by Ruby Vincent
“What are you doing?!” I tried to rip out of their hold but they held me fast. The next thing I knew the other boys were on me. I realized instantly what was happening when Heath grabbed the hem of my jersey. “No! Stop!”
Screaming, I fought harder as they tore the jersey over my head. Not again. They couldn’t do this to me again!
Heath began unraveling my bindings. I yanked my arm free of Santiago and slapped him across the face. “Get off of me!”
The victory of seeing his head snap almost all the way around was short-lived. Another guy grabbed my wrist and held me in a grip like iron as my shorts were pulled down. My screams reached ear-shattering levels. The Elites stripped me down to my bra and panties.
Heath snatched the wig off my head none-too-gently. I cried out as strands of my hair went with it. They finally dropped me in the dirt as Cameron stood over me, holding his phone on me.
I glared at him through my tears. “Why are you doing this?! I said I’d leave you alone!”
“This will make sure of it,” he replied easily. “Just in case you were thinking all you’d have to do is deny it if I spilled your secret, I’ll have this video to send to Whittaker, Argyle, and Miss Val. The real Zeke Manning. Although...” I could hear the smirk creep into his voice. “They may find out all on their own. That body is shaping up and your tits are growing nicely.”
I hugged myself tighter. My skin crawled under his appreciative gaze.
“It’s going to get tougher to pretend you’re a boy.”
My lips peeled back from my teeth. “You need to worry about how tough it’ll be for you,” I hissed. “You’ve made it fucking personal.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Don’t be like that. Not after we’ve settled things.” He shook the phone at me. “The expansion goes through without a problem. The attacks against the Elites stop. And that stupid For All crap ends. No one sees this as long as you keep up your end.”
“I don’t know who the new For All is,” I cried. “I can’t make them stop!”
“Ah.” He smiled. “But now you have an incentive to try. You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
Cameron snapped his figures once more and I winced.
The guys didn’t touch me. One by one, they filed out of the clearing until it was only me—kneeling alone in the dirt.
Four Weeks Later
“WHY DON’T YOU LOOK happy?”
I tossed the letter on the nightstand and flopped onto my bed. I didn’t need to read it again. I read the letter five times by now and the words hadn’t changed.
Congratulations, Zeke Manning. You’ve won the tournament and your place as a member of the Elite Class. Attached is information about your new class and the privileges you’re entitled...
Jordan sat next to me. “What’s up? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
I leaned in and put my head on her shoulder. “Yes,” I admitted. “This is what I wanted but I’m tired, Jordan.”
“Tired of what?”
“Tired of everything I do going wrong. I got into the Elite Class, but now Derek won’t speak to me. He wouldn’t even look at me the last week of school. Every time I got near him, he walked away.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Then, there’s Cameron.”
She pressed her cheek to my head. “You don’t think he’ll really show anyone that video, do you?”
“Cameron has always underestimated me, but I don’t underestimate him. He’ll release that video. He might even do worse if something interferes with their plans for the expansion.”
“What are you going to do? Are you going to keep your head down like he asked?”
“No,” I said, and as it left my lips, I knew it was true. I hadn’t been sure until that moment. “No matter what he says. There is something off about all of this. What money-making opportunity did the top leaders discover and why did they bring in Dominick Dupre of all people to do it? Someone they had kept out of their group for all of this time.
“But even if I put aside the Network, this system is not good for students no matter what Whittaker thinks. There are kids that might have been friends if not for a school that told them they were better or worse than the person sitting next to them. If it didn’t teach them to look at each other and only see what they can get.”
I lifted my head and faced her. “The battle system can’t spread to other schools. Someone has to stop it and I’m happy for that someone to be me. I just have to be smart about how I go about it. Cameron can’t know I’m behind it.”
Jordan sighed. “You know I agree with you. I’m not questioning that the expansion shouldn’t happen, but I am wondering why you can’t fight it from the girls’ side.” She grabbed my hands. “The only power Cameron Dupre has over you is your secret, but Derek knows the truth now. Take that power away from him and reveal it yourself.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that. Not yet. Not until Derek forgives me. He was unapproachable even when I was a few feet away. I’ve only been able to get close to him because I kept pushing. I tried to join the Network. I sat next to him at meals. I banged on his door almost every night. I didn’t make it easy for him to push me away, but if I’m reduced to only seeing him at breakfast and dinner, that’s exactly what he’ll do.”
Jordan’s expression was sad as she squeezed my hand. “All this for a guy who wanted nothing to do with you.”
I looked away.
“No, Zela.” She took my chin and forced me to meet her eyes. “You’ve avoided this talk for too long. Pretending like this was all about Derek, but you and I both know there is no way you’d be able to get close to Jonathan Grayson on your own. They’d never let some strange kid walk through the studio gates or the family manor, and saying you’re his daughter might get the door slammed in your face that much quicker. You wanted Derek because you hoped he’d bring you to your father.”
“That’s not the only reason,” I protested. “He’s my family. My mom won’t have more kids. I thought for fifteen years that you would be the closest thing I’d have to a sibling, but all the time, there was Derek. He’s mine,” I stated with conviction that wouldn’t be shaken. “They kept us apart but that is over now. He will forgive me. I will get him back.”
Jordan leaned forward and pressed our foreheads together. “What if that’s not the best thing for him?” she whispered. “You get that you turned his world upside down, right? He just found out the girl he was crushing on is his sister. That’s got to mess a guy up.” She raised a brow. “What were you doing with him anyway that he couldn’t resist your charms?”
I warmed. “I didn’t do anything!”
“Mm-hmm. What’s the rule on seducing your brother? Isn’t that taboo in every country you’ve been to?”
I grabbed her shoulder and promptly shoved her away. “That’s not funny!”
Jordan fell to the floor howling. Apparently, my pain was incredibly funny.
“Jordan! Zela!” Mom’s voice floated up the stairs. “Are you ready? Beverly is here.”
My cousin picked herself up and dropped a kiss on my nose. “It’ll work out, Zee. Whatever is meant to happen. Now, we’re celebrating you getting out of that class even if you don’t want to. Then tomorrow, we’re celebrating some more.”
I shouldered my purse and then took one last look in the mirror. Mom was ecstatic that I won the tournament. Ecstatic for Mom anyway. She was taking us out to dinner at a nice restaurant and letting me pick whatever I wanted off the menu. Even the stuff dripping with oil.
“We might not be celebrating tomorrow,” I said as I fixed my hair. “Adam hasn’t told me yet if he’s gotten into the Elite Class.”
“He has.” Jordan held up her phone in the mirror’s reflection. “He texted me earlier and said he got the letter.”
I goggled at her. “How exactly did you hear from my best friend before me?”
She giggled. “Don’t worry about it. Just worry about how much fun we’re going to
have when we go up to Evergreen tomorrow. Adam is super excited that we’re spending the summer with him again.”
“Again. How do you know that?” I called as she bolted from the room. All I got in response was her laugh.
THE RIDE TO EVERGREEN was short, but fun. Adam sent us another car and we goofed off in the back, singing to the radio, and planning how we were going to tackle the next two weeks.
“Only one week for me,” Jordan whined. “I couldn’t get Mom to budge. She won’t let me stay with you the whole time.”
“Two weeks is a long time for her to let you stay with people she doesn’t know,” I said. “Besides, after you leave, I’ll finally have my best friend to myself.”
She laughed. “You can’t fool me. I know you’re not stressing about alone time with Adam. It’s Landon you want all to yourself.”
“Jo, shush!” My eyes flicked to the back of the driver’s head.
“What?” She caught my look. “Do you think he’s going to rat on you? He wants you to get some just as much as I do.”
“I swear I’m going to kill you,” I said under my breath.
She just laughed at me. “You’re planning to see him, aren’t you?”
“He asked me out on a date yesterday,” I admitted. I don’t know why saying that made my face hot, but there it was. “People might recognize me if I go to the Promenade as Zela, so we’re going to his house. That’s it.”
Jordan eyed me, smiling knowingly. “Is that really it?”
My hand closed over the bag at my feet. I was highly aware of the pills lying within them as though they were whispering to me, asking if I was ready to need them. Mom took me to get the pill a week after I came back from school. I didn’t ask her to. She just piled me into the car, lecturing the whole way about carrying life being a gift bestowed upon women, but it was a gift I would not be bestowing until I was years removed from my PhD.
“Yes, that’s really it,” I said, “but if it turns out to be something else... that’s okay too.”
Jordan bumped my shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. When you’re with the right guy, everything makes sense.”
I snuggled into her, loving her more than I did a second ago. She had experience in this area. I couldn’t have this conversation with Mom or Aunt Bev or Adam, but I could always talk to Jordan and feel her support even if it came with teasing.
We changed the subject from sex but spent the rest of the ride talking about what I hoped my date with Landon would be like.
“He swears I’m going to like it,” I said as I scooted closer to the window. The gates of Adam’s home loomed. “It’ll put all my future dates to shame.”
“Did he add that in because he thinks you’ll be hooking up with Michael and Cole next?”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised, but Michael, Cole, and I have just been talking—getting to know each other. It’s easier now that we’re not trying to take the other down.”
The car stopped in front of the grand entrance and the doors opened as we stepped out. Adam threw out his arms and I ran at them full speed. We laughed as he spun me around.
“We did it,” he said. “We’re finally Elite. Nothing against the F Class though,” he added.
I kissed his cheek. “Nothing is going to change. Tanner and Nico are still our friends, but now we study on the couches in our rooms surrounded by borrowed library books. I plan on sharing the privileges and making a lot of enemies doing it.”
Adam chuckled. “That’s my girl.”
“Ahem.”
We turned and found Jordan staring at us.
“Do I get any love?” she asked.
Adam put me down and gave her the same warm greeting. I tried not to read into their giggling but they were making it pretty difficult.
“Come in, guys.” Adam put her down and threw an arm around both of us. “You’ll be in your usual rooms. Mom had the chef make your favorite, Zee, and if you’re lucky, Jessie will toddle her way into your room at some point today.”
I gasped. “Oh my gosh. Is she walking already? Where is she? I want to see.”
I ducked out from Adam’s arm and raced inside.
“She totally only likes me for my sister,” I heard him mumble.
“I like you for you,” Jordan replied.
Yep. I definitely need to be worried about those too.
I pushed that aside for later as I searched out the baby. I heard her before I saw her. Jessie’s shrieking laughs poured out of her bedroom. Peeking around the corner, I spotted her sitting in the middle of a plush rug. The source of her giggles was Mr. Shea. Adam’s serious, silver-eyed, sarcastic dad popped up from behind the toy chest and scrunched up his face at Jessie. She laughed so hard she fell over.
Miss Val watched the adorable scene from the circle of Jaxson’s arm. She smiled at them like this was her favorite moment ever.
I backed away and let the family enjoy their time together. Adam and Jordan were waiting for me in the bedroom that had become mine.
“Zee,” Adam said, “Olivia is queuing up some movies for us tonight. Any requests?”
I hummed. “I’m feeling something with Bruce Willis.”
“Cool. And about this Friday. My mom will be fine with you going out with Landon, but she’ll ask if you’ve gotten permission from your mom first.”
I spun around open-mouthed on Jordan. She put her hands up in defense. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t say anything.”
“She didn’t tell me. Landon did.” Adam stood and tugged my backpack from my fingers. “I have to put his name on the list or the guards won’t let him in.”
“Oh.” I relaxed. “That makes sense.”
I loved that Landon was making sure everything was perfect for our first real date. I just couldn’t help feeling like there was a huge “I’m going to have sex” sign hanging over my head.
I don’t know for sure that’s going to happen. My stomach is in knots just thinking about it. The moment might come and I could decide I’m not ready.
Adam put my things away for me as I climbed on the bed next to Jordan. I couldn’t think about all of that right now. Friday was five days away. I had until then to focus on having a good time with my best friend, my cousin, and my favorite family.
The next few days were even better than I was hoping for. We watched movies, gorged on the best food I ever had, and on Thursday Miss Val threw us in the car and took us to the water park.
“You three have a good time,” said Val. She was decked out in a black and gold one-piece, wraparound gold cover-up, and black sandals. Baby Jessie was perched on her hip. She was adorable in a pink swimsuit as she munched on a fistful of her mom’s hair. It was almost criminal how amazing Miss Val looked five kids later. It was definitely criminal how hot Adam’s dads were. Maverick, Ezra, and Ryder opted for trunks and swimsuits that clung to every inch of their body. Jaxson, on the other hand, strolled around in nothing but the trunks.
Miss Val pointed over her shoulder. “We’re going to take the kids to the splash area. Meet us there in two hours for lunch.”
“Yes, Mom.”
She kissed Adam and wandered off with her brood.
“Where do you want to start, ladies?”
“The lazy river,” said Jordan. “But first, let’s find a place to dump our stuff.”
We headed over to the pool chairs and snagged three free ones. Adam and I dragged them over to a shady spot as Jordan took out the park map. She read off the rides while I stripped out of my shirt and jeans.
“After the lazy river, we can do the Lagoon Surf and obstacle— Damn, Zee.” She whistled. “Adam, did you know my cousin was packing all of that underneath her uniform?”
I clapped my hands over my chest in a feeble attempt to cover myself. “Jordan!”
Adam ducked his head. I peeked his cheeks reddening as he busied himself putting on sunscreen.
She cackled. “It’s going to be hard to pretend you’re a boy this year.”
&nbs
p; That sounded so close to what Cameron told me my stomach turned. “Let’s just go, okay.” I walked. Jordan caught up with me under the sign for the lazy river.
“I’m sorry. Did I say the wrong thing?”
I hooked my arm through hers. “It’s not what you said. It’s that I think you’re right. I have a bad feeling about junior year.”
“You’re not going to let those guys win, Zee, and whatever happens, you have people watching your back.”
“I wish Aunt Bev would let you transfer to Breakbattle. That school would be one hundred times better if you were in it.”
“You are correct.”
We laughed and dipped our toes into the lazy river. The water was perfect. Cool enough to satisfy on a hot day, but not so cold to be shivering. Adam caught up to us and our trio claimed tubes. We drifted around the park, laughing, splashing, and flipping each other over.
The river curved around a bend. Hanging over our heads was a sign for the Lagoon Surf.
“Let’s get out here,” I said.
The three of us climbed off our tubes and headed to the wave pool. Dozens of people were in the water, shrieking and jumping as the waves bore down on them. Adam let out a shout. He grabbed Jordan around the legs.
“Adam, put me down,” she half screamed/half laughed. She playfully swatted his shoulders as he carried them out to the water.
I hung back, watching them. Adam tossed her in and Jordan came back fast. She tackled him and they both went under. They came up howling.
I came closer, letting the warm water envelop me.
“Jo,” I called.
She looked up from dunking Adam’s head in the pool. “Yeah?”
“Can you buy us some funnel cake, please? You can take the money from my bag.”
“Ooh. Sounds yum.” She stopped drowning him and hurried out. “I’ll be right back.”
When she was safely away, I turned on my best friend. “Adam Moon, I think we should talk.”
He reached for me and pulled me to his chest. We jumped to top another wave. “About what?”
“Is there something going on between you and Jordan?” I asked, getting right to the point. “I’d be happy if you got together, but not while you’re with someone else. It’s been Melody, Melody, Melody since the first day I met you. Don’t mess my cousin around if you’re in love with another girl.”