Reed catches me at my locker before class, his heated gaze searching my face. “What was that all about at practice? Jordan say something to you?” He’s all worked up, ready to defend me.
I give his biceps a weak pat of assurance. “No, it was all me,” I admit. “I snapped at her, and she kicked me off the team.”
Reed sighs. “Aw, baby. I’m sorry.”
“Whatever,” I lie again. “It’s no biggie. It was just supposed to be a one-time thing anyway.”
I grab my books and slam the locker shut.
“All right then.” He slides a hand under my hair until his fingers curl around my neck. “See you at lunch?”
“Yup. I’ll save you a seat. Or we can share one—I’ll just sit on your lap.”
Reed’s response is to bend down and kiss me so thoroughly that I forget my spat with Jordan, that we’re not supposed to have any physical contact at school, and my worries about the future. I might even forget my name for a few seconds.
When he finally lifts his mouth from mine, I’m glassy-eyed and shaken. Then I realize that the bells ringing in my head are the school alerts. Classes are about to start.
“You look gorgeous right now.” He leans forward and whispers in my ear. “I hear conjugal visits are real hot.”
Immediately, my gooey mood hardens to displeasure. “Don’t say stuff like that.”
His expression goes serious. “I’m sorry, but—”
“You should be.”
“—if I can’t joke about it, then I’m probably gonna cry about it, and that’s not an option.”
He looks so miserable that I feel bad for snapping at him. God, I’m just losing my cool all over the place this morning.
But I just…I refuse to accept that Reed is going to prison. I can’t let that happen.
I can’t.
* * *
Since I no longer have dance practice after school, I’m free to pursue what I call Operation Justice. I bring Val along, not just because I need the backup, but because I’m hoping if we’re trapped in a car together, she’ll finally tell me what’s going on with her and Wade. I know they met up to talk, but she hasn’t given me any details about it.
“So how was the talk with Wade?” I demand as I drive out of the school lot.
“Fascinating.”
Her tone is off. I tilt my head and study her. “I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic.”
“I am. And I’m not.” She sighs. “He said all the right things, but I don’t know if…”
“If you believe him?” I finish.
“Yeah. Or if I’m willing to even go there with him. Like, to the relationship zone.”
“Is it because you’re not over Tam yet?”
“No, I think I’m over Tam. I’m just not sure I’m ready to be…under Wade.”
We both snort.
“Do you want me to stop asking about it? Because I’ll shut up. But if you want to talk, I’m here.” Thinking about Val’s problems is kind of a relief from my own.
“No, I don’t want you to stop asking about it. I just don’t think Wade and I are in the right headspace for each other. He’s fun and all, but he’s all about fun. I can’t get anywhere with him.” She gives me a slight smile, this time actually looking at me so I can see her bemused expression.
“I think Wade has hidden depths but maybe is afraid to show them?” I suggest.
“Maybe.” She sounds dubious.
“Are you going to Winter Formal with him? Reed said he asked you.”
She grimaces. “No. I’m staying home. I hate Winter Formal.”
“Is it that bad? Everyone at Astor acts like it’s the best thing ever.”
“This is the South. Any time you can get dressed up and parade around, it’s going to be celebrated.”
“But not by you?”
“Nope. I hate that stuff. Is Steve letting you go with Reed?”
“Um, I doubt it. I haven’t talked to him about it, but I don’t think he’ll be on board with it at all. Besides, I don’t even have a dress. You never told me I’d need one for this.”
We share a grin. When we first met, Val told me I needed dresses for every event from weddings to funerals, but not a dress for a school dance. “You’ll need to get on that,” she says.
“Mmm,” is all the enthusiasm I can muster up. Dancing, dresses, and parties hold no interest for me right now, not until I find evidence to get Reed out of this mess. I am not going to let an innocent guy go to prison. The rest of the Royals might be down for that, but not me.
Ten minutes later, I pull up at the curb in front of a low-rise building in the city. I kill the engine and glance at Val. “Ready?”