The Elites

by Ruby Vincent

  I slipped out of my pajamas and pulled the dress over my head. It clung to my body in all the right places.

  Last was a small red gift bag with pink tissue paper. I reached inside and took out a DVD. A note was taped over the front.

  What would I do if I could do anything?

  I’d be with you.

  I removed the note and clutched it to my chest. Two sentences and one Limitless DVD and Cole kicked my heart up to maximum.

  I picked up my phone and dialed him. He answered on the third ring.

  “Do you mean it?” I asked. “We’re done waiting? We’re done hooking up?”

  “I talked to Michael. We both want to be with you and you want to be with us. And it’s good that we’re best friends. We can trust each other to be good to you.”

  My heart was so full it might explode. “This is the best birthday present you could have given me. I want the real thing with you, Cole Reed. Even if you make the rest of my life a challenge.”

  “Guaranteed you’ll do the same... for the rest of our lives.”

  I bit my lip. “I want to see you.”

  “I thought you were grounded?”

  “I might not be. Mom and I called a sort of truce yesterday. But I want to see you no matter what. Come by tonight after she goes to sleep.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  We said goodbye and I called Michael.

  “Happy birthday, Zee.”

  “Thank you.” I played with the butterfly charm. “Even though you’re low-key making fun of me.”

  He chuckled. “I told you. I love it when you pretend you’re flying around the track. It’s cute as hell.”

  “That’s me. Cute as hell.” I settled back into my sheets. “I heard you and Cole talked.”

  “I’m sorry we made you wait. He’s my best friend. I didn’t want to lose him.”

  “I didn’t want that either. I just want to know that you and I are okay.”

  “Of course we are.”

  I kept up my fiddling. “You said at the start you wanted to take things slow to make sure what we have is real. It’s real for me, Michael. It’s been real since Orlando. I don’t want to hold back anymore, and I’m not talking about sex,” I added quickly. “If you want to wait, then that’s what I want too. Just tell me that we’re both all in.”

  He replied a breath after me. “I’m all in, Zela, and I’m ready for what that means. I’m sick of slow and it was my idea.”

  I hid my smile in my pillow. “You know just what to give a girl on her birthday.”

  “I’ll give you something else the next time I see you. I rewrote the letter you lost.”

  “You did?” Excitement filled and popped in my chest like bubbles. “What does it say? Read it to me.”

  “Can’t.” I picked up a teasing lilt to his tone. “But you can read it yourself when I give it to you.”

  Groaning, I said, “I thought you were done making me wait.”

  “Apparently, I got one more in me. I can’t wait to see you. Enjoy your day.”

  “Bye.”

  I hung up. I held my phone in one hand and my charm in the other. It’s amazing how they did it. They washed away the torment of the last few weeks of my life and made me feel like I would never be happier. All it took were three little presents on my doorstep.

  I had one more call to make but my stomach was rumbling. Stepping into the hall, I sniffed the heavenly scent of sizzling bacon and roasting butternut squash.

  “It smells great, Mom,” I called. “Did you make your famous guacamo—”

  “Surprise!”

  I shot back and almost tripped over my feet. I fell against the banister with a hard smack.

  “Ow.”

  Adam and Jordan rushed out of the kitchen.

  “Are you okay, Zee?” Jordan helped me up. “How sad would it be if you broke something on your birthday?”

  “Incredibly,” I muttered. I rubbed my bruised tailbone. “No harm done though.”

  I scooped her and Adam in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I wasn’t missing your birthday,” Adam whispered in my ear. “Your mom said it was family only at first, so I got my mom to talk to her. She went full therapist and filled her head with stuff about your ‘emotional development’ and ‘the calming influence of a friend being important during hard times.’ I wanted to get Michael, Cole, and Landon an invite too, but Mom said we shouldn’t push it.”

  I squeezed him tighter. “Thank you for trying. I’m just glad I can celebrate with you.”

  “One more thing.” He pulled back. “About Derek...”

  I stiffened. “What’s wrong? I’ve been calling him but he doesn’t answer. And I can’t bring myself to call his parents.”

  “He’s on major house arrest. They took his phone away and everything. I found out when I tried to visit him yesterday. He probably won’t be able to talk to you for a while.”

  My heart sank. It shouldn’t have surprised me he’d be in trouble after hiding his father’s supposed love child and then running away with me after the truth came out. Still, Derek and I had a lot to figure out. Also, I missed him. I wanted to talk to him. Especially today.

  “Happy birthday, Zee,” Aunt Bev called. “Come, come. We’ve made breakfast but we can skip ahead to cake.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  My party was low-key but I enjoyed every minute. Jordan baked me a chocolate ganache cake and she, Adam, and I ate in front of the television watching videos Mom made of our travels.

  “I can’t believe you took a mud bath with elephants,” said Adam.

  Ten-year-old Zela beamed at the camera as she skipped through the mud in her bathing suit. Surrounding her were creatures fifty times her size. Our whole life felt like a vacation, but that trip to Thailand was a proper one. Mom and I took two weeks off, eating and taking pictures around the country. My dignified mom even got in the mud with us. There was no one to hold the camera, so there was no proof. Aunt Bev still didn’t believe me.

  “And people tell me I’ve lived a charmed life,” Adam went on.

  “It was incredible,” I replied. “Elephants love mud. You should see the big guys rolling around in it like kids at a waterpark. I got to rub them down and then wash off with them in the river.”

  “We should travel together,” he said. “After we graduate, we can go backpacking around Europe or someplace like that.”

  I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. “Are you serious? Don’t tempt me, Moon. Because I would love that. We’d have so much fun.”

  Adam cracked a grin. “Completely serious. We can do the whole thing. Oversized packs. Hostels. Crowded tourist sites. My mom would be cool.” He made a face. “But she’d have to convince my dads. You wouldn’t believe they’re the overprotective ones.”

  I squealed. “Yes, let’s do it! I’ve been dying to go back to Europe. I’ll take you to all my favorite places in France. We can—”

  “Ahem.”

  Jordan gave us a look from Adam’s right. “Am I invited on this best friend adventure? Or do we not care about girlfriends and favorite cousins anymore?”

  Adam kissed her. “Course you’re invited, Jo. We wouldn’t want to go without you.”

  “How nice.”

  Our heads snapped up. Mom and Aunt Bev came into the living room carrying their plates. It was a proper breakfast of avocado, bacon, and butternut squash wraps for them.

  “We’d love to go on a trip around Europe,” said Aunt Bev. “Wouldn’t we love that, sis?”

  “It’s been too long since I’ve been,” Mom echoed. “The five of us would have a great time.”

  “On second thought,” Jordan muttered. “I should spend the summer getting ready for college.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Aunt Bev moved fast. She caught her daughter’s face and peppered it with kisses as she cried out. “You don’t want your old mom on your big trip with your boyfriend?”

&n
bsp; “Mom, stop!” she squealed. Laughing, Jordan tried to get away. Aunt Bev put her plate down and chased after her.

  I smiled watching them mess around. Amazing that after everything—Aunt Bev snooping in her phone, violating her privacy, and grounding her—they were able to patch things up quickly.

  I glanced at Mom and found her looking at me. I dropped my gaze quickly. Mom and I had never been in a fight like this, but either way, I knew we wouldn’t resolve this as quickly.

  Adam nudged. “I’ll talk to my parents about it tonight and let you know.”

  I nodded. “Okay. Make sure they know I’m quite the wrestler now. I’ll protect you if anything goes down.”

  He laughed. “I’ll start with that.”

  We finished up our cake and then they brought out the presents. Jordan, Mom, and Aunt Bev carried one gift each into the living room. Adam had three on each arm.

  I gaped at him. “Did you do something you’re making up for?”

  “Nope.” Adam dumped the lot in my lap. “They’re from all of us. Esme even threw something in there for you. The gifts are all for Zela,” he admitted. “Since the secret is out.”

  I looked away. “They aren’t mad that we lied to them? You shared a dorm with a girl for two years. I’ve stayed at your house so many times.”

  He sat next to me. “They aren’t mad. Especially after I explained about you, Derek, and your dad. Mom said she understood.”

  She would understand. She’d understand more than most.

  Aunt Bev brushed the hair back from my cheek. “It must be a relief to not have to lie anymore. You can be yourself from now on.”

  “In a way, it is,” I said softly. “But this year will be hard for different reasons. I didn’t like Cameron but... he didn’t deserve that.”

  “Hey.” Jordan knelt in front of me. “Don’t think about this stuff on your birthday. Come on. Open your gifts. Mine first.”

  She shoved hers on me. I ripped the paper off the small box and revealed a silver bracelet. Aunt Bev’s gift of a baby blue jewelry box was the perfect companion. Next, I tackled the mountain of presents Adam’s family sent me.

  From Jaxson, I got a record of an obscure South African artist that I swore no one knew of except for him and me. Maverick gifted me a new tablet. From Ezra, I got a bunch of goodies such as a new travel mug, travel purse, and a passport holder. He didn’t know how soon I would be using this.

  Esme drew me a pretty picture of me and Jordan together. She had never seen my real hair before, so she guessed and made it the same shade as Jordan’s. We looked like sisters and I loved it so much I forgave her for years of abuse.

  “And this is from my mom and Ryder.” Adam placed the last gift on my lap. “They said it’s tradition to give this to a young woman on her eighteenth birthday.”

  “Tradition?” Mom asked. “What is it?”

  I revealed my gift and gasped. A beautiful, shining string of pearls lay on top of an ivory bed.

  “Oh my gosh,” I cried. “What would they have gotten me if I was Zeke?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Socks.”

  I laughed. “Lucky I’m a girl, then.”

  “This is too extravagant a gift,” said Aunt Bev.

  “It is.”

  I made a choked noise when Mom’s hand flashed across my vision and took the pearls. “Tell your mom and dad we appreciate the thought, Adam, but Zela cannot accept this. Save it for Esme’s eighteenth birthday.”

  Mom’s tone brokered no argument. I watched in disappointment as Adam put the gift back in the bag.

  I guess I knew Mom wouldn’t let me keep it. At least I got to hold it for all of a minute.

  “Alright, my only one.” Mom stepped around the couch and moved in front of me. In her hands, was a present no bigger than her palm. “Today is the day that marks you as a woman and quite a woman you’ve become. You’re a strong, intelligent, defiant, and beautiful young lady.”

  Every word was a dagger to my anger. It slipped further away as Mom gazed at me with a tender look that was made more special for being rare.

  “This is my gift to you.”

  I took the small, wrapped box from her outstretched hand. I peeked at Jordan as I tore off the paper. She was smiling ear to ear like she was in on the secret.

  I lifted the lid to a folded piece of paper.

  Frowning, I pulled it out. My eyes grew huge as I flipped it open.

  “Mom,” I whispered. “But— But— Why?”

  A check for one thousand dollars lay nestled in my hand.

  “My life changed for the better the day I packed up my baby and we set off across the world together. I discovered who I was and the woman I hoped to one day be. Use this to buy your own plane ticket. Anywhere you want to go.” Her voice took on a knowing tint. “Maybe to Europe with your friends.”

  Tears stung my eyes. It wasn’t fair her doing this. I wanted to be mad at her. I had a right to be mad at her.

  I dropped the check and ran into Mom’s arms. I hugged her so tight she grunted.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” I whispered. “I love you.”

  The next thing I knew she was squeezing me back even harder. “I love you too. Please remember that no matter what, I love you. You’re my only one.”

  “Damn.” Jordan’s voice broke in. “I’m going to start crying.”

  I gave a sob-chocked laugh. “No tears. Let’s start planning our trip instead.”

  “Hell, yes.”

  I gave Mom one last squeeze. She kissed the top of my head and then sent us upstairs. Adam, Jordan, and I had a blast looking up the places we wanted to go and what we’d do. The only thing that could have made this birthday better was spending it with my boys. I just hoped I’d get to see one of them that night.

  Adam’s phone went off in the middle of plotting for how to tackle Austria.

  “Hello? Yeah,” he said. “No, her mom said it was too much. Okay. I’m coming.”

  Adam hung up. “My mom is outside. I’ll let you know what she says about the trip tomorrow.” He kissed me on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Zee.”

  “Bye, Adam. Thanks for coming.”

  Adam pulled Jordan off to a corner and gave her a longer and much more intimate goodbye. I averted my eyes when their hands snuck beneath their clothes.

  Jordan skipped to my side after he left. “Best birthday ever.”

  Aunt Bev and Jordan stuck around for a few more hours and joined us for dinner. Jordan and I cooked and presented them with chicken stir-fry and fresh, tossed salad. As we laughed around the table, it was almost like the last few months never happened. We were the Manning women once again. Four strong personalities that fit just right together.

  Mom and I waved Aunt Bev and Jordan out of the driveway.

  “Did you have a good day?” Mom asked.

  “It was perfect.”

  “Good.” She brushed my cheek with a kiss. “I’m going to write for a little bit and then head to bed. Good night, Zela.”

  “Night.”

  I stood motionless in the hallway until I heard the telltale click of her office lock. I pulled out my phone.

  Me: My mom will be passed out in an hour. Two tops. Start driving now.

  He came back right away.

  Cole: Going with the sneaking-in option.

  Me: No choice. I wasn’t getting a yes for what we’re really going to do tonight.

  Cole: Hmm. I thought we said no more hooking up. I’m more than just a piece of meat, Zela Rae.

  I stifled a laugh.

  Me: We can always stay up late and talk. I like you for your conversation too.

  Cole: Wanna bet how long we can last without putting our hands on each other?

  Me: Make it a bet I want to lose.

  Cole: If I win, I’ll swallow needles.

  I didn’t hold my laugh this time.

  Me: So your hands will be on me the minute you come through the door?

  Cole: Pretty much.


  My heart fluttered in my chest like it was trying to escape. I had no delusions about what we were going to do tonight and it wasn’t talking. After a year of dancing around it, I was ready to be with Cole in every way.

  The nerves set in as I stepped into my room. It might have been my ascent to womanhood that flipped the switch. I looked around my room at the pink, floral bedspread. The childhood photos of me buck-toothed and cheesing at the camera, and the clincher, my teddy bears decorating my desk.

  I snatched them up and tossed them in the ottoman before my bed.

  This place is a freaking kid’s room! Why did no one tell me?

  I raced around, picking up stray clothes, hiding the most embarrassing stuff, and fixing my sheets. I put the last pillow in place and then took off my dress. Jordan gave me sexy underwear as a joke when Landon and I started having sex.

  My face burst into flames when she gave me the lacy, see-through bra and thong. They did the same the second time around. I was too embarrassed to wear this before but something about Cole made me want to do things that scared me.

  I changed my underwear and put my dress back on. Breathing slow, I lay across my silk sheets and willed my pulse to calm.

  There is no reason to be nervous. Cole and I have done almost everything there is to do. We’re just taking it to the level we’ve been waiting for.

  My phone buzzed.

  Cole: I’m outside.

  I glanced at the clock.

  Me: How? I texted you twenty-five minutes ago. You didn’t speed, did you?

  Cole: I was already in the car by the time you texted me. I was seeing you whether your mom said yes or no.

  My smile split my cheeks.

  Me: Hold on. I have to check my mom is in bed first.

  Silently, I slipped out of the door. A soft hum spread through the top floor, signaling the air conditioner was doing its job. I heard nothing else.

  My footfalls were soundless on the carpeted steps. Reaching the bottom floor, I peeked around the banister and saw the lights on in Mom’s bedroom. She was awake but wouldn’t be for much longer.

  I crept to the front door and pulled it open, revealing Cole obscured in shadows. He stepped closer and the moonlight fell across his face. My breath caught.

  The light played in his silver-blue eyes, reflecting within them as they glowed. They held the same promise I knew was in mine.