The Deal Summary & ending explained

Hannah

Professor Tolbert is telling us, at length, how disappointed he is, and the whole room is sinking lower in their seats.

Most of the class failed his Ethics midterm. I didn't. There's a big red A at the top of my paper, and I'm trying not to look pleased about it, because two rows down sits Justin Kohl, broad shoulders, thoughtful frown, and I'd rather he didn't think I'm the class know-it-all.

Then class ends, and someone falls into step beside me in the hallway.

Garrett Graham. Captain of the Briar hockey team. Gray eyes, a cocky swagger and the kind of easy grin that tells me he's never once been told no.

"Wells, right? Saw your grade." He nods at my bag. "I need a tutor. I'll pay. Name your price."

"No."

"You didn't hear the price."

"Still no." I have the winter showcase in a few weeks, a duet to rehearse, and shifts at the diner. "Hire somebody else."

"There is nobody else. You're the only one who aced it." The grin slips. "If I don't pass the retake, I'm benched. No games. No scouts."

"Then you should have studied."

I leave him standing there, and I think that's the end of it.

It isn't. He tracks down my number. He texts me at midnight. He walks into the diner during my shift, orders pie, and asks again. He turns up at a party Allie drags me to, where I spend twenty minutes watching Justin laugh with another girl.

Garrett follows my gaze, and his eyes light up like he's just been handed the puck in front of an open net.

"Kohl? That's who you want?" He leans in. "Here's the deal. You tutor me. I take you out, let the whole campus see you with me. Guys like him always want what someone else has."

It's the dumbest plan I've ever heard.

So why am I already saying yes?