by Ruby Vincent
“What’s going on?” Justin asked.
The three of them huddled over Owen’s phone. I watched Tanner and Justin adopt Owen’s slack-jawed expression.
“You guys aren’t going to believe this,” Justin breathed. “They said no.”
“What?” asked Michael. “Who said no?”
“The school board. They voted no.” He gazed at us, wide-eyed. “The battle system isn’t taking over the schools.”
We descended on him. Our heads knocked together attempting to see his phone. Derek tore it out of his hands.
“In a historic vote that had the potential to revolutionize the school system of our state,” he read, “the school board voted unanimously to not integrate the Breakbattle system into the public schools. They cited many reasons for their decisions. Chief among them were budget issues, accusations of discrimination among the classes, and fear that it would foster disharmony among students. They feel...” Derek trailed off. His incredibly handsome face was still handsome, even as it paled.
“They feel what? Come on, man.” Tanner took it and read it himself.
I didn’t hear the rest. “Derek, are you okay?”
He shot up as I reached for him. “I have to go.”
“What? Bu— Derek!”
Derek charged off across the lawn.
“We have to go too.”
Landon kissed me and then took off after Derek with Michael and Cole. Elation and guilt battled inside of me. The expansion was important for the Network and the Network is important to my guys. This was a blow to them too and I wasn’t indifferent. I wanted them to succeed and I’d support them if they felt the Network was the best way to do it. Even so, deep down there was something wrong with the expansion.
Nico shook me. “Isn’t this great?!”
“It is,” I said softly. “It’s for the best.”
I WOKE BEFORE MY ALARM the next morning. My body clock responded to the time and the promise of Derek. Silently, I slipped out of my sheets and padded to the bathroom.
I wonder what we’ll do this morning.
So far, every day had brought something new. The day before, Derek taught me what he liked. I explored his body to my heart’s content on a blanket slightly damp from morning dew. Those delicious memories played through my mind on a loop as I tiptoed through the halls.
I wouldn’t get in trouble if Matron found me now. Everything was locked down during the night, but students like Michael required early morning access to the tracks and fields. The doors opened early to let them—and me—out.
Derek was waiting exactly where I expected him. Only one thing was missing.
“You didn’t bring our blanket.”
His response was to hold out his arms.
I ran to him and he held me tight.
“We won’t need the blanket today.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I came because I wanted to see you.”
“What’s wrong? Why won’t we need the blanket?”
“Sadly, your clothes are staying on this morning.” Derek sounded truly regretful. “I was planning on counting the freckles on your back while I played with you from behind.”
My knees went weak. “We can still do that,” I said hoarsely. “We don’t need a blanket.”
He tangled his fingers in my hair and brought it to his lips. “It has to be this weekend. My dad is going to call in a few minutes. Shit’s hit the fan since the board made their announcement. I’ll be dealing with this today and tomorrow.”
“Why do you have to? Because of your dad’s position in the Network?”
“No,” he replied, “because of mine. I took Cameron’s place when he lost his authority in the Network.”
I stepped back, gaping at him. “You did? But... you never told me.”
“I haven’t told you a lot of things, Zee. I promise you, I’ll change that.”
“Will you?”
“Yes.” He grasped my hands and pulled me back. I let him. “We’ll talk this weekend. If you still want to go on a date with me?”
Derek sounded unsure like he was certain he ruined everything.
I tried for a joke. “The date was in exchange for daily orgasms. If I’m not getting my satisfaction today, then I don’t know about this.”
I laughed but it rang false to my own ears. Pressing my lips together, I swallowed hard. A thick, sludgy feeling crept through my bones.
I hated this. I hated feeling like I didn’t know the man I loved. I hated that I let him—all of them—keep me in the dark about the Network.
“I’ll tell you everything, Zela. No more secrets. Just give me some time.”
He raised my chin and kissed me. His tongue swirled with mine, enticing a soft sigh as my tension ebbed away.
His phone went off but he took his time pulling away.
“I love you. I’ll make up for those missed orgasms Saturday night.”
“Looking forward to it,” I whispered.
I left him in our spot.
“Hey, Dad,” I heard. “I spoke to them but...”
I trudged through the woods and into the main building. The school was beginning to stir. Students passed me in their gym clothes, bright-eyed and alert for their morning workouts. I walked around a clump of girls.
“Murderer.”
I jerked to a stop.
“Can’t believe they let her come back after what she did.”
Spinning around, I found them facing me head-on. They wanted me to hear and they were ready for my reaction. I zeroed in on the girl in front.
I know her. She was the one staring at me and Landon in the cafeteria. My eyes raked over her. She had a plain, smooth face and the knobby knees of a kid. She has to be a freshman. What I didn’t notice before was the E on her chest.
“Well,” she snapped. “Nothing to say for yourself.”
“Yeah, I got something to say.” I jerked my chin at the door. “Bundle up. It’s chilly outside.” With that, I turned to go.
“We were friends,” she cried. “Cameron was a good guy and you—”
“—didn’t touch him. I wasn’t on campus and I told the same to the police, the principal, and the rest of the school when they accused me. Cameron may have been your friend, and I’m sorry for your loss, but you know nothing about me. I’d never hurt anyone.”
Her snarl twisted further. “I know plenty about you. You’re the freak who pretended to be a guy to sleep and cheat your way into the Elite Class. What happened? Did Cameron threaten to reveal your secret?”
“Many times,” I replied, “but like I said, I was nowhere near him when he died.”
“They never should have let you back in here.” It was like she hadn’t heard me. “Innocent until proven guilty my ass. All the shit you’ve pulled since you’ve been here. There’s obviously something wrong with your head. How are we supposed to feel safe with a murderer in our dorms?”
Her friends nodded along.
Irritation and sympathy niggled me. I felt for this kid who lost a friend. I truly did, but it didn’t mean I was cool with being called a murderer.
“You don’t honestly believe I did it,” I said.
“Yes, I do!”
My tone was calm. “No, you don’t. If you really thought I snuck into dorm rooms and killed people, you wouldn’t be trying to make an enemy of me now.”
Her friends gasped. The eyes of the girl I still didn’t know bugged out.
“Are you threatening me?” she screeched.
“Nope. Just pointing out that this is the act of someone who is hurting, lashing out at the only person they can blame. I understand, but you need to listen to me. I didn’t kill Cameron.”
“You—”
“She may not be threatening you, but I am.”
Footfalls sounded behind me. Everly, Adeline, and Isla fanned out around me.
“You’re new here, so I’ll give you a pass just this once,” Everly continued. “Elite stick together. We don’t accuse each other. We do
n’t put on shows for the lower classes to gawk at.”
I peered over my shoulder. Girls had gathered behind us—our disturbingly silent audience.
“She has an alibi and Whittaker wouldn’t have let her back in here if he thought she was dangerous. Don’t pull this shit again, Beth.”
Beth’s face reddened. She glared at me through furious tears. “She’s their only suspect.”
“Put that down to crappy Chesterfield cops. And you know what, I heard from my mom a few days ago that Mr. Dupre has private investigators on his case now. We’re all on the same side, Beth. Everyone wants Cameron’s killer caught.”
Beth held my gaze for a few more seconds, then she burst into tears.
Everly snapped her fingers. “Guys, get her to the bathroom, clean her up, and then tell Ethel to make her some tea from my stash.”
Beth’s friend stared at her like they were trying to figure out who this beautiful stranger was that was giving them orders.
“Are you waiting for something?” asked Everly. “Go now.”
They hopped to it and led their sobbing friend away.
“Thanks for stepping in,” I said to Everly.
She gave me a look. “Like I keep saying, Elites stick together. I hope you got the message too.”
Her group marched off.
“What did I do now?” I muttered at their backs.
Shaking my head, I returned to my dorm to get ready for the day.
“HOW WAS YOUR FIRST week?”
“Fine.”
“Fine won’t cut it, Zela.” Mom stepped in front of me, pulling me up short on the sidewalk. “Did you have any problems? Did anyone bother you?”
“No. Some of the freshmen don’t know what to make of me and what they’ve heard. Otherwise, life on the girls’ side isn’t so bad.”
She leveled me with a shrewd look. “Are you certain?”
“Yes, Mom. If anything, they’re singularly focused on me being their friend whether I like it or not.”
Mom studied my expression, looking for a hint of deceit. I couldn’t blame her. I kept a lot of secrets over the years.
“Okay,” she relented. “Let’s get going. I’m making garlic butter steak with zucchini noodles tonight and I still have to stop by the grocery store.”
“Why don’t I cook dinner tonight? You can take it easy.”
“Is there a reason I should be taking it easy?”
We started off for the car.
“Because you’re my beautiful, wonderful, radiant mother and you do so much.”
She laughed. “I see. And what else?”
“And I wanted Jordan to come for dinner tonight, so I’ll make extra.”
“And...?” My beautiful, wonderful, radiant mother was not a dummy.
“And I was hoping to go to Evergreen tomorrow. Derek is going to pick me up.”
“Is he,” she stated.
Mom picked up the pace, rounding the car for the driver’s seat. I tossed my things in the back and climbed in as she started the car.
“Is that okay?” I asked. “You said I could spend the day in Evergreen.”
“To see your boyfriends, Zela. Not to see the son of my ex who kidnapped my daughter.”
She stepped on the gas with more force than needed. We peeled out of the spot and roared through the parking lot.
“He didn’t kidnap me. I wanted to go with him and it was me who didn’t return your calls.” I placed my hand over her whitening knuckles. “That was on me and I’m sorry, Mom, but please don’t blame Derek. He’s been there for me through all of this and... I love him.”
She whipped around, eyes wide. “Love him? Zela, he’s not your brother.”
“I don’t love him as a brother. I just love him. We’re dating now. Or we will tomorrow. He’s taking me out for our first one.”
Mom gaped at me for so long the person behind us blared his horn. She jerked to attention and turned onto the road.
“I don’t understand. Why him?”
I shook my head. “Has anyone ever been able to answer that? It’s him because it is. I’ve wanted to be near him since I found out he existed. My feelings have changed and grown stronger since we learned the truth about Jonathan.”
“Jonathan has made it extremely clear that he doesn’t want us disrupting his family and their lives any longer.”
I stiffened. “Are you going to forbid me from seeing him?”
“Would you obey me if I did?”
I didn’t reply.
“Jonathan Grayson does not make rules for my child,” she said. “You’re eighteen now. You can decide who you want to date, but let me be clear, I will not be forced into contact with Jonathan again. He’s a part of my past I want to stay in the past. Only Derek comes to our door. He drops you home on time and you stay off their property. Understood?”
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. I was too ecstatic at her agreeing to think about arguing with her.
“Good.” She released the dash and claimed the hand over hers. “And are you sure about this? The relationship you’re entering into will be far from uncomplicated.”
“I’m dating three other guys. Two of them are best friends and the other couldn’t stand the rest up to a little while ago. All of my relationships are complicated, but being with them is worth it.”
“Alright, my only one. Tonight, you are making dinner and you can invite Jordan.”
Mom swung by the store and we bought the steak and zucchini noodles on tonight’s menu. I was prepping the steak marinade when Jordan blew inside.
“Hello, cousin.” She hugged me from behind. “What are you making me?”
“Your second favorite.”
“Sweet. Never tell Mom how much I like your body power food. She’ll get it into her head to do something about all the takeout she feeds me.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
She let me go and I heard the kitchen stool scrape across the floor. “Spill. I know I’m not here just for your cooking.”
I jumped right in it. “Derek is taking me on our first date tomorrow and I need something to wear. He’s already seen me in my lucky dress, and as you’ve pointed out, nothing else in my closet is in the same league. Help.”
“I got you, girl.”
Transferring the steak cubes to the marinade, I peeked at her over my shoulder. “How was your first week?”
“It was weird not sitting with Lucia, Jane, and Meghan.”
My hands were too steaky for a hug. I settled for a sympathetic smile.
“It’s not that bad though,” she continued. “Kimberly has had my back through the whole thing. Last year, she cursed Lucia out. They almost got into a fight. This week, she sat with me at lunch and said she wasn’t dealing with the girls until they got their heads out of their asses.”
“I’m glad you have one good friend.”
She playfully kicked my backside. “I have more than one good friend. How was your week?”
“Bizarre.”
The two of us talked while I cooked up and served dinner. After, we went upstairs and Jordan descended on my closet.
“Tell me this,” she said, “is sex on the table?”
“It’s been on the table since I laid eyes on him after break. The trouble is Derek Grayson, King of the Breakfast Bunnies, is playing the slow card.”
“Breakfast Bunnies?”
“You don’t want to know.” I flopped onto my bed and watched her tear my closet apart. “The point is he’s not shy about sex, and yet, he’s been turning me down. I don’t know if we’ll do anything more than fool around tomorrow night.”
“You’ll want to wear the underwear I got you either way.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I think he’ll like them.”
“If he’s got a pulse, he’ll love them.” She pulled out a light green dress I bought in Italy. “This is cute. Do you know where you guys are going?”
“Hold on. I’ll ask him.”
&
nbsp; I fished out my phone and sent him a quick text.
Me: Can I get a hint of your date plans? Should I wear something fancy?
His reply came back almost instantly.
Derek: My parents won’t be home tomorrow night and I want us to be able to talk about everything in private.
Me: Should I be going to your house? I promised my mom I wouldn’t. What if your parents come home early? Also, the guards will tell them I was there.
Derek: The guards won’t say anything. They’re there to keep me safe, not report my movements. And my parents won’t catch us. They are handling some stuff that isn’t likely to wrap up early.
Me: So our big date is canceled?
Derek: No, we’re going to do everything I had planned, ending with me counting the freckles on your back.
I burrowed into my pillow, fighting a smile.
Me: I don’t have freckles on my back.
Derek: How would you know? I should check to be sure.
Me: Good idea.
The bed dipped. “What are you grinning about over here? Is he giving it up or what?” Jordan stuck her face next to mine. “Count the freckles on your back? Does that mean you’re getting it from behind?”
“Jordan!” I shoved her. She collapsed on the bed howling. “Why are you like this?”
“Who knows?” she teased. “It’s definitely the green dress though. You’ll look so hot in it, he’ll be bending you over the table before dessert.”
“Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“As repayment, you can help me think of something to give Adam for our anniversary.”
“Has it been a year already? Wow.”
“Yeah.” Jordan’s smile was infectious. It filled me with happiness seeing my cousin in love. “But what do you get the guy who has everything?”
“We’ll come up with something. Between us, we know everything about Adam Moon.”
We stayed up so late brainstorming gift ideas that Jordan ended up staying the night. I checked my phone all through breakfast the next day.
My first date with Derek Grayson. When is he picking me up? What does he have planned? What exactly does playing with me while he counts my freckles mean? Are we making love tonight? Can we risk it when his parents could come in at any time?