Sweat rolled down the princess's forehead despite the air conditioning of Primo's car. She wrung her fingers together, distress seeping into her every pore.

"Princess? Are you that nervous?"

Her eyes flashed open with rage. "Isn't it obvious?"

Primo sighed as he scratched his temple. "What do you want to do?"

Amara ran her teeth over her bottom lip. She wasn't keen on facing her schoolmates' judgment. Most of them didn't care but she was aware that popularity comes with jealousy. And envy could transform into baseless hate as long as there was a channel for it.

Her blunder caught on camera was the perfect opportunity to let out those repressed feelings.

It seemed that appearing too perfect had backfired on her.

"I'm gonna skip," she said.

"Are you sick?" Primo raised a brow and placed a palm on her forehead.

She chuckled. "I just want to skip! Let's go play at the sports center."

Primo shrugged. "I'm gonna get you there but I have to attend Evans' lecture."

"Why?" she inquired as he started the car and drove away from the school. Amara recalled that Mr. Evans was the home economics teacher and seniors did not have that subject.

"The speaker's a chef. I'm interested."

"Will there be a free taste?"

Primo smirked as amusement glistened in his eyes. "Don't worry. You know you're my official taster, right? I'll let you taste a lot of delicious things."

Amara set her hand on his thigh, aware of his stupid joke. "What things?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "I'm joking. And I'm driving, naughty girl. Stop it."

Amara leaned back and let the relaxed atmosphere wash over her. She didn't want to think about her social problems or her time-limited relationship.

"We're here."

"Thanks, baby," she muttered and kissed his cheek before exiting the car. Amara spotted Zeke and his college teammates. They were about to enter the gymnasium. "Nice timing."

Amara waved at the college boys and called out for Zeke. He stopped in the middle of his conversation though a boy's arm remained around his shoulders.

"Amara! You skipped?" he asked after scanning her uniform.

"Yeah. Do you think I could play with all of you?"

The dark-haired boy next to Zeke slapped his biceps as he bowed his head to whisper something in his ear.

Amara frowned at the eccentric exchange before Zeke guffawed loudly. His brown eyes connected with the girl's stormy ones. "Of course. This is Dylan, by the way. He's asking for your number."

Oh, that was the exchange...

Amara usually didn't mind. She liked having admirers but once again, there was this unexplainable feeling of loyalty towards Primo. She gave her word. "Sorry. I'm not interested."

Dylan frowned. "Why not?"

Zeke rolled his eyes. "She said 'no', man."

"I'm only asking why."

"The why doesn't change the no and besides..." Zeke smirked and pointed to somewhere behind her. "That's her fiancé."

"What?" Dylan's eyes widened before he reddened. He playfully shoved at Zeke. "Oh, you jerk! You should've said that earlier!"

Zeke laughed at the embarrassment on Dylan's face. And Amara realized she really liked the guy. He was cool, mature, and understood boundaries like a pro. His future lover would be so lucky to have him.

"You're welcome to play with us," Zeke said when Dylan's attention was caught by the other guys' teasing. "Although, do you have shoes or extra clothes? And how about him?"

Amara looked back to see Primo coming over. He handed her a paper bag with clothes and shoes that he had kept in his car. His own sports bag hanging on his shoulder.

"I knew this would come in handy someday," Primo muttered when he reached them. There was a distinct crease in his forehead.

Zeke seemed to have notice Primo's animosity. He smiled. "Do you want to play with us? We can kick out Dylan."

Surprise etched on Primo's face. He eyed Zeke as if trying to read his intentions. "Sure. If that's alright."

Amara frowned. "I thought you wanted to attend Evans' lecture."

"I have time," he answered tersely.

"That's agreed then." Zeke turned to his teammates and dragged them inside, exchanging muffled conversations.

"Primo—"

"It's not like that," he declared, slipping his hands in pockets. Determined blue eyes connected with hers. "I see why you like him."

Amara beamed at him. "Right? He's hot too."

He rolled his eyes as they walked inside the gymnasium and straight to the locker rooms. Amara entered and raised an eyebrow as Primo followed her. She folded her arms. "What are you doing?"

Primo smirked as sat on the bench and began undoing the buttons of his uniform. "Changing?"

"I'll help you then." She straddled his lap and unbuttoned his uniform. Primo swallowed as the decadent scent of mint and chocolates swirled in the air. She laid her hands on his pale chest, moving down to touch his toned abs. "Are you sure you're not here to keep those boys away from me?"

A deep crease marred his icy features. His left hand went to her waist, a thumb caressed the inside of her thighs. "I'm curious."

Amara frowned. That was unexpected. "With what?"

"If we aren't engaged, would you ever consider Zeke?"

The question surprised Amara. Her best friend seldom take interest in other people that were outside of their circle. "Yeah. He's nice."

"I see."

Amara cupped his cheek, a finger tracing the line of his jaw. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just... he comforted you the last time. We all know that's an incredible feat. I guess... you'll be okay even if we break up," he mumbled and pressed their bodies closer.

Amara embraced him tightly, sinking into the crook of his neck. She refused to let him see the annoyed expression on her face. How come Primo was already thinking of the future? Of their inevitable break-up?

Was being with her that much of a chore?

And here she was trying so hard to be loyal to him.

Amara clicked her tongue. She had no right to feel this way. The conditions of their relationship were clear. Like fireworks. Explosive and fleeting.

She pulled back and kissed him hard, pouring her frustrations into it.

Primo gasped at her eagerness but he quickly recovered as she ground her hips against him. His fingers gripped her ass as Amara shoved his uniform down, licking and nipping the side of his neck.

He let out a moan as her center brushed on his growing hardness. Primo's sucked at her collarbone, his hands squeezing her soft breasts as Amara's hips rolled deliciously against him.

"Guys?"

The knock on the door jolted them back to reality.

"Uhm." Amara grasped for words though it was difficult with Primo's half-naked body under him. "We're coming!"

Primo wiped at his lips as Amara calmed her breathing. She got off him and quickly changed into a grey shirt. She was ready after a minute but Primo remained sitting, face buried in his hands.

She smirked. "Something wrong?"

He growled in distress. "Give me a minute."

Amara laughed as she exited the locker. She found the team doing warm-ups and joined them. Primo came out a second later and her heart flipped at the tight compressions he wore. Shit.

They played one set with her as the setter for Primo's team. Their combination was as smooth as ever that Zeke gazed at them with intrigue.

"Good game!" Zeke said after the game ended. "What do you play?"

Amara looked up from her spot on the bleachers but Zeke's attention was on Primo. She smiled a little as their conversation flowed with ease.

She thought this day went well considering the drama she was enshrouded in.

But she had spoken too soon.

Her notifications rang and Amara gritted her teeth in indignation as she opened her DMs. She tapped Maine's message.

OMG. Is this true?

It was a picture of her and Primo.

Their first kiss on the courtyard.

Maine messaged her again.

Natasha said you and Primo cheated on her?