My High School Royal Boyfriend: A Sweet YA Secret Identity Romance (Boyfriend Series (River Valley High) Book 5)

by Kylie Key

  “Are you worried about your Great Aunt?” Lily prompted, as I’d drifted into a daydream about how I’d undoubtedly ruined my chances with Alex. I was under no illusion that he’d ever want to speak to me again. But that was a good thing, right?

  “Uh, what? No,” I said, bringing myself back to reality. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

  “Okay, cool,” Lily said. “Meet me in the parking lot. My car’s down the far end.” She stood up and put her backpack on. “Oh, hey, I meant to ask how things went with Alex last night?” Her eyebrows waggled mischievously. “The ride home?”

  “It was—” I started to tell her it went fine—but really, what was the point? Lily was my only friend, and I wanted our friendship to be real. “It was a disaster,” I admitted. “I acted like an idiot.”

  Lily slid back into the seat, her hand resting on my arm, and sounded like Margaret, full of concern. “What happened?”

  I couldn’t tell her the truth—that my family owned Peter’s, that Covington Prep students hung out there, that I was in disguise and couldn’t risk being recognized. I slumped and inhaled deeply, realizing I had no idea how to explain it.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” Lily said, patting me, her intuition sharp. “See you after school, right?”

  “Sure,” I said, grateful that she hadn’t pushed. I’d let her assume what she’d probably guessed—that I was a nerd around guys. Wouldn’t be hard to believe.

  I texted Margaret to say I was going to the mall with Lily after school. She was so pleased that I had a friend. I wrapped my scarf high around my neck and zipped my jacket up to the top, pretending it was to keep out the cold. But this was my first time out in the general public for weeks and I felt vulnerable. As if everyone would know that Blair Pennington had cut her hair and was wearing glasses.

  Lily parked in the underground parking lot, the dim lighting giving me an ounce of courage. But only momentarily. The inside of the mall was as bright as if it were the middle of summer. As we approached the fabric store, I stared at the ground, eyes glued to my own shoes.

  I was frowning at the speck of mud on my sneaker, when I heard Lily call brightly, “Hi!”.

  “Hi Lily.” The unmistakable accent of Alex Lord made me jerk upwards. Leaning against the window of the store, wearing a long tan trench coat and a black scarf, my heart went into Ferrari mode—by that I mean it raced, extremely fast. “Hi Blaire.”

  I smiled only because my breath was caught in my throat, rendering me speechless. That coat was very British, very...sexy. Goodness, no boy from River Valley could wear a coat like that and pull it off. It would seem...ridiculous. But Alex Lord rocked it.

  He really rocked it.

  My face was heating up so quickly I thought my glasses would betray me and steam up.

  “Alex is looking for a costume too,” Lily said.

  I nodded continuously, for far too long.

  “I hope you don’t mind me coming,” Alex said, a tentative smile forming. In a complete reversal, I went from nodding to shaking my head, also continuously. Could I have been more weird if I tried?

  No. I couldn’t.

  Lily hooked her arm through mine and led me inside. For that I was thankful. My head felt dizzy from all the motion. Please act normal, I begged of myself.

  “So, what are we looking for?” Alex asked.

  “Blaire?” Lily looked to me for direction.

  “Uh, um...” It had been a long time since I’d been in the store, over a year ago when I’d chosen some fabric for the shorts we’d made in school. The teacher had some selections, but they’d all been ugly to me. I had bought a washed denim, but like I said, I’d never worn the shorts.

  I headed towards the back, feeling the different fabrics as I passed through the aisles. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, hoping only that I’d know it when I saw it. I was acutely aware that Alex was following me.

  “What are the zombies wearing?” Lily asked, and as she was behind me I assumed the question was for Alex.

  “I think anything that looks old. Got any ideas?”

  “Camouflage would look cool,” Lily said.

  “Yeah?”

  I proceeded down the aisle, a teal green color catching my eye. Soft and fleecy, it was just what I’d imagined. I pulled the roll from the shelf, looking around for Lily. I could hear voices from the next aisle and back tracked with the roll under my arm.

  About to announce I’d found the perfect fabric, I came to an abrupt stop on seeing three Covington Prep uniforms, the distinct ballerina bun hairstyle of Zara Raymond making me do a one eighty turn and head back the way I’d come. Only, in the process, the fabric knocked over a display mannequin. The crash resounded about the store, drowning out the jovial Christmas tunes. With haste, I kept walking, hiding further down the store. I couldn’t risk being seen by Zara, or any Covington kids. I crept along an aisle, my heart pounding wildly. A fur trim on the bottom shelf caught my eye, so I squatted down, and that’s when the deep husky voice of Zara Raymond cut through the air. She was on the other side of the aisle!

  “I want something glam,” she said, then, “That’s too plain.” Unable to sustain the strain on my calves, I dropped down to my knees, keeping as still as I could.

  “This is pretty,” a voice I didn’t recognize said. Maybe a junior in the boarding school.

  “No. Something more sparkly,” Zara said. “These need to be the best stockings ever.”

  Her words caused me to hold my breath. What did she mean by These need to be the best stockings ever? Was Zara Raymond taking on the role of presenting the class with Christmas stockings, the tradition that Mom and I had started way back in third grade? Every year I had given my classmates a Christmas stocking stuffed with candy and Swiss chocolates and little trinkets, like cute pens and notepads and stickers. As we’d gotten older it had been jewelery, phone covers and gift cards.

  “Zara, this is cute.” It sounded like Catherine Isner, Zara’s number one sidekick.

  “Totally,” Zara said, with a giggle. “Seriously, these are going to be so much better than last year’s.”

  “Yeah, embroidering every one’s name is next level,” Catherine said.

  “Yeah,” Zara said. “At least we won’t have the vulgar Whittakers brand on them. Talk about blatant advertising. So crass. Hey, do you think I should get one with Blair’s name on it? Y’know, send it to her house?” The combined nasal snorts and giggles made my jaw tighten, making me recall the words she’d said outside the principal’s office that day, “Wow, who would have thought? Blair Pennington is nothing but a common thief.” It was how she said it that still haunted me—with the exact same contempt that I was hearing now. Like Zara Raymond truly hated me.

  Steadying my shaky breath, I peered through the gap in the shelf. But all I could see was knee high socks and the short skirts of the Covington Prep uniform. An alarming thought came to me: could Zara Raymond have set me up? With her own bracelet?

  Their conversation continued, something about bling and diamantés, but my whirling brain cells were rapidly trying to rationalize the very reason why I was disguised as a River Valley High student. Somehow the expensive bracelet had been found in my locker, and I knew it had to be a mistake of some sort, yet no one had come up with the evidence to prove my innocence. Jack hadn’t found anything, making me wonder if he’d even been trying. I’d tarnished my family’s reputation, lost my parents’ trust and respect. But...but, what if I’d truly been set up? Not a fanciful theory, but what if Zara Raymond had deliberately plotted my downfall? Was that possible?

  “Ewww, yuck,” Catherine said, her voice suddenly in closer proximity. I looked to my left and gasped. The Covington trio were turning into my aisle! Using the roll of fabric as a crutch, I scrambled to my feet, about to speed off in the opposite direction. But I came face to face with Alex.

  “Ah, there you are,” he said.

  Behind me, Zara and Catherine’s loud conversation indicated they were app
roaching at a rate of knots—and in my peripheral vision I caught a glimpse of a maroon blazer. My true identity was going to be revealed in a matter of seconds—Zara Raymond would walk by, her shoulder would brush mine, and she’d recognize me.

  I had only one option.

  “Have you—” Alex started to say, but I rendered him speechless by pressing my lips against his. Yes, in an unpremeditated move, I kissed Alex Lord. And not just kissed him, but pushing the fabric roll aside, I reached my hands around his neck, rotating him so my back was to Zara and the girls. There was a swishing sound against my jacket as they walked past.

  Any moment now Alex Lord was going to pull away, was going to demand an explanation. I mentally prepared myself for that, but hoped he would keep the kiss going at least until the Covington girls had left the aisle and the risk of being exposed was over.

  Seconds passed, and more. Our lips were still joined. How long did I stay there? Was it safe to separate yet? Had Zara moved on? Why did this kiss feel so good? Why were Alex’s lips so soft and sweet? Why wasn’t I separating?

  Why wasn’t he?

  A timid ahem is what drew us apart, an elderly woman shuffling to get past us, a glare of disapproval in her eyes. I immediately apologized, bending down for the fabric at my feet.

  While there I took in a deep breath, desperately needing a shot of oxygen to my brain. How did I explain my actions, and where was a sink hole to swallow you up when you needed one?

  With burning cheeks and a racing heart, I gathered the fabric and rose.

  “Oh hey, there you are!” Lily came bounding up to us, her eyes crinkling as she smiled widely.

  “Yep, here we are,” Alex said. My eyes honed in on the velvet cloth tucked under Lily’s arm.

  “What did you find? That looks great.” I stroked the fabric like it was Peppy’s fur. “It’s so soft to touch.” Like Alex’s lips.

  “Oooh, I like that color,” Lily said, tapping the roll in my hands. “That’s so pretty.”

  “Yeah, I thought it would really suit you, and if we added this to it,” I knelt down again, reaching for the fur trim, “it would be awesome. What do you think?” I was looking at Alex’s boots—why didn’t he ever tie his laces properly? I had an absurd thought that I should retie them for him.

  Standing up, I kept my gaze on Lily. “Yes! I love it,” she said.

  “Okay,” I said, moving on. Best to get out of this place in case Zara came wandering back. Best to get away from Alex.

  At the counter the sales clerk helped me calculate how much material I’d need, and I insisted on paying, telling Lily she could pay me back later. I’d never let her. Having not spent any money in weeks, my savings account could take the hit.

  Lily led us to a menswear store where she said her brother often shopped. I hadn’t known she had a brother—Finn was a freshman—nor had I known this shop existed. I lagged behind, letting Lily take over the shopping expedition. I hadn’t looked Alex in the eye since the kiss, though my lips were still tingling from the experience. And my heart rate was refusing to return to normal.

  Alex went to the changing rooms with a bunch of camouflage pants and an assortment of t-shirts. When he came out to ask how he looked, I pretended to be captivated by a rack of shirts.

  “Okay, is this the look I’m going for?” He laughed as if he was amused with his look, and I couldn’t resist a peek over. Alex Lord in camo pants and a punk black t-shirt was a far cry from his jeans and trench coat look, but it left me equally wide-eyed and drooling. I imagined he’d look good in pajamas. No, shouldn’t be doing that—picturing Alex Lord in pajamas.

  Lily was laughing. “Yeah, we could make a few cuts in the sleeves.”

  “Or smear it with blood?” Alex added, with an eye roll.

  I couldn’t help but giggle, but was too slow to look away. Alex’s eyes met mine, my heart fluttering like a flurry of snow flakes. I smiled cautiously—I mean, what if he was disgusted by what I’d done. There was every possibility he hated the kiss.

  Yet, he hadn’t pulled away.

  And why were my lips still tingling?

  “You think it’s good, Blaire?” Lily asked.

  I couldn’t speak, giving an overly enthusiastic nod in response.

  “So, this is it then?” Alex asked. “I don’t have to try on anymore?”

  Lily and I agreed it looked great, but I could have watched Alex modeling clothes all day.

  While Alex completed the sale, I made sure to stay close to Lily and implant in her the necessity to go straight home. That I wanted to get a start on the measurements and pattern making and cutting and sewing, emphasizing that there was much to do and the deadline so close.

  “Uh huh,” she said, and then Alex came over with his shopping bag swinging from his hand and said, “I’m hungry.”

  “We could go to the food court,” Lily said with no hesitation, “it’s up on the first floor.”

  I could have clobbered the girl over the head! Hadn’t she heard a word I’d said?

  “Lead the way,” Alex said, nudging Lily. Over the top of her head, he flashed a triumphant smirk at me. I pressed my lips tightly, knowing I couldn’t protest.

  And as awkward as it would be, I could hardly deny Lily the simple joy of hanging out with her friends at the mall. Plus, I needed her for a ride home. Waiting for a bus out in the cold was not an experience I needed, nor was a lift with Alex.

  Typical of boys, Alex ordered a full burger meal, while Lily and I went for a coffee and a shared donut. Choosing a table was akin to a chess move. If we sat at a booth, would I want to sit next to or across from Alex? Could I dare look him in the eye? Definitely not.

  “How about here?” I asked, as Lily carried our tray. I pointed to a bar counter where we would have to sit in a row. With Lily in the middle, I would hardly be able to see or hear Alex.

  “Hey!” Alex’s voice rang across the floor. He was already sitting at a small round table, waving to us. Talk about fast food. If the barista hadn’t insisted on opening a new bottle of reduced fat milk, we would have been sitting long ago.

  The seating arrangement meant either seat was going to have me knocking elbows with Alex. At this point, it almost felt like bumping into Zara Raymond would have been a preferable option.

  Chapter 10

  Alexander

  What was a boy supposed to do?

  One minute you’re immersed in looking for different types of fabric, the next a girl is in your face kissing you.

  Was it an American thing? I couldn’t fathom any of it.

  So, I had been about to ask Blaire if she’d found anything suitable for her and Lily’s elf costumes, and the glance to the roll of fabric she lifted was an answer to the question...that I never asked. You see, she kissed me.

  No warning,

  No notification

  No hint that she was mildly interested in me.

  If anything, I thought I appalled her. Just the day before she’d acted like going out for ice cream with me would be a fate worse than death. I thought I’d come on too strong. I thought I’d broken some cultural dating rule. Not that I’d considered it a date. With both of us being new to town, I had wondered if she’d had a chance to try the ice cream that the town was famous for. My invitation had been quite innocent.

  Yeah, my bad.

  I hadn’t dated back home. In our all-boys boarding school, you didn’t have time to think about girls. Study, drama, sports, house activities took precedence—we were made to participate in as many things as we could. If we had a moment to breathe, our choice of activity was gaming or drinking. The sister school, Kentworth, was across town, a little too far to be wandering to at lights out.

  It’s not that we weren’t into girls, but with opportunities limited, they weren’t our main focus. Life was all about me and the lads. That’s how it was.

  I’d taken Amelia Hastings to the end of year school dance and we’d kissed during the mushy song, but I hadn’t read too much into
it. Her family and my family knew each other well, our mothers both horsey people. We were never anything more than friends. We kissed...because we could, I guess.

  Blaire Ashley, on the other hand, had ambushed me. Hey, I’m not complaining, but to say I was caught off guard was an understatement. Her lips met mine with a sense of urgency, you know, like the world was about to end and she needed to live out her wildest fantasy before it was too late. Or that’s what it felt like to me. Arrogant maybe, and there was a split second where I thought I should push her away, but as her lips pressed more firmly, I zoned out.

  That’s right, Alexander Radclyffe teetered on a fine line between standing and falling. And in a heartbeat I was falling...for her.

  The softness of her lips

  The scent of her skin

  The taste of her...intoxicating, captivating, all consuming.

  I don’t know how much time passed in that feverish state, my own heaven on earth, our cosmic encounter.

  I only know that when we parted I was quivering with anticipation on when it might happen again.

  But she froze me out. Totally. Not a single glance at me. It was like the ice cream invitation all over again. Like I ceased to exist, all her focus on Lily and the fabric.

  You might think that would annoy me, but I was frustrated more than anything. Because though her actions led me to believe the kiss had been a mistake, her body let her down.

  Her cheeks were flushed, her lips twitched, and her chest heaved like she was inhaling to the base of her belly.

  She was flustered, that much was true, but I couldn’t understand why she’d kissed me in the first place. Did I rock her world that much? Was I insanely irresistible, able to drive women into frenzied kissing on a whim?

  William would’ve laughed and said I needed to turn off my front-facing camera mode. The world wasn’t in love with me as much as I was, he’d joke.

  But William was no longer here.

  I ordered burger and fries at the food court—William’s favorite meal. If we had the choice of eating out, I’d usually choose a curry, same as Jayden and Niall. Thomas was a fish’n’chip guy and Simon preferred a pub meal, a traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.