Page 50 of Heart of Thorns

“Are you okay to drive?” Her gaze roves my face.

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Briar?”

She blinks. Big, brown eyes. The moonlight comes in through the windshield, illuminating half of her face. Full lips. No scowl.

“Cassius?”

I sigh. “I told you?—”

“The agreement was to not insinuate I was after your money,” she whispers. “And there’s no one around to put on a show for, is there?”

“There’s always an audience.” I sway closer to her face. “That’s the catch, kitten.”

“Kitten.” Her nose wrinkles.

“Yeah. Because when you look at me like you are… you’re not so much a grumpy cat as you are a kitten. Sweet. Maybe a little spicy.” I shrug. “Time will tell.”

“I’m losing track of all the nicknames you have for me. And I’ve got…”

“My real name.” I step back, slowly straightening. She doesn’t say it the way my parents do, with disdain. She says it like it’s the one version of me she wants to know. And I can’t even argue against it. No one’s seen that side of me in a really long time. “Okay. Keep it, then.”

“I will,” she whispers, just as I close the door.

At least, that’s what I think she says.

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking to believe she’ll hold on to something as important as that.

CHAPTER 17

BRIAR

There’s always an audience.

Thorne is right. Now that word has spread that we’re dating, I’m catching stares everywhere. It was never like this with Ben. I don’t know if that’s because Ben isn’t as well known as Thorne or if it’s because I’m the complete opposite of who Thorneshouldbe with.

At least according to what Lydia said.

I won’t try and act like I know every last thing there is to know about my fake boyfriend but I think there’s a lot more to him than people realize. He isn’t a surface level kind of guy, and I can’t see him being fulfilled with a rich girl who wears more makeup than a twelve-year-old in Sephora.

Chatter floats down the hallway from the locker room, and my pulse matches the throbbing in my knee. Tonight is my first session with Thorne. I wasn’t expecting there to be people around this late at night, but again,there’s always an audience.

I stop outside of the weight room door, unsure if I should just walk in or if I should wait for him. Standing in a darkened hallway, all alone, puts me on edge, though.

I’ve been a little more skeptical of the football team since having that foreboding feeling the other night. I’ve been watching them more, too.

With and without Thorne near.

“Yo, Thorne!” I jump at the sound of Rhys’s voice echoing throughout the hall. “Your…girlfriendis here.”

Rhys winks on his way past. I flip him off because at least I can be myself with him and not pretend to be infatuated with his best friend.

I rest along the door, eager to get started. Footsteps catch my attention. I turn only to be hit with disappointment.

Not that I’m excited to see Thorne or anything.

---