Graduating (Covenant College Book 5)

by Amanda M. Lee

  Kelsey sighed. “Fine.”

  Navigating through the thick crowd took longer than I anticipated, but when we finally made our way to the tent I pulled up short.

  “What’s wrong?” Kelsey asked, immediately sensing the shift in my attitude. “Is there a monster here?”

  “It depends on your definition of a monster,” I said, my tone grim. “Look who is over there.”

  Kelsey glanced in the direction I was staring. “That’s the governor,” she said excitedly. “You found him.”

  Now I was the one who wanted to murder her. “Not him. Look behind him.”

  Kelsey turned back. “Oh, man. Seriously? What is Will doing here?”

  There he was. My high school boyfriend, and one of the current banes of my existence. The last time I’d seen him he’d been trying to serve his Alpha Chi brothers up as fodder to Professor Blake in exchange for being granted control of the fraternity. When I’d pretended to be in control of Rafael – and ordered him to kill Will – he’d fled. I hadn’t seen him since.

  “He’s dressed up,” Kelsey said after a second. “He’s wearing a suit, and he has one of those badge things around his neck. He’s with the governor’s campaign.”

  I looked Will over again, seeing what I had initially missed but Kelsey’s eagle eyes had caught. “Well, that’s just … I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Did he graduate?” Kelsey asked. “I thought he still had another year to go.”

  “Yeah, he was on the six-year plan,” I said. “He didn’t graduate. This has to be something else.”

  “Oh, hey!” Another voice interrupted our discussion. I cringed when I recognized it.

  “Hey, Brittany,” I said, keeping my tone level. She’d been my roommate freshman year, my annoyance sophomore year, and pretty much out of my life junior year. I hadn’t seen her since the previous fall.

  “What are you guys doing here?”

  “I’m registering to vote,” Kelsey said, being careful to keep her face unreadable. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m helping out with the campaign,” she said. “Will is an intern for Governor Reagan. Isn’t that great?”

  “Why?”

  Brittany turned to me, clearly startled by the question. “I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

  “Why is he an intern? I mean, what’s in it for him?” I pressed.

  “Does something have to be in it for him?” Brittany asked. “He’s a political-science major. This is a great thing for him.”

  “Since when is he a political-science major? I thought he was a business major?”

  “He changed his mind.”

  I rolled my eyes. “So, what, is he on the seven-year plan now?”

  “He graduates in the spring,” Brittany said, pulling her frame up so she was ramrod straight. “He’s got a big future in front of him.”

  “I bet.”

  “He’s the new secretary of Alpha Chi,” Brittany said. “He’s going places.”

  “And what does the secretary do?”

  “He does … I don’t know … stuff. It’s a very important job.”

  “Does he wear a skirt and fax things?” I sneered.

  Brittany frowned. “What is your problem? I know you’re still hung up on Will, but you’re taking this to an unbelievable level. You guys have been broken up for three years. I think you just need to get over it. He and I are much better together than you and he ever were.”

  Well, I couldn’t argue with that. I was going to, though. “I am not hung up on Will,” I said. “In fact, if he were to disappear from this campus never to be seen again, I’d throw a party.”

  “That is a horrible thing to say,” Brittany said.

  “It’s only horrible because it’s the truth,” I countered.

  “You are just so … bitter,” Brittany said. “Your life hasn’t turned out the way you thought it would, so you’re torturing the rest of us because you’re unhappy.”

  “She was unhappy last year,” Kelsey said. “She’s happy this year. I can vouch for that. I think you just bring out the worst in her.”

  “I think you bring out the worst in everyone,” I said.

  “You’re just jealous,” Brittany sniffed. “My boyfriend is going places, and you’re all alone and bitter.”

  I opened my mouth, a mean retort on the tip of my tongue, but Kelsey stilled me with a hand on my arm. “The governor is heading this way.”

  Oh, well, great. He has impeccable timing.

  Kennedy Reagan looked exactly how you would picture a politician to look. His hair is slate gray, and it’s brushed in a perfect “flip” over his forehead. His suit is straight off the pages of an expensive catalog, and his smile is ready and friendly. The expression doesn’t quite meet his eyes, though.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” he greeted us. “How are you all doing today?”

  “This is a wonderful event,” Brittany gushed. “I can’t thank you enough for letting me help.”

  Reagan looked puzzled. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  I had to choke back my laugh as the color crept up Brittany’s face. “I’m a volunteer. My boyfriend, Will, is one of your interns.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” Reagan said. “I remember you.” His tone told me exactly the opposite. “And, who are your friends?”

  “This is Kelsey and Zoe,” Brittany said. “They’re not really my friends.”

  Reagan scanned our faces, ultimately fixing his attention on me. “You’re not friends?”

  I saw no sense in lying. “I hate her.”

  Kelsey pinched my hip. “Be nice,” she hissed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just really hate her.”

  Reagan’s smile looked almost genuine this time. “Well, you’re young. You’ll realize hate is a strong word.”

  “I can use stronger ones,” I said.

  “But, she won’t,” Kelsey interrupted smoothly. “I’m a big fan of yours, sir. You’ve done great things for the state.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Reagan said. “Are you going to register to vote?”

  “That’s what we were doing when we got … distracted.”

  “Well, I don’t want to stand in your way,” Reagan said. “Why don’t you register and then come and find me for your photos?”

  “I’m not registering,” I said. “She’s the one registering.”

  Reagan raised an eyebrow, surprised by my candor. “And why don’t you want to register?”

  “Politics isn’t my thing,” I said.

  “You’re just disinterested?”

  “More like apathetic,” I said, forcing a bright smile on my face, like apathy was a good thing.

  “Then, why are you here?”

  “That’s what I was wondering,” Brittany grumbled.

  “Kelsey made me,” I said. “Trust me, she won’t be making that mistake again.”

  Reagan rubbed his hand over his chin thoughtfully. “You look really familiar to me. Do we know each other?”

  “I don’t think we run in the same circles,” I said. “Unless, were you the one doing the keg stand at our party last week?”

  Brittany looked scandalized.

  “No, I know you from somewhere,” Reagan said, ignoring my joke. “I just can’t place it.”

  I felt a familiar presence move in behind me and I stiffened. Crap.

  “She’s with me.”

  Uh-oh.

  Eight

  “Aric Winters. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  Aric’s left hand was settled at the base of my neck, holding me still. He reached around me with his right and shook the governor’s hand. “Kennedy, it’s good to see you.”

  Brittany’s nose wrinkled when she heard the familiarity in which the two greeted each other. They may not be friends, but they’d known each other long enough to be on a first-name basis with each other. I could tell that irked her.

  “How are you, son? I didn’t k
now you were still here. I thought you’d graduated. I sent you a card.”

  “I got it,” Aric said, keeping his hand on my neck. “I’m actually still living in the area while I work for my father.”

  “At his senatorial office?” Gov. Reagan looked confused. “I think you’re an hour or so north for that.”

  “No,” Aric said. “I’m working at the lumber business.”

  “You’re not interested in politics? Forgive me, son, but a boy with your looks and charisma could go far in the political arena.”

  “I’m just not interested,” Aric said. “It’s not my thing. I’ve never been interested.”

  “I didn’t even know the lumber business had an office around here,” Reagan said, his eyes traveling to the hand Aric was using to secure me in place.

  “It’s in Midland,” Aric said. “I drive over there every day. It’s only a half hour. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Did you want to stay close to the campus for … the fraternity?”

  “I’m not involved with the frat,” Aric said. “I have no interest in those politics either.”

  Something was going on here. Reagan was aware of the big wolf secret. I was sure of that. He and Aric were talking in thinly veiled code.

  “I see,” Reagan said, glancing at me. “And you’re friends with Ms. … I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

  “It’s Zoe Lake,” Brittany supplied, fixing Aric with a hard look. “Are you two back together? I thought you broke up.”

  Aric ignored her. “Zoe is my girlfriend,” Aric said. “She graduates in the spring. Dad agreed to let me work out of the office here so I could be close to her.”

  Reagan guffawed. “Your father let you base your future decisions on a girl?”

  I didn’t like his tone.

  “My father doesn’t make my decisions for me,” Aric countered. “I told him what I was planning on doing, and he suggested that the Midland office would be a good fit. It’s worked out well so far.”

  Reagan looked me up and down again; this time his eyes were predatory. I took an involuntary step back, smacking into Aric’s broad chest. He moved his hand from my neck and slipped it around my waist, shifting from warden to boyfriend in a split second.

  “Well, you must be something very special to entice young Mr. Winters,” Reagan said.

  “She is,” Aric said, his tone cool. “I was actually just stopping by because I was looking for her. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. It looks like you have a line of people waiting for you. I got off work early and wanted to treat my girl to a nice dinner, and that’s where we should be going now before it gets too late.”

  Brittany’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe you two are together. Aric, you could do so much better.”

  I noticed Will watching us from a few feet away. His eyes were suspicious, but he wisely chose to keep his distance.

  “Well, believe it,” Aric said. “I can’t believe you’re still pretending you’re in a relationship with that lowlife.”

  I’m usually the blunt one, so Aric calling Will out in front of the governor was a surprise.

  “We’re in love,” Brittany said, straightening her cardigan. “Will is going places.”

  “Oh, he’s going places,” Aric agreed. “You might not want to go to those places with him, though. Just a suggestion.”

  Brittany frowned. I doubted Will had filled her in on what had happened in the spring, so she was working from a disadvantage. That had never stopped her from voicing her opinion before. This probably wasn’t going to be the exception. “You’re just jealous,” she said. “You wish you could be half the man Will is.”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking,” Aric deadpanned, turning his attention back to Reagan. “I hope your day goes well. I’ll be sure to tell my father I ran into you.”

  Reagan smiled. This time, I was sure it was fake. “I’m sure you will. Tell him I said hello.”

  “No problem.”

  Aric kept his arm around my waist as he started to direct me away from the tent. When Kelsey made a move to walk over to the registration table, he reached over and snagged her by the back of her shirt. “Why don’t you come with us?”

  “I was going to register to vote,” she complained.

  “You can do that at the Secretary of State,” Aric said. “Why don’t you do it then?”

  “Why?”

  Aric scowled. “Just … come on.”

  Kelsey and I followed Aric as he led us away from the busy lawn and in the direction of the UC. Once he was satisfied we were alone and out of earshot from any eavesdroppers, he turned on us.

  “What are you two doing here?”

  “What are you doing here?” I countered. “Why aren’t you at work?”

  “I got off early,” Aric said. “I only have to work half days on Fridays. That’s why we agreed to naked Fridays this summer when you told me your schedule.”

  “I thought that was a joke.”

  “It’s not,” Aric said, his face serious.

  “What’s the deal with you and Reagan?” Kelsey asked. “Is it because your father is a Democrat and he’s a Republican?”

  “My father is an independent,” Aric replied. “He just caucuses with the Democrats. And, no, that’s not why I don’t like him.”

  “He’s a wolf, isn’t he?”

  Aric glanced around again. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “I didn’t know at first,” I said. “There was just something … odd … about him. I think Will being his intern was also a clue.”

  Aric ran his hand over the back of his neck, shifting his attention to the tent again before focusing back on us. “Yeah, that’s weird.”

  “How do you think it happened?”

  “Well, Reagan isn’t just running for governor,” Aric said. “He’s also running for a leadership position on the council.”

  “What council?” Kelsey was confused.

  “The wolf council,” I said. “They’ve got a separate form of government.”

  “There’s a wolf council?” Kelsey looked intrigued. “Does everyone shift and howl at the moon?”

  Aric ran his tongue over his teeth, irritation bubbling up. “Are you trying to be cute?”

  “I don’t know,” Kelsey said. “Is it working?”

  “No.”

  I reached over, putting my hand on Aric’s arm to calm him. “What has you so worked up?”

  “Reagan has been smearing my father every chance he gets,” Aric said. “He’s doing it on the state level, and in more private circles, too.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my father is the one standing in his way on the council,” Aric replied. “And, since he caucuses with the Democrats, he’s given them the majority in the state senate. From where Reagan is standing, my dad is an obstacle.”

  “Why is your father so opposed to him being on the council?” I asked.

  “Well, he’s got this whole ‘new direction’ thing he’s proposing,” Aric said. “He wants to make sure all of the wolf lines are pure, so he wants to institute plural marriage.”

  Eww, gross. “Like he wants you guys to be Mormons?”

  Aric barked out a laugh, running his hand over the back of my head. “Essentially, yes. He wants male wolves to have multiple wives, and he only wants them to take wolf wives.”

  “That is sick,” Kelsey said, glaring at Reagan with overt distaste. “And to think, I thought he was the family-values candidate.”

  I narrowed my eyes as I regarded Aric. “You don’t want multiple … women, do you?”

  “Trust me, honey, you’re more than I can handle,” he said. “In fact, there are times I think half of you is enough to kill me. Reagan’s ideas are antiquated, and there is only a small faction of our group who believes as he does.”

  “So, why is he running on that platform?”

  “He’s playing to a really small base,” Aric replied. “No one knows what his ultim
ate goals are.”

  “Why did you play nice with him in public if he’s talking bad about your dad?” I pressed.

  “That’s just what you do in politics,” Aric said. “I think my dad is going to be interested in hearing that he was here – and that he was trying to recruit voters.”

  “I think it’s more interesting that Will is an intern for him,” I said. “That can’t be a coincidence.”

  “I wonder if Brittany knows that Will is backing the candidate who wants multiple wives,” Kelsey mused.

  Hmm. Now that she brought it up, I couldn’t wait to hit Brittany with that next time I saw her. Aric must have read my mind, because he was almost immediately shaking his head. “You can’t talk to her about wolf politics.”

  “I know.”

  “I mean it.”

  “I know.”

  Aric sighed, pulling me in for a quick hug. “I about had a heart attack when I saw you standing there with him. I don’t trust him.”

  “How did you even find us?” I asked, tilting my head up so I could see his face.

  “I went to the house,” Aric said. “Paris told me.”

  “I should have listened to her when she suggested staying home and playing euchre,” I said. “It would have been a better afternoon.”

  “I don’t know,” Kelsey said. “You did get the whole security detail worked up when you told them the Democrats were planning a jihad.”

  Aric cocked an eyebrow, glancing down at me. “You didn’t?”

  I shrugged. “I was bored.”

  Aric rubbed his hand over my back, glancing between Kelsey and me. “How about we go back to the house and pick up Paris, and I take you all out to dinner?”

  “Really?” Kelsey looked intrigued.

  “How about we go to the Mexican place and have dinner and drinks? Then we can go back to your place and have … dessert.”

  I smirked. “You’re such a smooth talker.”

  Aric dropped a brief kiss on my lips. “We’re totally instituting naked Fridays starting next week,” he said. “I wasn’t joking about that.”

  “Deal.”

  I glanced over at Kelsey. “Are you ready to go?”

  She lifted her finger, pointing. “Look who else has been sucked in by the governor.”

  I peered around Aric’s broad body, frowning when I caught sight of Kate. She was standing next to Brittany, and fawning all over Reagan.