Reason and Romance (River Valley Book 1) Read online

  She put ice in her voice. “Like I said, one more word about him, and our conversation’s done. Do you want something, or should I buy some bug spray?”

  Quentin’s mouth curved wryly. “Hey, you want him as your friend, be my guest. Bring him over to our table. Good enough?”

  She hesitated, then nodded. Sitting with Alex and his friends was the last thing she wanted, but it would put some of the gossip to rest. Even if Mandy wanted to have it out right there, it would be better than this awful limbo.

  Mt. Olympus was an elite gathering of athletes and cheerleaders, the kind of people who were talked about, but most of them presented Adrian with cautious, watchful expressions when she approached with Quentin and Travis. The only one who smiled was Justin, and once again she knew she’d found an ally in him.

  “Hey Adrian,” Justin said, pushing away from the table. “Grant, come on, make some room for them. Travis, you can sit here with me.”

  Grant Darlington moved down the bench. He didn’t say a word, but when his ice blue eyes flickered up to her face, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge. You should be more careful, Adrian, he’d said at the party. When he shifted his gaze from her to Alex deliberately, she knew he’d guessed the truth. And she knew he didn’t give a damn one way or another.

  Mandy Fitzpatrick did give a damn, however. “Why is she here?” she spat, nearly rising from her seat. “And what’s he doing here?” From the sheer venom in her voice, it was hard to tell who she hated more: Adrian or Travis.

  Travis grinned. “Don’t worry. I only have milk today.”

  She shrieked. “Alex!”

  Alex lifted his gaze from his lunch tray. He’d given no sign he’d noticed Adrian and Travis sitting down, a minor feat since it would have been hard to miss them, but now his green eyes focused on Mandy like a laser.

  “Yes, baby?” he said.

  His voice was so deceptively mild that Adrian stiffened. She might not have known Alex for long, but something wasn’t right here.

  Mandy plowed ahead. “I can’t believe you’re letting them sit with us. Don’t you remember what Travis did to me? He threw beer at me!” She was going strong, breathing fire. Now people at the other tables were openly eavesdropping. “And her!” She pointed at Adrian. “How can you even let her sit here? Everyone thinks that you guys—”

  “Are you saying you believe the rumors are true?” Alex said.

  Dead silence.

  Only Adrian’s rigid control kept her from flinching. Of course, he had heard the rumors, but for him to acknowledge their existence … oh yes, it would be so utterly like Alex to come out fighting. Did that mean he was going to tell the whole world that he’d slept with her? Was this how he would pay her back for brushing him off by annihilating what was left of her reputation?

  Her hands curled under the table. Was it too late to get up from her seat and flee for the hills? Even as she thought of it, something inside her rebelled. If Alex wanted to destroy her here, let him! She would just have to think of a way to get him back.

  Quentin’s mouth tipped into a definite smirk. He was watching Alex—and her—with the air of someone who didn’t want to miss anything. A line creased between Justin’s eyebrows, and because Adrian couldn’t bear to look at him anymore, she shifted her gaze. And that was when she spotted her sister down the table. Nicky’s mouth was in a tiny O.

  Adrian’s nails cut into her palms. She’d barely given Nicky a thought since this morning, but her sister would have heard all the rumors. Would Nicky tell their father?

  Mandy stilled. “Um. You wouldn’t … well, you wouldn’t do anything like that.”

  Alex raised his eyebrows. “You don’t sound so sure.”

  “Well … I’ve been with you …”

  “I’m done.”

  Alex said it so blandly that at first Adrian didn’t realize what he’d said, but when Nicky clapped a hand over her mouth, Adrian’s eyes widened just a fraction. All around them were the other kids murmuring and shifting in their seats.

  Mandy’s mouth worked. “I don’t understand … what do you mean?”

  His face was as striking as ever, but oh-so cold. “We’re done.”

  Her lips curved into a trembling smile. “You don’t really mean that.”

  “Get out.”

  The girl sat there as if she’d turned into stone. And for once Adrian could sympathize because she had turned into stone too. She’d known Alex could be a jerk, but this was entirely something else.

  Mandy still didn’t seem to understand. “Why would you do this to me? Things between us are good, aren’t they?”

  Grant was the one who answered because Alex had turned back to his food. “He’s done hooking up with you,” he said. His impersonal words held no heat. It made Adrian wonder just how many times Grant had delivered the same news in the past. “You should leave.”

  Now the tears came. “Alex,” Mandy said in a broken voice. “I thought …”

  There was another silence yet more awful as everyone watched her flee.

  “That wasn’t cool,” Travis said at last. He’d been quiet the whole time, but now he met Alex’s gaze square-on. “Not cool at all. She was mean, but she didn’t deserve that. Fuck you, Montgomery.”

  “You threw a beer at her. How is this any different?” Alex said.

  “Should have thrown it at you instead.”

  Travis picked up his milk carton, and Adrian placed a restraining hand on his arm. Alex was clearly in an ugly mood, and she didn’t want Travis squashed like a bug.

  “Are you done being an asshole?” she said.

  Alex’s eyes met hers. He had gorgeous eyes, she’d give him that. They were a true green, but now they were veiled, so she couldn’t read him.

  “Why, are you afraid of me? We’re practically family, aren’t we?”

  She checked her sharp retort. If he wanted to fight that badly, she wasn’t about to oblige him. “Sure.” Her appetite had vanished, but she deliberately reached over and took a piece of beef jerky from his lunch tray. “Thanks.”

  His mouth twitched. “You’re such a heartless carnivore, Adrian.”

  She smiled sweetly. “Likewise.”

  The conversation picked up some of its former life, but it was the most miserable lunch she’d ever had. Most of the kids were poking at their food, moving it around on their trays, but Adrian ate every single bit of her food. So what if his ego had taken a beating? Hell, as far as she was concerned, it could only be a good thing.

  He would just have to get over it.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Adrian had it down to an art now. She just had to walk with her head high and her back straight. Pretend that she didn’t hear the constant whispers. The act was getting old, but when she emerged from her car, she saw that it’d be a little different today.

  For one thing, no one could have missed the gigantic lion-shaped balloons roaring above the building’s front entrance. Or the half-naked Tarzan figures draped over the front doors. Or the red banners unfurling across the walls.

  She pushed her sunglasses up until they perched on her head. “What on earth?”

  Curious, she wandered closer. Some kids had gathered in small groups, but instead of backing away from her as they usually did, they didn’t even notice her. They had their heads together, buzzing excitedly.

  “Who do you think will be nominated?” one of the girls wondered aloud. “We know who the king will be, but …”

  They made absolutely no sense, but when Adrian’s eyes alighted on the main banner, comprehension suddenly dawned.

  HOMECOMING WEEK

  A soft, incredulous laugh escaped her. Shaking her head, she shouldered her backpack and resumed walking. She really was out of the social scene because no one had even told her. But back at home, she would have known instantly. She’d have the date circled on her calendar. She’d go shopping for the perfect dress—

  —and I’d go with Jason.

  Her lips tighte
ned. She still had the dress she’d bought last year, a gorgeous little number, but she would never wear it again.

  “Do you think she’s going?”

  The words meant nothing to Adrian, but when she stalked through the crowd, people cleared out. When they had done it the first time, she had been suspicious, but when they persisted, she didn’t question it. Maybe they were afraid she’d contaminate them if she so much brushed against them.

  There was no understanding them. When Alex had said he was done with Mandy, they’d watched Adrian’s every move with an unnerving intensity. She couldn’t sit in the cafeteria without dozens of eyes boring holes in the back of her head. She couldn’t nod hello at Alex without having people gasp in excitement. And if she didn’t talk to him, they gasped anyway.

  Actually, come to think of it, Homecoming could work in her favor. Now that they were talking about nominations and dresses, she was old news. She didn’t fight with Mr. Melbourne as much and she didn’t go to any parties. What was there to report now?

  Cheered up by that thought, Adrian took her seat in the AP English classroom. As always, Justin gave her a little wave.

  Mr. Melbourne came around to the front of his desk. “Since Varner High still insists on the antiquated tradition of nominating and voting for our Homecoming Court representatives, we might as well do this.” He handed the stack of ballots to the first student to pass them on. “Please nominate your top five female and male candidates. We’ll do final ballots later this week.”

  She scanned the long list of senior kids’ names. There were certain prerequisites for the Court. One had to be an excellent student and be involved with extracurricular activities. In a sense, the school had already weeded out the undesirables.

  Random names jumped out at her. Abdullah al-Hassan. Philippa Atherton. Samuel Choi. Grant Darlington. Devon Kim. Justin Latimer. Sabrina Latimer. Vaughn Mackintosh. Quentin Maxwell. Alexander Montgomery.

  Travis’s name wasn’t there, but considering the fact he was in the dean’s office as often as she was, it would have been a shock if he’d ended up on the list. And … yes, she could admit privately she was a little disappointed her name wasn’t mentioned. Back at home, her chances would have been pretty good. Jason was popular enough, and she’d been his girlfriend for three years.

  Not anymore. Move on, Adrian.

  She clicked her pen and checked the box for Justin. An easy choice since he always made sure to smile at her and talk to her every day. Yes, Justin was a friend now. Even better, he was a real one, along with Travis.

  Alex, on the other hand …

  Oh, he was civil. He didn’t talk to her as much as he talked to Nicky, but when he did, he was always polite. He even smiled at her, but he never referred to their one-night stand. In short, his behavior was flawless.

  And that was the problem.

  It was hard not to stare at him and wonder how she had lost control and slept with him. She knew she’d been drunk, yes, but somehow she’d gotten it into her head that she had to have him. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she hadn’t been so drunk that she’d forgotten just how much she’d enjoyed it. Sex with him had been … well, Alex had known what he was doing.

  It had been that good, but maybe it had only been good for her and her alone. Alex was considerably more experienced, so maybe he thought she was bad in bed. And she couldn’t even hit him up for another round.

  Before she could question her judgment, she quickly checked off the box for his name.

  Once she was done, she handed her ballot in. She didn’t quite like Quentin or Grant, but they got her votes. Quentin had actually dialed down his insulting comments a notch. Grant hadn’t warmed up to her, but seeing how he treated everyone exactly the same, including Alex, there was no use in getting offended. The only person Grant treated with some warmth was Justin.

  She had explicitly not voted for any female nominee. Vaughn Mackintosh’s name was on the list, but it would be a cold day in hell before Adrian checked off her name. Quentin had told her that the blond girl had been responsible for the rumors about her and Alex, a claim Adrian hadn’t wanted to believe, but now she knew it was true because it was apparently an uncontested fact Vaughn was the school gossip queen.

  Actually, it was the damned twinkle in the blonde’s eyes that bothered Adrian the most. For whatever reason, the other girl had taken to smiling broadly whenever Adrian glanced her way.

  Well, whatever.

  If Vaughn became too much of a problem, Adrian would just have to deal with her. That was one good thing Jason had taught her. She’d mistakenly believed she had needed him, in order to be strong, but even though he’d cheated on her, she was standing on her own, wasn’t she? Slowly and painfully, but she was doing it.

  Quentin pounced on her after class. “Are you going to the dance? And don’t say no. Even the pimple-faced girls who can’t get laid are going.”

  “Oh, I’m staying home. I can do without the inferior mating ritual that passes off as Homecoming.”

  “Adrian, Adrian.” Grinning, he slid his arm around her waist. “I thought we’d cured you of your bitchiness, but I guess not. You’re my date.”

  She tried to shrug him off. “Oh, I am? How nice of you to tell me.”

  “I know,” he said without any trace of shame. “Think of it this way, darling. You get to climb the social ladder, and I get to drool over you all night. How can you resist?”

  “All too easily. Why don’t you ask someone else?” Adrian’s glance took in the busy hallway. “There are a lot of girls who would love to go with you.”

  “But you’re the only one who says no to me.” His grin widened. “And the only one who says no to Alex.”

  It took an effort to keep her bland smile in place. She’d never confirmed that she’d slept with Alex, but Quentin had already made up his mind.

  She snorted. “You don’t quit, do you?”

  “Nope. I just keep going and going. All night long, baby.”

  Shaking her head, she walked away, and this time he let her go. Had he been anyone else, she would have thought he was trying to be friendly. And maybe he really was trying, but the first week of school had scarred her deeply. There was no use in pretending it hadn’t hurt her, all those furtive glances and whispers. That hadn’t stopped, but now there was a different undertone. If she so much caught one of them looking her way, they nodded briefly or flushed.

  If not for Travis, she might have lost her mind. As it was, he was her closest companion because they cooled their heels in the dean’s office often. They ate lunch together, sometimes with his friends or with Alex’s. More often than not, Justin joined them.

  “Why is everyone so excited about Homecoming?” she vented to Travis. She waved her hand at the semi-naked Tarzan figure hanging from the school’s ceiling. It had to be, what, the seventh one she’d spied so far. “My old school didn’t take it so seriously.”

  “Dude, you’re no fun.” A few of the more enterprising girls had taken to wearing “hot jungle girl” outfits, and he all but visibly drooled over their strutting. “Are you going to the dance?”

  Adrian shot him a wry look. “You remember what happened at the last party?”

  That snapped him out of his drooling. He turned to her, frowning. “You gotta stop beating yourself up about it, Adrian.” His blue eyes were unusually serious. “You were in a bad place, back then. Anyway, that’s done and over with.”

  She tried not to gape at him. How had he known that she couldn’t stop thinking about it? And because he’d used her name, something that he didn’t usually do, she confessed. “Well, Quentin did ask me, but I said no.”

  “Maxwell? Not surprised.”

  “Oh?”

  “Oh yeah, he wants to sleep with you.”

  A laugh escaped her. “Well, yeah, I guess that’s true. Are you going?”

  “Yeah. I wanna see the shitstorm.”

  “What shitstorm?”

  “Something always hap
pens at dances. It’s like … dude, they go batshit crazy! Breakups, fights, betrayals, and tearful confessions.” Travis’s guileless gaze swung back to her. “Dude, I love our school. Anyway, if you don’t want to go with Maxwell, you can go with me. We’ll have a blast!”

  His enthusiasm was hard to resist, and she smiled at him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The dance was the main topic when she sat down at Alex’s table, temporarily bereft of Travis’s company since he’d gone off to buy his lunch.

  “We should go as a group,” Bri Latimer declared. “It’ll be more fun that way.”

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” her twin brother said. “Adrian, do you want to go? Maybe I could take you—”

  Quentin flashed a grin. “Nuh-uh. She swooned in my arms when I asked her. Find another girl.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’m not taken,” Adrian said firmly before Quentin could jump in again. Damn him and his big fat mouth. “I’m skipping this one.”

  Justin’s sister tilted her head. “Why?” she said, sounding surprised. She’d been markedly cold toward Adrian ever since Adrian had danced with Justin at that infamous party, but her attitude had gradually warmed in the last few days. “It’ll be fun.”

  “No, not really. Who’s your date?”

  “I don’t really have one yet.”

  “Tell you what, you can always have Quentin.”

  Bri smirked. “No, I think I’ll pass on that one.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Point taken.”

  “Hey!” Quentin protested. “What am I, chopped liver?”

  Adrian’s sister had been listening with poorly concealed envy because their father had decreed she was too young to date—a decision that Adrian fully supported—so that meant school dances including Homecoming were out.

  Now Nicky shrieked. “What? You’re not going? Adrian!”

  “I’m not in the mood.”

  “But it’s not fair! I want to go, but I can’t! You can go even if you don’t want to!”

  Alex looked up from his lunch tray. He’d been so quiet that Adrian had almost forgotten he was there, but now he was speaking. “All dances are the same. There’s always next year anyway. Trust me, you aren’t missing anything.”