The Goldens were the popular kids. Someone at Stanton Prep coined the term long ago, donning all the trust fund brats, socialites, and celebrity offspring as the proverbial golden children. Born with more than a silver spoon in their mouths, these social climbers made the rules at Stanton. It was an elite club that only birth right or obscene amounts of money could get you into.
At first, it seemed strange to Beth that Caroline shirked her Golden status. There were students at Stanton who would kill to be included in the inner circle. That was the only way to get invites to the legendary parties the Goldens threw, like the famous Cohl brothers’ masked ball.
But it seemed that by dismissing the Goldens, Caroline had somehow elevated herself above them. It was like she was Platinum if that were a thing. And by being Caroline’s only friend, it seemed Beth had gained status, too.
Caroline threw her own exclusive parties and nobody from Stanton ever got to attend. The guest list was primarily made up of her brother’s college friends, or the professional athletes and celebrities on her father’s payroll.
Right now, the hottest ticket in town was an invite to Caroline’s infamous Aspen house for spring break. And thanks to dumb luck in a lab assignment freshman year, Beth had managed to score an invite four years ago. She’d been to many of Caroline’s exclusive parties over the years but never was she more excited for one than she was for Aspen. Caroline had graciously given Beth a plus one, and Jared was coming as her date. Well Parker was too, but Parker went everywhere Beth did. They were sort of a packaged deal.
“So,” Caroline said. “What are you gonna wear on V-day?”
“Wear?”
“Oh, come on. You’re like five years overdue getting your library card punched. Please tell me you have something poppable to wear?”
“Poppable?”
Caroline sighed dramatically. “It’s worse than I thought.”
“What is?”
“Your Virginitis.”
Beth turned red again and rolled her eyes at Caroline’s insensitive sense of humor. “Don’t worry, I know the cure for my disease. His name’s Jared Collins.”
Caroline gave Beth a stern once over. “You sure about that?”
“As sure as I’ll ever be.”
“Well, then let’s get you something sexy to wear.”
Despite herself, Beth giggled and leaned into the playful nudge Caroline gave her. Caroline pulled up La Perla’s website on her phone and added a few skimpy lingerie sets to her shopping cart before passing it to Beth for sizing approval. Beth bit her lip, but nodded. Caroline entered her credit card number from memory and pressed purchase, winking at Beth with a devilish grin. “Here’s to breaking hearts.”
Beth laughed and turned her attention back to Mr. Fletcher. Caroline however continued to play on her phone without a care in the world. Sometimes Caroline was more like a stray cat than a friend. But like a stray cat, her presence, no matter how infrequent was always welcome. At least it was to Beth. Without Caroline, Beth would’ve been even more nervous about giving up her virginity than she already was.
For being one of six girls, Beth’s life was strangely lacking in the female friend department. Her five older sisters, who at one time she’d shared her deepest secrets with, had long since moved out and started new lives that Beth didn’t feel a part of. She didn’t feel close enough with them these days to talk about things like sex.
Of course Beth always had Parker to talk to, but there were certain subjects that were off limits—namely, sex. But with Caroline, Beth felt an unspoken understanding that they had each other’s backs, that no subject was off limits and they’d be there when it really mattered.
And it was that feeling that kept their friendship strong whenever Caroline was on hiatus. She traveled with her family constantly. Apparently when you had the kind of money the Vosses had, school attendance wasn’t an obstacle. Beth was used to going weeks without seeing or hearing from Caroline. But she always came back eventually. And when she did, she had amazing stories that made Beth feel like she hadn’t even begun to stick her big toe into what the world had to offer. Plus, Caroline always brought gifts. It wasn’t anything Beth expected, but she couldn’t deny it was an added bonus.
By far, Beth’s favorite gift was a gold Cartier bracelet Caroline had brought back from Paris. It had a tiny gold heart charm with her initials engraved dangling from its glittering band. It matched the one Caroline always wore. For some reason, the bracelet cemented their friendship in Beth’s eyes. It wasn’t that it probably cost a fortune, but that it meant Caroline thought Beth was more than a casual acquaintance, and that made her feel ridiculously special.
The other great thing that Beth appreciated about Caroline was that nothing ruffled her. She was like a cold front in June, jarring and unapologetic. And it was that uncaring attitude that always made Beth feel like she could ask Caroline anything, which is precisely why Beth had asked Caroline for help when it came to her plan to seal the deal with Jared.
When Beth told Caroline she was going to finally give it up to Jared over spring break, Caroline had been the one to tell her to be sure she was on the pill, and promised to get her condoms because Beth was too mortified to buy them herself.
Beth was grateful to have a girl friend like Caroline to talk to about her hopes and fears for her first time. And even though Caroline’s salty humor flavored most of their discussions, she gave valuable advice.
Beth’s parents were super uptight about their daughters having sex before marriage—mostly because Beth’s three older sisters got pregnant before they were married. And since punishments rolled downhill in the Bennett house, Beth had her promiscuous sisters to thank for her parents’ harsh rules when it came to dating. Basically, it wasn’t allowed.
Hanging out with Parker had been the one exception to the ‘no boys’ rule at the Bennett house. And that was only because he was basically family. Parker’s mother died when he was four and the Bennetts took it upon themselves to make sure Parker and his father always felt included in their big loud family next door.
It didn’t hurt that Parker grew up to be as polite and smart as he was stunningly handsome. He had shiny black hair that he always let grow a bit too long and the bluest eyes Beth had ever seen. He wore glasses, which in Beth’s opinion only made him dreamier. And he’d taken up running as a freshman and had an amazing body to show for it. Of course Parker was more the type to flaunt his smarts than his good looks. But that didn’t stop Beth’s sisters from flirting with him shamelessly.
Plenty of girls at Stanton had asked Parker out, but he always said no, which was part of the reason Beth never got up the nerve to ask him out. If he was undaunted by her flirty sisters and the cute girls at Stanton then there was no way Beth would have a chance with him.
She remembered Brenna asking Parker why he didn’t ever bring any girls around at the Fourth of July party last summer and Beth would never forget what he’d said. “There’s only one girl for me, so I don’t see the point in wasting my time with anyone else.” Beth had spent the rest of the night wondering who that girl was. She’d been planning to ask Parker when Jared’s moving truck came along.
By some miracle Beth’s parents took a liking to Jared right away. Beth was beginning to think her parents liked collecting broken families because it was just Jared and his father across the street. They’d moved to Boston after his parents divorced. And that seemed to put Jared into the same innocent boy next door category as Parker. But after their first kiss, Beth knew Jared was anything but innocent.
“So you’re really gonna do it?” Caroline asked, pulling Beth back to reality.
“Yeah.”
“Well, I guess it was only a matter of time,” Caroline said nonchalantly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I guess you have to sleep with him.”
“Why?”
“Because if you don’t lock his fine ass down soon someone else will.”
; Beth glared at Caroline. “Have you heard someone talking about him?”
Caroline shrugged. “He’s hot. Everyone talks about him.”
Beth’s stomach knotted. “I know. And that’s why I’m doing this. Spring break can’t get here fast enough.”
Caroline frowned. “Beth, I know I’m the last person to be giving this advice, but don’t rush into sex because you think you have to.”
“Are you kidding me right now? You’ve been telling me to get my cherry popped since ninth grade,” Beth hissed.
Caroline smirked. “Yeah, that sounds like me.”
“So why are you changing your tune now?”
Caroline shrugged. “What do I know?”
“Car, I’m ready.”
“Then just get it over with already. Do it after the game tonight. Especially if they win. Sports guys are always so wound up after they win a game.”
“I can’t. You know how crazy my parents are. I can’t just sneak him into my room.”
“Go to his house. His dad’s never around, right?”
“Right. But I want our first time to be special.”
Caroline rolled her eyes.
Beth ignored her. “I’m sticking to the plan. Besides, the anticipation is half the fun, right?”
Caroline smirked. “You have no idea.”
Beth blushed. “I can’t wait for Colorado.”
“I still can’t believe you got your parents to let you go to my cabin,” Caroline replied. “They do know it’s in Aspen, right?”
“Yes.”
“As in Aspen, Colorado?”
“Yes.”
“What lie did you tell them?”
“I didn’t have to lie. I just told my parents I’m going with Parker. They love him.”
“Ah, trusty old Parker. The free pass.”
“Shut up. It’s not like that. Parker is my best friend,” Beth corrected.
Caroline frowned. “More like stand-in boyfriend.”
“Car, please don’t start this again. You know Jared and Parker don’t get along. I don’t wanna deal with them at each other’s throats on spring break,” Beth warned. She was grateful Caroline agreed to let her bring two guests to Aspen, but she didn’t need Caroline’s brand of crazy stirring the pot. Not with a two thousand mile road trip only a few days away.
Caroline shrugged. “You’re the one bringing two boyfriends on vacation.”
“One boyfriend, one best friend.”
“Do they know which is which?”
“Car!”
“Just sayin’.”
Beth sighed. She needed to steer Caroline away from the sensitive subject of Jared and Parker. “So tell me about your cabin again. Is there a hot tub?”
Caroline grinned wickedly. “Hot tubs are for amateurs. We have our own infinity hot spring pool.”
Beth let her excitement take hold. “We’ll be sipping champagne in the snow covered hot springs in a little over a week. I can’t wait!”
Caroline winked and they clinked imaginary champagne glasses together. Beth couldn’t help the tremble of excitement that went through her. She was looking forward to spring break for so many reasons.
3
Parker
Parker stood by his car waiting to meet Beth after school. There was another lacrosse game tonight so they’d be stopping at Zuma’s for their token taco dinner and then heading back to campus to cheer for Jared-the-jock-wad and the rest of his pompous ass lacrosse team.
Parker would’ve never normally agreed to subject himself to that degree of torture, but lately the hour long display of adolescent aggression was the only time Parker could guarantee Jared would be too busy to interrupt his time with Beth.
Parker didn’t enjoy watching sports, especially sports where Jared was the star, but his time with Beth was becoming scarce. Plus, he knew Beth hated sitting in the frigid stands alone. She’d practically begged him to go to the last game. And Parker just couldn’t say no to her. Beth still had no idea the hold she had over him. Parker would’ve run across the damn lacrosse field naked if she asked him to. It was pathetic and he hated himself a little more each day that he sat by watching Beth grow closer to Jared, while he did nothing to stop it.
Parker hated seeing Beth with someone else. Especially, someone like Jared. He was such a smug bastard and it irritated Parker to no end that Beth couldn’t see it. Flirting was Jared’s answer to everything. He charmed his way right into Beth’s life, into the easiest classes at Stanton, onto the lacrosse team . . . okay, maybe not the lacrosse team. Jared actually had athletic talent. But Parker didn’t trust the guy. He was convinced Jared was a womanizer, just using his crooked smile and cheap flattery to get what he wanted. Parker was sure the only reason Jared was still with Beth was because she got him an invite to Caroline Voss’s spring break bash. He just needed a way to prove it.
The Vosses owned a couple of television networks and practically crapped money. They had houses all over the world, but none more famous than their Aspen house. Some reality TV show was filmed there every year, which basically meant the Stanton seniors would do just about anything to get an invite. Parker was only going because Beth had invited him last year as her plus one. He knew it was the only way her parents would let her go, but he didn’t care. A week in the mountains with Beth? Yes please!
When Beth first proposed the trip, Parker was ecstatic. He had planned to teach her how to snowboard and take her hiking. Then they’d soak in the hot tub and make S’mores over the outdoor fire pit. He’d even picked out what bedroom he wanted from the house’s website. It had a white fluffy rug in front of a massive stone fireplace. He imagined stretching out there with Beth in his arms.
But now none of that would happen. Instead, Parker would spend spring break watching Jared do all of those things with Beth. Parker didn’t want to go on the stupid trip anymore, but Beth was counting on him. Her parents were only letting her go because he would be there. They trusted him. He could still hear her mother saying, “You’re the only one we trust to protect our girl.”
But how could Parker protect Beth from Jared?
“Parker!”
He turned at the sound of his name. Beth was jogging toward him, a rosy glow staining her cheeks. The weather was finally beginning to break as winter lost its icy grip on Boston. Beth was wearing an oversized Stanton hoodie—probably Jared’s—and skinny jeans tucked into knee-high boots. Seniors got to dress down once a week. That meant no uniforms. And although Parker had grown up next door to Beth and seen her in all manner of clothing, casual was always his favorite. It made her seem more approachable—more like Parker might actually have a chance in hell with her.
“Ready for tacos, muchacho?” Beth asked, giving him a big hug when she reached him.
“Always,” he said hugging her back.
Beth
“So,” Beth asked once she was buckled into Parker’s Range Rover. “Have you started packing yet?”
“Packing?” Parker asked.
“For spring break!”
Parker smirked. “No, but I’m guessing you’ve been packed for a week.”
“Two,” she corrected.
Parker laughed. “I think we’ve established I’m not the packing overachiever you are.”
“Uh, that’s for sure. Do you remember when you had to borrow my dad’s bathing suit when we went to the Hamptons?”
“Hey! You swore we buried that memory.”
“Relax, it’ll stay buried. But I’m still allowed to tease you about it when it’s just us.” Beth giggled. “Seriously, who doesn’t bring a bathing suit when they go to the beach? Maybe you should let me inspect your spring break packing list.”
Parker snorted. “I don’t have a packing list.”
“That’s your first problem,” Beth replied, grinning. “Fine, you convinced me. I’ll come over after the game and help you get organized.”
Parker gave her a surprised glance. “Really?”
“Of co
urse. You know I’d do anything for you, Park.”
He scoffed and Beth’s heart faltered. “What?” Did he not believe her?
“Nothing.”
“Don’t nothing, me. You just huffed at me.”
“I didn’t huff. I’m just surprised you don’t have plans with Jared after the game,” Parker admitted.
“Well even if I did, I still always have time for you.”
Parker’s lips quirked down ever so slightly. He didn’t believe her! Beth suddenly felt ashamed. Had she really been neglecting Parker that much? Maybe that was why he didn’t like Jared. Parker and Jared never really hit it off, which Beth found strange since Parker got along with most everyone. But lately, their animosity seemed to be reaching new heights.
“Parker, no matter who I’m dating, you know you’ll always be my best friend, right?”
Beth could’ve sworn she saw emotion flicker across Parker’s face, but he fixed his eyes on the road and all he said was, “Relax, Beth. It’s just packing. I don’t need your help.”
4
Parker
Parker was kicking himself for being short with Beth when she offered to help him pack. Why the hell did his ego flare up at the most ridiculous times? Where was it when Beth first started dating Jared? Cowering in the corner, that’s where.
By the time they’d finished eating their tacos and were driving back to campus Parker had managed to smooth things over with Beth. He’d changed the subject to finals and they’d somehow segued their conversation to colleges. It wasn’t Parker’s favorite topic to discuss with Beth, but it was at least better than Jared.
“So everything all set for BC?” Parker asked.
“Yep, I just filled out my roommate application last week. Did you know they actually group all the theater majors together? How cool is that?”
Parker laughed. “Of course they do. Anyone else would smother you in your sleep for singing show tunes all day.”
The Boyfriend Series Box Set (Books 1-6): YA Contemporary Romance Novels Page 81
