RYAN'S POV
She stood there, frozen like a deer in headlights, while I cradled my broken tablet like it was my child. I didn't care how pretty her eyes were or how nervous she looked—this wasn't some cheesy rom-com. That tablet cost me two thousand dollars, and now it was digital dust.
I narrowed my eyes. "You broke it… so now, you're going to be my hands."
She blinked. "Wait, what?!"
"You heard me. Until you pay for it, you're writing in all my classes. You take my notes, follow my schedule, and no slacking. Consider it... tablet community service."
Her jaw dropped.
Before she could argue, I heard James calling out. "Yo, Ryan! We've got Prof. Holden's class now."
I looked back at her. She still hadn't moved. Still stunned. I leaned a little closer and muttered, "Eight a.m. tomorrow. Don't be late."
Then I walked off, leaving her standing in the middle of the sidewalk like I just flipped her whole world upside down.
---
ANGEL'S POV
I just felt my heart leave my body.
I clutched my chest, pacing into the art building like a ghost. Why was I feeling like this? It was just a kiss. Jace kissed someone else. Big deal. I didn't own him.
And yet… my heart was melting like butter in a frying pan.
This stupid heart. Always pumping blood when it should be minding its own business.
And to make everything worse — now I owed Ryan freaking Jacobs a whole tablet. Everyone on campus knew him. Cold. Talented. Arrogant. Hot.
Yeah, he was handsome. But he acted like the world owed him just for being born.
Before I could spiral further, the door burst open and Lucy and Annie ran in.
"Angel!" Lucy called, her eyes wide. "Are you okay?! I swear I didn't know Jace was coming. I wouldn't have—"
"Relax, Lucy!" Annie interrupted. "She's fine. But seriously, whose idea was it to chase Jace like it's some fairytale ending?" She whacked Lucy on the head playfully.
"Heyyy!" Lucy yelped, rubbing her scalp.
I gave them a weak smile. "I'm okay. Promise."
"You sure, sweetie?" Annie leaned in.
"Yeah. I'll live."
Annie crossed her arms. "Good. After this class, we're going for drinks. No arguing. We're scrubbing today's mess out of our memory with sugar, soda, and slaps if needed."
"Agreed!" Lucy said, already scrolling through Yelp.
Then—ding!
A message popped up on my phone. My heart dropped.
Ryan: Tomorrow by 8 a.m., you start your work. 😡
I groaned out loud. "God, why me?"
I texted back: It was an accident. You really want me to be your hands?
Ryan: Yes.
Just one word. And yet it came with a migraine attached.
I silenced my phone as our Sulphur Theory & Sketching class began. For the next hour, I buried myself in notes and charcoal sketches, trying to ignore the storm that was now my life.
---
8:03 PM – At the Bar, Downtown
The bar was buzzing with energy, flashing lights, and an overload of cologne and male ego.
We found a booth near the window, and for once, I was starting to relax.
Until he showed up.
Some random guy in a neon shirt leaned in way too close, reeking of beer and bad decisions.
"Hey, pretty girls," he slurred, eyes zoning in on me. "What's a beautiful thing like you doing here without a man?"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Walk away, creep."
"Yeah," Annie added. "We're not here for guys. Back off."
I stayed quiet, sipping my lemonade. My head still throbbed from everything today.
Then he grabbed my hand.
"Hey, she's not complaining," he smirked. "Why don't you spend the night with me, sweetie?"
That was it.
SLAP.
My hand connected with his cheek in a loud, satisfying smack that turned heads across the bar.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I shouted.
Lucy and Annie jumped up and started yelling at him, and the guy looked like he was about to back down…
Until I saw his hand grab a bottle.
Time slowed.
He raised it, swinging it at me like a madman—
CRASH!
A dark blur moved in front of me just in time.
The bottle shattered on someone's back.
I gasped.
A tall figure turned around slowly — wearing all black, muscles tight under his hoodie, blood trickling down his shoulder.
He had taken the hit for me.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep, gravelly, and calm like midnight rain.
I froze. Was it just me… or was this guy insanely handsome?
I nodded. "Y-Yeah. Thank you."
He turned to the drunk guy, cracked his knuckles, and within seconds, unleashed a barrage of punches straight out of WWE.
Boom. Boom. BAM.
"CALL THE COPS," he shouted, dragging the guy by the collar like a rag doll.
When it was over, he walked up to our table again. "Hope you ladies aren't hurt."
"No," I whispered, completely starstruck.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then gave me one last nod… and walked out the door like he was in a movie.
I watched him leave, my heart thudding like it was trying to break free.
Who was he?
And why did I suddenly forget all about Jace?