Page 6 of Movers and Fakers

No more lying to my parents that it’s fine and finding money tucked in my bag when I get home from visiting them. No more trying to dance on dead pointe shoes just a little longer because I hate spending the money on new ones every week, sometimes twice a week.

“Okay, maybe I’d be tempted by that kind of money, too,” Marigold admits. “But it’s Hayes.” She shudders. “Didn’t you say he flirts with you incessantly? Are you worried he’d try anything if he got you alone?”

Saylor’s and Jasmine’s expressions turn worried. I shake my head to reassure them.

“He’s not like that. He’s annoying but harmless.”

At least, he has been so far. After spending so much time around him in class, he seems far from that kind of dangerous. It’s not like he needs to force himself on anyone anyway. At minimum half the girls on campus would commit a crime to date him.

“He punches people in the face for fun,” Marigold deadpans.

My lips turn up at the edges. “You’re dating a hockey player,” I remind her.

She sniffs and crosses her arms. “One, you can’t fight in college hockey. Two, it’s different in hockey. Civilized. Not like the basement gladiator tournaments he puts on.”

I shrug. “Does it really matter? I’m not dating the guy, just tutoring him.”

“So you’re gonna do it then?” Jasmine asks, her gaze curious.

I pause for a moment, weighing my options one last time. One semester of annoyance in exchange for life-altering payment?

“Yeah, I am.”

Chapter four

Lucky

Hayes Rosewood

Aurora’s face is as cold as the marble in my parents’ kitchen when she sees me leaning against the wall of the computer science building. We don’t have class together today, but I’ve run into her enough times to know we’d cross paths if I lingered here. At first, I think she’s going to change course and speak to me, but I should have known better. She turns her icy gaze to the doors ahead as though I’m not there.

“So?” I call out as she passes.

Her hair—in a tight bun atop her head—catches the light as she pauses to turn my direction. It makes her subtle honey-colored highlights stand out. She’s dressed in similar clothing to what I usually see her in. Baggy gray sweats rolled up at the waist, boots that look more like slippers than shoes, and a Thrashers Dance Academy hoodie. The hoodie is half unzipped, revealing a pink leotard underneath and the necklace she never takes off.

She eyes me with a mixture of caution and contempt.

“I’ll do it,” she answers. “But I want a contract.”

I grin. “Don’t want to take my word for it?”

Her flat expression is her reply. I chuckle and push up off the wall, then cross the short distance between us. A few students pass through the doors, shooting quick, not-so-subtle glances our way.

“I already called my lawyer. I just need your information to add to the contract, and we’ll be good to go.”

She crosses her arms, and her hoodie slips on one side, exposing more of her smooth skin. There’s a small heart-shaped birthmark where her collarbone meets her shoulder that draws my eye.

“What kind of information?”

“Name, copy of your birth certificate, social security number …” I trail off, laughing at the look of alarm that crosses her usually unexpressive features. “I’m joking. I do need your name, address, and email, though. And your number, but that’s so we can organize the sessions.”

She lets out a sigh, then pulls her phone out of her jacket pocket.

“Put in your number, and I’ll text you what you need.”

I take her phone, my mouth hitching up on one side when I notice the case is pink. Once my number is in under the name Prince Charming, I exit out of the contacts app and go to hand the phone back to her. As I do, I notice her background. It’s Aurora with three other girls. They’re wearing pajamas and eating ice cream and smiling. I almost pull the phone back to look closer, but I figure I shouldn’t press my luck. She could still back out.

“The contract will be digital, so you can sign it on your phone or laptop,” I say, and tuck my hands into my black hoodie pocket. “Assuming you don’t have any issues with what’s in it, we can start as early as tonight.”