Several emotions crossed Primo's face though bewilderment was the most prominent. He kicked off from the wall, running a hand over his face.

Amara chewed at her bottom lip. She had told Primo the truth after the lengths she had gone through to hide it. It was selfish. But Amara couldn't handle Natasha alone. That burden was too heavy.

"Primo..." she started.

His wintry eyes hardened. "How long have you known?"

"After my birthday."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Primo asked. "I never keep secrets from you, Amara. You know every letter my bastard father kept sending me. Now, this?"

Amara drew in a deep breath. Of course, he was worried about that more than Natasha's cheating. She rubbed at his forehead. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you."

"Just because of that?" He scoffed. Primo paced the hallway with heavy stomps, yanking at his hair in frustration. "Fuck! I feel so stupid. I guess this is what my mom felt."

Amara crossed her arms. "This is why I don't want to tell you."

"What?"

"I want you to forgive your dad."

"What?" The incredulity in Primo's voice was so thick that she flinched in surprise.

Amara shrugged. Her nails dug into the flesh of her arms. "That's what I want but obviously that's not gonna happen. Let's talk more tomorrow after you calm down. There is more to this story, after all."

She walked away with purposeful strides when Primo grabbed her by the shoulder. "Amara!"

Amara twisted away from his grasp and glared at him. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

"What do you want me to do then?"

"I don't know! Punch a wall or something!" Amara shot back, flicking her hair over her shoulders. "But don't talk to me when you're angry."

"Amara!" He groaned in irritation. Primo's fury rippled over his skin. He gripped at her hips and pushed her against the wall as desperation flashed on his blue eyes.

Amara rolled her eyes before she brought their lips together. The kiss was deep. Their tongues melted against each other, a mix of sugar and spice. Embers lit up between them, slowly turning into a fire. Hot, fiery, and all-consuming.

Primo's lips moved to her cheek as he placed her arms around his neck. He pressed kisses on her pulse point, down to her collarbones. Amara threw her head back as a soft sigh escaped her mouth from his delicious ministrations.

The bell rang. Amara's heart pounded as she clawed at Primo's shoulders. Students filed out from the music room.

"Primo!" she whispered with a distinct warning. "Primo—"

"What?" His eyes locked with hers, filled with a fervent challenge. "It's just us, princess. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Amara gritted her teeth. This went against everything she ever wanted to happen. "But they're gonna—"

"Amara, no one cares," Primo said, cupping her cheek. "We still have a month, right? I don't want to spend that hiding and sneaking around."

She whimpered as desire shut down her brain cells. Her mind turned to mush as Primo drowned her in his addictive kisses. She heard the students' chatters but Primo kept her grounded. The world faded along with the useless noise it carried.

Sometimes, she hated how easy Primo could make her say yes. There wasn't a time where she said no. Not once.

"You're the storm," she breathed out once he pulled back.

Primo raised an eyebrow. He was about to speak when his teammates hollered at him. They exchanged jeers and high-fives and jokes that obviously referred to their newly revealed relationship.

"I don't know how you pulled that off."

Primo shook his head. "Fuck off, James." He turned to her, clasping his hands to hers. "What were you saying?"

"I keep getting swept away by you," she muttered that only caused his eyebrows to crease in confusion. Amara shook her head. "Are you ready to talk now?"

"Where do you want to talk?"

"Wherever you want."

"My house then."

Amara regretted her words but Primo was already pulling her towards the exit. She ignored the fact that they were skipping school yet again and focused on how to break down everything for him.

✘✘

"You're telling me that Elijah's long-term girlfriend was Natasha?" Primo exclaimed, pulling up one of his legs while the other dangled on the pool's deep blue water. His torso was bare, revealing his toned muscles.

Amara sipped from her strawberry smoothie, looking away from Primo's body. "How many times do I have to repeat this?"

"Because it's weird! Why didn't he just tell me? I would've understood! Fuck!" He kicked at the water, making a splash. "Elijah was crying over that girl! I know that!"

"Then, are you saying that their cheating is acceptable because they love each other?" Amara asked, wanting to see his take on this. Zeke's opinions had reminded her of this angle when it comes to loyalty and love.

Primo blinked and grabbed a green apple from the fruit basket. He took a big bite that created a satisfying crunch before he chewed with vehemence. "Don't ever ask me that."

Amara let out a sigh. "What do you want to do?"

"Hitting Elijah would be a good start."

"Primo, stop being childish."

"Childish? You're the one who came up with the ridiculous idea of getting engaged to me so I won't hate my father even more." He snapped and ate his apple. "But you were right. I do hate him even more now."

"Primo..."

"We should talk to Elijah. If there's one person who could stop Natasha's craziness, it would be him."

Amara crossed her legs. "And if he refuses?"

"I'll hit him."

"Baby..."

"What? This is his mess! Because he isn't man enough to fight for the girl he likes..." Primo clicked his tongue. Anger seeping into his skin as he threw the apple core towards the pool. "Although, I'm one to talk."

Amara bit her lip. Her chest clenched. Pain, rage, irritation. They melded into a tight, prickly ball that could go off anytime.

But no! Primo decided to not pursue her after their time was up.

Please, stay.

Those two words would never come from her mouth.

And yet, Primo Luchenko was the one person who could make her do anything.