They Called Me a Submarine. On Bid Day, I Stunned Them All Chapter 08

They Called Me a Submarine. On Bid Day, I Stunned Them All Chapter 08

“Start the clock.”

The moment Finn said it, the crowd erupted.

“Ten!”

“Nine!”

“Eight!”

He’d caught me off guard.

I tightened my arms around his neck without thinking.

Through his shirt, I could feel the tension in his shoulders-

but he held me steady.

Ten seconds was nothing.

He didn’t even break pace.

The buzz-cut guy circled with his phone.

“Finn, look at the camera! This one’s for the history books.”

Finn shot him a cold look. “Put the phone down.”

The guy backed off, still grinning.

“Got it. Can’t let anyone steal your girl.”

That word-your girl-set off another wave of laughter.

Justin’s face went dark.

“Enough!”

He stepped forward, reaching for me.

“The task is done. Put her down.”

Finn turned, blocking him.

Justin’s hand grabbed air. His expression turned uglier.

“What’s your deal, Finn?”

“We’re in a couple challenge right now.” Finn’s tone was flat.

“I hold her or I don’t-none of your business.”

“She’s my-”

He stopped mid-sentence.

Everyone was watching. Rachel was staring too.

“She’s your what?” Finn asked.

Justin opened his mouth-but nothing came out.

Ex-girlfriend?

Just hours ago, he’d bet her away in front of everyone.

He’d thrown down five thousand just to prove she wouldn’t show.

Claiming her now would just make him look pathetic.

The countdown ended.

Finn bent down and set me back on my feet.

My hands were still on his shoulders.

He kept one hand on my waist, steadying me.

“Steady?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He let go-but his ears were even redder than before.

Laughter came from the crowd.

“Finn, you’re blushing.”

“Carrying a girl a hundred pounds get you that tired?”

“Man’s heart rate just spiked.”

He grabbed his ice water and took a drink, ignoring them.

Only I noticed his fingers tighten around the glass.

He looked cool.

But he was nervous too.

All three tasks were done.

The buzz-cut guy announced, “Bet’s closed!”

“Allie showed up on time-everyone who bet on her wins.”

I checked my phone. The payout was processing.

The group chat was flooded with complaints.

I lost five hundred betting she’d chicken out.

No one told us she’d show up looking like this.

Justin lost five grand tonight. MVP of bad decisions.

I smiled.

That last one was my favorite.

My initial bet returned, plus winnings-nearly ten thousand in total.

The buzz-cut guy peeked at my screen and let out a whistle.

“Allie, you’re making tuition money on day one.”

“Credit where it’s due.” I looked up at Justin.

“Some people just like giving money away.”

A few chuckles broke out.

Justin’s face was pale.

He’d lost his girlfriend and his cash in one night.

Rachel jumped in: “Five thousand isn’t a big deal to Justin. He can afford it.”

He latched onto the save. “Allie, if you need money, you could’ve just told me.”

“No need to go through this.”

I almost laughed.

He’d posted my photo.

Humiliated me in front of a hundred people. Bet against me.

And now he was offering charity?

I said his name out loud, for the first time in front of everyone.

“Justin. We’re done.”

The room went silent.

Justin froze. Rachel’s eyes flickered-she couldn’t hide the satisfaction.

“What did you say?”

“I’ll say it slower.” I pulled out my phone and unlinked our game accounts.

“From now on, we’re nothing.”

He stared at the screen-finally looking shaken.

“Over a stupid game? Everyone said it was a joke.”

“You’re really going to end things over this?”

I didn’t explain.

People like him never think they’re wrong.

It’s always someone else who can’t take a joke.

I turned to leave.

He grabbed my wrist. Hard.

“Allie-you owe me an answer!”

Before I could pull away, Finn caught his hand.

“Let go.”

The air between them went cold.

Justin’s jaw tightened. “This is between me and her.”

Finn pulled his fingers off, one by one.

“She already told you.”

“Nothing left between you.”