by Leila James
His lips twist. “You might end up waiting a while for that. She admitted to me that she felt like shit about it, but I don’t know if she’d say the same to you. She’s not the type to spill all of her secrets. She hides a lot underneath that bitchy exterior.”
Chapter 33
In English, Beau pokes me in the side when Mrs. Harden turns her back to write something on the board. “You looked a little rough after your practice on Saturday.”
I hadn’t realized anyone had been paying attention to me.
He seems to read my expression and continues, “I spend Saturday mornings in the weight room. I saw you when you came in from your run.”
“Awesome. So glad you saw that.” I chuckle and nod. “Yeah, I was ever-so-slightly hungover. You mix a mean drink, mister.”
“Potent.”
“Yeah.”
“It must suck that your team has practice on Saturday mornings.”
“Yeah, we have meets sometimes, too. I’ll have to be careful what you offer me if I ever end up at another one of your crazy parties.”
A few minutes pass while Mrs. Harden discusses the book we’re going to be reading next before Beau nudges me again.
“What did you think of the party? Other than the part where Justin decided to act like a fucking asshole.”
I press my lips together, remembering that icky event, but then slide Beau a tiny smirk. “Pure mayhem. I don’t know how you do that every weekend and function.”
He chuckles. “Easy, pretty girl. We’ve been training for it our whole lives.”
“The life of a Rose, huh?”
“Yep. Pretty sweet.”
Yeah. I’m beginning to think it must be.
Later, at lunch, Max slides into a seat next to me. I guess he and Xander have made some sort of pact. They’ve alternated staying by my side between classes, even though Justin isn’t at school today. And Max insisted I fill Daphne in on everything that happened at the party, so I had. Doesn’t mean I want to discuss it further, though. I’m relieved they haven’t brought it up today.
Max picks up the fancy grilled cheese sandwich that looks like it came out of some ritzy restaurant instead of a high school cafeteria, and takes a big bite. He grins around it as he eyes both me and Daphne, his hazel eyes twinkling.
“Guess what I found out?”
I raise my brows over the apple I’m eating. “What? You make me nervous when you make that goofy face.”
He winks, his voice conspiratorial and low. “My snooping paid off. You, my dear, are not actually here on an athletic scholarship.”
My eyes bug out.
Daphne had been about to take a bite of her roll when she stops with it halfway to her mouth and whispers. “Say what? So, is it academic, then? I would have thought they’d have been very explicit about that. It makes no sense.”
Max leans forward and holds a finger to his lips, shaking his head. “Nope. What I’m about to tell you is not information that the school is supposed to share.” He glances over each shoulder to make sure no one is close enough to hear him. “So, when I was poking around in Mr. Stilton’s office this morning, I found all the info on each type of scholarship and who received them this year. Your name isn’t anywhere on their official list.”
I frown. “Well, did you find anything about me at all? I mean, I’m not crazy. And obviously, I’m here. When we were contacted by the school, they said it was for an athletic scholarship. And I’m on the team, so I don’t understand.”
He smirks. “That’s what someone wants you to think.” He takes a bite of his grilled cheese and chews, winking at us because it’s obvious he knows something more.
When he doesn’t elaborate right away, Daphne kicks him under the table, and he yelps. “I know you’re pleased with yourself, but don’t mess around here, Max. What did you find?”
He sets down the sandwich and wipes his hand on a napkin. “Okay, okay, here’s the deal. You have a special scholarship. There was a folder with your name on it with a bunch of paperwork. Whoever sponsored you wanted to make sure it appeared that it was for sports and”—he jabs his pointer finger on the table—“it was done anonymously.”
Daphne and I exchange a look. “What?” we say at the same time.
“I don’t understand. So does the school know who it is?”
I swallow hard. How can this be true? And better question—who knows about it and is pushing me to figure it out? Are they doing it just to point out the fact that I didn’t actually earn a scholarship for cross-country? To poke at my ego? Hurt me? Or is there something more to this? What is wrong with the people at this academy?
Max grits his teeth. “Baby girl. People with money can hide just about anything. Everyone has a price. Now, whether the school knows who or not, I don’t know.”
I frown. “Someone has to know. Right?”
“I can keep digging, if you want. I don’t know that I’ll find anything, though. I don’t think we are meant to know.”
My face falls, torn as to whether or not to ask him to keep looking. “I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”
“You forget. My family may not be one of the OG Roses, but we still have clout. I’ll be fine. I’m not saying I’m able to get away with murder, but my parents donate substantially to the school every year. I can do a lot and be forgiven.”
“Right. Well, if you think there’s something to be found, I guess keep looking.”
“You got it. I’ll keep my eyes open, then. Maybe there’s something in the school’s financial records. I’d have to see if I can get in good with the bookkeeper.”
We’re interrupted when my phone vibrates, alerting me to a message.
Max points at the phone. “Wait a sec.” His eyes dart to mine. “That’s a new phone.”
“A nice one, too. I still can’t believe you jumped into the hot tub with all your clothes on and dunked your phone.” Daphne’s brow creases for a second before her gaze follows mine and wanders in the general direction where Xander and company sit. Surprise registers on her face. “Hold on a second. He didn’t.”
I pull my lip between my teeth. “Um, he did.” I hold my hand up, suddenly embarrassed. “He insisted I take it. Wouldn’t let me give it back. I tried.”
Daphne straightens in her chair and sets down her bottle of water. “I’m sorry, but can we discuss this for a second? This feels like a lot more than Xander rescued you from rapey Justin. It seems like you two are really into each other. Like, all of a sudden you are on the same page. Finally.”
Heat rushes up over my chest and neck, flaring on my cheeks. They’re so hot, I know they must be beet red.
Daphne’s lips part slowly as she watches my reaction. Her green eyes connect with mine, and she nods. “Oh, wow. I’m right. I wasn’t sure if I was reading you correctly or not. You really like him?” She frowns, pinning her gaze on me.
I cover my face with my hands for a second before pulling them away. “Am I being completely stupid?”
Max shrugs. “Depends. Is he going to stop jerking you around? And is he going to do something about Aria?”
“I asked him to talk to her. And supposedly, he did.”
“Jesus, Scarlett. You’re in way deeper than I thought.” Worry etches his face.
Daphne grabs my hand and squeezes. I don’t miss the look she shoots Max. A warning to behave, if I had to guess. “We’re just concerned, knowing how he’s been treating you up until just recently. Was that text from him?”
I glance down at the glossy new screen, swiping to open.
Unknown Number: Maybe you could sit with me at lunch sometime?
“It’s an unknown number.” And more quietly, I murmur, “Whoever it is wants to have lunch with me.”
Max’s brows lift. “Well, at least this time we know it’s him and not someone pretending to be him.” He juts his chin toward their table. “He’s waiting for you to respond.”
Daphne looks freaked out. “He wants to go public w
ith it? That’ll flip Aria out for sure.”
Me: Not sure. Who is this?
I glance up from the phone at a shout of laughter from the table full of football players and cheerleaders. Sure enough, Xander’s eyes are locked on me. A slow smile spreads across his face, his dimple popping, phone in hand. I drop my gaze again and type out another message.
Me: Sorry. I get messages from lots of Unknown Numbers lately.
I flip into my contacts and add Xander’s number. Daphne nudges me. “Holy shit. Aria totally just tried to sit on Xander’s leg, and he made her sit two chairs down from him instead. She’s not happy about it.”
My eyes meet Daphne’s, then over to the other table to see if it’s true. It is. And Aria’s shrewd eyes flick between Xander and me.
Max clears his throat. “Man, I hope she’s not about to flip her bitch switch.”
“It’s not already flipped?”
“You’d think, right? But no. I hope things aren’t about to go from bad to worse where she’s concerned.”
Sucking in air through my teeth, I glance back down as another message comes in.
Xander: Yeah, that kind of sucks. How’s the phone working for you?
Me: It’s great. Thank you again.
Xander: Good. Meet me out in the garden for a few minutes?
My gaze fixes on his across the room, and he presses his lips together as he tilts his head in question.
“I need some fresh air.”
Daphne’s brow furrows. “You didn’t eat anything. Want my banana?”
I push my chair back and stand. “Yuck, no thanks. I kind of hate bananas. And I’m not really hungry right now.”
“Not for food, anyway.” Max chuckles as his gaze roams over to Xander, who has also just stood up. “Don’t worry about your tray. I’ll eat some of it.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, lifting my backpack and walking away.
Chapter 34
There are far fewer students out in the garden behind the cafeteria, and it’s much less noisy. I haven’t taken any time to explore this area of the grounds yet. Hooking my thumbs through my backpack straps, I wander around on a path through the flowers and behind a hedge until I find a bench under a tree.
Straddling it, I slip my backpack off and set it on the ground. It’s not more than thirty seconds before Xander comes into view and joins me. He doesn’t say anything immediately but throws his muscular leg over the bench so he faces me and drops his bag next to mine.
He reaches forward with one of those big hands—the same one that can pluck a football out of midair—and grips my bare thigh just above the knee, making me shudder. “I wanted a few minutes alone with you.”
I take a deep breath. “Xander, what are we doing?”
“Just getting to know each other.” His hand slides a little farther up my leg.
My eyes follow, then flare when he squeezes. When I’d sat down straddling the bench like this, I’d made sure to arrange my skirt so I was completely covered, but now I’m not so sure this position was my best idea.
“I really wanted you to sit with me in the lunchroom, but Aria would have thrown a fit. She’s still—” He shakes his head, and I wonder what he was about to say. I’m distracted from it, though, when a second hand roams up my other leg, then both slide under my skirt. “Maybe some other time. She’s not ready.”
My brows raise at his admission, and I finally tear my eyes from his hands, which have all but disappeared. My pulse skyrockets at his touch. “I’m not worth her wrath, huh?”
He shakes his head once. “That’s not what I meant. This is just going to be harder than I thought. Especially here at school. I told you—she feels threatened.”
I gasp as his fingertips tease the hem of my little yoga shorts under my skirt. “I don’t know what to say about that.” I sink my teeth into my lip and slowly hiss as his knuckles lightly caress the juncture of my legs. A low-level hum of need rolls through me from head to toe.
“You like when I play with your sweet little pussy, Red?”
A strangled sound is all I can manage in response as my pelvis tilts to give him better access.
He looks down at where his hands have disappeared under my skirt, and the hunger in his eyes is unmistakable. “I like your little shorts. I’d like it better if they were off, though.” A deep growl rumbles at the back of his throat, and it sends shivers through me. I begin to squirm against his fingers as they tease my clit through the fabric.
I’m so lost in sensation I’d almost forgotten we are in a public place on academy grounds until a girl laughing nearby catches my attention and makes me go still. I start to pull away, but Xander’s grip on my leg prevents it.
“Xander, someone is going to see us.” My voice comes out breathy, and fuck if I’m not completely turned on by this whole scenario.
“And if they do?” He smirks a little and keeps right on playing with my clit through the thin shorts.
Who am I kidding? I have no answer for him and don’t want him to stop. Pleasure coils in my lower abdomen, my body responding to his touch effortlessly.
“I can feel how wet you are right through your shorts.”
My already flushed cheeks feel extra hot at his words, and my nipples tighten. I can feel the wetness of my arousal as he continues to drag his fingers up and down. Oh my God, this is crazy. I’m completely dressed, but with his dark, hungry eyes watching me come undone, I feel utterly exposed. And I can’t stop. I grasp the bench behind me for support and begin to rub myself against his fingers, seeking release. I can feel it. I’m right on the brink.
With a grunt of approval, he murmurs, “Are you going to come for me, Red? Right here, where someone might walk around the corner at any second?”
My blood catches fire, my orgasm ripping through me, sizzling in my veins and making me buck on the bench, completely out of my own control. “Oh, God!” My head drops back for a few seconds as I ride it out.
When the pulsing finally stops, I sit up some, looking around quickly. Xander’s fingers brush over me once more before he pulls his hands out from under my skirt. He grins. “That was so fucking sexy to watch. I thought for sure you were going to make me stop there for a second.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him. “You must not know me as well as you think you do. What was it you said? Oh, yeah. We’re ‘just getting to know each other.’”
“Maybe you’re not who I thought you were. I might like you even more now. Does that scare you?”
“Should it?” The challenge is in my eyes, and I can tell from his expression that he reads it as just that.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me.” His head drops, and he looks down for a second, his lashes grazing the tops of his cheeks. When he lifts his gaze back to mine, he narrows his eyes on me, tilting his head. “Now, Aria, she’s a wild card sometimes. I think it would be best if we tried not to antagonize her until she gets used to the idea of us.”
Us. How is this even happening? My heart rate picks up, and my palms start to sweat. I want to believe every word he’s saying, but how do I do that when my head is screaming for me to be careful. I wet my lips, trying to understand. “Why’s she so important to you?”
“I could tell you what everyone else probably would …”
“And what’s that?” I already know what Max and Daphne have told me, and I’m sure he’s aware they would have been throwing up all the warning signs for me.
He shrugs as if it’s nothing, but I can tell it’s not. There’s definitely something here he doesn’t want to tell me. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I told you, our parents saw us getting married someday.” He clears his throat. “There’s more to it, though. Without breaking her trust, I’ll just say I’m like her security blanket, and she thinks you’re going to pull me away from her.” A touch of anguish slides over his face, and I frown at the pain radiating off of him. Yep, definitely something here.
I take a deep breath. “Sounds personal. It’s oka
y. I appreciate the fact that you wouldn’t just blab her secrets everywhere.”
“There will be times when she’ll call and I’ll have to go. I can’t tell you any more than that.” He looks at me from under his lashes.
“Okay. Understood.”
A teeny, tiny part of me feels for whatever Aria is going through. I still think she owes me an apology, no matter what. I guess there might be something to that whole hurt people hurt people idea, though.
Just as I’m about to ask him about what he meant by “the idea of us,” the bell rings, summoning us back to class. Because I need to know … he thinks there’s an “us”? My brain feels heavy with confusion.
I’m torn, one part of me wondering if Xander is showing me his true self now, no more secrets between us. The other part of me is just hanging out on a cloud of lust, wanting him, not even caring what his motives are as long as he’ll touch me again.
He leans forward, dropping a kiss to my lips. It’s so sweet it makes my heart sigh.
How’d we get here? And is it real?
Those same questions are exactly what my aunt and uncle want to know the answers to as we sit down to dinner.
Aunt Liz goes right for the jugular the second my butt hits the seat for dinner. “So, let me get this straight. I know you told us that your phone took a dip in a hot tub by accident at that party the other night, but Xander replaced it for you?”
My gaze flicks back and forth between my aunt and uncle. “Um, yeah.” I go back to spearing green beans and shove a forkful into my mouth.
Uncle David snorts. “Well, it’s not like he can’t afford it.”
Aunt Liz shoots him a look. “That’s not the point, babe.”
I swallow my food, twisting my lips for a second, trying to figure out how to make this okay for them. “He felt badly for me because of how it happened, okay?”
