Page 582 of Filthy Elites

But seriously, where is he? He told me he’d leave me alone today, but I didn’t expect him to just disappear. I don’t like it. Not one bit.

When I walk into the lab where we havescience club, Rose beams at me and Bella rises from her seat to come hug me. I stiffen, never one for undue physical contact. "I thought you wouldn't come back!"

I might not have, if it hadn't been for the fair in two short months, but the enthusiastic welcome is nice all the same.

Oscar joins us, shoulders hunched, and mutters, "Errr, I'm sorry. I just, I guess I was making a joke. I was trying to break the ice, you know? I suck at jokes, though."

I don't know if I believe him, but I choose to let it slide. "It's fine. I just want to work on my project."

I explain the gist of my plan and Bella's practically jumping in her seat. "That's genius!"

"Do you need any help to build something to press the oil?" Benjamin asks. "We can work on a design and I can take you to the welding workshop. I'm almost done with my circuit, so I don't mind."

"Can I ask for help?" I don't want to be disqualified because someone gave me a hand.

"Sure, you just need to state it on your paperwork—write exactly what the person did for you. And you still have to be involved in every step—you can't just ask Benjamin to build your press."

"Well, that'd be nice, actually, but I'm pretty late so I don't want to wait until next week."

We get authorization from the teacher, who opens up the workshop and leaves us to it. The nerds have a lot more freedom than average students, apparently.

Ben isn't one to waste too many words, so we work in silence.I don't know how long we stay, but it's dark by the time I have a metallic press built like a long, flat hammer inside a rectangular box. The work is a little crude, but it should get the job done. I can't wait to get started.

The rest of the club's already left by the time Ben and I head out. From the entryway, I'm surprised to see Chase's blue Jeep still in its spot.

"You want me to give you a lift?" Ben offers.

"That won't be necessary." I hear Chase before I see him, seated on the stairs leading up to the school. "I'll drive her home, thank you."

I'm so relieved to see him, I don't even remind him that he doesn't get to make decisions for me.

Benjamin smiles at me. "See you later, Simons. Your project is going to kill it. MIT would be crazy not to let you in."

I grin and wave as he leaves toward the only other car left in the lot: a Maserati. I would never have taken him for a rich kid, but in this school, I should have known.

"Where were you all day?" I ask casually, hiding my concern and anger.

But he could have left me know if he was planning to skip. Dick.

"Missed me?"

If I had, he'd be the last person I'd admit it to. I roll my eyes, following him to the Jeep.

"So, MIT?" He opens my door again.

"If you're not answering my question, why should I answer yours?"

Chase laughs, moving to put my seat belt on for me.

"I can do that myself," I say, taking the clasp back from him.

He takes my hands in his and massages my palms until I let go of the belt. “I know you can. And you can get yourself off, too.” My breath hitches as he leans in to take my lip in a dazzling, hot, and gallingly quick kiss. “You still like when I do it for you.”

Chases clicks the clasp into its lock and closes my door before walking to the driver's seat. "LA. Cam and I had some stuff to do. MIT?" he prompts again.

I nod. "I know it's a long shot. I might not get in, and if I do, I doubt I'll get a full ride."

"Good thing you don't need a full ride, right?"

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