Chapter 1

• Madison:
• I paced back and forth in the hotel room, my nerves completely shot, while Angel practically doubled over laughing at my panic.
• "Relax, Maddie," she giggled, waving her hand dismissively as if my world wasn't falling apart. "You're going to give yourself a heart attack. It's really not that deep."
• I looked down at the skimpy cat girl outfit clinging to my body and cringed. I felt like a cheap stripper. The whole thing was her brilliant idea anyway. Since we were seniors, she convinced me to take a huge risk on the guy I had been hopelessly obsessed with for three years.
• "What if he turns me down again?" I sank onto the edge of the bed next to her, my voice small and trembling. "I look completely ridiculous."
• She rolled her eyes, her face full of affection and mild exhaustion. "If he rejects you this time, you just have to take the hint and move on." She let out a heavy sigh, her brows furrowing with deep irritation. "Honestly, I don't get what you see in him. The guy literally told you that you aren't his type. That alone pisses me off so much."
• Maxwell Jackson was the very first guy who caught my eye at Westland University. He gave off that effortless bad-boy vibe and played for The Serpents, the school's hockey team. Unlike his twin brother, Miller, Maxwell was actually friendly.
• Miller was the team captain, but he constantly wore this cold, unreadable glare that scared everyone away. Word around campus was that Miller was gay, which I actually believed because he treated every woman like a contagious disease including me.
• Whenever he saw me at their place, he would slip into another room just to avoid me. But whatever, I wasn't there for him.
• I had already confessed my feelings to Maxwell once, only for him to brush me off because I wasn't his usual type. But I wasn't a quitter. When I wanted something, I fought for it. So I listened when Angel suggested we try a completely different approach based on the wild girls he usually dated. I was going to be the baddest girl he had ever seen.
• Stupid? Maybe.
• But I went along with it in a heartbeat. Angel helped me write a dirty note and slipped it into his locker while I waited here. The room number was written at the bottom, but deep down, a heavy weight sat in my chest. I couldn't stop worrying about how he would look at me if this flopped.
• "Alright, I'm heading out," Angel murmured softly, stepping toward the door. "He could show up any second."
• Honestly I was scared. I desperately wished she would stay. Being alone in that quiet room made my skin crawl.
• "I will text you the moment something happens," I choked out.
• She offered a quick, reassuring smile. "That's the spirit. Don't forget to breathe, Maddie." With a sly wink, she slipped out into the hallway.
• I grabbed my phone, opening his chat to see if he was online. But there was nothing.
• ~Text me when you get this. I hope you're still coming,~ I sent.
• Regret hit me instantly. It sounded so needy, but then again, I was already desperate enough to dress up in this ridiculous costume just to get a guy's attention.
• A few long minutes dragged by before a sharp knock echoed through the room. My throat went bone dry. I stood up and started walking toward the door, but before my hand even touched the handle, the door swung wide open. My heart slammed straight into my throat.
• _______________________________________
• Miller's POV:
• I walked out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my waist, only to freeze when I saw Sophia, the head cheerleader, standing in my space with a bunch of flowers.
• Frustration boiled under my skin. I was sick and tired of her popping up everywhere I went. She had been clinging to me for weeks, and it was getting on my last nerve.
• She tracked my movements with a greedy, mischievous smirk.
• "Hey Miller," she purred, dropping her voice into a forced, breathy tone that made my stomach turn. "I brought these to celebrate your win today."
• Such a desperate pick-me girl. I let out a low groan.
• "I hate flowers," I bit back, staring through her with a glare so cold it made her posture falter. The bold confidence in her eyes began to crumble. This trick always works, it keeps girls away.
• "Miller!" She let out a high-pitched whine, stamping her foot. "Are the rumors true? Are you seriously gay? Because no straight guy turns down a body like this." She arched her back, shoving her hips out to display her fake curves.
• "Yes, I am. Now get out of my way." I tilted my head, watching her move away immediately.
• Furious, she slammed the bouquet onto the tile floor and stomped right over the petals. "I hate you!" she shrieked, spinning around and rushing out.
• "Yeah, thanks," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I stepped over the mess to open my locker.
• Right on the shelf sat a neat little box. I scoffed, assuming Sophia had left another desperate gift. I grabbed the box and tossed it carelessly onto the floor so I could pull out my clothes. The impact popped the lid open, and a small brown envelope slid across the tiles.
• Unbelievable. What kind of stupid game is she playing now?
• I bent down to grab it, but the name on the front made me freeze. It was Madison
• My mind hit a wall. Why was Madison writing to me when she barely said two words in my direction? Driven by raw curiosity, I tore the paper open.
• The very first sentence made my face flush hot. I snapped my eyes shut, my lungs suddenly refusing to draw air. For the first time in three years, ever since my ex ripped my heart out and left me bitter toward women, my heart was beating violently against my chest.
• The surge of heat rushing through my veins terrified me, but I couldn't stop reading.
• *Dear Jackson,*
• ~I keep thinking about what it would feel like to have you inside me, or to sit on your face while you bury your tongue deep in me. I might not be your usual girl, but I can guarantee you a night that leaves you breathless while I ride you. If you want this, come to Rowland Hotel, room 306. I want to scream your name with my legs wrapped over your shoulders~
• Your nasty slut,
• Maddie.
• "My nasty slut," I whispered under my breath, my hands trembling as I stared at the signed name. My chest heaved up and down. "What the hell is this?"
• My blood ran hot. I stared at the paper over and over, trying to figure out if this was some twisted joke or reality.
• Footsteps echoed from the showers. It was my brother. I quickly shoved the letter into my locker before he could spot it. Maxwell was naturally nosy, and a fierce, possessive urge flared up inside me. Nobody else was allowed to read those words except me.
• "Hey man," Maxwell called out casually, dropping his towel and pulling on a fresh shirt. "Thought I heard voices out here."
• "Yeah... yeah. Just Sophia," I stammered, my voice cracking slightly.
• Gosh, since when did I stutter?
• He glanced over at me with a puzzled look, then noticed the crushed petals on the floor. "Looks like it went great," he chuckled, pulling his pants up.
• I cleared my throat, trying to sound completely unbothered. "Quick question. Are you and Madison a thing now?"
• I just needed to hear him say it.
• "Hell no," he snickered, shaking his head with zero hesitation. "She isn't my type at all. I've told her that a hundred times."
• A strange wave of relief washed over me, though I couldn't explain why.
• "Unless I just want to use her for a quick hookup, it would never be serious," he added with a lazy smirk.