Evergreen Academy - The Complete Series

by Ruby Vincent

  Adam’s pout was in full force now. He glared at Ryder when only a little while ago, he was pleased to see him.

  “See?” Ryder went on, laughing. “Better not to do that in front of him. I don’t want to get beaten up by a toddler again.”

  Mortified, I took my angry baby out of his arms. Ryder had been doing this all summer. He would come to Wakefield to visit, take me and Adam out for the day, and then end the night saying we couldn’t go any farther.

  “What are you going to do when you can’t use Adam as an excuse?”

  Ryder’s smile hung on his lips as he looked down at me. “I guess I’ll have to kiss you.”

  I lost my reply as I blinked at him. I was not expecting that.

  I didn’t get a chance to find my words as a voice sounded behind us. “Baby. Eugene. Let me end your suffering.” Jaxson pushed Ryder to the side and planted himself in front of me. “I have arrived.”

  Jaxson ruffled Adam’s hair. “Hey, D-man. Did you miss your uncle Jaxson?” Jaxson had taken to calling him D-man after Adam’s middle name, David. Usually, he liked the name.

  Adam twisted around and buried his head in my neck. I soothingly rubbed his back.

  “He doesn’t mean it,” I assured. “Ryder set him off and now he’s a little upset.”

  He nodded. “He has that effect on me all the time.”

  Ryder rolled his eyes as Jaxson walked past me and plopped down on my bed. “Can you believe it? We’re all bunking together in this sweet dorm. Everyone said senior year would be awesome.”

  “It’s not a gift, Jaxson,” Ryder reminded. “I heard it from Gus. The Knights booted us from the main dorm. Plus, he’s putting cameras in to make sure we don’t do whatever you’re fantasizing about doing.”

  “We still get to be closer to Valentina. I call that a gift.”

  I buried my head in Adam’s curls to hide my smile. Jaxson Van Zandt could say the sweetest things when he was ready.

  Adam snuggled deeper into my neck. The act sharply reminded me of what I needed to do.

  “Guys, I know we’re all getting ready for College Day, but there’s something I need to talk to you about before we go.”

  “That’s cool.” Jaxson leaned back and folded his fingers behind his head. “But I’m not going to College Day. Higher education is not for me.”

  “I thought you said last month that you were thinking about it,” I said.

  “I did think about it. I pictured late-night study sessions, walking across the quad, and sneaking into your dorm.”

  “Did you now?”

  “Yep. It was real dirty, mama. Can’t talk about it in front of the kid.”

  Now it was me rolling my eyes.

  “Anyway,” Jaxson continued, “I’d love to be at Somerset with you, but university isn’t for me. I talked about it with Papa Van Zandt and I’m going to work at the studio after I graduate. He is starting me as the lowest-paid grunt until I earn his trust, but eventually, I’m going to take over.” He shot me a smile. “I know what I want to do. I’m going to start now.”

  “I think that’s great, Jaxson. I’m happy for you.”

  “The best part is I’ll still be close to you.”

  “That is definitely a bonus.” I stopped flirting long enough to look at Ryder. “What about you? You’ve never told me your plans.”

  “I’ll be going to a school nearby.” Ryder looked straight ahead, not meeting my eyes. “I can’t leave Mom.”

  He said it so casually, but those words struck right through me. “But... there’s only one decent school near your mom.”

  “That’s right.” I think I caught a ghost of a smile. “Somerset University is my first choice.”

  I was saved from thinking of something to say by a knock on the doorframe. I turned to find Gus standing in the entrance.

  “Now that you are all here, I’d like you to come down to the front room so I can explain the rules for the new senior dorm.”

  We tromped out behind him to find Maverick, Ezra, Sofia, Zane, Kai, and Paisley waiting for us at the bottom. The rest of the marked and all of those who stood by us when the new regime took over. Everyone looked amazing in their best suits, dresses, and shoes, but the grim looks on their faces didn’t match.

  Sofia took Adam off my hands when I stepped to her side and faced Gus.

  “You know why you’re here,” Gus began. “I’m sorry I can’t do anything to change your circumstances, but know that your safety is no less important to me. Cameras cover every inch inside and outside. The windows are shatterproof. The building has fire alarms on every floor.” Gus met each and every one of our eyes as he spoke. “I was made aware of another security risk in regards to the courtyard. I intend to have a camera installed there too.”

  I didn’t need to ask how or who made him aware. The boys had spilled about Scarlett’s attempt on my life. If it keeps everyone safe, then it was a secret that needed to be spilled.

  “The rules are the same for the main dorms. Opposite genders are not to be alone in a room. You have a ten o’clock curfew. Staff have the right to enter as they please. Any questions?”

  A few people shook their heads, but otherwise no one moved.

  “Alright. You have a big day ahead of you so go on. Your things will be put away and your dorm ready when you return.”

  I turned on the boys before the group could split up. “I need to talk to you. Will you go up to my room?”

  The guys went up without a word while I took Adam back.

  “Val, is there something up?”

  “Yes.”

  She placed her hand on my elbow. “What is it?”

  “Hey. Did you have that talk with your parents?”

  Sofia blinked at my subject change. “Yeah, I did. I chewed them out for trying to make me feel bad for doing the right thing. Honey Hair is a great product and can survive a few trolls, but I let them know our relationship wouldn’t if they didn’t learn to support me.”

  “I’m proud of you, Sof. You stood up and told the truth.” My eyes drifted up the stairs. “Now it’s time for me to do the same.”

  She didn’t ask me what I meant. Instead, she squeezed my arm before heading back outside.

  I let out a breath. “Okay, Adam. Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” he replied, even though he didn’t know what he was supposed to be ready for.

  “Tina isn’t ready. Will you give her a kiss for luck?”

  Adam didn’t hesitate in dropping a big smooch on my cheek. “Tina, I love you.”

  The words were a straight shot of warmth and confidence to my heart. I knew at that moment that I was doing the right thing.

  The former Knights were waiting in my room for me like I asked, and they had made the space their own. Jaxson reclined on my pillows. Maverick sat on the edge of my mattress. Ezra took up the desk chair and Ryder leaned against my bathroom door.

  Despite the rules, I stepped in and closed the door. I figured Gus would give me enough credit to not get up to any funny business with a three-year-old in the room.

  “Let me guess,” Ezra began before I could open my mouth. “Strategy session.”

  “We need one,” Maverick responded. “They went hard at us last semester. It’ll only get worse.”

  “It won’t get worse,” stated Jaxson, “because we’re going to be smart. Ryder’s end-of-the-year throwdown aside, they’ve been sticking to the rules and not getting physical. If we don’t go anywhere alone—”

  “Guys.”

  “—we stuck together last year and that didn’t stop what happened to Sofia and Val,” Ryder reminded them. “They’ve been targeting the girls and we can’t be with them all the time.”

  “Guys.”

  “The hell we can’t,” Jaxson protested. “I’m perfectly happy to spend every minute with Val. I’m sure—”

  “Guys!”

  Four pairs of eyes flew to me as the conversation came to an abrupt halt. I took a deep breath. “This is
n’t a strategy session. I asked you to come here because I have something important to tell you.”

  Maverick rose to his feet. He was so tall he came up as high as the canopy over my bed. “What is it?”

  I glanced down at my son. “It’s about Adam.”

  The baby looked back at me with trusting green eyes. I kept my attention fixed on those eyes as I revealed the truth I had been holding back for years.

  “Adam is not my brother. He’s my son.”

  No one made a sound. Silence spread through the room, pressing down on me as I refused to look away from Adam.

  “Val.” Ryder’s voice broke through. In the next breath, his arms were around us. “Thank you for telling us.”

  I lifted my head to give him a smile that wobbled. He knew of course. He knew everything. But his support meant more than I could tell him.

  I finally chanced a look at the others. Maverick and Jaxson’s faces held the shock I expected while Ezra’s expression was carefully schooled.

  “Guys, please, say something.”

  Jaxson broke first. “Is this what you meant when you said there were things I didn’t know about you?”

  I nodded. “Pretty much.”

  “Adam is your son.”

  “Yes.”

  “So you gave birth to him when...”

  “I was fourteen,” I finished. I held the toddler a little closer. “There is more I need to tell you about the circumstances of Adam’s arrival, but I won’t do that in front of him. All you need to know right now is that he’s mine and I love him more than I thought I could ever love anyone.”

  To my surprise, Jaxson cracked a smile. “That’s good enough for me. Honestly, I always thought it funny how obsessed with the kid you were. Everyone else can’t stand their younger siblings. This makes way more sense.”

  I shifted my gaze to Maverick. The taller boy spoke the second he caught my attention. “This changes nothing between us. I love you and Adam’s a great kid.” He stepped forward as another smile found its way to my lips. “Thank you for trusting us.”

  I put my hand in his when he reached out. I couldn’t believe I had been afraid to tell them. I turned my smile on Ezra.

  He didn’t smile back. “Can we talk more about this later? Just the two of us?”

  “Oh. Yes, of course, we can.”

  “Great.” Ezra got to his feet and made for the door. “We should get going before Gus comes down on us.”

  “Okay,” I said softly as he brushed past me.

  “Val, he—”

  I slipped my hand out of Maverick’s. “Don’t. It’s fine. I’ll talk to him later like he asked. We should go. The reps will be arriving soon.”

  Maverick didn’t say more. He bent, kissed my forehead, ruffled Adam’s hair until he giggled, and then walked out. Jaxson did the same.

  Soon it was just me and Ryder. “I know that must have been hard.”

  I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “It was, but I had to do it. If there is going to be any real future for us, then I have to be honest. Adam is my first priority.”

  I took his hand. It was cold to the touch and reminded me vividly of the granite I used to compare him to. “I should have told you I was going to do this. It involves you too.”

  “This isn’t about me. You can tell who you want when you’re ready, but... are you going to tell them everything?”

  I was highly aware of Adam on my hip. “Not everything, but I’ll tell them as much as I can.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be there to support you if you want me. Just tell me what to do.”

  I gripped his hand tighter. “You’re already doing it.”

  “Tina.” Adam’s voice brought me back to reality. “I’m hungry.”

  I quickly wiped away a stray tear before turning a big smile on Adam. “Of course you are, baby. Let’s go find Olivia and the snacks.”

  I was in better spirits when I walked out of the construction zone and into the bright morning. The promised refreshments were laid out in the courtyard and I found Mom by the punch talking to Evergreen of all people. I picked up the pace.

  “Mom?”

  “Hey, kid.” She held out her plate. “Have you tried these mini quiches? They’re amazing. I’ve got some crackers for Adam too.”

  The toddler didn’t waste time grabbing a handful. Evergreen looked down at him as he shoved the lot in his mouth. “So this is young Adam. Handsome boy.”

  “He is,” Mom agreed. “Which is why it’s a crime to be away from him. As I was saying earlier, I’d like you to rethink your ‘only three weekend passes a semester’ rule.”

  My eyes widened. “Mom, you—”

  She held up a finger and I snapped my mouth shut. I had no idea she was planning to do this, and I would have stopped her if I had. I wanted nothing more than to come home every weekend, but Evergreen wasn’t one to change his mind and Mom wasn’t one to back down. The last thing I needed was for Mom to beat up my headmaster in front of the school.

  “I can appreciate that you’d like to see your daughter, but it’s imperative that Evergreen students are focused on their studies. As I understand it, Miss Moon plans to attend Somerset University. She can’t afford any distractions.”

  My face twisted into a frown, but Mom beat me to it before I could reply. “Adam is not a distraction. Neither is her mother.” Olivia’s tone was chilly.

  He blinked. “Of course. I did not mean to imply—”

  “Yes, you did.”

  Uh oh. Can anyone else hear those sirens or is that just me?

  I put my hand on Mom’s arm, but she ignored me, plowing on. “It was because she came to see us so often last year that you changed the rules. You’re aware that Val’s situation is different than the other students. She has more reasons than most to come home.”

  Evergreen was stiffening up tighter than a bowstring. “I am aware and I have made more than my fair share of accommodations for Miss Moon, but there is a limit. I cannot keep giving her special treatment over the other students.”

  Mom folded her arms. “How about a compromise? You’re worried about her studies so consider this: if she maintains her grades, she can come home on the weekends as she was allowed to before. If her grades drop, then take away her privileges. This can apply to everyone so it’s fair.”

  Olivia said this in a perfectly even tone but bright splotches of red appeared on Evergreen’s cheeks. “I’m not in the habit of having my policies questioned. I make decisions in the best interest of this school and its pupils. If you have a complaint, you can go through the proper channels.”

  “You mean I can donate a million or three to get you to open your ears?”

  I sucked in a breath as Evergreen’s eyes popped. “I-I beg your pardon!”

  Olivia sniffed. She wasn’t the least bit impressed. The woman had dealt with poverty, homelessness, single motherhood, and heart-breaking trauma. Evergreen didn’t scare her. “You don’t have to listen to me, but you should know, Mrs. Shea and I are united on this. She intends to come today and speak to you herself about Ryder coming home to see her. If you grant him more visits, then I expect you to do the same for Valentina. Her family needs her too.”

  “Caroline is coming?” I blurted.

  “Our children are eighteen,” Mom continued. “You cannot hold them hostage.”

  “Hostage? That is quite an exaggeration.”

  Mom’s eyes narrowed. She closed the distance between them, putting her face up to his as alarm flickered across his features. “I want that ban lifted, Evergreen. I’ll do what it takes to make it happen.” Olivia lowered her voice until it was barely a whisper. “You won’t deny my grandson his mother.”

  I looked between them with wide eyes, wondering who would break first. Adam just kept eating his crackers.

  The air crackled between them as Evergreen straightened to his full height. “I will take your suggestion into consideration. Good day, Miss Moon.”

  Mom tsked a
fter he strode off. “I never liked that man.”

  “Olivia,” I hissed. “What was that?”

  “I should have told you I was working on busting you out of this place, but I thought you’d try to stop me.”

  “I find it easier to get through school when I don’t draw his attention.” I snorted. “Not that I’ve managed that. But hold on. When did you talk to Caroline?”

  “She and I have had a lot to discuss lately.” Mom glanced around. “I won’t get into all of it here, but after this year, the help she’s been offering you is going to stop. I will pay for the college you get in to. I will be the one who steps in when you have problems at school.”

  “But, Mom—”

  “No buts.”

  I blinked. This was one of the rare times I had seen my mom so serious.

  “I stayed out of it before because I— I didn’t think I had the right to—” Mom halted. She took a shuddering breath as she ducked her head. “It was all my f-fault.”

  “Mom, don’t say that.” I drew closer and put my arm around her. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “It was. I let that man near you. I didn’t see what was going on.” A tear dripped from her nose and splashed on the stones between us. “I didn’t feel I had the right to say no when she stepped in to help you. I had ruined everything. I couldn’t stop her from making it right.” She shook her head. “Or at least, that was what I thought. Things are different now. I’m holding down a steady job. I’ve got savings and a home. I’m not that stupid woman who thought she could change her life by landing a rich husband. I’ve grown up a lot since then, and now, I’m going to take care of my family.”

  I was quiet as her words sank in. “You know,” I began, “Somerset is one of the most expensive schools in the country.”

  She swiped her hand across her eyes. “I know that. I’ll make it work. I can’t force you, but I’d like you to give back all the money Caroline gave you. She paid your Evergreen tuition for all four years, but I made it clear that no more money will be coming.”

  I think it surprised her how easily I nodded. “Okay. I’ll return the money.”

  “You will?”

  “Yes.” My eyes drifted across the courtyard to where Ryder spoke with Marcus Beaumont. “I’ve been thinking about the kind of relationship I want to have with Caroline and... her son. I’m starting over this year in a lot of ways. Giving the money back is the best way.”