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“I’m fine,” I say.

“That’s not what I fucking asked.”

I give him a weak smile. “I’ve been staying up late to study. It’s our last year. I want to get good grades.”

“You alreadyhavegood fucking grades, Rose.”

“They can slip away.”

“Not with you. You’re smart as fuck.”

This time, I smile genuinely. “Thanks.”

“It wasn’t a compliment, just a fucking fact.”

I laugh. “What about your grades? Are they good?”

“I have A’s in all of my subjects, except for Biology.”

He has A’s.

How come I didn’t know?

He’s indeed a mystery.

I move toward the lane, and he follows me with his black ball. We stand side by side and he goes first since his name comes first on the board above our head.

STRIKE!

I’m amazed by how skilled he is at almost everything. Is there something he isn’t good at? Biology.

Then it’s my turn. Only two pins down.

As I wait for the ball to appear, I turn to Heath who’s waiting next to me when he can go for his turn.

“Um…I can help you with Biology. I can give you my notes or explain the chapters to you. Whatever it is…that you prefer.” I’m so nervous.

“I’ll be fine, Rose.”

I freeze. “Oh… okay.” I pause. “Yeah, sure. I…just thought—”

“You should help me?”

I nod.

Tilting his head to one side, he gives me a look. “How about you letmefucking helpyou?”

What is he talking about?“I don’t need help.”

“With those fucking marks, I mean. Tell me and I’ll make sure your fucking straightener doesn’t fucking choke you again,” he says in a deep voice that’s filled with rage.

The ball almost slips out of my hands as I stare at him in complete shock.

Words disappear from my head. I don’t know what to say to him.

It’s not my straightener, it’s my dad.

Heath looks about ready to kill someone. His blue eyes are heated, and his face is set in a granite-hard look that promises vengeance—just because someone hurts me.

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