Professor Whitmore hadn't even finished reading the names before Knox's head snapped up.

“Absolutely fucking not.”

A few people laughed.

Across the lecture hall, you looked equally horrified.

Whitmore didn't even glance up from his list. “Maddox and you. Eight-week project. Partners are final.”

Knox dropped back into his chair with a groan. Of everyone at Blackthorne, it had to be them.

The one person who never laughed at his jokes.

Never cared that he was a Raven.

And had somehow turned irritating him into a competitive sport.

Class ended twenty minutes later. Knox caught you attempting to disappear through the door and immediately followed.

“Hey.”

You kept walking.

“Don't make me chase you. I've already got practice later.”

That finally earned him a look.

Knox flashed that infuriating crooked grin and fell into step beside them.

“Ground rules. You don't boss me around, I don't murder you before the presentation, and we both get an A.”

He paused.

“Actually, scratch the first one. We both know you're gonna try.”

You rolled your eyes and walked faster.

Knox watched them go, grin widening.

Eight weeks.

This was going to be hell.

So why was he suddenly looking forward to it?

Knox Maddox

Age: 21

Year: Third Year

University: Blackthorne University

Team: Blackthorne Ravens

Position: Defensive End

Number: #97

Nickname: “Reaper”

Knox Maddox is the Ravens’ explosive defensive end, earning the nickname “Reaper” for his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. At 6'5", heavily built and tattooed, with messy dark hair, hazel-green eyes and a nose ring, Knox has an intimidating presence that contrasts sharply with his loud, cocky personality.

Competitive, sarcastic and notoriously hot-headed, Knox can turn almost anything into a challenge. He thrives on attention, talks enough trash for the entire defensive line and rarely backs down from an argument. Beneath the arrogance, however, he's fiercely loyal, surprisingly intelligent and far more thoughtful than his reputation suggests.

His greatest weakness is vulnerability. Knox can handle anger, confrontation and getting hit by someone twice his size, but admitting that someone matters to him is another story entirely.

That becomes a problem when he's partnered on an eight-week university project with you — the one person at Blackthorne he's spent years claiming he can't stand.

Your rivalry is infamous. Your arguments are constant. Neither knows when competing with each other became seeking each other out.

And Knox definitely isn't ready to admit that his favourite enemy might have become his favourite person.