by Ruby Vincent
I put my head in the crook of Maverick’s neck and let the tension ease from my body. At least the boys and I have never been closer. Even the mercurial Ryder has been opening up to me.
I peeked across the table at him and caught his eye. He winked at me like we shared a secret.
“I suspect she’s going to be dealing with a lot of shit on the end-of-semester environmental science trip,” Kai piped up. “I heard the other class tried to get us kicked off, but it’s for a grade so Professor Patchett shut them down. Still, Patchett is having Markham come to back her up and keep us all apart.”
“This school has enough money to send us on separate trips,” said Paisley. “It would be a good idea if they did.”
“I think the Knights tried to get Evergreen on board with that after kicking us out failed,” Kai said. “He didn’t go for that idea either.”
Paisley groaned. “Is anyone else not looking forward to this?”
We didn’t have to answer. Of course we weren’t looking forward to being forced together with the other class.
I scarfed down a couple bites of omelet until the bell rang warning us that we had five minutes to eat and get out before the other class came into the cafeteria. I pulled Eric aside as our group walked up to return our trays.
“Eric, what is going on with the yearbook?” I asked under my breath. “It’s been weeks.”
“It’s not my fault.” He took my tray, returned it, and then walked with me out of the room. “My mom has turned down all my requests for a weekend pass. She says I need to be at school focusing on studying and applying to college and telling her I want to go home and get Dad’s yearbook isn’t coming across as a good reason.”
“Tell her it’s for a school project or something.”
“My mom is no dummy; she’ll want receipts. Just trust me,” he said out of the corner of his mouth while we neared Markham’s new class. “I’ll get it.”
“Fine.”
I let it drop as we entered the classroom. Markham nodded at us on the way to our seats. She stood in front of her desk, arms clasped in front of her as she waited patiently for us all to arrive. Ezra was the last to walk in. He sat down in the seat behind me and I put my hand out under the desk until I felt his fingers thread through mine. Things had been crazy but I was committed to spending time with my boys. Especially my littlest boy.
Thanks to Evergreen’s new rule, I was allowed out on the weekends to be with Adam. I surprised him with a trip to the beach and bought him a bunch of clothes that he would grow out of in a week. Ezra was out last weekend too for therapy so he picked me up from home and we stopped at a hotel before continuing to school.
I blushed just thinking of the day before. Ezra had propped me against the hotel window and screwed me until I saw stars. There was no chance of anyone seeing my bare backside through the drapes, but at the time, I’m not sure I would have noticed if they were open or not.
“Attention, class.” Markham pulled me out of my heated memories. “As you know, this weekend is the end-of-semester science trip. I want to ensure a few things are clear before we set foot off this campus.
“There will be no fighting or altercations on this trip. For the first time in the history of this school, we have lost a professor because they could not handle the stress of dealing with the senior class. From now on, and certainly on this trip, you will be on your best behavior. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” we chorused.
“Good.” Markham took another minute to level us with her stern gaze before continuing. “As you know, your field trip will be to the Rayonner Bayou. You will put what you’ve learned this semester to the test by collecting water samples to examine for quality and organisms. In afternoon breakout sessions, you will discuss what you’ve learned about the water cycle, the life cycle of the animals that live in the bayou, and how we depend on swamps and river systems to survive. On the last day of the trip, you will have a free day where you will combine all you have learned in a two-page paper.” She scanned the room. “Are there any questions?”
Sofia raised her hand. “Can we work in groups?”
Markham shook her head. “Except for group discussions, you will complete your assignments on your own. Professor Patchett is assessing your individual proficiency. The work you do on this trip will count toward fifty percent of your final grade so I hope you will keep that in mind.
“In regard to sleeping arrangements, we will be staying at a small hotel near the bayou. There are two to a room and you may choose your roommates. It goes without saying that opposite genders are not allowed in each other’s rooms...”
Markham went on to say more, but I tuned her out. I had heard much the same from Professor Patchett and then again on the morning announcements from Headmaster Evergreen. We were leaving on the trip the next day and would be away for four days. We would get back on Friday and our parents would be waiting to take us home for winter break. The administration was determined that it not be a disaster. I wish I had as much faith in their rules and scolding.
We would all be crammed together in a little swamp and I couldn’t help but think that it would be the perfect time for Ace to strike when we were miles away from campus with no Gus, no security cameras, and only two chaperones. If it crossed my mind, it must have crossed theirs too.
No, I was not looking forward to this trip.
“VAL, I’M TAKING YOUR Cucumber Splash conditioner. I ran out of mine.”
“What’s mine is yours, Richards.”
Sofia stuck her head out of the bathroom. “We are sharing a room, right?”
I gave her a look. “Like that’s a question. No one else is going to put up with your snoring.”
“I don’t snore!”
I laughed as she stomped back into the bathroom and continued raiding my medicine cabinet. “Zane will back me up on this,” I called.
“Not if he knows what’s good for him.”
I laughed again. My mood was high even though in thirty minutes we would be hopping on the bus that would drive us five hours to the bayou. The sun had yet to dawn on this early Tuesday morning, but the dorm was a riot of noise. People shouted up and down the stairs, and through the open door, I could see people passing as they carried their things down to the front hall.
“I feel bad for leaving Paisley on her own,” I heard her say. “Maybe Markham and Patchett will let us sleep three in a room.”
“She can always bunk with Claire or Ciara.” I put the last sweater in my bag and zipped it up. I was ready to go. Sofia still had her things scattered all over my bed. We had managed to keep our own rooms when the new guys moved in, but we often ended up spending the night with each other anyway. “Do you think there is any chance this trip will be as fun as our junior winter trip?”
“You mean when someone brained you with a ski?”
“Before that.”
“No chance, Val.” Sofia walked out of the bathroom loaded down with my hair products and tossed them in her suitcase. “I heard from the seniors before us that we’re slogging in the swamp from sun up to lunch, then the rest of the time we’re discussing life cycles and organisms until we pass out from boredom. This trip is all about the grade, not about the fun.”
“But we’ll still have fun, right, babe?”
I looked up to find Zane leaning against my doorframe. Kai stuck his head around his brother’s body.
“Yes, baby,” Kai moaned. “Tell me we’re going to muah muah.” He swirled his tongue around his lips, licking and smacking as I howled.
“I think I’m going to pass on that,” Sofia said in between giggling. “But why don’t you take that to your girlfriend?”
“Oooh. Good idea.” Kai took off, leaving his brother shaking his head in his wake.
“You can’t prove we’re related,” Zane mumbled. “Do you guys need me to bring anything down?”
“No, but they’re handing out breakfast burritos in the cafeteria. Can you pick
us up a couple?” I gestured at the mess that claimed my bed. “Sofia clearly needs more time.”
“No problem.”
By the time Sofia finished packing and we stepped outside with our things, the bus was idling in front of the gates.
“Only one bus,” I said. “Why are they doing this to us?”
“It’s too early. I hope the other class doesn’t start something.”
“We’ll all get in trouble if they do.” I picked up both our bags and set off for the gates, shuffling behind the rest of my dormmates. “The way things are going, the professors are getting fed up with us.”
“They are welcome to get off their asses and intervene.”
Sofia and I shared a look. The truth in that statement was so real I didn’t need to comment on it. Professors have been quitting, moving, and doling out punishments, but no one has touched what we’re really fighting about. They weren’t going to enter this war.
As we slipped through the wrought-iron gates, I spotted Markham standing before the entrance to the bus holding her clipboard.
My eyes narrowed. Except for you. I’m not letting you stay on the sidelines any longer.
“I’m hoping everyone is too tired to start something,” I said aloud, eyes still fixed on Markham. “I plan on going back to sleep.”
“I’m with you.”
I dumped our stuff under the bus and let Markham check us off her list. The bus was mostly full with the kids from our dorm. They took up the back rows so we headed back there to join them. Sofia slid in next to Zane, cuddled into his arms, and closed her eyes. I took the empty seat next to them and that afforded me a look of the rest of the class boarding.
Our eyes met through the glass. Natalie, Isabella, and Darren led the way for the rest of the class. Natalie’s mouth twisted when she saw me while Isabella remained neutral. Darren blew me a kiss.
His reward was my middle finger. If any good has come out of the classes being torn apart it’s that I don’t have to be around that asshole.
“Morning.” The seat sank as I put down my finger. Maverick pressed a kiss to my cheek that instantly lifted my mood. “I’m glad to get away from the academy for a bit.”
I took his arm and put it around my shoulder. “I’d be excited too if I wasn’t anticipating serious drama.”
His arm around me tightened. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Val.”
I didn’t ask why that was where his mind went. Of course he realized this was a good time for Ace to deliver the retribution they promised. “I know I’m not alone—whatever happens.”
“You’re not. I’ll be close by for this whole trip. Very, very”—he put his lips to my ear—“very close.”
I bit down on my lip to hold back a grin. “Maverick, we will either be tramping around in the muck or sitting in group discussion. There’s no way we’ll be able to find a minute alone to mess around.”
“Mess around?” Maverick pulled back and gave me a funny look. “Who said anything about messing around? I was just talking about keeping you safe.” He tsked. “You’ve got a one-track mind, baby.”
I shoved his shoulder although my grin was now on full display. “We both know we’re on the same track, Beaumont.” I draped my hand on his neck and pulled him closer. “You’re going to come and see me over winter break, right?”
He nodded against my forehead. “My parents decided to stay home this year. If you don’t have plans, I’d love it if you, your mom, and Adam came to my place for Christmas dinner.”
Happiness unfurled inside me and spread through my bones. The boys had been so great about Adam. As much as I loved them, there was no future for us if they couldn’t accept that I was a mom first. That they were inviting both of us into their lives made me sure that we were building something that would last. “We’d love that too.”
We shared a small kiss. “Great. Knowing that we’re going to spend Christmas together will keep me from getting depressed when I get my rejection letter from Somerset.”
“Hey, don’t put that in the universe. I’m on edge waiting for December fifteenth. I should be on edge. You shouldn’t. You’re not getting rejected. You have a 3.9 and you’re a computer genius.”
“A computer genius that might as well have sent in used toilet paper as my essay. With everything that was going on, my head was wrecked when I wrote it and I know it wasn’t any good.”
“I bet it was better than you think.” I rose up and gently nipped his nose. “There’s no way you’d miss seeing me as a wide-eyed coed. That dorm you will be able to sneak into.”
While we talked, the rest of the class had gotten on the bus. We bounced as it rumbled to life and pulled away from the curb. As expected, everyone was too tired from the four a.m. wake-up to do much more than lean their heads against the window and fall asleep.
“Are you going to stay in the dorms?” Maverick asked.
“Well, no. I guess not. I’ll be home with Adam and commute to school.”
“About that...”
Something in his voice made me furrow my brow. He looked nervous all of a sudden. “What is it?”
“I was thinking that... you shouldn’t commute to Somerset.”
“But I have to. I’m not leaving Adam.”
“I know. What I meant is instead of driving back and forth, you could get an apartment near campus.” Maverick put his finger under my chin. “We could get an apartment near campus.”
“We?” I whispered.
“Yeah.” A hopeful smile played at his lips. “There is a great preschool minutes away from campus. You wouldn’t have to drive an hour back and forth every day. Adam could have his own room, and we could be together all the time.”
“You want to move in with us.” The idea was sticking in my mind as feelings I couldn’t name swirled within me.
“I do—even if I don’t get in.”
“You will.” There was no doubt in my mind about that. “I just... can’t believe you looked into preschools and apartments and—”
Maverick brushed a finger over my lips. “You can’t believe I would think about our future? Val, that’s all I’m thinking about. I love you.”
I wonder if you could actually burst from happiness. My heart was so full, I was sure I would find out. I curled my fingers around the hand under my chin.
“What do you think?” he asked. “Would you like to—”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Yes, of course.”
I surged forward and captured his lips. I poured everything into that kiss—all that I felt for him and the life I wanted us to have together. Kissing Maverick is what I imagined it was like to kiss the sun. My body burned with heat as he nipped at my lips, enticing gasps that allowed him to slip past and tangle with my tongue.
My emotions were on a roller coaster that was veering from warm and fuzzy to tantalizing desire. How I wished we weren’t on a bus full of people.
Maverick broke away, panting. “Wait. I have something for us.”
Confused, I held myself back from jumping him as he bent down and riffled through his bag. What could he possibly need in the middle of a kiss like this?
Maverick pulled and yanked out a blanket. He draped it over us, covering us up to our chins. “Now, where were we?”
I happily picked up where we left off, losing myself in the sensation as the hand on my hip slid beneath the hem of my shirt. Lazily his thumb glided over my skin, setting my nerve endings ablaze. I was so highly aware of that hand that I gasped when it slipped under the lining of my jeans.
“Maverick,” I whispered as my top button came undone. “We could get caught.”
“Everyone is sleeping,” he said against my lips. “No one will notice.”
His wink sent blood rushing to my cheeks. If you had asked who would try to get some with me under a blanket on a bus, I would have gone with Ezra. Underneath that perfect exterior was something else entirely. But my Maverick was the opposite. He was soft sheets, candles, and music, so th
at he was the one initiating this somehow made it even more exciting.
I stifled a giggle as I spread my legs to give him better access. “Don’t let me get too loud.”
“I like it when you’re loud.”
“Mav— Oh.”
I bit my lip hard as his fingers found their destination. His chuckle filled my ears and I knew he was enjoying this—watching me fight to keep control.
Two can play at this game.
I fumbled at his jeans as he played with me, lightly probing my core. A hiss escaped his mouth when I wrapped around him. In the next breath, his lips crashed on mine and we kissed in a feverish battle as our hands did what they wanted.
No one stirred or peeked over the seats as Maverick and I enjoyed our five-hour bus ride to the bayou.
“OKAY, EVERYONE,” PATCHETT called. She stood on a mound of grass before the bus as it emptied out. The seniors formed a semicircle in front of her and Markham. Behind them, our hotel sat amid a charming flower garden and a raised porch. It was cuter than I was anticipating for a hotel out in the swamp—bigger too.
“We are stopping here to empty the bus, put our things away, and grab a quick meal before we start the day,” Patchett said. “You have two hours and then I want you all back here so we can head out to the bayou. Today we’ll take a tour, go over safety tips, and get acquainted with the area we’ll be working in.” She lowered her glasses to pin us with a stern look. “I expect you all to listen closely and be on your best behavior. They tend to stay out of the area we’ll be in, but there are alligators in this bayou so do not get it into your head to wander around or think you can ignore the safety instructions.”
“Umm, excuse me.” I didn’t need to look to know who was speaking. You couldn’t mistake that tone of superiority. “Did you say there were alligators in that swamp?” Isabella demanded. “You can’t expect us to go in there. My mother won’t—”
“I have taken students on this trip every year for eight years and we have not once seen an alligator in our designated areas. You have nothing to worry about, Miss Bruno, as long as you follow instructions.”