Page 66 of Spearcrest Knight

“Sometimes, yes,” Evan admits. “But it doesn’t mean you’re better than us just because your life is more difficult.”

“I don’t think I’m better than you.”

That’s definitely a lie, and I hope Evan doesn’t realise. He leans forward again and speaks in a low, serious tone. “Fine. Then let me rephrase my question from before. IfIasked you out, on a date, would you say yes?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why not? It’s not because I’m American, and it’s not because I go to Spearcrest, right? So why not?”

“Because—” I stare at him, astounded that I even have to explain my answer after everything that’s happened between us all these years. “Because it’s not—this whole scenario isn’t real, you’re obviously not going to ask me out. We’re barely even friends. Why are you even asking? To prove your stupid point?”

“I’m asking. Go on, Sutton. Let me take you on a date. It can be your practice run at dating an American boy.”

His blue eyes are fixed on mine, intense and unyielding, daring me to look away. A smile plays on his lips, impossible to read.

It’s hard to tell how sincere he’s being, or even what point he’s trying to make anymore. But I’m completely out of my depth, like I’ve waded too far into the surf and am now being pulled under by a powerful, treacherous current.

A current alive with memories of cold night air and alcohol and Evan’s tongue sliding against mine.

Time for some evasive manoeuvering.

“Fine, I’ll make you a deal.” I lean toward him and meet his gaze. “If I get accepted into the US universities I’m applying to, then I’ll go on a date with you andyoucan tutormeon how to date an American.”

He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “What universities are you applying to?”

“Harvard, Yale and Stanford.”

“Fuck me, Sutton.” He glares at me and then extends his hand out to me. “But fine. If anybody can do it, it’s you. Shake on it.”

I shake his hand, relieved that he’s fallen for my distraction tactic and more than a little triumphant at my trick. Except that when I try to pull my hand away, his fingers tighten around it, pulling me closer across the countertop.

“But we’re making out on the first date.”

I glare at him.

“Absolutely not.”

“Too late,” he says with a wicked grin. “We shook on it.”

And he releases my hand. My triumph vanishes as quickly as it appeared. Instead of tricking him, I think I might have just tricked myself.

20

Intoxication

Evan

Istruggletofallasleep that night, too excited to keep my eyes closed. I roll restlessly around my bed, kicking my blankets off, pulling them back on, sitting up, lying back down. A heady, dizzy excitement fills me like an electric current.

Of all the times I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Sutton, I’ve never once emerged with such a staggering victory. More than a victory—a prize. Even our kiss at the party barely counts as a victory, not when she left me standing alone in the trees with a hard cock and a mind full of questions.

This time, I’ve not just managed to beat her, towinagainst her, but I’ve managed to win something off her.

A date.

A date with Sutton.

A date with Suttton wouldn’t be like a normal date with a normal girl. I wouldn’t take her out because I like her, because I want to buy her flowers and hold her hand. A date with Sutton would be like fighting her on a completely different battlefield, with a whole new set of weapons.

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