The Deal

I should feel guilty about the thought that just comes to my mind. But for some reason, I don’t.

Every part of me knows this is the best decision.

The notion buzzing through me about how Jason would react if he sees me with his brother. Angry? Nothing would make me happier.

Is that why he kept him away? Because he’s insecure? Or because he just wants to hide me from the whole damn world?

“Oh no, lady. You are not thinking about what I think you’re thinking about.”

Paris’s gaze burns into me. “Malibu—he’s off limits. He is Jason’s brother.”

But all my mind can do is race: How do I set the plan in motion? Make him fall for me.

Now that I say it out loud in my head, that sounds absurd.

I finally turn to Paris, and my phone buzzes in my pocket. I reach for it. A scoff rips out of me. I spin the screen so Paris can see.

She rolls her eyes. “I can’t believe that bastard is calling you. The nerve.”

I cut the call instantly. Go to shove it back in my pocket when another one comes in. Then beep-beep-beep—messages flooding in.

Jason. Begging. He wants to talk.

“We have to go.” Paris grabs my hand, yanking me. 

Then someone yells:

“JASON MOTHERFUCKING CARRINGTON IS AT OUR PARTYYY!”

“That motherfucker. Hold my phone.” Paris groans with a twisted face. “Someone’s about to get slapped.” 

I hold her back. “Don’t.”

“Why?” 

“He isn’t worth your time.” 

She scoffs. “He obviously stalked you here.”

“His teammates hosted this party, Paris. You think he wouldn’t show?” I ask.

“He wouldn’t—if you guys’ plan had gone the way you wanted. It’s your anniversary.”

She corrects herself immediately. “Was your anniversary.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Jason and I were supposed to spend the night together. I even bought a special pair of pants. Watched every kind of p**n just to be good enough for him.

I didn’t care if it was my first time. Or if it was going to be painful. 

But he betrayed me.

“Malibu. Malibu!”

Jason sprints toward me, grabs my hand, nearly wrenches me away—

Paris slams in front of him, blocking him cold. "And what the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Uh… wanting to talk to my girlfriend?"

"Ex-girlfriend, motherfucker." She rips my hand from his grip. "Yeah, she told me all about your little rendezvous, cheater."

A frown twists Jason's face. He looks at me. With a low voice, he begs, "Malibu. Can we talk? Please, baby—just spare me a minute. We can't just end like that. It's two years, Malibu. Two years."

My heart cracks at that word.

He didn't think it was two years when I caught him sleeping with that girl. He didn't think about this when he hid me from his family. He didn't think about this when he hid our entire relationship from everyone.

I endured all of it. I couldn't go around bragging that my boyfriend was Jason Carrington—star of the hockey team. I never went to a single game. Because he told me not to. Soon, he said. Soon.

"Is he disturbing you?"

The voice freezes me. I turn my head. It’s Rafeal.

Jason's voice comes out rough and defensive. "This is none of your business, Raf. She's my girl."

"It doesn't seem like it."

"Ex-girl," I say to Rafeal. My voice strong and quick. "He cheated on me."

Rafeal looks at Jason. Jason’s eyes are burning with anger. "Let's not cause a scene here, bro. The lady doesn't want to go with you."

"The lady?" Jason shoves Rafeal in the chest with two hands, and full force. Rafeal doesn't move an inch. They're quite the same height level. But Rafeal is taller. Broader. Solid. "I'm not your bro." Jason's voice spikes. "Know your fucking place—creep!"

The crowd begins to tighten around us like a fist. Phones rise overhead—recording, always recording. My skin prickles with the weight of their stares.

But Jason and Rafeal don't notice. They're still locked on each other, chest to chest, barely an inch of air between them.

Rafeal leans in. He whispers something to Jason. I can't hear it. But I see the change in Jason’s face.

His jaw tightens. His hands curl into fists. His whole body goes rigid—

Then he swings.

His fist connects with Rafeal’s face. Rafeal's head snaps to the side, then he looks up and just smiles. 

"This is not fucking over!" Jason snarls, chest heaving. He spins on his heel and shoves through the crowd. 

"Are you okay?" The words tumble out of me. 

Rafeal wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. Glances at the blood, and smears it away like it's nothing. "I'm fine. By tomorrow, I won't even feel it." His eyes find mine. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I mean…" He studies me. 

My head whips toward Paris. She's standing frozen, eyes wide. She gives a tiny shake of her head, but then her boyfriend grabs her elbow and yanks her away. 

Now, I'm alone with him.

"I'm fine." The lie scrapes out of my throat. I turn my face away. Stare at the floor. But the image won't leave—that girl's hands on him, his mouth on her neck, the way he grinded her—it plays behind my eyes like a loop I can't shut off.

"Do you want to get back at him?"

The question hits me hard. I snap my head up at him. "What?"

He steps closer. Closer. His presence pressing into my space. I almost lost my footing but I don’t let him notice. 

"Do you want to hurt him—the way he hurt you?"

I think back to every lie. Every secret. Every time he made me small. Hidden. Invisible. He kept me from the world—and then he threw me away.

Something inside me bangs. Anger? Irritation? I can’t name it but I feel so much. "Yes." The word comes out raw. Strained. Almost broken. My fists clutches into my palm. "Yes. I want to."

"Then let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

"Yeah." That sly smirk curls his split lip. "What do you say about fake dating? Publicly. Nothing will piss Jason off more than seeing me with you. He hates me. Hates that I exist. Hates that I breathe the same air."

"Hmm." I fold my arms across my chest. My heart is still racing. "And what's in it for you?"

He shrugs. Rolls his shoulders like he's shaking something off. "Just the fun of it. I'd love to watch him spiral. Even more—for keeping someone as beautiful as you hidden from all of us."

My cheeks flush.

Not a bad deal. Not at all. I've turned this thought over in my head—how to make Raf fall for me just to break Jason. And now? The opportunity lands in my lap.

“So what do you say, Wonder Woman?” Rafael’s dark eyes bore into mine. His voice drops. Dares me. “Let’s give my brother something to really cry about.”

I smile brightly, sharply, dangerously. “Deal. But I have a condition.”

“Hmm.” He tucks his hands into his pockets. “Go on. What do you want, Missy?”

“I want you to make me a—” The word hangs in my throat. His brow raises. Waiting. I clear my throat. Trying so hard to let the word out.

“Go on, Wonder Woman. In the next few minutes, you and I will be a thing.”

Okay. Here goes nothing. “I want you to make me a bad girl.”

Silence.

Then a laugh leaves him. I frown at him. “Oh, you’re serious?”

I nod. “I want you to tint me dark.”

“Wonder Woman. What you are asking for—”

I cut him off. “I know. I know what I’m asking for. But I want to be different. Be a bad girl. I know I look so pure. And that’s why Jason could do that to me.”

“Jason cheating isn’t about you. He’s just senseless.”

“I want you to teach me how to have sex. Turn me bad. This is what I want.”

Our eyes hold. Then he breathes in. “Okay. If you say so.” He stretches out his hand. I give him a confused look. “Your phone.”

I reach into my pocket. Pull it out, and toss it to him. His thumbs fly across the screen. He hands it back. Then shoves his own phone into my palm. I type my number in, and hand it back.

“Now that we’ve come to a conclusion,” I say, lifting my chin. “Let’s seal it.” I stretch out my hand for a shake.

He takes it. Then he shakes his head slowly. “But this won’t sell it.” His thumb drags across my knuckles.

“Sell it?”

“We need something… real.”

I open my mouth to answer—

But he doesn’t wait. He moves fast, like he’s done this a thousand times.

His hand shoots up, fingers threading into my hair, cupping the back of my neck. He yanks me forward. Then his mouth crashes down on mine.

I gasp against his lips. His other arm hooks around my waist, dragging me against him. My palms slap against his chest to push, but I feel his heartbeat instead. It quickens under my fingers. He deepens the kiss.

He finally lets me go, pulling back just an inch. His forehead presses to mine. His breath is warm on my lips. I can’t move. Can’t think.

My pulse is a war drum in my throat. My lips still tingle from where his were just pressed.

“There,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through my bones. “Now it’s sealed.”

I exhale. Breathe—

“But there’s a rule.” My brows shoot up. I try to lean back, but his hands tighten on my shoulders. Hold me there. “You can’t fall in love with me, Wonder Woman.”

A sharp, disbelieving laugh almost rips out of me. I plant my palms on his chest and push. Just enough to create space. Enough to look him in the eye.

“Trust me, Green Arrow.” I lift my chin proudly. “I’m not planning to. I just want to hurt Jason.” I let the words land like a blade. “And I will see that I do.”