16. The Deal #2
She nods along to every item I mention, so I dare to take an even bigger risk. “To really sell it, we need to convince people we can’t keep our hands off each other. So we need to build on last night’s kiss. I’m pretty sure someone must have filmed it.”
We take out our phones to check and I’m right. Our kiss is trending and has been shared by a few gossip blogs on campus, and the views are climbing steadily.
“Fine. But how will it work between me and Becks? How do I behave with him? If he thinks I’m with you, won’t it look bad if I flirt with him? I hate cheaters, and I don’t want him to think I’m one.”
“True,” I nod. “But hear me out. You don’t want just a hookup with Becks, right?”
She shakes her head. “I’m not a hookup kind of girl. I tried, and it isn’t for me.”
That doesn’t surprise me. “Then, at first, just get to know him as a friend. He’ll just start hovering around you when he sees us together.
Becks isn’t the kind of guy who would jump into a serious relationship right off the bat, anyway.
When we think we’ve convinced Gen and everyone else that you and I are an item, you can start complaining to him about the way I treat you.
Say that I put hockey first and I’m not as dedicated to you as I should be. ”
Fuck knows that I’ve heard those complaints on repeat over and over for years.
“He’ll let you confide in him and offer you a shoulder to cry on.” I continue. “And then once you think you two are close enough, you and I will have a public breakup. And trust me when I guarantee you that Becks will swoop in and want to be your knight in shining armor.”
Talia is chewing her bottom lip, still not completely sold on my plan. “But doesn’t that bother you? If we break up publicly like you suggest, people will think you’re an asshole.”
“Let them think I’m an asshole. Everyone on campus and beyond already thinks that. Didn’t you see how that stupid reality show painted me?”
She shakes her head. “No. After the way they screwed me out of the money at the last second, I couldn’t bring myself to watch it.”
“They labeled me as The Bad Boy of Hockey. Aside from a few scenes with game footage, they show me with a different woman on my arm every episode. They say I left a trail of broken hearts in my wake by the time summer training was over. They even hinted that a couple of the cuts that were made on the cheerleading team were my fault because I tempted the cheerleaders into breaking the no fraternization rule.”
“Is it true?” Talia asks.
“Not really. I was careful when I hooked up with someone at camp. I didn’t want to cost them their spot on the team. And I wasn’t the only one who did.”
Talia agrees with me. “That’s true. There was a lot of hooking up between players and cheerleaders.”
That’s still a sore point for me. “Exactly. And I hate that they pictured me as this heartless player. I was always upfront with every woman I was with that it was just one night. I never promised anything more than what I intended to give.”
“So why perpetuate that bad boy image?”
“You know how that stuff works. Once you get a certain label, it’s hard to shake it. But if it works for our plan, I don’t mind.”
Talia nods again. “That could work. But there is still one huge problem.”
“What is it?” She’s almost there. I almost convinced her.
“Becks is used to experienced women, just like you are. I’m afraid that once he finds out how little I know about keeping a man satisfied in bed, he’ll lose interest. But you’re experienced, Macklin.
Since we have to sell our relationship and I’m tutoring you in art history, would you be my tutor too? ”
It’s my turn to blink confused. “Your tutor?”
“Yes. Teach me how to be hot in bed. How to keep Becks interested.”
“You want me to sleep with you? To teach you sex?”
Talia blushes, but her expression is determined as she confirms her request. “Yes. I trust you, Macklin. And you’re right that we can help each other out. Unless you don’t find me attractive enough.”
“Are you crazy? I would have to be blind not to find you attractive enough.”
“Ok. Then we have a deal. We’ll fake date and get Gen off your back and Becks interested in me. The only person who can know that we’re faking our relationship is Tucker. And while our deal is valid, I’ll tutor you on Cantucci’s class and you’ll tutor me on how to be good in bed.”
I’m nervous and excited at the same time. “We have a deal.”
She offers me her hand to shake, but when I take it, she hesitates and pulls hers back.
“What’s up? Is there anything you don’t feel comfortable with?”
Talia meets my gaze head on. “I know our relationship is fake…”
Not if I get my way.
I don’t voice my thought but wait for her to express whatever is preventing her from agreeing to this deal.
“I get that probably teaching me the sex stuff will be boring for you, but I would feel more comfortable if, while our deal lasts, you didn’t hook up with anyone else.”
“Oh, yeah.” I can’t help but chuckle. “Sleeping with you will be such a chore, Talia.”
She still doesn’t look convinced. “Really? You don’t mind too much?”
“You’re a beautiful woman, and you’re smart and funny. And if you still think that I’m just saying this to make you feel better, see it for yourself.” I grab her hand and place it on my crotch. “This is how I feel at the thought of getting naked with you.”
“Oh,” she gasps. “You’re hard.”
I keep her hand there for a second longer, just to make sure she doesn’t doubt the effect she has on me again.
“I have no problem with being exclusive with you during our deal. Can I ask the same of you? No one else but me. Except for Becks, of course. But we aren’t going to rush into anything with him. We want him to pine for you.”
“Ok. Deal.”