by Ruby Vincent
Mom roughly cleared her throat. “Well, um, just come home and we’ll celebrate. All four of us.”
“Can’t wait.”
I hung up and dropped my phone in my bag. Adam draped his arm around me.
“Sounded like good news.”
“Big envelope.”
It was his turn to hug and kiss me.
The three of us walked into the cafeteria laughing and crowing about life in college. If Adam and Melody felt the sting of their impending breakup, they didn’t show it. Their faces shone talking about how they’d set up their dorms and what they’d do the first time they were out from under their parents’ noses.
“I’m looking forward to having my own bed permanently,” Adam put in. “When I’m at home, one or all of my siblings wander into my room at night.”
“Ahh,” I crooned.
“It’d be cute if they weren’t in their bed-wetting phase.”
I cringed. “Fair point. Okay. You get that one. As for me, the first thing I’m going to do is order a large, greasy pepperoni pizza and eat it on my bed.”
Melody laughed. “You’ve thought a lot about this.”
I picked up the food trays and handed it to them. “Yep. I love my mom and she’s an amazing cook. But she’s deathly serious about health food only. She’s even more serious about not eating anywhere other than the kitchen. I’m going crazy. I may even drip on the sheets.”
“You’re both thinking too small,” said Melody. “I found a freshman bucket list online the other day. I’m working my way through the whole thing. Pull an all-nighter. Take a spontaneous round trip. Or I could—”
“Mel.”
Tanner, Nico, and Owen pushed through the food line.
“Mel,” Tanner repeated. “We need to talk to you and Zee.”
“Morning, guys. What’s up?”
“We’re in.”
“In what?” I asked.
He jerked his head at Melody. “She said you guys thought up ways for us to protest and get noticed. We’re in. We want to do it.”
Owen and Nico nodded behind him.
“We got For All’s message,” Tanner continued, “and he’s right. This shit goes on because we let it. He’s one person and he messed with the system many times. If we all fight back, we could end it for good.”
“Or you could get suspended in your final year,” Adam said seriously. “Are you sure about this? With the video out there, anyone who protests will look like they’re supporting him.”
“We do support him,” Nico piped up. “We weren’t behind that psycho stuff in freshman year, but that wasn’t New For All. He’s not dangerous and he’d never hurt anyone.”
Nico’s talking like the guy is his lifelong friend instead of a faceless figure on a screen. His video had more of an impact than I knew.
“We’re sure, Adam. It is our final year. We deserve to spend it like normal seniors with dances, spring break trips, skip day, and all the other shit they’ll tell me I can’t do because I failed a test years ago.” He focused on Melody. “So how about it?”
Melody was already reaching for her bag. “Zee and I made a great list. It’ll be tough, but we’ll have the most impact if boys and girls get on board.” She led the three of them away, food forgotten. “I loved what Zee did last year training the lowerclassmen.”
“That was cool, but we want to do what For All said and refuse...”
“So much for thinking it was over,” I said softly.
Adam moved to my side. I let him enfold me into his side. “I can’t say for sure what is going to happen, but I do know one thing, this is far from over.”
“I’M SO PROUD OF YOU, cousin.”
“I can’t wait to say the same when your acceptances come in.”
The seeking rays sought us through the blinds. It was well after when we usually got up, but we stayed up so late the night before talking that sleep had trouble letting us go.
Jordan and Aunt Bev were waiting for us at home with my unopened letter, balloons, and cake. They kicked up a fuss shouting and clapping before I pulled the letter out. It was official. I was going to Somerset University.
The mattress squeaked under Jordan’s shifting. Crystal clear memories of my night with Cole floated through my head.
“Soon we won’t be able to do this,” Jordan said. “Go to each other’s houses whenever we feel like it and stay up all night talking. I thought our first fifteen years apart prepared me for this, but I was wrong. I’m going to miss you, Zee.”
Emotion welled in my throat. “Don’t say that. It’s not going to be like before. We’ll see each other more than once a year for one. Also, I looked up the flights from New York and it’s less than two hours away. If you get into Columbia, we can alternate weekends we’ll visit each other.”
“Are you serious? ’Cause I would love it.”
I reached for her under the blankets. “Of course I’m serious. You’re basically my sister and you know how I get about my siblings.”
We cracked up, easing the tense moment.
“I’m so glad we can laugh about this now,” said Jordan. “You were straight obsessed with that guy.”
“I’m obsessed with all of those guys. Cole and I are going to the park today. I can’t wait to have more than a stolen hour with him.”
“Need help picking out an outfit?”
“Always.”
I finally pushed myself up and went to my closet.
“So did Adam give you the news?” I asked.
“He did and we’re going to celebrate tonight.”
“Are you also going to talk about the long-distance thing?”
“I haven’t gotten into Columbia yet, Zee.”
“You will. Unless the admissions board is made up of idiots, and Ivy League schools tend not to hire dummies.”
“If I get in, we’re both willing to do long distance. I love him and I don’t want to be with anyone else. We’ll make it work.”
Footfalls sounded behind me. Jordan reached over my shoulder and took down a light, floral shirtdress.
“This one with your strappy, yellow sandals. Cute and comfortable.”
“What are you doing tonight with Adam?” I asked while I changed. “Can I return the favor?”
“We’re doing a double date with Kim and her boyfriend, then we’re parking somewhere quiet. I’ve got something special planned. He won’t care what I’m wearing after that.”
I finished getting ready just in time to reply to Cole’s on-his-way text.
“I’m going down for breakfast.”
“Be down in a sec,” I called after her.
I pulled up Derek’s number.
“Morning, Zela.”
“Hey. How are you?” I sat on the edge of my bed. “I wanted to talk after the clearing, but you’ve been so busy.”
“I’m sorry. Everyone is looking at me to tell them what’s happening, but I’m the last person Dominick Dupre would share his plans with.”
“I wish I could understand why the members chose him over Jonathan.”
“They were looking for a regime change. Dad wouldn’t monetize the Network the way they wanted, and then he went incognito over the summer. He focused all his attention on me and our family stuff. Dupre seized his chance to sway them to his side.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop it, Zela.”
I blinked. “Stop what?”
“You know what. You’re apologizing because you believe you’re to blame. You’re not.”
“If I hadn’t—”
“If you weren’t the push that made him confess, who knows how long you would have gone on thinking I was your brother. You would have chased a lie forever, and I would still be living in one. Dad said himself he’d lose the Network a million times before he lost me. The soft old man isn’t angry over this.”
A smile found its way through my guilt. “You’re soft too, Grayson. I bet you love that he stayed home and showered you with a
ttention. You can’t fool me. You’re both a mommy and a daddy’s boy.”
“Watch it, Manning. That ass isn’t so fine I wouldn’t spank it again.”
Pure naked lust erupted in me like a sprung tap.
I spread out on the bed, playing our romp in the woods on a loop. “Well... if you think that’s what I deserve.”
“Dammit, Zela,” Derek hissed. “My mom’s waiting for me in the car and now I’m hard as fuck.”
His voice was thick with the same lust and my smirk widened. “Hmm. I should be punished for that too.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ve got to hang up. I love you. Wear that outfit again on Monday.”
The call ended on my giggling. Derek and I had amazing chemistry in bed, but we also needed to laugh, joke, and stay up all night talking about everything and anything. With every day that passed, my certainty grew stronger that what we were building would last.
My phone went off.
Cole: We’re here.
The doorbell rang as I reached the period. Downstairs, I heard Mom open the door and then the murmur of voices. Cole and Toby greeted me when I came out. Cole with a wave of his hand and Toby with a wag of the tail. The loveable pup bounded up, planted himself in front of me, and waited expectantly for his love.
“Hi, Toby. Hi, handsome boy.” I rubbed him all up and scratched behind his ears. My reward was a long, wet tongue licking my arm.
“Where are you three going?”
“To the park,” I said. “We’ll have a picnic and tire Toby out.”
“The Chesterfield Park?”
“No, the one by Cole’s house.”
She shook her head. “Do you need to drive an hour when there’s a park around the corner?”
“I take Toby to the Evergreen dog park,” Cole cut in. “They’re used to the big guy there. He wants to play with everyone, but people sometimes freak out seeing a dog this big running at them.”
The Great Dane barked like he was agreeing.
Mom made a face at him. She was many things but a pet person wasn’t one of them. “I see your point. Alright. Just be home before curfew.”
“Bye, Mom. Love you.”
In the car, Cole leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Everything I said was true, but let’s be honest, all I’m worried about is getting you home. We have a challenge to complete.”
“We’re doomed to fail that challenge, aren’t we? We’ll never have enough.”
He groaned. “This is why you’re the one for me.”
I poked him playfully. “Let’s go to the park, have a nice date, and then we’ll go back to your place and go at it until curfew.”
“If you insist, I have no choice but to say yes.”
The drive to Evergreen must have been an hour, but it never felt long with Cole. Toby stuck his head through our seats every now and then to get the attention back on him. I was happy to oblige.
“Toby, sit. Sit, boy.” The dog ducked out of the way, letting me see Cole. “Would you make fun of me if I said I could do this for the rest of my life? Me, you, a dog, and nothing to do but be with each other.”
“Yes, I would make fun of you.”
“Cole!” I swatted his arm.
Laughing, he tried to get away. “Kidding. I love this, Zee. I’d whisk you away every weekend if I could.”
I said nothing. Just laced our fingers together and relaxed.
Cole turned onto a narrow path and we were greeted by a sign that read Evergreen Dog Park. The parking lot was nearly full. In the distance, dogs ran around free of their leashes. Some of them chasing each other and some chasing their tails.
Toby barked, signaling his readiness to join the fun.
“Zee, would you mind getting the basket out of the trunk while I get him on his leash?”
“Does he need one?”
He nodded. “There’s a private spot toward the back of the park. It’s right next to a stream. He’ll try to take off the second we get in the park, so the leash will keep him with us.”
“Okay. We can eat first and then run around with him. Did you bring his toys?”
“I brought one Frisbee and a bone. Any more and you’d get ideas that we were staying here long.”
I shook my head. Cole had me torn between my romantic side and the one that wanted to take his clothes off every time he walked into a room.
“What did you make for lunch?”
“My chef made sandwiches, pasta salad, homemade chips, and guacamole.”
“Ooh. That I will rescue from the trunk.”
I climbed out and went around to the trunk.
“Thank you.”
A few feet away, a woman with a service dog crossed the path in front of an idling car. She waved at the driver and thanked them for letting her pass.
Cole popped the trunk. I lifted the top.
I’ll be making fun of him too.
Nestled on the fabric was a soft, blue blanket and basket with a matching bow. I peeked inside the basket.
Champagne glasses, silverware, and those look like roses to me. He does have a romantic—
A harsh glare reflected out of the corner of my eyes. I looked up just as the car accelerated. The shrill squeal of rubber on pavement reverberated in my soul, and I rooted to the spot, eyes growing wide.
“Zela!”
Hands grasped and yanked me away. The car rammed through the spot I had been in. We collapsed as the scream of metal on metal ripped through the parking lot.
No.
It was me screaming.
Cole’s car smashed into the wheel stops and it startled Toby into a furious barking fit. The car reversed, whipped around, and peeled out of the parking lot. A chaos of noise, terror, and shock overwhelmed my senses.
“Zela?! Zela! Are you okay?!”
“Stop!”
“Zela?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
“You’re okay, Zee.” Cole’s voice tried to reach me. “You’re safe.”
He held me tight as the panic attack ravaged my bruised body. My breaths came in rapid pants. I couldn’t breathe—couldn’t remember how.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you. No one is going to hurt you.”
Cole crooned in my ear softly and soothingly as the last vestiges of my demons fled to the deepest corners of my mind. I buried my face in his neck, crying.
“Toby, stop,” Cole ordered. “It’s okay, buddy.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” someone said. “That was awful.”
“We’re fine,” said Cole. “But could you call the police?”
“Already did. We got the license plate number too.”
“Thank you.”
The next half an hour was a haze. Cole wrapped me in our picnic blanket and had me sit on the grass next to Toby. The loveable giant wasn’t a guard dog, but he gave a good impression of one sitting erect by my side and huffing at anyone who got close.
Cole fielded most of the questions. He appeared cool and calm as he told and retold the story to the police. Only I noticed the slight tremor in his hands.
He’s being strong for me. Protecting me.
I’m certain I never loved him more than I did right then.
“The driver was probably drunk,” the officer told him. “We see it all the time. Kids come out here with a trunk full of booze and find secluded spots in the woods. He lost control, panicked, and hightailed it out of here.”
“Can you find them?”
“We have the license plate. We’ll track them down. Now get in. We’re taking you to the hospital just to be sure you’re alright. Your parents can meet you there.”
“What about my dog?”
“My partner can run him up to your house.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
The officer went off to talk to his partner. Cole came over and gathered me in his arms. I didn’t stop him carrying me to the police car. I couldn’t walk, even if I wanted to.
“There goes our romantic
picnic and all-day sex challenge,” I croaked.
He paused buckling my seat belt. I thought that was what he was doing anyway. He blurred through my tears.
“Thank you. Y-you saved my life.”
“I owed you one. You saved me and I saved you.” He kissed me—a light, gentle kiss that mixed with the salty wetness on my lips. “I’ll always save you, Zela.”
“KNOCK KNOCK. CAN I come in?”
“Adam?”
I struggled out of the cocoon of blankets.
“No, relax. I’ll come to you.”
The sheets lifted and Adam slipped inside. “Hey, best friend. I heard you had quite a date yesterday.”
“You could say that.”
Adam opened his arms. “Come here.”
I needed no more urging to fall into his warmth.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “The doctors checked me over to be sure. A few scratches, but nothing serious.”
I rested my head on his chest and pulled the covers to my chin. I’d been in my bed since Mom brought me home from the hospital. I was content to stay for the rest of the weekend.
“I’m so happy you’re alright. Ms. Manning made it clear there wouldn’t be any trips to Evergreen for a while, so I drove down first thing. Mom is here too.”
“My mom said I couldn’t go to Evergreen?” I sighed. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“So a drunk driver almost hit you in the middle of the day?”
I nodded. “Cole pulled me away just in time.”
“Did you see their face?”
“It happened too fast. Someone else caught their license plate.”
“Good. They better find that piece of shit. Almost hitting you and then racing off? They better pray I don’t find them myself.”
“Don’t go chasing after drunk drivers. I need you right here.”
Adam cuddled with me for most of the morning up to the announcement of a second visitor. Jordan came in, saw us, and joined the pile.
They distracted me with talk of our trip and Adam’s progress getting his dad to agree.
“It’s Mom against Ryder,” he said. “Every time she turns my other dads’ nos into yeses, Ryder comes in, reminds them it could be dangerous, gets their worry back up, and then they say no again.”
I laughed. “So you’re just sitting on the sidelines watching them ping-pong back and forth?”
