• The meeting took place and I did not disturb their concentration. But when they decided the deal, I was outraged! If Eric wins the race, Nate will stop beating out his friends and his girl, Amy, would go free.

    But if he lost, Nate won’t budge. But I knew that this bike race is a definite win for Nate. He has been winning since forever. I don’t know what happened to my brain at that time. I shouldn’t care about this. I was just supposed to make sure things were fair. That was all that I needed to do. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

    But, of course, I didn’t. “I want in.”

    Everyone in the room looked at me like I was crazy. “No!” Nate and Eric yelled at the same time. “Are you nuts?” Brad asked. “I want in,” I repeated, emphasizing on every word.

    “What part of ‘NO’ don’t you understand?” Nate stated his face in mine.

    “Are you afraid of losing?” I taunted. Our nose was almost touching. My heart was hammering against my chest. I wonder if anyone could hear that.

    “No. But you should be,” he whispered with a smug smile. He was getting closer to me, trying to make it into a kiss.

    “Then, it shouldn’t be a problem,” I said, shoving him away.

    “Fine,” Nate said. He was up for the challenge. I haven’t been racing since I left him. He thinks he can beat me now. “What do you want?”

    “You to let me go,” I said. Everyone in the room, who was on Eric’s side, gasp. “And everything Eric wants.” Nate raised his eyebrow.

    “What do I get?” he asked. He was amused at my request. Never before did I care about anyone else but here I am, making a deal for Eric. What was I willing to risk for him?

    “Me.”