Page 21 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

I look around before crossing the street and slipping behind North Haven High—the hood on my sweatshirt pulled over my head. The last thing I need is someone at Haven Grace seeing me over here. I’d not only get the third degree from Carter, but someone may catch onto my plans. I don’t need any of that happening.

“Grayson Hayworth,” Knox greets me, though I wasn’t aware he knew my name. “You’re on the wrong side of the street, aren’t you?”

His friends surround him, eyeing me like I’m the devil just for stepping foot on their territory. He’s not the kind of person you would expect to be the captain of the football team. His tattoo-covered body and his obvious tendency for drug use would lead me to think he’d be more partial to being lazy and partying all the time. Still, he’s the best one for the job I’m looking for.

“I need something from you.”

A dry laugh leaves his mouth. “Do I look like your fucking slave, pretty boy?” I take the wad of cash out of my pocket and toss it to him. His eyes widen at the large sum of money, and he gestures his friend toward me. “Hook him up.”

I shake my head when I see the guy digging in his pocket. “I’m not looking for drugs.”

“Then what is it you want? Don’t tell me Haven Grace’s new quarterback is gay. This is a lot of money, but I won’t drop to my knees for anyone.”

The thought alone is repulsive and I cringe. “What’s wrong with you, man? I just need you to follow someone for me.” He raises one eyebrow, looking for me to elaborate. “Brady Laurence.”

“Ah,” he says with a nod. “Princess’s boyfriend.”

“I need to know when he’s alone. In the middle of the cash is a piece of paper with my number on it. Call me when no one is with him, especially Savannah.”

I spent almost the entire weekend lurking outside of the studio. I watched her as she danced for hours on end, somehow looking even more breathtakingly beautiful than she usually does. Every part of me wanted to go in there and claim what has been mine from the start, and it took all the restraint I had not to.

On Friday, when we were alone in that bathroom, I was seconds away from giving in. Had she not called me by the nickname that no longer belongs to her, I may have. Hearing that name slip from her lips brought me back to reality. A reality where she and I can never be what we once were. But damn did I want to go right back to that, which is exactly why I’m here.

If I’ve learned anything over the last week, it’s that the first thing I need to do is separate her from those keeping her strong—in particular, Brady. Seeing the way that she is with him doesn’t just make my blood boil—it shows their comfort level together. I want to take that from her, along with everything else good in her life.

“Consider it done,” Knox tells me. “You’ll hear from me soon.”

With that I leave, anticipating his call and the next part of my plan.

DAYS PASS, AND I’M starting to get impatient. Not only have I heard nothing from Knox, but something is different about Savannah. She hasn’t so much as looked at me this week. The glares I send her have decreased down to glances and still go completely unnoticed. I can’t tell if she genuinely just doesn’t care, or she’s doing it to piss me off. If it’s the latter, it’s fucking working.

Even as I flirt with Kinsley right in front of her, she doesn’t acknowledge it. Judging by the way Carter keeps looking at her, waiting to see what she does, he’s thinking the same thing. All I know is that Knox better do the damn job I paid him for, or I’ll take my anger out on him instead.

I’m sitting next to Savannah at lunch, trying to make her uncomfortable but having no luck. She’s focused on her notebook, writing down what looks like either cheerleading stunts or dance moves.

“Grayson,” Kinsley whines to get my attention. “Come sit next to me. I’m cold.”

It’s a somewhat tempting offer, and if Sav had the slightest reaction to it, I’d probably do it. However, the less she cares about me flaunting her so-called friend in her face, the less appeal it has.

“Kins, stop pissing off Savannah. You’re going get kicked off the team,” Becca hisses.

Kinsley is about to defend herself when Sav looks up. “No, it’s fine Bec. If Grayson wants to get chlamydia, that’s on him.” For the first time all week, her eyes land on me. “Though I can’t imagine you’d be a very good quarterback with your junk on fire.”

A bright, involuntary smile spreads across my face. I bite my lip to contain it but it’s pointless. It’s been days since her attention was on me, and no matter how much I try to push it down, I can’t fight the feeling that courses through me at having it again. She seems caught off guard, and her breath hitches for a second, but the moment is quickly interrupted.

“Are you seriously going to let her talk about me like that?” Kinsley shrieks.

Everyone at the table, sans me and Savannah, are struggling to hold in their laughter—making it very hard to keep my composure. Still, I turn my attention to her.

“You really want a knight in shining armor to come to your defense? I thought you were stronger than that.”

Savannah chuckles and levels her with a look. “She wouldn’t dare.”

Kinsley opens and closes her mouth before getting up and flouncing out of the room. The second she’s gone, the whole table breaks out in hysterics. Carter looks like he’s about to piss himself, and Wyatt’s face is bright red as he clutches his stomach and tries to breathe. In complete curiosity, I focus on Savannah.

“What do you have on her, anyway?”

She’s back to writing in her notebook, but she mumbles a response. “What do you mean?”

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