He stared at the screen, hoping to see the three dots dancing, but he didn’t really expect Kenny to answer. He had more on his mind than a former best friend he might be crushing on now.
Asher tossed his phone down on the bed to go take a shower and get his mind off Kenny and that kiss.
Just as he grabbed a fresh towel from the linen closet, his phone chirruped. Asher dived headfirst onto his bed to grab the phone.
“Get it together, Ash.” He pulled up his texts, hoping to see something from Kenny, but it was Nicky.
Nicky: You make it home okay?
Asher: Yeah, I finally got back to my room just now.
Nicky: How did it go with Kenny last night? I mean up until the date crashed and burned with the news of his crappy mother.
Asher: It wasn’t a date, Mr. Meddling Meddler.
Nicky: It was so a date.
Asher: I think you think he’s way more in to me than he really is. I think we’re just friends.
Nicky: Was there a kiss?
Asher: Sort of, but it was more like he thought he owed it to me.
Nicky: Owed it? Was there tongue? If there was tongue, it wasn’t a favor kind of kiss. Was he a closed off dick-bag after?
Asher: Yes and yes.
Nicky: See he likes you. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t freak out and he definitely wouldn’t kiss you. Give him time. He’s got family drama that makes it unnecessarily hard for him. With this new mess his mother’s created, he’ll need all his friends to be there because his instinct will be to pull away from everyone.
Asher: That I can do.
Nicky: You need to think about making a grand gesture.
Asher: What? Why?
Nicky: Kenny is not going to realize you like him, like him unless you hit him over the head with it. Grand gesture style. You know, once the drama settles and he’s had time to come to terms with his cheating ass mother.
Asher: Who says I like him, like him?
Nicky: Oh please, it’s all over your face. He’s perfect for you, and you’d be so good for him. Think about it. Grand Gesture.
Asher finally stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over his shoulders, washing the grime of the night away. His mind filled with thoughts of Kenny and grand gestures. What exactly did a guy do to show another guy he was in it for the long haul? Because Asher was pretty sure he wanted to be all in with Kenny. He didn’t have much to compare it to, but he didn’t think kisses like that happened every day.
19
Kenny
Kenny hated formal wear. Political life basically sucked the joy out of a lot of things other people enjoyed. But a winter dance wasn’t a stuffy fundraiser or a stupid ball. This was supposed to be fun.
With a sigh, Kenny tightened his tie and examined his slicked-back hair. He looked like his father. Why was he even going to this thing?
Oh, right. He had friends now, and friends were pushy pains in the butt.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, he pulled on his black shoes, shined to perfection just as his father taught him. There’d been a lot of fatherly lessons, just none of the normal stuff. Geo-politics, yes. How to throw a football, no. Dressing to impress had been a constant lecture, but there’d been no advice on navigating the dating world. Basically, his father had been more of an etiquette teacher while his mother was nothing more than a bystander.
And now, what were they?
His mom still hadn’t called. Two weeks and nothing. To his surprise, his dad texted him occasionally. They’d never had a texting relationship. It was never anything important, and he wondered if his dad just wanted to make sure he was still there, that his family wasn’t gone.
Wylder and Killian were late, but Kenny wasn’t in a hurry to get to the academy banquet hall. He pulled his computer onto his lap and opened a folder with old photos in it. He’d only heard from Asher once since he talked to him last. Asher wanted to see how he was, but Kenny didn’t let himself speak the true answer.
Hockey was good, never better. The team played as more of a cohesive unit than they ever had with Kenny and Killian leading the way. They’d been unstoppable.
School was easy.
The parentals were absent.
Basically, everything was as it should be, but something was still missing. Scrolling through the pictures, Kenny stopped on one of two boys sitting with their feet hanging into the pool behind the West Wing. Asher wasn’t the only one who grew up in the White House. Kenny spent more time there than at his own home.
And he’d been happy.
It was only when he ran from it everything changed.
In the picture, Asher had his arm draped around Kenny’s shoulders and his head thrown back in laughter. He’d always been too good for Washington. Even then.
And now?
Kenny fingered the end of his tie as he continued scrolling through pictures. He wanted Asher here. He wanted to be able to walk side by side into that dance with the boy who’d been his best friend, and to kiss the guy he’d become.
Even if Kenny had asked him, he wasn’t delusional enough to think the president’s son could come to a high school dance. Kenny’s life of classes and hockey was so beneath such a high figure. Kenny belonged in locker rooms and gyms. Asher was destined for art galleries and champagne toasts.
A knock sounded on his door, and Kenny stood. He knew who it was without opening the door because Wylder wouldn’t have knocked.
Killian stood with his hands in his pockets, looking so out of place in the gray suit stretched across his broad frame.
“Don’t laugh,” he grumbled. “The suit isn’t mine, and it’s a bit small.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Kenny bit back a grin as he let Killian in.
Will appeared from his room, waving to them as he raced out, probably to go pick up his date.
Killian sat on the couch. His slacks rose, revealing a lack of socks. This dude was hopeless.
Pressing a hand down one of the many expensive suits his father thrust on him, Kenny made sure not a wrinkle could be seen. He pretended he didn’t see Killian’s scowl.
“Okay, Ken. Ground rules. Just because we’re going together does not mean I’m your date.”
Kenny nodded, trying not to laugh.
Killian continued. “I like my men smart.”
“I feel like I should be insulted.”
“That’s because I just insulted you.”
The door burst open, revealing Wylder in a short rainbow dress that barely reached mid-thigh. It wasn’t what anyone would consider formal. She looked like cotton candy.
Taking them in with raised eyebrows, she shook her head. “You two are hopeless.”
“Me?” Kenny’s suit was designer.
She smirked. “Yes, you.” Reaching for his collar, she undid his tie and pulled it off. “If you’re going to be on my arm, you will not look like a stuffy politician.” She unbuttoned his collar, leaving it open, and ruffled his perfectly done hair to give it a wild look. Surveying him, she nodded. “Passable.”
Her gaze turned to Killian. “Take the jacket off. If the suit doesn’t fit, you’re not wearing it.” He obeyed without question, leaving him in his white button-down shirt.
She smiled. “Now, I won’t be embarrassed. How about me?” She twirled, and the tulle skirt formed a circle around her.
“You’re wearing a rainbow…” Kenny gripped her shoulder to stop her from spinning.
She grinned. “Solidarity, boys. I’m going to have a G on one arm and a B on the other. Now I just need to find L, T, and Q, and I’ll cover everything. Except P. Why isn’t there a P? It should be LGBTQP. Or as my brother says PLGBTQ because he wants to go first with all his pan business.”
Kenny snorted. “Sounds like Becks.”
Killian eyed Wylder skeptically. He hadn’t been exposed to Becks or Nicky or even Wylder much. They had their own brand of ridiculousness. But Kenny had come to realize they were crazy in all the best ways.
She pursed her lips as if her question sent her deep into thought. Finally, she snapped out of it and held out a hand to Killian. “Come on. I want to get there before someone else has a chance to spike the punch.” She tapped her purse.
“Is she serious?” Killian asked when he followed Kenny out the door.
“As a heart attack,” she sing-songed, sliding an arm around each of their waists.
They navigated the halls among others trying to get to the dance before stepping outside and walking down the hill to the quad. The banquet hall, used only for school fundraisers and dances, had trees lining the walkway lit with white lights that reflected off the snow.
Powder crunched under their shoes.
Once inside, they handed off their coats in the front room before following the crowd to the hall that had been transformed into a fairy tale. An ice sculpture of a castle sat at one end. Blue and silver silk draped from chandeliers over white cloth-covered tables and chairs.
At the far side of the room, a band played recent hits in front of a crowded dance floor. Buffet tables lined one wall with every kind of dish they could imagine. Waiters in black tuxedos filled water glasses and served hors d'oeuvres. After the meal, they’d push dessert carts down the aisles.
Defiance Academy spared no expense for their student events. Their philosophy was that giving kids activities on such a grand scale kept them from trying to leave the safety of the academy walls.
Two years ago, Kenny used to host parties at his house in Twin Rivers, but then the crackdown on security came.
Wylder released a breath. “Wow.”
Kenny grinned down at her. “I forgot this is your first year at Defiance Academy. Twin Rivers High didn’t have dances like this?”
She laughed. “Um, no. They threw us in a smelly gym with a bowl of punch and a bad DJ.” She let out a distressed sigh.
“What?”
“How am I going to spike the punch when there’s no punch bowl?”
Killian barked out a laugh. “Yeah, that’s always my first thought when walking into an event like this too. Don’t we all get upset it’s not more pedestrian?”
“Pedestrian?” Wylder bristled at that. “My friends and I always had a great time at our pedestrian dances. Okay, my friend and I. Nicky. It was Nicky. He was my only friend. Ugh, you two are like the broody twins torturing information out of me.”
Kenny draped an arm around her shoulders. “I seem to remember an epic party you threw in an empty school building at the end of last year.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “It was my swan song to Twin Rivers High.”
“We’re not so bad, are we?”
“I never thought I’d be around Kenny Montgomery and not want to punch him in the face.”
Killian laughed.
Kenny shrugged. “I’ll take it.”
“My food baby makes this dress even tighter.” Wylder leaned back in her chair.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have eaten so much.” Kenny smirked.
“Maybe you rich kids should learn to have less delicious food. Who needs spiked punch when they have all that glorious cheesecake.” Her eyes swept the table of mostly hockey players and their dates, most of whom had only had a quarter of the food she'd consumed. “Ugh, I should not hang around athletes. You guys are no fun when you won’t shove food down your throats.”
Killian’s lips tipped up. “That’s some imagery.”
“We have practice tomorrow.” Will shrugged. “None of us want to puke.”
At the front of the room, Headmistress Jones stepped onto the stage and up to the podium. A screen descended from the ceiling behind her. “Welcome to the Winter Formal.” She smiled. “I hope you’re all having a wonderful time.”
Several people cheered. Their principal was more popular than any of the teachers.
Mrs. Jones waited for them to quiet again. “Defiance Academy has always been a place where students are protected from whatever life their high-profile parents live. We take pride in letting teenagers be teenagers. Well, our school is entering a new phase, one which will see us expand and grow. Our fundraising campaigns have exceeded our expectations and I’m happy to report we will be able to take in many more students next year.”
She paused. “Finding the right students is key. We want young men and women who uphold our ideals.”
Kenny leaned toward Wylder. “Basically, students who can pay.”
She laughed. Wylder was one of the few academy students without wealthy parents. Kenny was pretty sure Becks had gotten her in when he agreed to do the commercial and probably paid a boatload of cash.
Mrs. Jones looked to the screen behind her. “We have finally finished our first commercial. It won’t be used publicly as this school must maintain our anonymity. But this video will be our best recruitment tool. What better time to reveal it than when our wonderful students are already gathered?”
She lifted a clicker in her hand and pressed her thumb down.
A student Kenny recognized as a lower classman appeared on the screen talking about what Defiance Academy meant to him. The image transitioned to views of the state-of-the-art facilities before Becks’ grin appeared.
“I’m Beckett Anderson.” He sat on the steps outside one of the buildings on the quad. “My sister goes to Defiance Academy, and I couldn’t imagine a better place for her. She’s happy here.” His face faded away and the new image that appeared was Becks standing at center ice with his guitar. He strummed a few chords before starting to sing. As his song took over the video, images of him shooting on the NHL draft prospect goalie flashed across the screen, followed by picture after picture of student activities.
Toward the end of the song, Becks appeared again. He flashed the camera a grin moments before his skates flew out from under him, and he landed on the Knights’ logo. He winced as his gaze found the camera once more. “Whether you’re planning for a future in hockey, politics, business, or even music, Defiance Academy will get you there.”
The screen faded to black, and applause sounded.
Wylder sat in her seat, shaking with laughter. “Everyone just saw my brother fall on his butt. Priceless.”
Killian stared at the table, his cheeks flaming in embarrassment for having such a prominent role.
Kenny clapped him on the back. “Good job, man.”
Killian opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off when the doors to the hall burst open and a line of men in black suits marched in.
Mrs. Jones ran from the stage to find out what was happening.
Two of the men walked the perimeter while the others searched the room. The entire student body sat stunned. Some shrank into themselves in fear at this intrusion on their dance, but others were only curious.
It wasn’t until three of the men stopped behind Kenny he realized what was going on. Men in black suits. Their completely obtrusive entrance. Not caring how this looked. Yep, secret service. Also known as a giant pain in the butt.
All eyes fell on Kenny as they realized the burly men were there for him.
He knew the questions they’d ask. What did Kenny do? Was he being arrested?
“You need to come with us,” a gruff voice commanded.
Kenny threw his napkin on his plate. “I’m going to kill him.”
Why would Ash send secret service here? Kenny glanced back at the door, hoping to see a certain adorable guy. But he wasn’t there.
“Mr. Montgomery, we’re serious.” He crossed his arms.
“Why?”
“You’re under arrest.”
Will spit water all over the table. All around the room, jaws hung open.
“For what?” Anger burned through Kenny. Had he been wrong? Were these not secret service? Maybe FBI? Maybe it wasn’t him. Maybe his dad or his mom did something horrible.
The man scowled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Kenny looked to Wylder helplessly, but she showed no expression. She didn’t try to help him or backta
lk like she normally did. Was the sassy Wylder Anderson intimidated?
Mrs. Jones appeared. “I can’t let you take one of my students without proof of who you are.”
He showed her something that made her take a step back. Great, there went his last bit of help.
Rising from his chair slowly, Kenny faced them. One of the men grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him so they could cuff his wrists together. The metal scraped his skin as they pushed him toward the door.
Kenny glanced back at the room full of his peers one more time, wondering how the night had gotten so messed up.
The agents forced him across the quad, and Kenny had no idea where they were going until they stood in the shadows of the arena. The winter air chilled him, but they hadn’t allowed him to grab his coat.
“Why are we here?”
“No questions.” One of the men shoved him through the doors and down the long hall to the ice entrance.
As the icy air hit his face, a familiar voice had his head snapping up. “Boys, you didn’t have to cuff him.”
Kenny met Asher’s eyes and didn’t know if he wanted to kiss him or punch him.
Danny sat near the swinging door. “Ash, you did tell them to arrest him.”
Asher skated toward the tunnel where a secret service agent unlocked the cuffs on Kenny.
“I hate you.” Kenny scowled.
“No, you don’t.” Asher grinned.
“That was ridiculous. Arrest me?”
He put a hand on the half wall. “Do you remember when we were kids and always wanted Danny to arrest anyone we didn’t like.”
“Yeah.” He remembered everything.
Dating Washington (Discovering Me #2) Page 18
