by Huss, JA
“Is Ax going?”
“No.” I sigh. “He says he’s staying here. He wants to fix the place up for you.”
“I can’t let him do that!”
“Why not? He wants to do it. It will give him… direction. Build some character.”
“Like he needs more character. People say a lot of things about Ax, but they almost never get him right.”
“I agree. Which is why you shouldn’t worry about Ax. And just… be happy about your new opportunity. It’s your first real year in school, Cadee. I really want you to enjoy it. It’s gonna be fun. So what do you think? Should we move in to the Cadee Hunter building tomorrow?” I hold up the socks. “I’ll let you wear school spirit.”
She giggles and her face lights up.
I owe her this happiness.
I offer her my hand and she takes it with a sigh, allowing me to pull her off the bed and lead her out of the room.
We go downstairs and join Ax out back for an impromptu barbeque. We drink beer and kick back on the ruins of the small amphitheater and watch the lake as the sun goes down.
And then later, when she’s in the shower and Ax is in his room, I text my dad.
Throw Lars out before I get there tomorrow and I’ll be your stupid King.
I don’t want to fight with Lars. I don’t want to give him up that easily. So I don’t want to be the one to force him out of the new position he accepted.
My position.
Because regardless of what anyone else thinks, I’m still the same old coward I was three years ago.
It takes my father a long time to respond, but finally he texts back, Done.
And then it’s settled.
I am the King.
CHAPTER TEN - CADEE
Walking from the parking lot to the new Hunter Building is like a fantasy coming true. I can’t stop smiling and my whole body is tingling with excitement. Even the woods have a shimmer to them. It’s just the sunlight filtering past the leaves at the top of the trees, but there are birds singing, and rabbits scurrying in the underbrush, and even a few butterflies.
“I feel like Cinderella,” I murmur.
Cooper has a hold of my hand and when he gazes down at me to smile, he gives it a squeeze. We were woken up this morning by a pair of men knocking on the door. They were sent by the Chairman to help us move our things. We don’t have a lot and the dorms are furnished, so we just brought our clothes. But it’s nice to be taken care of like this. Not something I’m used to.
A lot of the other Fang and Feather kids have already moved in, but there are a few stragglers like us too. And the entire building is practically bursting with activity. It feels like every kid from school is hanging out in the woods to gawk at the new building.
Inside I spot all the girls from summer rush in the kitchen on the bottom floor when Cooper and I head towards our private elevator and I cannot believe that as of today I will be living with all these people. It just blows my mind.
When we exit the elevator all the bustle down below in the courtyard is still audible, but muffled. Cooper and I each have our rooms—which are really more like small glass cottages—on opposite sides, directly across from each other. But we are connected by the glass and steel bridge that spans the length of the open courtyard.
It definitely has the feel of something fantastical and I picture what it might look like decorated for Christmas.
The elevator opens up to a large seating area on the west side of the roof, with my room on the right and Cooper’s on the left.
Cooper waggles his eyebrows at me. “Wanna see my place first?”
I was worried that he was only doing this for me. He could probably tell that I really wanted to take advantage of this new dorm situation. But I think he might actually be excited because he’s tugging me along towards his room with a smile on his face that clearly isn’t faked for my benefit.
“Cooper, can you believe we get to live here this year!” I can’t contain my excitement any longer. I feel like I’m about to burst.
“Yeah. I have to admit. It is pretty cool.”
“Your father.” I snort. “He’s one surprise after another.”
“I have to meet with him in half an hour.”
“You do? Why?”
“Ax and I were kicked out of Capstone yesterday. So.” We stop just outside his room and his hands drift down to my hips and pull me towards him. He’s looking down at me, gazing into my eyes like he’s got plans for us. And they all take place naked.
I giggle a little. Like a girl. “Were you incorrigible?”
“I’m always incorrigible. It’s expected. Can’t disappoint them now, can I?” He chuckles. “Actually we were just laughing about our majors.”
Hmm. I have no clue what their majors are. “Why was that funny?”
“Because Ax is a philosophy major and I’m majoring in geological engineering. And come on, that’s just funny, right?”
“Geological engineering?” My eyes go wide in awe. “Wow. That sounds very fancy, Cooper.”
He laughs. “It really does. But the funny part is, I really didn’t know what my major was.”
“What? That’s not possible.”
“It’s true.”
“Cooper.”
“Don’t judge me. It’s not my fault. Every night before the first day of school I was sent a list of classrooms. So I showed up.”
“How could you not know what your major was? I mean, geological engineering? It’s pretty specific.”
“I really thought I was a math major. I took a lot of fucking math. I guess my first clue should’ve been all the weird physics classes. And there was that trip to Iceland to learn about geothermal energy last year.”
I look at him open-mouthed, just shaking my head.
“You’re judging me.”
“I… yes.” I laugh. “I’m… so judging you right now.”
“Hey, what can I say? I’m a little bit slow.”
“Right, Mr. Physics and Engineering. I’m actually impressed. Also a little relieved. Because I’m an art major, Coop. So you’re gonna have to support my ass.”
He chuckles a little. Like I’m so cute.
“What are your geological engineering plans for the future?”
“I’m pretty sure I’m not really qualified to engineer anything. But I might still have a trust fund at the end of all this.”
“Cooper.”
“Kidding,” he says. “I’m totally gonna get my shit together and engineer something very geological this year for my Capstone paper.” Then he squints his eyes and goes a little distant. Gets a little lost in his thoughts. Then he wanders over to the railing, looking over the edge.
I join him. There are about half a dozen people down there in the courtyard. I recognize Maddie Lancaster and Jamie Cruz from summer rush. Then Mona wanders in, sees them, and wanders away. Keeping her distance from them.
“It’s a nice view,” I say. “Not as nice as the lake. I’m gonna miss our porch. And our hammock.”
Cooper smiles.
I really love the back yard at the inn. There is this weird stone amphitheater thing that faces the lake. It looks like the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens. A semi-circle made up of terraces that act as seating and a flat part, partially submerged in water now due to erosion, that might’ve been a stage. Of course, it’s much, much smaller than the original it was modeled off of. It can maybe fit—oh, twenty people? Twenty-five, maybe? And it’s crumbling. Like it was built a hundred years ago, like the inn.
The amphitheater is Ax’s favorite spot. He’s out there all the time pacing the length of the top terrace. Just walking back and forth, talking to himself in a low voice, with a beer bottle in his hand.
“I’m gonna miss Ax too,” I whisper. “I wish he was here.”
“Me too,” Cooper says. He’s still distant though.
“What?” I ask Cooper. “What are you thinking about?”
“Oh.” Cooper snaps out of it.
“Just my project. That’s why I need to go to this meeting with my father. Capstone is a year-long research paper and I’m starting to think it’s going to be a challenge.”
I pat him on the chest and then lean up to kiss his lips. Jesus Christ, he has nice lips. Plump and firm. And when he slips his tongue into my mouth, wraps his hands around my waist, and presses his hard body against me, I just about fall to pieces with longing for him.
He pulls back, just a little, and sighs. “Cadee Hunter. When I get back, I’m gonna use my mouth to touch you all over. I’m gonna ravish you up here. I’m gonna make you squeal and scream so everyone on this lake knows you’re mine.”
I let out a long breath. “Why wait ‘till later?”
He laughs and pulls back. Kisses me again. His arms are wrapped so tightly around my middle and my lower belly is pressed so hard against his groin I’m bending backwards. My hair flows down behind me, dangling in the hot morning sun. His eyes shine with mischief and promises.
And right now, all I want is for Cooper Valcourt to throw me over his shoulder, walk me into his fancy new glass bedroom, and throw me down on the King’s royal bed.
“I’ll be back in a couple hours.” He tilts me forward again, straightening me up, and his arms loosen around my waist. My entire fantasy blown.
“What?” I laugh. “You’re just gonna romance me all up and then leave me hanging?”
“I’m gonna be late.” He kisses me one final time. Just a quick one. Because he and I both know that I’m about five thumping heartbeats away from attacking him. Then he takes my hand, kisses my knuckles, and begins backing away from me, never letting go of that hand, until we’re both clinging to each other by our fingertips.
The elevator is still open, and a moment later he disappears inside it.
I turn away as the doors close and just bask in the afterglow of our glorious passion.
And this is when I notice that behind the curtain of my glass dorm room, there is a shadow moving around.
Someone is in my room.
CHAPTER ELEVEN - COOPER
My father’s new assistant is a nerdy woman in her late twenties called Libby who is partial to brightly-colored pant suits and looks pretty overwhelmed with the number of kids standing around in the reception area when I approach her desk.
She holds up a finger as she frantically types, her eyes never leaving her computer. “Give me a minute.”
“Just tell my father I’m here.” It’s kind of a dick move. Because when she looks up and realizes who I am, she gets very flustered.
“Oh, fuck.” Then she cringes. “Sorry. Cooper. Yes. OK. Yes.” She stabs the phone. “Chairman? Your son is here.”
The door opens and my father is there. “I don’t want to see you in my office again.”
For a moment I think he’s talking about me, and maybe I’ll get out of this meeting. But no such luck.
Ivan, of all people, comes walking out of his office. He nods his head at me, then walks off.
“Cooper. Inside.”
I take a deep breath and let out an exaggerated sigh. But I follow my father in and close the door.
“Sit down, we have a lot to go over.”
I take a seat in one of the two chairs in front of his massive desk and slouch down, stretching my legs out in front of me.
“Jesus Christ, Cooper. Grow up. Sit up straight, for fuck’s sake.”
“Well, you’re in a bad mood.”
“It’s Ivan.”
“What about Ivan?”
“Forget about him. Have you come up with a thesis yet?”
“A thesis?” I don’t mean to laugh, but come on. Do I look like a guy who comes up with a thesis?
“Your Capstone, Cooper. Please, do not waste my time today. Did you see my reception area?”
“I’m not even trying to be a dick, Dad. I just don’t know what that means.”
He blinks at me. “Your research paper, Christopher. You will not skate through this year. Either you do the work, or you will not graduate. So what kind of research will you be doing?”
I let out a long breath, already tired of this meeting. “Well… hold on. Because when I looked at my transcripts in that Capstone orientation folder, it said I was majoring in geological engineering.”
“So? What’s the problem?”
“What’s the problem? The problem is, I don’t know anything about geological engineering.”
He sits down at his desk and starts typing on a tablet. Then he turns it to me. “According to your transcript, you do, Cooper.”
“I’m sorry to contradict you, but… no. I do not.”
“You took all these classes. Correct? Earth dynamics, geophysics, petrophysics, soil mechanics, hydrogeology.”
I cock my head at him.
“How is this not ringing a bell?”
“I mean… yeah. Some of that sounds familiar.” I lean forward, trying to see his tablet. “What kind of grades did I get?”
He scowls at me, so I just sit back in my chair and resume my slouch. “Passing ones, Cooper.”
“Oh.” I nod, knowingly. “Did I really pass?”
“Do you think you really passed?”
“Then this is not going to work. I need a new major. Something easy. Ax is doing philosophy. Maybe I should be a philosopher?”
“Have you taken any philosophy classes?”
“No,” I scoff. “But neither has Ax.”
My father begins typing again. “He actually has, Cooper.” Then he slides his tablet across the desk so I can see it.
“Huh. Wait. How come all his grades are B’s and mine are just passing?”
“Because he worked hard, Cooper.”
I laugh, then point at him. “That’s a good one.”
“It wasn’t a joke. You’re the only person on this campus who is a joke.”
“What?”
“You’re not getting out of this major. You did take those classes. At the very least, you showed up for them. And now you’re going to write a thesis on geological engineering. What do you propose?”
He waits for me to speak. Like I have a thesis topic just waiting to be unleashed. But of course, I don’t.
My father sighs. Loudly. “Cooper, I’m so tired of this. I really thought you were about to turn over a new leaf after our talk.”
“Our talk last night?” I sigh and rub my hands down my face. “Just make me a math major. I do remember those classes and I’m good at math.”
“A math major?” My father literally looks down his nose at me. “Math majors have no practical applications in the real world, Cooper. Geological engineers, on the other hand, are in great demand. You will graduate with a degree in geological engineering and you will do a paper on this.” He reaches into a drawer and produces another one of those glossy blue and gold folders. Then he slaps it on the desk and pushes it towards me. “I took the liberty of coordinating a project for you.”
“Huh. Well… thanks. I think.”
“But you’re not going to get far, Cooper. Not with this attitude. I expect that paper to be worthwhile.”
“Can you define worthwhile?”
“Relevant. You had better make some kind of discovery. You’re about to be a scientist.”
I laugh so loud, I startle my father.
“Is this funny to you, Cooper?” He’s obviously not finding it funny.
“Come on!” I laugh again. “You know this is funny. I’m not…” I shrug. “I’m just so not leaving here as a scientist.”
“You need grad school to do anything significant with this degree. So you will go to grad school.”
“I am not going to grad school.”
“Now that we’re clear on your academic future, we need to discuss Isabella.”
“Wait. I’m still stuck on this grad school thing. I’m not even really sure what that is, but I’m fairly certain I do not want to go.”
“Isabella.”
Fuck. I sigh. “What about her?”<
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“You’re engaged to her. So obviously Cadee—whom I love, by the way. I truly do. She’s my pick as well, Cooper. But if Cadee is going to be your girlfriend, she needs to understand her place.”
I just stare at him for a moment. Like… did my father just insinuate that Cadee will be my mistress and Isabella will be my wife? “Well.” I shake my head. “I’m not sure how we got there. But I’m not marrying Isabella, Dad. I’m just not. She doesn’t love me, I don’t love her—not that way, at least. And Cadee is the girl I want.”
“Yes. Well.” He leans back in his chair. “Your mother was the girl I wanted, and I got my way, didn’t I? Forced their hand, so to speak. But it was a mistake. And trust me when I say this, you will not be making the same mistake as I did. You will do it the way it was planned.”
I squint my eyes at him. Because I don’t even know how to reply to that.
“You have until New Year’s, Cooper. I’ve worked things out with Isabella’s father. It will be a big party and it will be a big deal. The two of you will announce your engagement and on June fourth, you will be married. What you two do in that marriage, well, that’s up to you. But you will not be marrying Cadee Hunter. Ever.”
CHAPTER TWLEVE - CADEE
I throw the light blue curtains aside and Isabella is on the far side of the room, standing in front of a vanity, pouring two glasses of champagne. She turns and smiles at me when I enter, then holds up the bottle. “I found it in the kitchen. I heard that your mom picked this champagne out for you. Strawberry champagne. It’s a little bit tacky, Cades. I’m not gonna lie. But it’s also pretty delicious.”
She is wearing another version of my school spirit outfit. A much sexier version, I might add. It’s the same short, pleated yellow mini-skirt. But her button-down top is something else altogether—a crop top that ties in the front so that the ends of the shirt flutter against her bare belly button. And her gold-tassel socks don’t stop at her knees. They go all the way up her thighs.