Chapter 9 KYLE
Kyle was still pissed off when he reached his apartment. When he asked Debby for another night, she just chuckled and turned around. That had never happened to him before. Girls didn’t walk away from him. They didn’t laugh like that—like he was just another guy.
But his day wasn’t just bad—it was about to get worse.
He didn’t even have to reach his front door before he spotted her.
Rachel.
She was leaning against the doorframe like she owned the place, arms crossed, lips curled into a smug smile. She wore a tight crop top that barely covered anything and a skirt so short Kyle wondered how the school never reprimanded her.
Then he remembered.
She was Rachel. She always got away with it.
Kyle let out an exasperated sigh. “Not in the mood, Rachel. Get lost.”
She didn’t budge. “You’ve been avoiding me at school. We need to talk.”
“We don’t.” He pulled out his keys, but before he could unlock the door, Rachel slid past him, pushing her way inside like she belonged there.
Kyle clenched his jaw. “You’ve got about five seconds to turn your ass around and walk out.”
Rachel turned slowly, her eyes gleaming with something that made Kyle’s patience wear even thinner. “I’ll leave,” she said, “but only after you answer my question.”
Kyle exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Let me guess,” he drawled. “You want to know what happened between me and Debby?”
Rachel’s raised an eyebrow. “So something did happen.”
Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. “Why is everyone so damn interested in that?”
Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. “Why is everyone so damn interested in that?”
Rachel stepped closer, pressing herself against him, her fingers grazing his arm like she had every right to touch him.
“Because you’re mine, Kyle.”
The scent of her vanilla perfume wrapped around him, familiar in a way that almost made him pause. It stirred something—maybe a memory of tangled sheets, of heated whispers in the dark. But that was all it was. A memory.
Because Kyle knew Rachel. Knew the way she played her game. She might be the hottest girl in school, the one everyone wanted, the one who knew exactly how to use a look, a touch, a well-placed smirk—but beneath all of that, she was the most insecure. She needed control. Needed to claim him before someone else did.
Kyle froze, then burst into laughter. “Yours?” His gaze flicked over her in amusement. “You’ve got some balls, Rachel. Now, get out.”
Rachel’s smirk faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered. Her lips trembled, her eyes grew glassy, and she let out a shuddering breath. “Kyle, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “What happened at Debby’s party… it wasn’t what it looked like. Dave—he—he forced himself on me.”
Kyle’s eyes darkened. “Try again, Rachel,” he said coldly. “Because from where I was standing, you were enjoying every second of it.”
Rachel flinched. “That’s not true!”
“Really?” Kyle scoffed. “You were moaning his name in the bathroom. You were moaning for more. That’s some real twisted definition of forced.”
Rachel’s face twisted in frustration. She was running out of lies, and Kyle could see the gears turning in her head, trying to come up with something—anything—that might work.
Then, she switched tactics.
She stepped forward, running her fingers up his arm. “Kyle,” she murmured, voice low and sultry. “You and I both know we’re good together. You love the way I make you feel, don’t you?”
Kyle didn’t move. Didn’t react.
Rachel’s confidence grew. She reached for the hem of her skirt, slowly hiking it up, revealing long, toned legs—the same legs that used to drive Kyle crazy. “We don’t have to talk,” she whispered. “We can just forget everything and—”
Kyle shoved her away. “Not interested.”
Rachel stumbled back, eyes wide. “What?”
Kyle crossed his arms. “That might’ve worked before, but now? You don’t do it for me anymore, Rachel.”
Rachel’s face turned red—whether from embarrassment or fury, Kyle didn’t care.
“You’re throwing us away for her?” she spat. “For Debby?”
Kyle smirked. “Now you’re getting it.”
Rachel clenched her fists. She was losing, and she knew it. Desperation flickered in her eyes before they suddenly lit up with something dark and triumphant.
“If you don’t take me back,” she said, voice dripping with venom, “I’ll tell everyone at school that you slept with Debby.”
Kyle arched a brow. “And?”
Rachel hesitated. “And… her reputation will be ruined.”
Kyle let out a short laugh. “You think that’s gonna make me panic?” He leaned against the couch, completely unfazed. “Go ahead, Rachel. Tell the whole damn school.”
Rachel’s confidence wavered. She hadn’t expected that reaction.
Kyle tilted his head, studying her. “But,” he added casually, “if anything comes out of your mouth about Debby, be ready for your little F1 videos to go public.”
Rachel’s smirk vanished. “What?”
Kyle grinned, satisfied at the panic in her eyes. “Oh yeah,” he drawled. “I’ve got ‘em. Every single one.”
Rachel’s face was drained of color. “You wouldn’t.”
Kyle shrugged. “Try me.”
For the first time, Rachel looked scared.
Kyle watched in amusement as she swallowed hard, struggling to find words.
“Now,” he said, lazily pointing at the door. “Out.”
Rachel stormed toward the door, her entire body vibrating with anger. But just as she yanked it open, she turned back, her eyes burning with pure hatred.
She let out a frustrated scream before stomping out, slamming the door behind her.
