Chapter 8 A warm summer breeze rolled in , carrying a faint whiff of herbs that lingered in the air . " Didn't see squat , " the guy said , his voice smooth as butter , like he was chilling at a coffee shop , not staring down a knife . The guard nodded . " Alright , cool ... You two stay safe . It's dark as hell out there , and that lake's deep . Don't go taking a dive . " As the guard trudged off , Eden kept her knife right where it was , snug against the guy's back . Her brain was already running the numbers . ' Could I take him out and slip away clean ? ' " Miss Wright , " the guy said , his long fingers brushing the tip of her blade , easing it aside like it was no big deal . " Think you now ? " can ease up Eden's eyebrow arched . ' He knew my name ? ' That was it - he was trouble . " Bet you're wondering how to make me disappear without anyone pinning it on you ," he said with a sly grin . " Name's Griffin Ross , by the way , my fiancée . We've met before . " The moon slipped out from behind the clouds , spilling pale light into the cabin . Eden finally got a good look at him . Dark , perfect brows , eyes that gleamed like moonlight on a lake , a nose like it was carved by an artist , soft , wavy hair , and lips a faint shade of pink . He was a total heartthrob - pretty enough to star in a rom - com . But Eden didn't give a damn about looks . A pretty face was just a distraction . She vaguely remembered the old days when Wynne Ross and her mom , Madeline , were Drea City's dynamic duo . Besties for life , they'd half - jokingly set up an arranged marriage for their kids - her and this Griffin guy . She must've met him back when they were kids , but for some reason , he was a blank in her head . Now that she knew who he was , icing him tonight was a no - go . The Ross family ran Drea City like their personal playground . If she touched him , they'd have her pegged by breakfast . This was their turf , and crossing them was like signing her own death warrant . She could bolt again , sure , but that'd mean Ravenhold's goons hounding her for life . No way . Still , she mentally jotted Griffin's name onto her hit list . There'd be a time and place - there always was . In her book , only the dead kept secrets . She slid the knife back into its sheath , her face stone - cold . 1/4 +20 ) Chapter 8 As she turned to leave , she paused and tossed over her shoulder , " My mom's gone , so you're free to ditch that arranged marriage crap anytime . Otherwise , I can't promise you'll wake up with your head still attached after the ' I do's . " Her words were sharp as her blade , but Griffin didn't bat an eye . If anything , he looked like he was holding back a laugh . Once her shadow melted into the night , he chuckled softly . He grabbed the cold coffee from the table , took a slow sip , and said , " Samuel . " " Right here , " a figure slipped out of the shadows , giving a quick nod . " Deal with that mess in the lake . " " Done . " Eden slipped back into the Wright family's house way past midnight , the kind of late where the world felt hushed . The place always went dark early . Raymond was off on another business trip , probably charming clients in some city halfway across the map . Celia and Julie were dying to know where Eden had been , but they weren't about to grill her or snoop around . As Eden crossed the downstairs hall , her eyes caught a photo frame propped on the mantle . A family picture , all grins and stiff poses . But it wasn't her family . There was her grandma Olivia , Raymond , Celia , Julie , and Aiden , looking like they'd just won a prize . It seemed like Raymond still cared about her . Her room - untouched for ten years - said he did . He kept it clean , dusted , like she'd never left . Her own family photo , the one with her in it , was tucked away in a drawer upstairs , kept safe like a treasure . But Eden saw through the cracks . Time had a way of wearing out even the strongest ties . People changed . Hearts drifted . Nothing was forever . She trudged to her room , pulled out a knife still slick with blood , and wiped it clean with a blank stare . Love ? Nah , she wasn't falling for that trap . Her mind flicked to the boy she'd met that night . Hardly knew him , but his eyes - man , they looked at her like they'd seen her a thousand times before . Weird . Whatever . If he got in her way , one quick swing would handle it . She slid the knife back into its sheath , flopped onto her bed , and slept like a rock until dawn . The next morning was the start of Physical Conditioning Week . 2/4 12:30 Mon , 15 Sept Chapter 8 3 71 % After yesterday's disaster , everyone showed up at the crack of dawn - no one wanted to be that guy who got called out . But the one - mile run ? Yeah , that was happening . Yesterday , only the latecomers had to eat dirt . Today , every freshman was out there , hitting the track . And word was , they'd be running one mile every morning from now on . Joy . Peter , done with yesterday's mess , told everyone to run at their own speed . Whistle blew , and a pack of guys shot out like they were racing for a gold medal , all cocky and ready to flex . 20 But they weren't alone . Out front , weaving through the crowd , was a girl - small , wiry , her ponytail bouncing like it had its own agenda . The guys swapped looks . ' Her ? She looks like a strong gust might send her tumbling .' Thomas Diaz , the school's track hotshot , was ready to steal the show . A long - distance guy like him ? This was his turf . No formations , no holding back - just a chance to prove he was the real deal . A few other guys thought the same , charging out when the whistle blew . But Thomas ? He was untouchable , holding first like it was nothing . The instructors , chilling on the sidelines , started sizing him up . " That kid's got some serious speed , " one said , nodding at Thomas . " Steps are tight , too . He's a contender . " " Track scholarship , yeah ? No wonder he's owning it ." " Those guys behind him aren't half bad either . " Thomas , zeroed in on shaking the pack nipping at his heels , barely caught their chatter . Then - a shout from the crowd behind him . " Whoa , what ?! " " No freaking way ! " A blur zipped past him , kicking up dust . Thomas squinted . ' What the hell just happened ? ' it was her - the girl - already pulling away like she owned the track . Thomas froze for a second . ' A girl ? I'm the endurance king , the guy who lives for long runs . No way some random chick is outrunning me ! He'd know if there was another track star at this school , especially a girl . They weren't exactly lining up . But there she was , tearing up the track like it was a walk in the park . Thomas shook it off , got his head straight , and kicked it into gear , ' Alright , fine . I wasn't ready . Let's do this . ' He was sure 3/4 12:30 Mon , 15 Sept Chapter 8 he'd pass her . To him , girls didn't have the stamina guys did - basic biology . She'll burn out any second , and I'll cruise by , no problem , ' he thought Or so he thought . As the minutes ticked by , reality hit like a slap . AD Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. 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