Strathmore's library was beautifully arranged with mahogany tables and shelves lined with endless books. It was unusually quiet today, as most students were cramming in study halls or reviewing for the exams tomorrow.
Grace sat at a far table on the second floor, her sleek pony tail draped over one shoulder, her laptop was open but it was untouched. A thick philosophy book laid open in front of her, though she hadn't turned a page in ten minutes. It seemed like she was waiting for someone.
Then she heard footsteps on the polished wood floor that headed towards her. She didn't look up aware of who it was.
Jax had a distinct walk, a lazy, and arrogant style of walk but it looked hot if he was the only one who was doing it.
He sat into the seat across from her without invitation, his usual smug grin plastered on his lips. His long sleeve black polo shirt was pushed up, revealing part of his tattoo, and the faintest smell of cologne that always smelled like trouble.
"You're early, Princess."
Grace didn't want to glance at him. She kept her eyes on the page, "You're late."
Jax leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, close enough that she could feel his gaze burning her profile, "Miss me?" he teased.
She didn't dignify it with an answer, instead she calmly turned the page in her book.
"Come on, Grace. I thought we were past pretending."
She looked up at him now. Her eyes cut through his cocky amusement, "I'm only here because I have something to lose. Don't flatter yourself."
Jax chuckled, sitting back like he won, "So serious. I guess it's time we laid the ground rules."
He placed his phone on the table between them like a loaded gun. The black screen flashed briefly, her face was frozen from that night she stole the exam papers.
Grace felt a knot in her stomach, but her expression remained unpredictable.
"You obey my rules, I keep this locked up. Easy." Jax said with a smirk.
Grace folded her hands, deliberately slow and measured, "What are your rules, Jax?"
He leaned in again, with a lazy voice that was laced with something darker, "First, when I call, you come. No excuses. Second, when I tell you to do something, you do it. No attitude."
Grace arched her eyebrows slightly at what he said. "I thought we were already over this Jax, are you like adding new set of rules? What's going on? and the No attitude? From me?"
Jax widened his grin. She hated that he looked like he was enjoying this.
"Yes, I'm adding some new set of rules and I think you'll manage," said Jax.
Grace stared at him where they fell in silence for a moment and neither of them spoke. Just the quiet scratch of a pen from another table far away.
Then she spoke, her voice like steel wrapped in silk, "Third rule."
Jax tilted his head, "There's no third rule."
She slid her chair forward slightly, her gaze locked on his, "There is now. I get to negotiate."
He blinked with a surprised look. Then a slow laugh rumbled in his chest, "You wanna make demands, Grace?"
"Terms. Not demands."
He drummed his fingers on the table, watching her like he was sizing up an opponent, "Let's hear it."
Then she leaned forward, "You don't control where or when. I'm not your puppet. You ask. I choose. Second, no more public humiliation."
Jax lifted a brow, "You mean, no fun?"
Grace didn't rise to the bait, "I mean, my friends don't get involved."
Then he studied her, "You really think you're in a position to set terms?"
"You want me to be willing. Not bitter," Grace challenged.
And the truth neither of them wanted to say hanged between them. Jax wasn't looking for a hostage, he was looking for something else.
"Willing?" he said quietly with amusement.
Grace's eyes flickered, just for a second, to his mouth.
And Jax noticed. Of course he did, "Like last week? You seemed pretty willing then."
Grace's heart raced, but she forced her face to stay neutral, "That kiss didn't mean anything."
Jax leaned in again, close enough that his breath brushed her skin, "Didn't feel like nothing. But don't worry I didn't tell." He taunted her.
For a split second, Grace forgot how to breathe. She shoved her chair back standing abruptly while Jax remained seated, tilting his head up to her like a lazy predator.
"You'll get what you want. But don't think I'm falling for your games," Grace said coldly.
He smiled again. But it was different this time, almost softly, "Maybe you should."
Grace tightened her throat without saying anything, then she picked up her things, turning and walking away, her heart pounding louder than her heels on the wooden floor.
---
It was supposed to be a normal exam day but the campus was in chaos. Students streaming into buildings, heads bowed in last minute cramming. But the energy had shifted and it was charged,
A crowd had gathered outside the glass paneled door where Professor Callahan's office was located. Whispers bounced from person to person. Phones were half-lowered, recording, though nobody knew what was really happening inside.
Jax Reed's voice was unmistakable, rough and volatile, like a storm was about to break.
Jax shouted through the door again, "You think you're untouchable, Callahan?! Say that shit again, I dare you."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the students.
Jax wasn't new to trouble. He was trouble, but threatening a Professor, this Professor, was next level.
Grace stood stiffly, in the middle of the throng, gripping the strap of her leather bag so tightly her knuckles whitened. Amber was next to her, wide-eyed, while Maya stood on tiptoe trying to catch a glimpse inside. Derrick lingered on her other side, tensed.
"What the hell is going on?" Amber whispered.
"Heard Jax got in trouble with Callahan before, but this is intense." Maya said with a speculative tone.
Grace's heartbeat picked up. She couldn't stop thinking, Did Jax say something? Did he tell Callahan about the video? About the exams???
Her throat went dry as she strained to hear the words behind the frosted glass.
Inside, Theo and Rowan could be seen through the door, standing between Jax and Professor Callahan. Both guys looked tensed as hell. Theo with his wide arms, tried to de-escalate. Rowan's mouth moved quickly, probably reasoning with Jack, but Jax's expression was pure fury.
"You can bully your way through this, Reed. Actions have consequences." Callahan said coldly but calmly.
Jax took a step forward then shoved his palm hard against his chest.
"Bro. Not worth it," Theo warned in a low voice.
But Jax wasn't even hearing him. His jaw clenched tight enough to snap a bone, and his breathing was harsh.
Suddenly, Jax's glare sliced through the crowd. For one tense second, Grace thought he was looking right at her but his eyes glazed past her. And then he shoved past Rowan, storming out of the office.
The crowd immediately parted like a wave. Jax's boots pounded on the floor as his fist were balled. His usual smug and flirty expression was gone, replaced by a raw seething rage.
He didn't even glance at Grace as he blew by. Not a smirk. Not a sarcastic comment.
Rowan and Theo jogged after him, shooting quick apologetic glances at the crowd. Theo threw an arm around Jax's shoulders to pull him aside, murmuring something urgent, but Jax shook him off violently.
"Did he just threaten Callahan?" Amber was shocked.
"Jax is losing it," said Maya.
Grace barely heard them. Her mind was racing. What had they been fighting about? Was it her? Did Jax lose his temper because of the video? Or was it something entirely unknown to her?
The murmurs grew louder until Professor Hamlin, an older teacher with a booming voice, stepped forward from the faculty corridor, 'Enough! Clear out! You all have an exam in fifteen minutes. I suggest you focus on that instead."
Another teacher, Ms. Doherty, was already ushering students back toward the lecture halls, "This isn't a circus. Go. Now."
The students began to disperse their heads full of speculation as their phones disappeared back into their pockets, although there was no doubt some had recorded everything.
Grace stayed planted for a moment longer, staring after Jax's retreating figure. Something was off.
Amber tugged her arm, "Grace! Come on."
Grace blinked herself out of it, then followed as they headed toward their exam hall.