I’m not that desperate.

Or fucking stupid.

He laughs, and the sound is as hollow as his soul. “That’s not how it works.”

“This is a free country. I won’t stay engaged to a freak like you.”

He watches me for long seconds as if my words fell on deaf ears. “We’ve been engaged since we were fifteen. It’s a family thing. Shut your mouth and go with it.”

“Or what?”

“Or you lose the glamorous life you love so much.” He tilts his head to the side. “The condition to receive your inheritance is to marry me.” He leans in and brushes his tongue along the sensitive skin he sucked on earlier. “Till death do us part, my ugly monster.”

Oh, no.

No, no, no.

Why the hell would my father do that?

My head becomes a jumbled mess. “But you obviously hate me. Why would you want to do this?”

Goosebumps cover my skin as he says, “You owe me a life, and I’ll ruin yours as payback.”

Asher left me standing there.

Just like that. No Do you need help getting inside? Or anything remotely human.

Motherfucker.

I have to hobble for fifteen minutes to reach the entrance. Since I don’t remember this place, it takes me even longer. I don’t ask the others for help since that’s the same as admitting weakness.

As soon as I walk through the huge doors, an onslaught of students greets me.

“You’re okay, Reina?”

“How is the leg, Reina?”

“Is it true you were in a fire, Reina?”

“Are you cheering for the Devils this Friday?”

I try to smile, but it’s like my reaction is frozen beyond reach. I don’t know these people, and while I’m glad no one seems to recognize I don’t remember them, I don’t want to sound or appear rude.

After all, this is my college.

The attention in the halls is like having a vicious tongue lap my skin. I can see hatred behind some smiles, envy behind others. There are also eager faces, both male and female, who wave awkwardly as if they’re sure I won’t return them.

I figured I’d be popular considering the stupid-ass cheerleading position, but I never thought it would be this…fake.

So far, I haven’t met anyone who actually sees me, the person inside, not the face or the cheerleading uniform—though even I don’t know who the hell the person inside is.

I focus on my steps instead of the horde of people surrounding me. The halls are large, but I can’t breathe well with the crowd.

It’s worse that I don’t know where to go.

You should’ve planned this better.

Shut up, brain. I know that.

“Out of the way, fuckers,” howls a familiar voice from the other side of the hall.

Students trip over each other to make way for none other than Owen.

He grins from ear to ear, winking at a girl here and smacking another’s ass there. It’s like he thinks he’s a sex god blessing the peasants with his presence.

“Rei-Rei.” His grin turns into a wicked one as he drapes an arm around my shoulder. “I thought you were going to be a zombie for a bit more.”

“And I thought you’d stop being a pig by now.”

“Define pig.” He waggles an eyebrow. “Because if it means a lot of meat, then I do have that, babe.”

“Eww. Gross.”

His brows furrow and he pauses for a second. “You realize you just said that out loud, right?”

“Was I not supposed to?”

“Usually, I know you think it, but you never voice it.”

“New person, new rules.” I jab his hard, muscled side. “Pig.”

He laughs. “Well, shit. Looks like we got a new Rei-Rei in da house. You going to talk back to everything?”

“If you’re being a little shit, why shouldn’t I speak my mind?”

“Because you don’t?” He waves two fingers in front of my face. “You usually have a blank robotic thing going on here.”

“Why?”

“Don’t know. Don’t fucking care.” He lifts a shoulder. “Now, about that BJ you promised me…”

“In your dreams, dude.”

“Dude?” He stops, watching me closely.

Asher had a similar reaction when I called him that earlier.

“What’s wrong with that?” I ask, unsure what the hell their problem is.

“You don’t call me dude, Rei-Rei. Were you hit badly in the head?” He lifts a hand before I can form a response. “Don’t answer. I don’t care. I’m more interested in the BJ.”

“I told you it’s not happening, dude.”

“Fine.” He feigns a breath of resignation. “I’ll settle for a lap dance.”

“Hard pass.”

His shoulders shake with laughter that somehow seems genuine compared to all the fakery I’ve seen since this morning.

“What was my reply when you asked me for blowjobs before?” I ask.

“You agreed, of course.”

I narrow my eyes. For some reason, that doesn’t ring true. “Don’t lie to me.”

“You really agreed.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Didn’t mean you did, though.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

He lifts a shoulder. “Beats me.”

“What does…” I clear my throat. “How does Asher react to that? You’re supposed to be his friend.”

“Come on, of course he knows they don’t happen. Otherwise, he would’ve been after my ass.”

“And he’s okay with the joking?”

“Meh. I thought so until he threatened me not to joke with you about BJs the other day.” Owen shakes his head. “Weird son of a bitch.”

Hmm. That’s interesting.

We continue walking for a while. Deep down, I’m thankful for his presence. I would’ve felt utterly out of my element if Owen weren’t by my side.

“What position do you play on the Devils?” I ask.

He raises an eyebrow as if he didn’t expect me to ask that question. “Wide receiver.”

“What about Sebastian?”

“Quarterback.”

“Are you hoping to get drafted into the NFL?”

“What’s with all these depressing questions first thing in the morning? You never gave two shits about us before.”

“Oh.”

I’m the head cheerleader so I figured both our teams were one. After all, the cheerleading squad exists for the sake of the football team, no?

“I’m sorry.” I meet Owen’s brown gaze.

He stops in his tracks, and I’m forced to stop, too. “What did you just say?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t care before.”

He points a finger at me. “Who are you and what have you done with my bitchy Rei-Rei?”

Before I can answer that, a group of beautiful girls in cheerleading uniforms storm in our direction with Bree at the front. They pluck me away from Owen and surround me in one shallow hug after another.

They say things like they missed me and the team isn’t the same without me. However, just like when the other students greeted me, I can sense a wicked undertone. If I’m being honest, some of the girls even appear sad I’ve returned.