by Ruby Vincent
Groaning, she replied, “Fine. One incredibly boring seventeenth birthday celebration coming up.”
“That’s the spirit.”
We hurried to finish packing the rest of our things. The car Madeline sent would be here any minute.
I paused in stuffing a handful of underwear in my duffle and looked at Adam. “I wish he could come with us.”
Sofia glanced up from putting away her makeup. “Me too, but Mom was clear on not surprising her with any more babies. Besides, it’s only for a few weeks and we can drive down to see him whenever you want.” She beamed. “In my new car.”
I tried for a smile, but I knew it was sad around the edges. “Can’t wait to see your car. You’ve only been talking about it like it’s your baby since you got here.”
She laughed. “It might as well be. I love that thing. If Mom hadn’t forbidden me from driving while she was out of town and stole my keys, I’d be with it now.” She tossed the makeup in her bag and reached for her clothes. “Are you getting a car?”
I scoffed. “And go where? From my dorm to the sports complex? Evergreen keeps us locked up tighter than convicts.”
“Can’t argue with that. I won’t lie; I’m not looking forward to going back to school this year. The collective weight of the donors’ displeasure may have gotten Evergreen to back off the no-phone ban, but the guy’s still a tyrant. Who knows what he’ll come up with next?”
“It shouldn’t be so bad.”
“Hmm. Famous last words?”
“Sofia!”
Cackling, Sofia gathered her stuff and headed for the door. I made sure to kiss Adam’s soft cheek before following her out. “Bye, son. I love you.”
Ryder, Maverick, and Jaxson stood in the hallway when we came out. “Ready?” Jaxson asked. “Both cars are out front.”
“I’m ready.”
The five of us stepped through the door in time to see a red-faced Ezra push the lawnmower from the garage. Mom planted herself in the driveway, hands on hips. “And when you’re done with that, I’ve got gutters for you to clean out and dishes for you to wash.”
Ezra looked from us to her, almost pleading. “But we’re leaving.”
Her eyes sharpened. “You’re not.”
“But—”
Jaxson tossed his friend a salute. “See ya, playboy. We’ll send the car back for you.”
“Jaxson!”
The Knights turned their back on him and tromped to their waiting limo. I almost felt bad for him—almost.
“Bye, Olivia.” I ran up and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you next week for my birthday.”
“Of course, kid.” Mom’s sweet tone was night and day from the one she had reserved for Ezra. “We’ll both be there. You have fun with Sofia.” She dropped a kiss on my head. “And don’t worry; I’ll make sure this guy learns the meaning of respect.”
Laughing, I tossed Ezra a wink from the circle of her arms. “I know you will. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I waved over my shoulder as I headed for the second limo. I could feel the eyes peeking through the windows at the sleek black rides taking up the street. I didn’t know our neighbors very well, but after this, they were probably thinking they needed to get to know me.
I slid in beside Sofia as she took to chattering about what we were going to do for the next few weeks.
“Twelve Labors of the Knights.”
Things were definitely going to be interesting.
Chapter Two
“Valerie, darling.” Madeline enfolded me in a cloud of cashmere and rose perfume. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
“It’s Valentina, Mom.” Sofia slipped her bag off her shoulder and her staff was at her side in a second to take it off her hands.
The Richards Estate was as spectacular as I remembered—rolling hills, manicured gardens, and three stories of wealth and elegance contained within a Georgian-style home.
Standing at Madeline’s side was a slightly balding man with silver-framed glasses that I had never met before. He inclined his head at me in greeting.
“Hello, girls.”
“Hi, Daddy.” Sofia launched herself at him. He laughed, spinning her off her feet.
“How is my favorite daughter?”
“Your only daughter,” she shot back, “unless you have something to tell me.”
“Shh.” His eyes widened. “Not in front of your mother.”
They cracked up while Madeline’s lips pursed.
“Honestly, you two. We have a guest.” She snapped her fingers and one of the staff sprang forward to take my things. “Come, Valentina. We have so much planned for your stay and we can’t waste a moment.” She seized me and drew me to her side. “Your birthday is next week and there is much to do.”
“Wait,” I cut in, stiffening. “Not another birthday party.”
“No.” Madeline looked across to Sofia. Lines appeared on her face to show off her disapproval. “Sofia said if I tried, she’d throw another cake on you. I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl.”
Sofia and I looked at each other and tried not to bust a gut. I didn’t know about her methods, but my bestie got things done.
“It’ll be a simple dinner with our families and then presents, but leading up to it will be shopping, manicures, pedicures, and what do you think about another haircut? The bob really suited you. Or how about—”
“Let’s not overwhelm her on the first day, dear.” Sofia’s dad placed her back on her feet and reached out to shake my hand. “My name is Oliver Richards. I’ve heard a lot about you, Valentina. We’re excited to have you staying with us.”
As for me, I had heard very little about Oliver Richards and Sofia and I had been friends for two years. One surprise being that the guy had an English accent.
“Thank you.”
“Well, let’s not hang about on the doorstep. We had the cook make all your favorites. Get settled in and then we’ll have dinner.”
“Sounds good.”
Sofia grabbed my arm and led me inside ahead of her parents. “I swear we will have fun in between Mom’s makeover attempts. Dad likes to go big to make up for being away all the time so whatever we ask, he’ll do. I’m serious. Have you ever wanted to go to Venice? ’Cause he’d book the tickets tomorrow.”
“I know we’ll have fun,” I said between chuckling. “But don’t let me get in the way of you spending time with your parents.”
“Oh, please. You’re not in the way. You basically are family.”
I ducked my head. I didn’t let on how much that meant to me, but I figured Sofia knew me well enough to know how much it did. Everything I had gone through at Evergreen; I was glad I hadn’t lost her. I could face anything as long as I had her, including whatever our junior year would bring.
“VAL!” THE CRY WENT with a pounding on my door.
“Come—”
Sofia already threw it open.
“—in.”
She flopped down on my bed and burrowed into my side as I set the laptop on the bedside table.
“What are you doing?”
“Signing up for classes.” I flapped a hand at the screen. “Our schedule is brutal this year. Plus, did you see that classes aren’t split anymore?”
“Yeah, it happens when too many people wash out. Things got so crazy with people being expelled and pulled out after the Evergreen Gone Wild video, and then finals were so brutal. We’re all in the same classes now which means...”
“Natalie, Airi, Isabella, and everyone who made my life hell will be sitting a couple rows over for the entire year,” I finished. “Fun.”
“At least we’ll be in the same class again.”
“Along with Paisley, Eric, and Claire. Eric didn’t mess with me while we were on the dance team, but he made it clear we weren’t friends.”
“Eric takes the school’s traditions seriously. He comes after two generations of Knights.” She picked her head up and gave me a look. “S
peaking of Eric... he wants to hang out tonight. Last time, he got super suspicious when I kept dodging him, but if you don’t want me to go,” she added quickly, “I won’t. Tomorrow is your birthday and we can spend the night binge-watching and sneaking Madame Madeline’s cookies from her hiding spot.”
“Tempting, but that’s okay.” I bumped her shoulder. “It’s cool with me that you’re still friends. You don’t have to feel bad for hanging out with him.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Go ahead.”
She beamed. “You’re the best.” The next thing I knew she was grabbing my arm and hauling me up. “You can help me pick out an outfit. I’m meeting up with Eric and his boyfriend, and he says they’re bringing a friend. It’s so obvious he’s setting me up, but your girl hasn’t had sex for like six months so I’m not complaining.”
I laughed. “Does he go to Evergreen?”
“Yes.” Sofia was practically skipping down the hall to her room. “He’s new. He’s transferring in this year from—get this—South Africa. You know their accents are wicked sexy.”
“This I do know.”
We went into her room and I could see an attempt had been made to find her outfit already. Clothes were strewn all over the place and I had to shove a pile of dresses out of the way to sit on the edge of her mattress.
Sofia disappeared into her walk-in closet. Her voice floated out of the doors. “You remember the girl that tried to cheat to beat Cade out for top of the class?”
“Yeah. What about her?”
“That was Su Hee Kim. The Kims moved out of Evergreen after she was expelled and his family moved into their mansion. He lives like ten minutes away.”
“Convenient if he does become your new hookup.”
“Exactly.” Sofia poked her head out and gave me a wink. “This is why you’re my best friend. You get me.”
The rest of her moved into sight and she showed off her outfit. “What do you think?”
Sofia had gone for a sheer white dress with a white slip underneath. It was cute, but—
“We can do better than that. What about that red top with your black skirt?”
“Ohh!” She darted away and was gone again. “Eric also said he has a twin, but he’s not coming tonight.”
“What are you guys going to do?”
“We’re watching a movie in his private theater, then I’m taking my baby out and we’re showing him around town.” With a leap, she was back in the entrance. “Is this the one?”
“Oh, yes, that’s the one. You. Look. Hot.”
She giggled. “Thank you. Thank you.” Her top didn’t show any cleavage, but it clung to her dips and curves in all the right ways. It went perfectly with the ruffled skirt and long, milky legs that flowed out of it. “I wish you could come with us.”
I laughed. “Why would you want me there while you’re trying to get some?”
“You know what I mean.” Sofia came out and sat next to me. “I wish we could all be friends again like we were before you were marked. I know Paisley misses you even though she won’t say it, and Claire thinks all of this is stupid.”
“That didn’t stop both of them from joining in. Claire and I knew each other before I ever came here and she was quick to call me a whore and say I was chasing after the daddy that ran out on me. How do we go back after that?”
“I was awful to you too.” Shame laced Sofia’s voice. “But we’re still friends.”
“You turned your back on the Knights, the Spades, all of it and stood by me. You’ve proved a hundred times over you’re my friend. They haven’t even tried.”
She said nothing, just rested her head on my shoulder.
I don’t know how long we sat there, but we were jarred back to the moment when her phone went off. Sofia plucked it off the nightstand.
“Hey, Eric. I’ll meet you guys there in twenty minutes. Caramel popcorn. You bring that lightly salted, no-butter shit near me I’m kicking you out of your own house. I know, but we’re looking at another year of Evergreen’s insane diet. Caramel popcorn. Okay, fine. See you.”
Turning to me, Sofia hung up. “Eric’s dad had a heart attack and now the whole house is on a heart-healthy diet.”
My eyes widened. “What? Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. He’s even back at work, but his mom is real serious about no junk food in the house. I’ve got to go out and get my own popcorn. Want to come? I’ll drop you back.”
I shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
I was dressed in sweats and an old tank top, but there wasn’t any need to get fancy for a trip to the grocery store. I twisted my hair in a messy ponytail and we headed out.
“I hope this guy is as cute as Eric says he is.” Sofia grabbed her keys out of her purse and reached for the door handle. “’Cause if I can get there before the horde of Evergreen girls descend, I’m not passing that up.”
“Be honest.” I flicked her shoulder. “You were going tonight whether I said I was okay with it or not.”
Sofia lifted her nose in the air. “As your best friend, I will not answer that.”
Laughing, we threw open the door and burst out—
—running right into Jaxson Van Zandt.
“Whoa.” Jaxson caught me before I could go down. His arms encircled my waist and pulled me close. “Careful, baby. Don’t break yourself before we go out.”
“Jaxson?” I twisted in his hold until we were face to face, my chest pressed against his. “What are you doing here?”
“Ezra had his turn and now it’s mine. I’ve got a lot of making up to do, so we’ll leave whenever you’re ready. Although...” Jaxson looked down into the ample cleavage my tank top was displaying. “I like what you’ve got on.”
I scrambled out of his arms. “Where do you think you’re taking me?”
“It’s a surprise, but trust me, you’ll like it.” Jaxson looked plenty sure of himself, grinning away like there was a prize at the end of this.
I hesitated as I glanced over his shoulder. A Rolls-Royce sat in Sofia’s driveway and next to it was a blank-faced driver waiting to chauffeur us around. This was like something out of a movie, but in none of the rom-coms I’ve seen did the guy and girl have a history like we did. “Jaxson... I don’t know.”
His smile softened, morphing from smug to one that bordered on sweet. “This is for you, Val. For your birthday. I know you’ll love it.” He reached up and brushed the hair behind my ear, stroking my cheek as he pulled back.
It was hard to say no to Jaxson when he turned on the charm. It was even harder when he did that.
“Okay,” I said softly. “Give me a minute and I’ll change. Bye, Sofia.”
“See you. Have fun.”
I ran back inside. My duffle was torn apart as I searched for anything remotely decent to wear on a—
On a what? A date? The thought froze me stiff. Was this a date?
“Darling?”
I jerked toward the door. “Wha—Yes, Madeline?”
“There is a handsome boy downstairs waiting for you,” she said through the wood. “Are you ready?”
“Almost.” Not knowing what else to wear, I grabbed a simple, black jersey dress off the pile and shed my clothes. I was always packing accessories so I donned my diamond earrings and necklace while I shoved my feet into a cute pair of embroidered flats.
I did a spin before the vanity. I looked good. Effortlessly good, like I wasn’t treating this as a date, but I still had to look hot.
Jaxson was waiting for me at the front door when I returned. He held it open before following me out. Jaxson climbed into the car without a word to the driver. Everyone knew where we were going but me.
“Can I get a hint?” I asked.
“Nope.” Jaxson took my hand and laced our fingers together. That was it. No warning. No asking. He held my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, while I prayed my palms didn’t get sweaty.
“Is it far?” Nerves tickled
my throat and made it croak. I took a steadying breath and tried not to think about how good it felt with him stroking the back of my hand.
“It’s not too far. Twenty minutes.”
I waited for him to say more, but nothing came.
“Do we have to sit in silence for this surprise? Talk to me.”
Jaxson laughed. “Sorry, mama. Guess I’m afraid if I talk, I’ll give it away. Tell me about your summer.”
“It was good,” I replied, slightly mollified. “Sofia stayed over and Mom surprised us with a trip to the beach last weekend. I’ve only ever been a couple of times.”
“We can change that.”
“You offering to take me to the beach?”
“Am I offering to get you dripping wet and sandy in a bikini? Um, yes.”
“Jaxson!” I whacked his shoulder while he guffawed. “You know, you don’t have to say exactly what you’re thinking all the time.”
“Why not?” His eyes danced as he draped his arm over my shoulder and drew me close. “You like that about me.”
I could have denied it, but the truth was I did. I’ve never dealt with anyone so up-front and it was refreshing.
“How was your summer?” I asked.
“Not bad. Papa Van Zandt forgave me halfway through and released me from lockdown.”
“It must have helped that none of the artists sued the label in the end.” I had been following the Interstellar Records story like a hawk. I didn’t regret what I did to get back at Jaxson, but getting the label in trouble wasn’t my intention. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when no one pressed charges.
“That’s true,” he added. “Anyway, he’s been stressed so we took a quick trip to the Bahamas. It was cool.”
I was glad Jaxson couldn’t see my eye roll. If I had been lucky enough to go to the Bahamas, I would have more to say than it was cool.
We talked a bit more about our summers as the car zipped through the streets. I was so engrossed in our conversation it was a while before I looked out the window and noticed we weren’t in Evergreen anymore.
“Where are we?”
“Cottonwood. The next town over.”
I slipped out of his hold and scooted closer to the window. Cottonwood was near our little patch of crazy, but it wasn’t the same. This town had smaller homes, but bigger shopping centers with more bargains than designer labels. Some of the students who went to Evergreen on scholarship were from here.