by Ruby Vincent
“You know what’s up with us,” he said easily. “Network business. Members of the board are coming back to give Breakbattle another shot and Cameron is obsessed with making sure nothing goes wrong.” He gave me a hard look. “He’s also obsessed with you. He’s been hounding Michael, Cole, and Landon about what you’re doing, eating, reading, and saying every minute of the day.”
“What do they say?”
“They tell him to fuck off. Cameron’s been hinting that you’re the new For All and you’ll ruin everything, but we know that’s bullshit.”
I nodded slowly. “I’m surprised they haven’t been kicked out because of me by now. Cameron’s painting me as enemy number one.”
“Trust me. He’s tried to get them out, but I stuck up for them with Dad. It helps that he’s hanging on to his position by the skin of his teeth.”
I was quiet for a spell, studying him. “Derek, why are you going along with this?”
“Why are we going along with this,” he corrected. “Cameron’s shitting himself over the fundraiser my dad is throwing next week for the Worldwide Literacy Coalition. Half the school board is going to be there and so will you.”
“What? Who told you that?”
He leaned in. “You want to spend time with my dad, don’t you? This is your chance. He’s between movies and using this time to push forward the expansion. There are more fundraisers, galas, and events coming up throughout the year. You can come with me.”
I swallowed around the hard pit lodged in my throat. This is what I wanted. I’d get to see Jonathan. Talk to him. Get to know him. Let him get to know me. But...
“I’d have to pretend I support the expansion,” I stated. “Or my invitation will be revoked.”
Derek’s expression remained neutral. “You have to decide what’s more important to you.”
I dropped my head, breaking the hold his gaze had on me.
He’s right. This is what it comes down to. What are you going to do?
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll be there.”
Cold fingers brushed my forehead. Derek gently removed my wig and cap. My blonde strands tangled as he weaved them through his fingers.
“I wish you could come as yourself,” he said softly. “He should know the real you, not the costume.”
“I hope he does one day.”
Derek dropped his hand. “I’ll get you an invitation without my dad’s name on it, so you can give it to your mom.”
“Thank you.”
“Sure.” He reached for his book but my hand on his arm stopped him.
“I’m serious, Derek. Thank you.”
“I’ll do anything for you, Zee.” He tugged out of my hold and reclaimed his spot.
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I picked up my homework. We didn’t speak for the rest of the night.
THREE DAYS LATER, DEREK dropped an invitation on my tray. I broke off kissing Landon.
“What’s that?” he asked.
I glided my fingers over the cream paper as I read.
You’re invited to the Worldwide Literacy Coalition’s first annual fundraiser.
This black-tie event will be held at the Evergreen Country Club.
Prepare for a night of great food, great company, and giving.
“Hold on,” Landon said as he read over my shoulder. “You’re going to this?”
“Are you?”
“Yeah. We”—his eyes darted to Cole and Michael—“have to go.”
I nodded. The four of us didn’t speak much about the Network. It was a certainty that they didn’t know what Cameron and the senior Elites did to me the night of the tournament. Derek couldn’t have known either.
They’d lose their minds if they knew, but Cameron was my fight. I would handle this myself and screw up his plans for the expansion at all costs. Telling them what I planned would put them in the position of choosing between me and the future the Network could offer them. It was better we didn’t have that talk. It was better I didn’t find out what they would choose.
“Why are you going?” he asked.
“Derek invited me,” I replied. “I thought it’d be nice to meet people and network.” I cracked a smile. “Not a pun.”
Landon didn’t laugh with me.
“What are you guys talking about?” Melody plucked the invitation from my hand. “A fundraiser? Who is throwing it?”
“My parents,” said Derek. “It’s small. Just some people from school and their families.”
“Adam, are you going?”
My friend shook his head. “Far as I know, none of my parents got the invite. Zee is partying without me on this one.”
“All five of you are going?” Hunter piped up. “Derek, can I come too?”
Landon took hold of my chin and brought me in for a kiss. The table’s chatter faded in the background. “Want me to pick you up?”
“You don’t have to. Derek said he’d send a car.”
“I want to.” He gave me another soft kiss. “This party got ten times more bearable now that I know you’ll be there. I want to sneak in every second I can with you.”
I smiled through another kiss. “When you put it like that...”
Adam was happy to let his lack of invite drop, but I caught up to him outside the cafeteria and pulled him away from Melody.
“See you after class, Mel.” Adam twisted around and draped his arm on my shoulder. “What’s up?”
“The party is more than a fundraiser,” I said, lowering my voice. “Members of the board will be there. The Network is planning to win them over off campus where For All and Stand Up can’t get in the way.”
“What are you going to do?”
I sighed. “There’s nothing much I can do. If I make a fuss about the expansion, Derek won’t be able to wrangle me any more invites.”
“Does it matter if you go to these things?”
It matters more than anything.
“Yes,” I said aloud. “We want to know what they’re up to and Derek isn’t always forthcoming. Plus, me and the guys are doing a great job keeping the peace by not talking about the Network at all. If I can be there while it’s happening, I’ll find out which way they’re leaning and if we need to step it up.”
Adam nodded along. “If they’re whipping out their checkbooks and throwing events at the country club, then we do. You’ve been doing your part alone, but I can help.”
“I’m already getting heat. Coach Fineman called me out for helping the guys at practice.”
I don’t know what it was, but something made me look over my shoulder. I landed on Cole, Michael, and Landon immediately. They trailed us with enough distance that they couldn’t overhear, but all three were openly watching us.
Adam turned to see what I was looking at and waved. Their response was as different as their personalities.
Cole scowled. Landon didn’t react. And Michael waved back.
“They’re being so weird,” I mumbled. “Seriously, seventeen years of living with my mother gives me the urge to lecture them on how men and women are capable of being friends.”
He chuckled. “I guess I can’t blame them. Cole has it in his head that me and him are competing for everything. Landon hasn’t forgiven me for going along with your plot to make him jealous.”
“And Michael?”
“He just wants to be the one by your side all the time.”
I tucked my head under his arm as a smile tugged at my lips. “Well, damn. That’s adorable.”
“Really? Even Cole?”
“I’m finding his need to win incredibly sexy. It translates pretty well when our clothes are off.”
He hummed. “You know, when Jordan and I—”
“I will kill you.”
Adam burst out laughing. He leaned on me as he guffawed, our faces cheek to cheek as I snickered in return.
“Babe.” Hands grabbed me from behind. “Walk with us. We want to talk about the party.”
“I saw th
at coming,” Adam whispered in my ear. “We’ll talk about what we’re going to do later, but I’m serious about helping. I’m not worried about Coach.”
“What was that about Coach?” Landon asked as he got me loose and plastered me to his side. “Something up?”
I went with the truth. There might be things I leave out so Landon doesn’t land himself in prison for beating Cameron to death, but I wouldn’t outright lie to him.
“Zach went to Coach Fineman about me helping the other classes improve their game and stuff. Coach said to leave it to him but it’s important to me.”
“Why?” Cole asked.
“Because I don’t think being on the sixth floor means I should forget everyone else exists. Also, it’s fun. I get to tutor math on and off the field.”
Cole accepted the explanation.
“You really coming to the fundraiser?” Michael asked.
“If my mom says yes.”
“Did Derek... tell you what it’s for?”
“Yes,” I said simply.
“And you still want to go?” asked Landon.
I slipped out from under his arm. “Can I ask why you want to go?”
The boys shared a look.
“Mr. Dupre promised a few leaders from local nonprofits will be there,” Landon confessed.
“Also, some of the faculty from Somerset University,” Michael added. “Coaches included.”
“Okay,” I said.
Landon stroked my cheek. “Babe, if it—”
I held up a hand. “No, stop, please. You don’t have to feel weird about it. I understood your reasons for joining then and I understand now. I don’t want to get in the way of your dreams because I believe in you guys way too much.”
It was Michael who grabbed me first and squeezed me to his chest. He kissed me hard, pouring every ounce of what he felt into it.
Landon got his hands on me when we broke apart and he was next. I clung to him as heart spread through to my toes.
Cole didn’t kiss me, but the look in his eyes screamed how much he wanted to. He glanced at Michael and the look vanished.
“We should get to class,” he muttered.
Cole picked up his feet and strode off ahead of us. I let him go. We were in the same class and all the same clubs. He couldn’t shake me that easily.
After classes, Adam hung back to finish our conversation.
“I’ll sign up for tutoring too and tell Tanner and Nico to spread it around that I’m open to help people up their battle game.” He waggled his fingers at me. “I can’t use your math magic on them but I should still be able to help.”
“It’s not magic if it’s math,” I said, “and you’re the best. Thanks.”
“Of course.” His eyes drifted over my head. “I’ll see you at dinner. I’m meeting up with Melody.”
“See you.”
After he left, I turned to find what he was looking at. Cole lingered by the bookcase, skimming his fingers along the spine but making no move to take one down.
“Hey,” I said softly.
Cole didn’t give a sign that he heard me.
“Almost time for Future Leaders. Want to go together?”
“Sure.”
We walked out of the class, heading for the classroom at the opposite end of the hall. Cole was content not to speak, but that was the natural flow of our relationship. I made the first move like a person holding out their hand for a wounded animal to know their scent. Cole wouldn’t stop snarling until he knew he was safe.
“We should talk,” I stated. “After the meeting. Come up to my room, okay?”
Cole’s gaze fixed straight ahead. “Talk about what?”
“Us.”
“Us?”
It stung me to hear his derisive snort.
“So I get the talk now?” he continued. “Weeks later, after you’ve confessed your feelings to Landon and Michael and told them you want a real relationship with them both. Now you want to chat about us? And here I thought all I was good for was a hook-up.”
“Hey.” I snagged his collar none-too-gently and spun him around. “Don’t even try it, Reed,” I said, getting in his face. “Yes, I like hooking up with you. We happen to be very, very, very good at it, but don’t pretend that’s all we’re about. I love talking and laughing and spending time with you just as much.”
I shook him and imagined his fool brain rattling around in his head. “You don’t get to keep me at arm’s length and then blame me that our relationship isn’t further along. If you want to figure out what we’re about, talk with me after club.”
Cole ripped my hand off. “Fine!” he growled.
“Good!”
We squared off—nostrils flaring, eyes blazing.
In the next breath, Cole yanked on my wrist and I crashed into his lips. His kiss poured molten heat into my soul. He pushed me back, slamming me into the wall, but I barely registered the faint pain as I ran my hands over his body.
If I get him back to that room, we’re going to do more than talk.
“What on earth—?! Mr. Manning! Mr. Reed!”
Cole flew off me like I burst into flames.
Miss Lewis, Future Leaders’ new advisor, gaped at us, clutching her chest. “What do you think you’re doing?! This is a school hallway, not a back-alley bordello! Inside! Now!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Sorry, ma’am.”
We shuffled inside, enduring her frequent glares of disapproval all through the meeting. The minute it let out we hurried to the dorm building, burst into my room, and picked up where we left off.
“WE DID TALK AT SOME point,” I relayed to Jordan as we huddled on my bed that Saturday night.
We were an odd pair. Jordan was cute in skinny jeans and a chiffon crop top. While I was the sight to see in a jet-black tuxedo and matching bow tie.
“Are you two together?”
Sighing, I tipped over and fell face-first on the sheets. “He admitted he wants us to be more than casual, but he can’t think about it until he knows for sure his friendship with Michael can handle it. He said he doesn’t want to lose either one of us because we’re the only two people in his life he’s gotten close to. It was so sweet I couldn’t help but understand even though I’m disappointed. It looks like we’re taking it slow too.”
She patted my head. “At least you talked. Wherever you go from here, it’ll be forward.”
I let out a slow breath. “You’re right. I just need to give him time.”
“Exactly.” Jordan’s touch was soothing on my hair. “That’s my method with Adam. Eventually, he’ll accept Melody’s decided their relationship has an expiration date and choose me, right?”
I sat up and hugged her. “I’m not the one to ask about choosing, but I do know if it ever comes down to one, he’d be crazy not to pick you.”
“It’s true,” she said. “He would be.”
I laughed, thankful to hear her sounding like herself. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
“Nothing crazy. His mom invited me over for dinner. We’ll end up watching a movie/making out in their theater until we’re inevitably interrupted.”
“It won’t be traumatically mortifying as long as you’re caught with your clothes on.”
“Good tip,” she teased, tweaking my nose. “But how are you? Are you sure you want to go to this thing?”
My smile melted away as the conversation shifted. “I have to go. Jonathan will be there.”
“This can’t be how you pictured getting to know him. He’ll spend the night schmoozing his rich friends and playing the host. He probably won’t talk to you for longer than is polite.”
“That’s longer than I ever had.”
She sighed. “Okay. I get it. Just... don’t expect too much.”
“I don’t.” I nudged her with my shoulder. “I know you and Adam have appointed yourselves guardians of my physical and emotional well-being, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’m doing a lot bett
er now.
“I think the stress of Breakbattle, being Zeke, and hiding who I was from Derek brought the voices and everything back. Telling him the truth caused new problems, but it also lifted a weight off me. Derek and I have things to sort through, but we will. He’s helping me get close to my father.
“And Cameron and Zach don’t know it, but they have nothing to hold over my head now. I will stop the expansion and piss Zach off doing it.” I rubbed her forearm. “I’m good, JoJo. I promise.”
She gave me a lopsided smile. “Does that mean you don’t need me?”
“I will never mean that. Slap me if I even think it.”
We fell against each other, hugging and laughing.
“Zela!” Mom’s shout echoed up the stairs. “Your date has arrived.”
“I should hurry and save Landon.” I pecked her on the cheek. “Have fun on your movie/make-out date.”
“I will,” she called after me as I hurried out. “You have fun too.”
I hit the top step of the stairs and smiled down at Landon. Sometimes I believed the day would come where I’d see him and my heart wouldn’t do flips, but the next time our eyes met he’d prove me wrong. His blue, floral tuxedo was the right blend of formal and off-beat. Everywhere Landon went, he stood out.
“I love your tux,” I said as I slipped into his arms. “Did you design this one too?”
“Declan gets the credit for this.” He kissed me. “You look cute too. Not even my parents could improve upon your perfection.”
Smiling, I rose for another kiss.
“It was nice to meet you, Landon.”
I froze lips puckered.
“I’m certain we’ll have more time at the end of the night to talk and get to know each other better.”
Landon let me go and turned on my mom with a smile. “Looking forward to it, Ms. Manning. I’ll have her back no later than eleven.”
She nodded sharply. “See that you do.”
He laced our fingers together and we escaped outside. Michael and I got a “stay out as late as we want.” Can’t say what prompted Mom to cool on Landon and most likely never would. She was nothing if not unpredictable.
I whistled as we stepped off the porch and saw the huge, black luxury truck parked in front of our house. The front wheel was longer than my torso. “Wow. Whose car is that?”
