Game Changing Rules: The Elites Of Weis-Jameson Prep Academy Book 3

by Hart, Rebel

  The moment we’re outside with the door closed behind us, he pulls me in for a long kiss. “I couldn’t wait to do that,” he says, looking me up and down. “Damn…you look good.”

  “So do you!” I chime, noticing his expensive shirt and pants. “Are these new?”

  “Mm-hmm. I wanted to look nice for you too,” he grins.

  I take a moment to breathe in the spring air as we walk hand in hand to his car. It feels good for it to be finally warm enough that I don’t have to wear a sweater. He drives me across town to a fancy restaurant. An expensive restaurant. So expensive that I assume the date is over after that, but I’m surprised when he insists on ordering dessert and then wants to see a movie.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way,” I say lightly as he parks in front of the theater. “But how can you afford all of this? I can pay for the tickets, you know.”

  “No way,” he insists. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.”

  I feel thrown by his comment. It seems out of character for him, but I do my best to roll with it. I can’t quite put my finger on what’s wrong anyway, aside from all the money he suddenly seems to have.

  We only watch half of the movie, getting sucked into making out at some point. Before I know it, the credits are rolling, and I’m forced to rip my mouth away from his. The scent of cologne lingers on my skin, and I realize it’s a new scent.

  “Think we have time to go back to your place?” I ask once we get back into his car.

  “Not tonight,” he grins. “I’m taking you somewhere better. I’ve had enough of that dumpy old apartment.”

  I can’t imagine where else we could possibly go for what I have in mind. All I know is I’m all worked up from our hour-long make-out session, and wherever we’re going I want to get there fast. But all that pent-up lust fades when we pull up in front of one of the nicest hotels in Jameson.

  “Wait…we’re not…here?” I stammer as I watch the cars pull through the valet ahead of us underneath the ornate, golden pillars.

  “I know we can’t stay all night,” he says. “But we can enjoy it for a little while at least.”

  Big, red, flashing lights are going off in my brain. Something is definitely wrong here. Emmett went from being completely broke to suddenly having money for new clothes, cologne, an expensive dinner, a movie, and now a luxury hotel room that we can’t even stay the entire night in. He looks so excited that I don’t know how to bring up all the glaring problems with all of this.

  I can’t imagine how much a room at this place costs, but as he leads me into ours, I have to assume it’s not the cheapest one in the joint. It looks like a fully-fledged suite with a living room area and an adjoining bedroom. The carpet is plush and spotless, and the rooms are filled with only the finest furniture and linens.

  Just as I am about to broach the topic of where all of this money is coming from, I spin on my heels and come face to face with Emmett. He’s waiting there with a long velvet jewelry box in his hands.

  “What’s this?” I gasp. He opens the box to reveal what looks like a real diamond necklace that’s stunning enough to instantly take my breath away. Before I can say anything else, he pulls it out and steps behind me to clasp it around my neck. He starts to remove the running shoe charm necklace he gave me at the beginning of the year, but my hand flies up to stop him.

  “No, don’t,” I beg. “I’ll wear them both. That one is too special to me.”

  “But it’s cheap. It’s turning your neck green back here,” he scoffs. “I wanted to replace it with something nicer.”

  “No,” I insist. “Please…it means a lot to me.”

  He gives in and adds this new sparkling diamond over top of the old necklace, but I can’t get over how strange it feels for him to belittle such a sentimental gift.

  “You deserve all the nicest things the world has to offer,” his deep voice tickles against my neck. “But I haven’t been able to give you much of anything lately, so I thought I’d make up for lost time.”

  His hands begin to spread over my body as he kisses behind my ear. I almost forget everything and melt back into his touch, but the necklace itches across my neck, urging me to try and figure out how all of this is possible.

  “Wait,” I tell him, pulling away. I go over and sit on the couch, hoping the distance will help push my arousal down again, at least until after we talk. Regardless of where the money is coming from, we already have the room. We might as well put it to use once we’ve talked.

  “Where is all of this coming from?” I ask him in disbelief. “The clothes, the food, the room…This necklace!?” I run the diamond between my fingers, thinking I still prefer my little running shoe charm. “How can you afford all of this? Be honest with me.”

  He sits down next to me on the couch with a heavy sigh. I can tell he’s not looking forward to whatever he’s about to tell me. “I’ve already done so much work for Theo,” he explains. “He’s gone ahead and started paying me for my time.”

  “Wait…so…all of this…it’s from Theo?” I question, my voice growing shrill and broken.

  “No, it’s from me,” he shoots back, sounding irritated. “I earned the money.”

  “Well, shouldn’t you be saving it or something?” I suggest, still feeling a gnawing uneasiness that all of this did come from Theo, no matter how Emmett wants to paint it.

  “There’s plenty. Don’t worry,” he leans back, looking smug.

  Suddenly, all of my longing for him vanishes. He looks unfamiliar to me in his expensive clothes here in this ridiculous suite. And that smirk on his face…it’s one I’ve seen before. On his father, Thomas, and on my father as well. It’s a boastful sort of look worn by rich men who feel like they own the world.

  “I don’t understand how all of this is happening,” I gape in disbelief. “You know what kind of man Theo is. But you’re seriously considering partnering up with him…and you’re already on his payroll, which is funded by who knows what.”

  “Investors,” he snaps. “We’ve told you that. Investors.”

  I shake my head and cross my arms, looking away to keep from screaming, demanding to know who all of these mystery investors are.

  “Everything’s ruined,” I mumble, holding back tears. “I can see it written all over your face. You’re enjoying this too much. You want to stay here in Jameson and work with him. I know it. Your mind is made up.”

  I want him to immediately argue back, swearing he’s still thinking it over. I need him to tell me I’m wrong, but instead, I’m met with a chilling silence. He leans forward, perching his elbows on his knees as he runs his hands through his slicked-back curls. “I want some solid way to be able to provide for you and our future,” he says firmly. “That’s what I was taught to do for a woman I love. And maybe working for Theo is my best possible option for doing that.”

  “And what if I’m not in the picture?” I ask, flying to my feet. “Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen if you stay here.”

  His face drops. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”

  “No, that’s not what I meant,” I argue, wondering if it’s a lie. “I just meant…I can’t stay here in Jameson. I’ve told you that. If you stay…what happens to us?”

  “I’ll have enough money to fly and visit you, or to pay for you to visit me,” he assures me. “Just like we planned to do before I lost Jameson.

  I want to believe him, but for some reason him staying here and working for my father feels like losing him to something more than distance. It feels like the Emmett I know will eventually be lost forever and I can’t explain why.

  “I want to go home,” I sob. “I’m sorry. This is all so lovely. But I feel sick suddenly, and I just want to go.”

  It’s painfully silent as he drives me home, but thankfully he doesn’t seem offended that I had to go. I guess he really must have built up a really nice stack in this short bit of time, because he doesn’t seem at all worried that the money o
n the hotel room went to waste. I’m quick to tell him goodbye in my driveway, feeling anxious to crawl into my bed.

  Once I’ve tossed aside my little black dress, which I now hate by association with this night, I throw on the most comfortable pajamas I own and grab Marissa’s diary before climbing under the covers.

  Dear Diary,

  Prom is just a couple of weeks away, and I am so excited. And so very in love with Thomas. Really, I am. There is…just one little thing bothering me. The other night, my parents and I went to the Jameson manor for dinner. Everything was so lovely, and the evening was going perfect. Thomas’s mother even showed me her jewelry collection, pointing out which pieces she’d give to me once Thomas and I are married one day.

  But as I walked out of her room, I noticed the study door being slightly open. I stopped and listened for a moment, even though I know I shouldn’t have. Thomas and his father were talking my dad into some sort of business deal they schemed up. I almost walked away because it seemed so ordinary, but then I began to realize exactly what it was they were really talking about.

  It was some kind of crooked deal that I know is illegal and takes money away from a lot of hard-working, less fortunate individuals. I was so upset at the thought of my father being involved with something like that, but even more upset that Thomas would be involved and drag others into it.

  Later in the evening, we took a walk. I know he was eager to get me alone so we could kiss and touch, which I normally can’t wait to do. But I was so bothered by what I overheard, it’s all I could think about. He asked why I was so quiet, so I tried to confront him about it.

  He turned cold and angry. He pointed to the manor in the distance, telling me that all of it would be ours someday. But that the life he wanted to provide for me wasn’t cheap. I argued that we could live a less extravagant life if it was the difference between swindling innocent people or not.

  He snapped and told me not to concern myself with these things. It would be my job to manage the manor and one day have our children. He told me I’d never want for anything, but that I needed to stay out of his business when it came to our financial affairs and how he made his money.

  I didn’t know what to say. I had never seen that side of him before. But as awful as it sounds, I thought back on the jewelry his mother promised to me and thought maybe he was right. I wouldn’t even know any of this if I hadn’t been eavesdropping.

  Is it okay for me to ignore anything bad he might be doing…and just sit back and enjoy the life he provides me? It’s not like I’m the one running those bad business deals after all. I don’t know, diary. But I do know I love him more than anything in the world.

  -Marissa.

  I toss the book to the floor and flip off the lamp before rolling over in the darkness. I pull the covers around me tight, needing their comfort and warmth. I think about Marissa’s comment on her future mother-in-law’s jewelry and can see myself following Emmett into that expensive hotel, and again when I almost let everything slide after he put that necklace on me.

  If I give in and let Emmett enter into this business with my father, will he one day become just like his dad? And will I eventually become like Marissa? So heartless and cruel that I’d turn my back on my own son out of greed?

  19

  Chapter Nineteen

  The next day at school is long and tortuous. Emmett and I sit together at lunch barely speaking to each other, and I find myself avoiding him to rush home after school. Only what I rush home to is just as daunting. The excitement of shopping for a prom dress with my mom is lost in my anxiety about everything happening between Emmet and me.

  I want to look forward to this big high school milestone. I want to daydream and fantasize about the magical night we could have together, making memories. But all I keep thinking of is what happens after prom. If we have to part ways when I move, what’s the point? Why delay the inevitable? And even if we stay together, do I lose him to Theo’s world? It’s the world he was born to live in, after all.

  I’m so quick to get inside and get the whole thing over with, thinking maybe it will be fun to spend some time with my mom regardless. I don’t even notice the car parked out front until I hear the familiar voice echoing from the dining room.

  Theo. Again. In my house. The last fucking thing I wanted to come home to. I try to be as quiet as possible as I peek around the corner to see him and my mom talking. I can’t make out what they’re discussing, but it’s obviously so enthralling they didn’t even hear me come in. I take my chance to dart upstairs and wait for him to leave.

  My mom knocks on my door a little while later and asks if I’m ready to go. I resist even asking what Theo was visiting for this time. It feels like I can’t get away from him no matter where I turn, and the last thing I want to do is talk about him any more than I absolutely have to.

  She asks normal questions as we drive to the first shopping strip. How’s school going? Stressful, but fine. How’s track? My favorite thing in the world, as usual. College plans? Still freaking me the hell out.

  I walk through the first boutique, doing my best to get into dress shopping, at least for my mom’s sake. But none of the froofy gowns are appealing to me. My mom stays positive and suggests a hundred different cuts and colors. But after three more stores and still nothing I like enough to buy. We decide to take a break for burgers and milkshakes.

  “Do you remember when we used to do this all the time?” she asks, swirling a fry in her chocolate shake. “I’d bring you to these little diners when you were a kid. You didn’t believe me at first when I told you how good a fry dipped in chocolate could taste.”

  “It still surprises me,” I laugh as I do the same.

  We’re mostly quiet as we eat. By the time my mom has cleaned most of her plate, she takes a stab at addressing the obvious.

  “Everything okay?” she asks. “You don’t seem too excited about any of the dresses we’ve seen so far. I think we’re running out of stores we can afford.”

  I shrug and stare at my plate, unsure of how to explain the problem. “Emmett and I are kind of fighting,” I confess finally. “I guess it will all be fine. It’s just kind of putting a damper on the idea of prom right now.”

  “Ah,” she says with a knowing smile. “I guess that would do it. It must be in the air. Brendan and I seem to be having some trouble ourselves these days.”

  She says it so casually, but my stomach drops. “What?” I blink. “What do you mean? What kind of trouble?”

  “It’s nothing to worry about,” she assures me. “It’s just normal couple stuff. I just wanted you to know it happens is all. Especially after you’ve been together a while and the honeymoon phase has worn off.”

  My mind drifts back to her and Theo sitting alone at the kitchen table and I immediately jump to all of the worst possible conclusions.

  “Theo?” I ask, my voice filled with dread. “Is it him? God dammit! I knew it. He’s going to fuck up absolutely everything.”

  “Ophelia Lopez! Language!” she scolds. “It has nothing to do with Theo. I promise you. All couples fight. That’s all I meant.”

  “Well then how come you’ve never mentioned having problems with Brendan before?” I argue.

  “Because it’s private,” she states bluntly. “But also…you’re older now. Practically an adult. I feel like you and I can start talking about more things now. That’s the beauty of an adult mother and daughter relationship. I don’t have to be mean old mom all the time. I can be more of a friend now. Friends talk about their problems.”

  I want to feel better, but I don’t. My mom hasn’t been around Theo since I was a baby, and I can’t help but worry that maybe she’s forgotten just how manipulative he can be. He’s won over Emmett. He could win her over too. I remember the flash of jealousy I saw on Theo’s face at our last dinner and wonder if he really could be driving a wedge between her and Brendan without her even realizing it.

  “Well, what do you think?” M
y mom asks once the last of our food is tucked away into leftover boxes. “Should we try one more store or are you over shopping for the day?”

  “I’m down for one more,” I tell her, still feeling heavy with concern. But the idea of avoiding home a little longer and spending some quality time with her is too good to pass up. Moments like this are becoming more precious since I know I’ll be leaving soon.

  I notice the other whiney teenage girls shopping with their moms, seeming bothered that their mothers have to be tagging along at all. Then I see other girls shopping in groups with each other, probably not even bothering to wonder if their moms would have liked to have been there.

  I know as a teenager it’d be normal for me to be so annoyed by my mom that I can’t stand to be around her. But we’ve never had that kind of relationship. We’ve both been through so much and it’s made us close. My heart aches to think of a time when we’ll live so far apart. I vow to myself right then and there that I will be one of those girls that calls her mom every single day.

  Once we start digging into the next store, I’m immediately glad we did. After only a few minutes of browsing, I come across a dark blue gown that piques my interest. It’s short but cascades down in the back. The fabric flares out from the waist, which is something I normally wouldn’t like, but I can’t resist the urge to try it on.

  My mom tears up when I step out of the dressing room, which seems dramatic, but I honestly feel just as excited about it. The short front is somewhat revealing and emphasizes the muscular curves of my long, tan legs.

  “This is it,” I say confidently as I study my reflection in the mirror, turning side to side.

  I can imagine Emmett in a nice tux standing next to me with my arm looped into his. All of the anger and worry that’s been building up in my heart finally softens a little, even if there’s still a lingering sadness. Whatever happens, when the time comes for me to leave Jameson, I’m excited that we’ll have such a special night to share. I have that much at least.