The Blackstone Prep Academy Duet

by M. E. Clayton

  My head reared back, and I choked out a harsh laugh. “If you think my direct personality is on the same level of being a bitch, then you really must be the delicate flower the media plays all you college kids to be.”

  The tick in his jaw leaped out with irritation. “And you really must be the spoiled, entitled, little brat Bernice says you are,” he flung back.

  I laughed. “And if I am, how does that matter, Cash?” I asked. “We’re hardly small children who need to get along for the sake of our parents. Once I go off to college, I’ll probably never see you again. So, what in the hell is all this? What’s your point?”

  Cash stepped up to me, and he reached up to push a wayward strand of my brown hair behind my ear. And I was pretty sure he was disappointed when I hadn’t flinched. “You really should start thinking about how to treat people, London. Bad Karma and all that.”

  I wasn’t big with threats or people running their mouths. I was an action-speak-louder-than-words kind of person because I’ve grown up with people all around me saying one thing, but then doing another. I’ve been surrounded by the fakest hypocrites in the world, so I knew what I was talking about. It was also the reason I didn’t invest in people who haven’t proven themselves. It wasn’t that I thought I was better, I just didn’t like wasting my time with transparent people.

  “Get the fuck out of my room, Cash,” I told him, proving just how little I cared about his opinion on how I treated people. “And don’t ever come in here again without an invitation that you’ll never get.”

  There was no doubt that he was up to something when he winked at me before walking out of my bedroom peacefully. Cash was playing some sort of cat-and-mouse game, only I wasn’t sure why or how serious this game was.

  However, I wasn’t worried.

  Chapter 4

  Sterling~

  There was enough food to feed an army, but I knew Styx would be stopping by to see Grace before he went home. He always tried to stop by on his way home from work to see her, even if it was only for a little bit.

  I knew there was a lot of talk about how could I let Grace date someone without money or pedigree, but people were stupid. Styx Reinhart was one of the best people around, and so was his family. He made Grace happy, and that’s all I gave a fuck about.

  Now, we weren’t besties or any of that stupid shit, but we were getting there. The truth was that Styx felt more uncomfortable around me than I did him. But that was because he cared at a deeper level than I did. I cared that Grace was happy, but I didn’t care about much else. Whereas, Styx cared that we weren’t close simply because he knew how much Grace loved me, and he wanted to make sure Grace had everything in her life flowing smoothly. He cared if we got along. He cared if our parents were assholes. He cared about everything that touched Grace’s life, and that was the reason I would always have his back. Despite his mistakes, Styx was a good guy.

  Period.

  “Are we having a party?” My head turned back over my shoulder and I saw my sister taking a seat at the kitchen island.

  I turned back to arranging the platters of food. “I was hungry,” I replied. “And I knew you’d be, too.”

  “But-”

  “And I know Styx will be stopping by soon, and I’m not that fucking rude,” I told her. “So, I made plenty for the three of us.” She was silent long enough to make me turn around to look at her.

  Grace’s eyes were misty, and she had a beautifully sad smile on her pretty face. “Thank you, Sterling.” My chest thumped at how I knew Grace was heartfelt with her appreciation. People were coming at her and Styx from all angles, disapproving of their relationship, and I knew having my support made Grace feel stronger than she might not normally feel, fighting for her relationship with Styx.

  Before I could comment, her phone chimed, and I figured it was Styx letting her know he was here or something. Letting her answer, I got back to arranging dinner and I started putting all the platters on the granite countertop of the island.

  Grace remained seated, but as I placed each plate on the counter, she went to arrange them to make room for all of us. As she was helping, she said, “Well, good thing you made so much food. That was London, and she’s on her way over, too.” I wanted to ignore how my gut lurched at the mention of London coming over, but I couldn’t.

  London Addison has been Grace’s best friend since we were like in the fourth grade or some such shit like that. London’s always been around since as far back as I could remember. London and Grace were complete opposites in personality, but they worked. Where Grace had always reveled in her status at the top of the food chain until recently, London had never seemed to care overmuch about shit like that. She was always a take-it-or-leave it kind of girl. If she wanted to do something, she did it. If she didn’t want to do something, she didn’t. Her cavalier attitude always made it seem as if Grace had been the one to call the shots, but that hadn’t been the case. There was just very little London Addison cared about, and she wasn’t afraid to show that side of herself. And I knew exactly how she felt.

  I was pretty much the same way.

  Also, London didn’t flaunt her money or influence all over the place. Even before her and Grace had made the change to be better people, London had never been the type of girl to throw her wealth in people’s faces. No. Her importance came in the form of how she carried herself. She’s always been a very self-assured person. She walked with her head up, her back straight, and her eyes always looking you in the face. She was rather fearless in her opinions and convictions. And she was one of the very few students at Blackstone who’ve been sent to detention a few times for not backing down from a teacher.

  She was kind of magnificent if you took the time to think about it. Which, admittedly, I never had before in all the years that she’s been best friends with Grace. But I’d taken notice a few weeks ago when she had stopped by to see Grace and one thing had led to another.

  In all my eighteen years of living, I never would have imagined I’d end up in bed with London Addison, but I had. In my bed and in my shower. And had she not snuck out while I had been passed out, I probably would have had her everywhere else in this goddamn house.

  For a virgin, London Addison had been the best fuck of my life.

  Before I could remark on London joining us for dinner, the doorbell rang, but Grace and I had remained in the kitchen. Whether it was Styx or London, they had permission to let themselves in the house whenever our parents weren’t around. And this week, Sterling and Serena were in New York where they will spend New Year’s week. They had left the day after Christmas, and Grace and I were way past the point of caring anymore what those two did.

  “I don’t like it, London,” I heard Styx saying faintly.

  “Leave your white horse parked outside, Reinhart,” London replied tartly.

  Grace was turned around in her seat to greet them as I remained standing, placing the last platter of food on the countertop. When they came into view, Styx immediately went into Grace’s arms, while London plopped herself down on the empty stool next to Grace.

  After Grace kissed Styx hello, he took a seat on the opposite side of Grace and mumbled, “One guess as to why she’s here.”

  London leaned over to stink-eye Styx. “I get that your time with Grace is precious,” she huffed. “But there are some days when you’re just going to have to share her, Styx. Get over it.” Grace chuckled as Styx just shook his head.

  I watched as London’s blue eyes scanned the countertop. “You guys have a party or something?”

  “Sterling was hungry,” Grace answered her. “And he knew Styx was going to stop by.” Grace smiled at her. “He just happened to make enough for you, too.”

  “Sweet,” she replied. “Hand me a plate, please.” Before Grace could grab one for her, I reached over, plucked one from the stack, and placed it in front of her. All the while, London didn’t look at me once.

  “Thanks,” she muttered as she reached for the to
ngs resting on the asparagus platter.

  Everyone started making their plates, and it wasn’t until we were all sitting comfortably, me sitting at the north end of the island with Styx next to Grace and London on the other side of Grace, that Grace asked, “What were you guys talking about when you walked in?”

  Styx grunted as London answered with an obvious lie. “Nothing.”

  It wasn’t any of my business, so I kept my mouth shut. It wasn’t that I didn’t care, but London wasn’t my business or responsibility, so it wasn’t my place if she didn’t want to share.

  However, Styx’s opinion on London and her business differed from mine. “Cash,” was all he said, and I had no clue what he was talking about.

  And it wasn’t until my sister spoke that I started to rethink how London Addison wasn’t my business. “What’d he do this time?”

  Who in the fuck was Cash?

  Instead of answering Grace, London leaned over to stink-eye Styx again. “Thought I told you to leave your white horse outside, Styx. I don’t need rescuing, good sir,” she tossed out sarcastically.

  Styx stink-eyed her back. “I’m not trying to rescue you,” he replied. “But you aren’t one to crash my time with Grace. So, if he’s doing something that’s…crossing the line enough to make you run over here, you need to tell me, London.”

  My back straightened and I had to crack my neck.

  “I don’t need your man-fix, Styx,” she retorted.

  “Man-fix?” Grace asked.

  London rolled her eyes. “Men never just listen,” she explained. “They are incapable of just listening for support purposes. They always want to fix your shit even if you’ve got it handled.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked because I couldn’t not ask. While London might not be my responsibility, I didn’t want anything happening to her.

  Her blue eyes snapped my way, and the look in them was vastly different from the last time I had looked into them. The last time I had looked into them, they had been clouded over with lust and glowing as she was coming off her orgasmic high.

  My dick twitched.

  London pushed her plate forward and stood up. Looking right at me, she said, “Nothing that concerns you, Hale.” Then she looked over at Grace and Styx. “If I need help with Cash, I’ll let you know. But until then, I got it.” Before anyone could say anything, London turned and left.

  A few seconds into the silence, Grace asked, “What the hell was that all about?”

  No one had an answer.

  Chapter 5

  London~

  I still couldn’t believe it.

  I mean, the article was staring me in the face, but it was all still so hard to process. It wasn’t that I didn’t think it was possible, but…justice almost always favored the rich. To see someone with money and connections have to answer for their actions was big.

  But there it was. The headline as bold and big as you please.

  Seth Burns, son of Darryl Burns, CEO and founder of Burns Energies & Innovations, arrested for sexual assault, rape, and aggravated battery.

  Seth had never made much of an impression on me when he had been dating Grace, but while I knew he was an asshole of the highest order, I would never have expected rape. I mean, he wasn’t a bad-looking guy and his family had money. Why would he need to rape anyone? Of course, they always say rape is not about sex; it’s about rage or power. But what did Seth have to be enraged over? Even after that mess with Leah Moffet, he had come out of it unscathed, so-”

  Sterling fucking Hale.

  I wondered if he was behind this. Grace had felt so bad over Leah killing herself for the affair she’d had with Seth while he and Grace had been dating, I could see Sterling constructing something like this as a payback. Leah’s suicide had affected Grace deeply, and I knew Grace hated that Seth had basically gotten away with his evilness while Leah was gone, and Leah’s family had been left devastated.

  I fired a text off to Grace with the link to the article. I knew the Good Lord frowned upon the happiness off other’s misfortunes, but I was pretty sure He’d cut us some slack on this one. And the Burns had enough money that there had to be enough proof for the charges to have come to light like this.

  After firing off the text, I headed to the bathroom to shower. Tonight was New Year’s Eve and Tucker Bramwell was throwing a party that was supposed to be a free-for-all of sin and debauchery. Tucker’s father was a US Senator and his mother was a federal judge, so short of burning down the entire city of Dayton, there’d be no arrests made tonight, and everyone knew it.

  Good times.

  Grace and Styx were staying at her place, and I didn’t blame them. Even though most people wouldn’t have the balls to say anything to their faces, almost everyone in Wakefield was choking on the match between Grace and Styx. The only reason they were keeping their hate on the down low was because Grace was still Grace fucking Hale, and Styx Reinhart had proven that he could swing them thangs and kick some serious ass. The fact that he had held his own against Sterling a few weeks back had everyone looking at Styx through a new judgmental lens.

  There was also the fact that all of Blackstone Prep knew Sterling Hale would kill anyone who dared go after his sister, and in turn, go after Styx. Grace and Styx were a team now, and Sterling had made his full support of their relationship known. And if Sterling Hale didn’t outright kill you, he could destroy your life enough that you’d do the job yourself.

  Sterling fucking Hale.

  Getting down to business in the shower, my hair full of Ten Voss suds, I could admit to myself that I’ve been avoiding Sterling since that night I snuck out of his house after drunkenly handing him over my virginity. It wasn’t like I thought he’d be weird about it, because Sterling would have to care enough to feel something for things to become weird. I just…I haven’t found a way to tell Grace and staying away from Sterling was my way of biding my time until I had to tell her. And I knew I had to tell her soon. She was my best friend and she deserved to know. She had been absolutely open and candid about what had happened between her and Styx, and I felt a bit like a heel keeping this from her.

  I hurried and finished my shower, and after making sure my hair, makeup, and outfit were befitting a New Year’s Eve party, I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs. I pulled up my Uber app-because no way was I going to drink and drive-and waited outside for my ride. Normally, I’d have my purse on me, but I didn’t want to lug it around all night. So, I had changed out phone cases earlier, so I could carry around my phone, my ATM card, a credit card, and a few bills of cash. And though my skirt wasn’t much, it had a phone pocket sewn on the side. The pleats camouflaged the little compartment.

  Six minutes later, my Uber pulled up to the curb and I gave him Grace’s address. While firing off a text to Grace telling her to put her clothes on, we were on our way.

  Grace was already standing in the open doorway when my Uber pulled up to the curb.

  And she had her clothes on.

  When I reached her, I gave her a hug. Pulling back, I said, “I promise I’m just here to wish you guys a Happy New Year. I’ll be gone before you know it and you can get back to sexy time.”

  Grace laughed. “You’re a dork.”

  I winked at her and walked into the foyer. As soon as I made into the living room, I saw Styx was sitting on the couch, a drink in his hand. “I’m not staying,” I announced. “I only stopped by to say Happy New Year and to gossip really quick.”

  Styx smirked. “You know, you’re more than welcome to hang out with us all night.”

  My brows shot up as I sat in one of the armchairs. “No offense, but watching you two be in love does not sound like a great time.” They both laughed as Grace went and sat next to her man.

  “So, you’re going to Tucker’s party?” Grace asked.

  “Yeah,” I replied. “Honestly, I think you two are going to be the only people not going.”

  Styx put his hand on Grace’s thigh. “We’r
e good where we’re at,” he replied simply.

  I waved away their tender moment. “Yeah, yeah, okay.” I leaned forward in my chair. “So, what about that shit with Seth, huh?”

  Grace shivered and Styx automatically pulled her close. “It’s kind of…I’m not sure how I feel about it all,” she said. “On one hand, I hope it’s all true, and they throw the book at him. But on the other hand, then that would mean I dated someone capable of rape. And that…” She let out a deep sigh, and my heart hurt for her.

  “I’m sorry, babe,” I whispered. “I know that’s gotta be tough.” I really had no idea what she was feeling, but I couldn’t let her fall farther into the struggles she was already going through. “But whatever kept you from sleeping with him and taking things with him farther emotionally is your saving grace on this. Don’t let the ‘what ifs’ take over.”

  “She’s right,” Styx agreed. “You have to focus on the positive. And even though it’s all rather horrible, there is a positive in that he’ll finally get what’s coming to him.” Styx shrugged a shoulder, and then echoed my earlier thoughts. “There has to be a shitload of evidence to even bring the charges to light. With his name and money, it’d be easy to protect him if the evidence weren’t so damning.”

  “I agree,” I said. “And while he might still have his life, it’s still something in retribution for what he did to Leah.”

  “That’s even if he survives it all,” Styx remarked. “I mean, I can’t see someone as privileged as Burns not taking a rope to his neck over a scandal like this. According to the article, he was already eighteen when he took advantage of that girl. Prison is a real possibility.”

  Grace didn’t look convinced. “I just…Seth’s not the only person who should pay for how they treated Leah,” she said. “It just doesn’t seem fair that the rest of us still get to come out of this entire thing unscathed.” My heart broke under the weight of Grace’s guilt.