Everleigh had expected Jace to be angry.

She had expected him to glare, to growl, to throw some arrogant remark her way and storm off.

But this?

This was different.

Jace wasn't lashing out. He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t shoving past her like she was beneath him.

No—he was calm. Too calm.

And that was so much worse.

He leaned in just enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach tighten.

"You think you can play games with me, sweetheart?" he murmured, voice smooth and dangerously low.

Everleigh clenched her jaw. Sweetheart.

That was new.

She refused to react. Instead, she smirked, tilting her head up at him. "I don’t think, Donovan. I know."

Jace exhaled a quiet laugh, but there was a challenge in his gaze.

"Alright," he mused, pushing off the locker, his voice lazy, deliberate. "You want to play? Let's play."

Everleigh narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Jace grinned—slow and cocky.

"You’ll see."

And then, he did something unexpected.

He brushed past her—but not before trailing his fingers along her arm, just barely, just enough to send a shiver down her spine.

Everleigh stood frozen.

Because for the first time since she started this whole revenge game…

She felt like she had just lost the upper hand.

The Next Day – Everleigh’s POV

Everleigh hated being caught off guard.

But Jace? He was doing just that. All. Day.

She had been prepared for him to ignore her. Maybe to snap at her or throw some insult her way.

But instead?

He was everywhere.

Not in a creepy way. In an infuriatingly smug way.

At lunch, he sat right across from her, legs spread out lazily, arms draped over the back of the chair like he had all the time in the world.

He didn’t even acknowledge her at first. Just casually ate his food while carrying on some pointless conversation with Ryder.

Like she wasn’t there.

Like he wasn’t playing a game with her right now.

And the worst part?

He was winning.

Because Everleigh could feel his presence like a constant weight, like static electricity in the air.

Finally, she snapped. "You’re in my seat."

Jace glanced up, quirking a brow. "I don’t see your name on it."

Everleigh’s fingers curled around her tray. "Move."

Jace smirked. "Make me."

She wanted to. Oh, she wanted to so badly.

But that would mean he won.

And Everleigh Carter didn’t lose.

So, instead, she leaned in slightly, matching his lazy confidence. "Careful, Donovan. Play with fire, and you’ll get burned."

Jace met her gaze, and for a brief second, something flickered in his eyes. Something dark.

Something dangerous.

"Then burn me, sweetheart."

Everleigh’s breath caught.

Because for the first time…

She wasn’t sure who was playing who anymore.