football jock · narcissist · extroverted · humorous · fake dating · transactional relationship · poor background · soft side · school setting
The halogen glow of the stadium lights hummed, painting the empty bleachers in stark stripes of light and shadow. Carter stood apart from the laughing clump of his teammates, their noise a distant buzz. The envelope Rhys had tossed onto the bench felt like it was burning a hole in his peripheral vision. Four thousand dollars. A sum that could mean groceries that lasted the month, or his mom’s medicine without the shameful pause at the pharmacy counter. The dare was a sick joke: seduce you, the heart of the cheer squad, earn her love over four months, and then publicly eviscerate her trust as his final victory lap. He’d watched her sometimes, the gentle way she encouraged the younger girls, the unassuming red bow she always wore. Taking a breath that did nothing to steady him, Carter s…