Tomorrow morning my mom was leaving for Paris with Jack, Eric’s dad. Despite how badly I didn’t want them to go.

And so far, no amount of pleading for my mom to change her mind and suggesting that a couple years from now might prove a more ideal time to visit, had worked.

Thusly, I was currently, considering holding onto her ankle like a small child and begging her not to leave me alone with the devil. I could hang onto her as she took steps toward the door. Having to drag me like a small child being left at a daycare.

I don’t want them to go.

Not now.

My thoughts were distracted from my misery by a footstep in the hall.

***

“Allie Kat?” My bedroom door cracked, and Eric poked his head into the dark room.

As if conjured by me thinking of Satan.

“Don’t call me that.” I snarled. “What?”

Sounding even crabbier than I felt.

“Bit early for bed, isn’t it?” He asked.

Not if I’d rather be asleep then dealing with my current issues.

Usually, I was up writing or occasionally I’d wander downstairs and flop onto the other end of the couch and watch whatever annoying Youtuber Eric was watching.

Or his endless dirt bike videos.

Which actually weren’t so bad.

That was typically what he turned on when I came downstairs.

Now I knew why. Because he knows I’m Tomboy.

“How’d you know I was in bed?”

“No light under the door.” He pointed to the floor.

***

“Where’s your journal?” He was peering around the bed.

Hidden from you.

“Nowhere you’ll find.”

“I bet it’d prove an interesting read. Do you mention me?”

“Constantly.” I rolled my eyes. “Today he annoyed me. Today he knocked my books out of my hands. Today he stuck gum in my hair. Today I nearly keyed his Camaro.”

“What?” He yelped. Giving me a horrified look.

I blinked back at him.

“That’s not funny.”

“What are you doing here now, Eric?” I groaned. Realizing he’d not leave until he’d set whatever piece he’d come to say.

“Just asked a question.” He walked in and closed the door. Strolling over and hopping on my bed next to me over the blankets.

More than one. Why am I in bed so early and where’s my diary?

“What are you doing in here?” I asked in annoyance. My cheek scrunched up on my pillow, muffling my voice.

Probably in a pile of drool. It was not an unusual for me to occasionally drool in my sleep. I was trying to peer at my dark pillow to see if there was some.

For some reason, him hopping on my bed made me super self-conscious.

I racked my mind to remember what I’d worn to bed. Hopefully something.

I moved my legs slightly and felt fabric rustling. Remembering I was wearing a worn pair of gray shorts and a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. Comfy clothes.

Clothes he’d no doubt make fun of.

I automatically shifted away from him to hide I was wearing so little.

***

He rolled onto his back atop my black and white flowered comforter. Crossing his ankles and linking his fingers over his middle. He sighed comfortably.

“Your bed is comfier than mine.”

“Eric…”

What do you want? But I was avoiding asking that question again.

“You scared of being left with me?” He turned his head to ask me flatly.

“A little.”

“Why?”

“Why wouldn’t I be. Because I’ve no idea what your interpretation of our bet is but I’m getting the feeling it’s not going to be that I’m carrying your backpack at school.”

“No. That’d be lame.” He said flatly. Rolling his head to look at the black shadows along the ceiling from cars driving along the road beyond my window.

“Then what is your plan?”

“A lot more interesting than that.” He paused thoughtfully. “Is that what you’d have had me doing if you won the bet?”

“Yes. In public. So, everyone saw you serving me.”

His head whipped. “You’d have paid for that when the bet was up.”

I shrugged.

“I might make you pay just for wanting to humiliate me.”

I grunted. “Like you’ve no intention of humiliating me.”

“That depends…”

“On what?”

“For me to know.” He slid off my bed and leaned across it to swat my hip and the side of my ass cheek. “And you to find out.”

I sputtered as I tried to think of an appropriately scathing name to call him. But before I could muster anything he’d slipped back out the door.

What the hell is he going to do to me?

***

“Bye, Honey.” My mom was hugging me.

I was clinging to her.

Over her shoulder, Eric was grinning at me beneath hooded eyes. Rocking forward and back on his heels. His artist hands linked behind his back as he looked hapless.

Almost childlike.

He’s the devil. How could mom not know.

“Be good, Honey.” She kissed my cheek. Slinging a backpack over her shoulder.

Jack stood behind her. His arms laden with heavy suitcases.

“Eric be nice to Allison.”

“Oh, I’ll be nice.” He assured. His voice dripping sweetness.

It nearly made me queasy just hearing it.

“And Allie,” My mom stepped back to give me a chastising look. “remember to listen to Eric. He is the older one.”

“Mom!”

Eric was smirking so hard, I thought his lips might lock in that stupid, arrogant expression.

They headed out the door. Jack juggling the suitcases as they head for their Uber.

I watched them climb in feeling very lost.

Once the car had driven away, I rounded to head upstairs and came face to face with my enemy.

“Now, about our bet…”