Chapter 7

Lila's Pov

For the next two weeks, Ryder Hayes was everywhere.

And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere.

If I was in class, he was sitting at the desk next to mine.

If I was walking down the hall, he was suddenly there, matching my steps like we were in some weird synchronized dance.

If I was having lunch, he’d just… appear, plopping his tray down in front of me like we’d been meeting for years.

Every single time, it was the same question.

“So… decided to be my fake girlfriend yet?”

Every single time, it was the same answer.

“No.”

But Ryder? He didn’t know how to take a hint.

It was almost impressive.

Almost.

Today was no different, except it was worse.

Because now he was sitting across from me in the library, leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world, while I tried to pretend he wasn’t there.

I would have left, God knows I wanted to, but I had a huge history test coming up and I couldn’t afford to lose this study time. Not even to escape Ryder Kingston.

The library was quiet, the soft hum of the overhead lights mixing with the occasional shuffle of books.

Students sat scattered across the room, some whispering, some typing.

And somewhere near the front desk, I was pretty sure I heard the librarian mutter something about “no food allowed” to a freshman with a bag of chips.

Meanwhile, Ryder was watching me. Not talking. Just watching.

And somehow, that was even more distracting than his usual endless stream of words.

Finally, I set my pen down. “Why do you even want my help so bad?”

He tilted his head. “You mean… other than the fact that you’re the best?”

I gave him a look. “Yes.”

For once, Ryder didn’t answer right away. His gaze dropped to the table, and his voice was quieter when he finally spoke.

“I need to clear my reputation.”

I blinked. That wasn’t the answer I expected. “Your reputation?”

“Yeah. I messed up last year.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “One shot, Lila. I have one shot to fix it, and I intend to take it.”

Something in his tone made me pause. It wasn’t his usual cocky voice. This was… different.

“Who are you doing it for?” I asked before I could stop myself.

His jaw flexed. “My mom. And my baby sister.”

The words were so simple, but they landed heavy in the space between us.

I thought about the way he’d been chasing me down for two weeks straight. The way he never looked away when he asked for my help. It wasn’t just about him.

Around us, whispers drifted through the library.

“… is that Lila Carter?”

“… what’s she doing with Ryder Hayes?”

It was nothing new. People had been whispering about me for years.

But Ryder looked at me then, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “At least we have one thing in common.”

I frowned. “What’s that?”

“Half the school hates us both.”

I don’t know why, but that made me smile. Just a little.

And of course, Ryder noticed immediately.

“There it is,” he said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. “I just made you smile.”

The realization hit me like a bucket of cold water.

Nope. Not letting that happen.

I shoved my notebook into my bag and started packing up. “I have to go.”

“Wait…”

But I was already on my feet, slinging the strap over my shoulder. “See you around, Ryder.”

By the time I got home, the late afternoon sun was streaming through the kitchen windows, making the whole place glow.

My mom stood at the counter, chopping vegetables for dinner. The smell of onions and garlic filled the air.

“Hey, honey,” she said without looking up. “How was school?”

I hesitated. “Fine.”

She glanced at me, clearly not buying it. “You’ve got that look.”

“What look?” I asked, dropping my bag onto the table.

“The one you get when something’s bothering you, but you’re not sure if you should talk about it.”

I sighed and pulled out a chair. “It’s… Ryder Hayes.”

Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “The hockey player?”

“That’s him.” I traced the edge of the table with my finger. “He keeps asking me to help him. Says he needs me.”

“What kind of help?”

“Tutoring. Kind of.” I hesitated, then added, “And… he wants me to be his fake girlfriend.”

Mom’s knife paused mid-chop. “Fake girlfriend?”

“Yeah. It’s stupid. But he says if I agree, it’ll help both of us. I’d get the scholarship I want, he’d fix his reputation.”

She set the knife down and turned to face me fully. “And what’s stopping you?”

I stared at my hands. “I don’t know. I just… I don’t want to get involved with him.”

“Is he a bad person?”

I thought about the way he’d said “my mom and my baby sister” like they were the only people who mattered in the world. I thought about the persistence, the way he didn’t give up.

“No,” I admitted quietly. “I don’t think he is.” Mom came over and rested her hand on my shoulder.

“Then maybe you should follow your instincts. If he really needs your help, what’s the harm in giving it?”

Because he’ll get too close.

Because I’ll let him.

Because I’m not sure I’ll survive it.

I didn’t say any of that. I just nodded, because it was easier.

Upstairs, my room was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic outside. I dropped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

If I agreed to help him, I could get the scholarship.

If I didn’t, I’d have to find another way, and there weren’t many “other ways” left.

I was still turning it over in my mind when my phone buzzed.

Harper: Pick up. I need to tell you something.

I sighed and called her. She answered in the first ring. “Hey.”

“Okay, first of all, don’t freak out,” she said immediately.

“That’s a great way to make me freak out.”

“I just saw Ryder.”

My heart skipped, even though I told myself it didn’t. “Where?”

“Leaving the gym. He was… smiling.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s always smiling.”

“No, Lila. This was different.”

I sat up, the phone pressed closer to my ear. “Different how?”

She hesitated. “Like he just thought of a new plan. One that might actually work on you.”

I closed my eyes. “Great.”

“Lila…” Harper’s voice softened. “Maybe you should just say yes. What’s the worst that could happen?”