Even having the list of girls, though, I was still trying to work the problem—to find a solution that wouldn’t result in me being an unethical jerk and outing someone who demanded privacy—that, and a way to free Tessa from Tanner’s grasp. She didn’t even know—but now I understood her distance. After our Hackers movie night, I’d seen her even less. I wasn’t pushing her on the issue because now I fully understood why she needed space, her guilt over pulling the prank at the beginning of the year likely driving her away from me.

It was good, in a way—the constant distraction. Because my brain had already presented me with the perfect solution to get even with Tanner. One that threw my current white hat plan in the garbage.

You can’t.

I forced the voice of reason out of my head.

Sure, this new idea was more gray than white…practically on its way to black, but Tanner’s heart was blacker. The way he threatened me and Tessa, the way he treated his students, using them as pawns to gain favors and awards and grants and raises. Pathetic. People deserved to know the truth.

The truth wasn’t black hat.

Hurting someone’s reputation is.

Not my fault he behaved this way. I had the capabilities to bring to light all his wrongs. Wasn’t I obligated to do so because of that power? But not before I cleared Tessa completely.

The battle went on for so long, it split my head.

I reached to shut my laptop screen but paused when a chat box appeared.

PixieBurn: You’re up

My headache instantly eased at the sight of Amber’s avatar. I loved that she rocked late hours like I did.

NightLocker: So are you

I shifted the laptop, scooting deeper into the four pillows on my bed. We’d spent more and more time together over the weeks, falling into this easy rhythm of back and forth that I’d come to count on.

PixieBurn: What are you doing Saturday?

NightLocker: Probably coding, why?

PixieBurn: Want to take the day off?

PixieBurn: The entire night, too?

PixieBurn: Annnd part of the next morning?

I reread each of her words a few times, raking my fingers through my hair as they sunk in.

NightLocker: Um...

NightLocker: Is this some elaborate scheme to kill me?

PixieBurn: Only if you get out of line

I laughed out loud at that, shaking my head at the screen. What was she up to?

NightLocker: I’d never?

PixieBurn: Then you’re safe

NightLocker: What’s up?

PixieBurn: I want to make it up to you

NightLocker: Make what up to me?

PixieBurn: The non-date I botched

NightLocker: You didn’t. I told you that.

PixieBurn: Regardless

PixieBurn: Are you in?