't have noticed.

But it was different then, because I now had the right to admit that he was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Apart from sly glances across our lunch tables in the cafeteria, daily texts and nightly calls, I hadn't had the chance to be alone with him for more than a few minutes after our encounter in the empty classroom—courtesy of our conflicting schedules, basketball training, and Theo's wary watch on my every move.

"Faust, what are you—"

Faust's hands gripped my hips as he backed me up against the wall, leaning down to capture my mouth in his.

In my surprise, he pulled away before I could kiss him back.

"I missed you," he breathed, pressing our foreheads together.

Sliding my hands up his arms and hooking them around his neck, my fingers played with the softness of his ink-black hair. I exhaled heavily. "Good to know I'm not the only one doing the missing."

Faust laughed once and his hands traced the outline of my curves and down to the side of my thighs, fiddling with the hem of my uniform. Shivers ran up my spine as he locked me in place. His eyebrows rose. "I can't decide if I like these shorts or not."

I bit my lip to keep from grinning at the hoarseness of his voice. "Keep the claws in. Everyone's too busy laughing at my volleyball attempts to actually look—not that there's anything to look at, anyway."

Faust's chest vibrated with a low growl. "Please don't talk like that."

I didn't ask him to elaborate as I placed a hand on his cheek, my thumbs stroking every inch of his skin as he leaned into it, shutting his eyes. "What are you doing back here, anyway?" I asked, lowering my voice.

His lips curled up at the corners, leaving me speechless with his devilishly handsome face. "I was admiring the view."

"Faust."

"Really, I was. Not to be creepy, but because I enjoy looking at what's mine. I was also trying to calm myself down before going in there. I couldn't stand Theo's presence—not since that day in the cafeteria."

Sighing, I brought down my hands to interlace my fingers with his. "I'm sorry."

Faust tilted his head. "What for?"

"For having to deal with this. With Theo."

He chuckled, reaching out to tuck a strand of my hair beneath my ear. "The feud already started even before you came into my life, Thea. Nothing to be sorry about."

"Are you going to tell me what started this...war?"

A pause. And then a forced smile. "Another time. Go in first and climb up the bleachers. I think Coach is making the PhysEd class watch us train."

I nodded. "You have a game this Saturday?"

"Yes. Quarterfinals," Faust answered, brushing his fingers lightly across my lips. "Thea, I want you to be there. Cheering for me. Wearing my jacket."

Surprised by the sudden request, my mouth opened as I struggled to find words. "Faust, I—I thought we were supposed to be keeping this thing between us a secret until I can figure out how to tell Theo?"

He bit his lip. "I was thinking that we could tell him before then."

My eyebrows rose. "Do you realize you're speaking as if we're not talking about your rival? My brother?"

"Well, you don't have to answer me now," he told me softly. "If we can't tell him before the game, then it's fine, Thea. Seriously. There will be other games."

I sighed. "I'm sorry, I'll have to think about it."

Faust nodded. "I can live with that. I don't want to hear a no from the next thing I'm going to ask, though."

"Then you're demanding."

His crystal-blue eyes twinkled. "Sort of. I want to take you out to dinner after the game. Think of it as a Valentine's Day celebration."

*

The clanking of the utensils against the plates as we ate our food was the only noise in the house. My father sat at the head of the table, my mother, who was still wearing her work clothes, on the opposite end, and Theo and I on each side.

After the talk with Faust, I couldn't get the idea of wearing his jersey during the game out of my head. It was a delightful thought—to be able to cheer for him and be his supporter. The thought was nice, but I was worried about what my brother would do once he saw me in it. Knowing his temper, I wouldn't put it past him to go batshit crazy.

"Alright," my mother suddenly spoke, bringing my head back to reality as she placed her utensils down and looked at each of us. "We need some family bonding. I don't understand what the hell is going on with the two of you, but it has got to stop. We are going to have some barbecue and burgers as a family on Friday night, and have a game of scrabble, or cards, or twister, I don't care. Is that understood?"

Theo didn't waste a second before protesting. "Mom. I have a game this Friday."

My mother shot a pointed glance at him with a raised eyebrow. "Afterwards, then."

"Mom, I can't. There's a celebratory party that I have to go to after the win."

"And," I interjected slowly, placing my fork down, "I have plans."

Each of my family members looked at me, and I was filled with unease. Clearing my throat, I repeated in a much clearer voice, "I have plans after watching Theo's game, I mean."

My dad placed a spoonful of chowder soup in his mouth before asking, "With who, kiddo?"

"Is it a boy?" Mom questioned, suddenly seeming excited about the idea.

"Yes, Thea," Theo said, hissing out the words behind gritted teeth. "Do tell us more about these plans."

I resisted the urge to throw my knife at him. I sat up straight and nodded. "Yes, Mom. I, um, I actually have a date with Faust Carter."

Theo dropped his utensils on the plate, and I flinched from the harshness of the sound. "I can't believe how fucking dense you are."

"Excuse me?" I scoffed, scrambling to my feet. "What did you just say?"

"I called you dense, Thea, you heard me perfectly," my brother said lowly as he stood as well, the anger evident in his tone. "You know he could be using you to get me riled up."

"You're so damn arrogant you can't stand the thought of him actually asking me out because he likes me!"

"Oh, please, Thea. No one believes that fairytale bullshit except for—"

"Sit down, son," my father commanded, furrowing his eyebrows. "You too, Thea. Sit down."

We glared at each other for five seconds with heavy breathing before following Dad's order.

"Faust Carter—co-captain and number eleven on the basketball team? The other star?"

Theo's jaw clenched in irritation. "The very one."

Dad nodded, scratching his chin. "Well, I suppose we can reschedule our family night."

"What?" Theo asked, confused. "Really?"

"Lea, we can have lunch on Sunday instead. What do you think?"

"That's a great idea," Mom said, beaming. "There's this restaurant I've been wanting to go to for our date night. I'll make reservations."

"Then it's settled. Thea, you can go on your date," my father continued, leaning back against the chair and meeting my gaze, "but only if your mother and I meet this boy afterwards."

"Deal," I agreed quickly, releasing a sigh of relief.

Theo's fingers gripped the edge of the table. "Dad, you can't be serious."

"I am and it's final," Dad said. "If Thea wants to go on a date with this boy, whether he's your rival or not, then she deserves to."

"We have a game coming up. He's doing this to get under my skin!"

"Theo, that's enough," my mother cut in, voice firm.

Theo locked eyes with me, features drawn together in vexation. "Don't come to me when he hurts you."

"Don't worry," I answered, gritting my teeth, "you aren't even the first person on my mind."

"Thea, for Christ's sake, please. I'm trying to protect you!"

"Are you even hearing yourself? You just can't seem to accept the fact that not everything revolves around you for once—"

"Enlighten me then, sis," Theo said in a low voice, quiet fury lacing his tone. "Did he win you over with sweet words? Or maybe with that letterman jacket you've been hiding in your closet for quite a while now?"

My mouth hung open as I stared at him in disbelief.

"Enough. Both of you," Dad demanded, clear authority in his voice as he watched his children with tired eyes. "Stop arguing and finish your dinner."

And finish our dinner we did.