Chapter 3: Seduction, Sabotage, and Scandal

“You’re really something!”

“I just said it was in public, not that I wouldn’t let you…”

“Please give me another chance?”

“…I’ll do whatever you want.”

The hands that played the piano—those long fingers—froze.

“Aren’t you going to answer him?” Noah’s lashes fluttered.

I bent down to look at him. Waiting.

“No need. I want to hear you play some more.”

By making a request that’d probably be rejected, I gave myself an excuse to leave.

After leaving the theater, I called Noah and told him the piano he picked had a flaw and needed to be replaced.

“But I’m fighting with Chase and really don’t want to see Ryder. Can you come alone?”

Noah hesitated. “Okay.”

I brought him up to the second floor of the shop.

It was quiet, perfect for getting close.

The piano faded into silence.

I sat beside him and played a few keys.

“What happened this morning, Ryder came to me.”

Noah stood up. “It’s not my problem.”

I grabbed his wrist.

“It is. I said one thing to you, and he said I was flirting and would tell Chase. I worried it’d affect you, so I kissed him.” I let go. “If you don’t believe me, ask Ryder.”

Noah called Ryder.

It matched what I’d said, except Ryder said I kissed him first.

Ryder also quietly told him, “Noah, don’t tell Chase about this. He’s really into that woman.”

“Got it.”

“By the way, when are you coming back? Chase is losing his mind again.”

“I’m out tutoring.”

After hanging up, Noah looked at me coldly.

I gave him my best hurt-puppy look.

“He probably said that because he forced me to kiss him. And I praised your piano—does that count as flirting?”

Noah stared. Voice flat. “Yes.”

I was stunned. Didn’t expect that.

Noah sat beside me. Long fingers covering my hand. Gently pressing the keys.

“I know you’re flirting with me.”

Noah turned. Expressionless. Looking right at me.

“Not just last time. Even now.”

Looking into those cold eyes behind his glasses, my palms started to sweat. Danger.

The ones who seem gentle and quiet? They’re the ones you really shouldn’t mess with.

I leaned away. Didn’t even realize it.

Noah noticed. A faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

He suddenly grabbed my waist. Pulled me onto his lap. Stared close.

“So, it’s fine if you flirt with me, but why’d you kiss Ryder?”

My mind was a mess. But I told the truth.

“I just didn’t want him to tell.”

Noah took that in stride. Didn’t even flinch.

He leaned in. Breath warm on my cheek.

“Stop playing with Chase. Play with me.” He whispered in my ear, “I’m way more fun.”

Noah wasn’t lying. He was way more fun than Chase.

Right there on the piano bench, he kissed me breathless. My hands went everywhere. My breathing got heavier and heavier.

“Mmm…”

Noah made a sound in his throat. Like a cat purring, begging to be petted.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Of course.

I glanced. It was Chase. Didn’t answer.

Noah saw and pressed decline. Cold.

But Chase kept calling. After that, I didn’t care anymore. Just remembered the kissing.

Noah pulled me onto his lap. Kissed me deep. Totally absorbed.

Suddenly, an angry voice came from the doorway. Busted again.

“Are you kidding me, Noah? This is your ‘tutoring’?!”

Chase kicked the door open.

Ryder’s voice followed.

“Chase, chill… Oh my god! Noah, you’re disgusting!”

Noah and I snapped out of it. Fast.

He let go of me. Buttoned up his rumpled shirt.

Chase’s eyes were red. He rushed over to punch him.

“Have you no shame!”

Noah’s lip bled. But he didn’t fight back.

He stood there. Slowly looked up at Chase. Said in a low voice, “You and her aren’t together.”

Chase froze. Didn’t see that coming.

I really wasn’t dating him. Not officially.

But it still felt like Noah was in the wrong. Weird.

“I met her first! I introduced you, and I got ditched at the theater while you were here making out! Seriously, I’m going to kill you!”

Ryder grabbed the furious Chase. Held him back.

“Chase, breathe! Noah’s our boy, he didn’t mean it!”

Chase looked at him in shock. Couldn’t believe it.

“Are you for real? How is this an accident! And what kind of friend kisses someone else’s date?”

Ryder was silent for a second. Guilty.

And him too. Oops.

He’d kissed me too. Forgot about that.

I turned to leave. Enough drama.

Chase pushed Ryder aside. Grabbed my wrist.

“Don’t go! Where are you going? Weren’t you here to see me?”

I was quiet for a second. Then opened my palm.

“I’m going to wash my hands, I just touched…”

Mmm, I trailed off. Let him fill in the blank.

Chase was a beat slow. Then let go of my hand. Grossed out.

He turned and glared at Noah. Teeth clenched.

Ryder looked at Noah. Face twisted in pain.

“Noah! What’s wrong with you? You sick?”

Noah’s face was calm. “I have my advantages.”

Ryder didn’t get it. “What kind of advantage is that?”

He turned and saw Chase looking for something to hit with. Uh-oh.

“Shameless!”

Chase actually found a broom. Seriously.

He raised it high. Drama.

I rushed over to shield Noah. No one’s getting hurt today.

“I’ve said enough. This isn’t his fault.”

Chase looked at me. Then lowered the broom. Hurt in his eyes.

“You wouldn’t touch me, but then you went and touched him, huh? He’s all casual, and you still protect him?”

Noah frowned. “You wanted to touch him too?”

I was silent. No comeback.

Ryder stepped back. Glanced at me. Silently protecting himself.

Chase and Noah squared off again. Round two.

“You still dare talk? Now you’re in charge? You homewrecker!”

Noah replied coldly. “She’s not your girlfriend. We should compete fair and square.”

Chase was so angry he laughed. Not a happy laugh.

“What am I supposed to compete for? If Ryder and I were a little later, your pants would be off already. What’s left to compete for…” He got angrier and picked up the broom again. “I’m ending you today!”

Ryder grabbed him again. Holding him back.

“Enough! Chase, Noah was tricked by this woman! I can vouch, when you were still around this morning, she was the one who started flirting with him.”

I narrowed my eyes at Ryder. Betrayed.

—He actually sold me out. Unbelievable.

He’s dead to me. For now.