Page 12 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

She rolls her eyes but backs away from Grayson. I notice the smirk on the asshole’s face, as if he knows his actions are getting to me, but how could they not be? This is the same boy I was sure I was going to marry one day. We promised we’d always end up together, and now here is he, hating my guts and flirting with Kinsley right in front of me.

As she goes to walk by, I step directly in her way. “Roll your eyes at me again, and I’ll ruin you.” She swallows hard as I back up. “Now go work on your form. Spreading your legs for every guy who looks at you doesn’t count as stretching.”

PRACTICE FINISHES A COUPLE hours later, without a single word from Kinsley. She may have had a sour look on her face the whole time, but she kept her mouth shut and that’s all that matters. Grayson, however, has been staring me down almost constantly — glaring at me like I’m the worst person in existence.

“Savannah.” Emm

a gets my attention then nods to look behind me.

I turn around and light up when I see Brady leaning against the bleachers. “Hey, you.”

He smiles and comes toward me, then wraps me tightly in his arms. The hug is everything I needed after the day I had. Suddenly though, Brady tenses.

“Uh, should I be concerned by the football player murdering me with his eyes right now?”

I don’t need to look to know that it’s Grayson. “Do me a favor? Play it up.”

He chuckles. “Let’s do this.”

Pulling away from the hug, he keeps one hand on my back. His lips meet mine as he dips me. To anyone else, we probably look like a loved-up couple. Even some of the guys whistle playfully. Then he breaks the kiss and wraps his arm around my shoulder. With one last wink at Grayson, Brady leads me off the field and toward his car.

“Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?” I ask when we’re safely inside the vehicle.

He grins widely as he puts it in reverse to back out of the space. “I’m glad, because that’s the first time I’ve kissed a girl since playing spin the bottle freshman year.”

“Think Jake will be mad?”

“Eh. Special circumstances, and it’s you. I don’t think he’ll mind.”

I laugh softly and fix my ponytail. “Well, I appreciate it.”

Glancing between me and the road, he narrows his eyes. “Are you going to tell me what the deal is with that guy, or am I just a pretty pawn to you?”

Even if I wanted to, how could I even begin to explain Grayson Hayworth? Since he showed up the other day — looking every bit like the boy I had a crush on from when I was eight years old, yet acting like someone who would run me over without even tapping the breaks—it’s almost like my brain has been turned to mush. I don’t understand what changed in him, or why he’s treating me the way he has. The whole thing is just one big mind-fuck, and I’m tired of the headache.

“I’d say you’re more of a pretty knight than a pawn,” I quip.

Thankfully, he takes the hint and drops the subject—for now.

THE SOUND OF SHAWN Mendes and Camilla Cabello blasts through the speakers as Brady and I move rhythmically to the beat. It’s not a complete reenactment from the music video, but the routine is sexual enough to look like one. The concept, paired with tune of Señorita, is perfect for a showcased duet in the winter recital.

I spin four times before he catches me and practically uses my body as a human prop, flinging me around him and making it so I end up on his shoulder. If I wasn’t as petite as I am, the move would be impossible, but our size difference makes it work.

Still, no matter how much I’m into this dance, there is no denying my head isn’t in the game today. I’ve messed up more steps than normal and even managed to step on Brady’s foot. By the third time I fall out of my turns, he stops me.

“What the hell is up with you today?” he asks as soon as he hits pause on the music.

“What do you mean?”

The knowing look on his face tells me I’m busted. “You’re all over the place. Wrong steps, sloppy moves, off beat—it’s not like you.”

I groan, grabbing my bottle of water and taking a longer sip than necessary. “I’m just having an off day, that’s all.”

“Mm-hm, right.” He sits on the floor and leans on his elbows. “Now, let’s try that again, but this time, actually try to sound believable.”

Smirking, I can’t help but laugh. That’s the thing about Brady. He’s known me long enough to gauge when he can push on a topic and when to just let it go. And right now, with this, me being unfocused could mean not performing my best at the recital. If I don’t get the scholarship to Juilliard, I’ll be stuck here for God knows how long. That would be my worst nightmare come to life.

I sigh and sit down next to him, trying to figure out how to explain the last couple days. “The football player is Grayson.”

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