BriarEdge Academy: December Read online

  She arched her brow as the silence continued. “What? Do I need a breath mint?”

  “Can we have this place just for us? Will you promise not to bring any of your other boyfriends down here to spend time with them?”

  She could see his hesitation as he made the request, and he probably expected her to remind him he was sharing her with everyone. That was true, but she didn’t mind having her own place with each man.

  The greenhouses and the gazebo were hers and Jonas’s, and she met Lex in the darkroom. With Kip, it was his office for Friday afternoon meetings, and now this place with Dalton. It had horrible ambience, but it offered privacy, which was far more important. “I’m totally fine with that, and I promise.”

  He looked relieved, and then he pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss. What was supposed to be a few minutes together turned into almost an hour, and though there was little conversation, she felt like she knew him even better by the end of the time they spent together before they had to get back. The main lights would soon go out in the dorms, and they needed to be back before then, since that was informally bedtime and the unofficial curfew.

  Chapter Two

  Candace

  When Candace was in French class a couple of days later, her stomach turned when Manion seemed to focus on her. It was a bit like being the center of Suzanne’s attention, though not so negative in front of the class. What was negative about it was suspecting why he was singling her out and giving her compliments on work that was no higher caliber than usual.

  Worse than the compliments were his hands, which seemed to travel everywhere. He squeezed her shoulder three or four times in the space of as many minutes as he paced back and forth near her desk. Then he put his hands on her shoulders and started massaging as he addressed a question to the class, before looking down at her and saying her name in a way that was far too intimate.

  She didn’t dare look up, afraid it would bring her face way too close to his, so she pretended to need the assistance of her book, though she knew the answer. She blurted it out a moment later, praying he would go on.

  Eventually, he went to other girls to creep on, including Isis. Candace was feeling overheated in her sweater, with it buttoned to her neck, but she wasn’t about to take it off, especially right now with Manion seeming even more interested in her than he had been before the rumors about her and Lex circulated.

  Her stomach clenched with dread when the bell rang, and Manion said, “I’d like you to stay after for a moment, merci, Candace.”

  She traded a glance with Isis, who nodded at her. She appreciated the show of solidarity, especially when Isis parked herself at the threshold and waited silently but was clearly observing everything.

  “You can go to your next class, Isis,” said Manion with irritation.

  “I’m afraid I have to wait to get notes for a different class from Candace,” said Isis with a bright smile.

  “I need to discuss something in private with her.”

  “Oh, it’s okay, Monsieur Manion. Isis is my roommate and friend, so you can say whatever you need to in front of her. She already knows I only have a B-minus in this class.”

  He was clearly pissed off, and he also looked like he was having trouble scrambling for a reason for having kept her now. After a moment, he said, “I simply wanted to tell you that you did a good job today.”

  “Thank you, monsieur.” She nodded at him and hurried to meet Isis, who stood waiting patiently. As soon as she crossed the threshold of his classroom, she breathed a sigh of relief. Isis echoed it, and they shared a look of awareness and triumph. Perhaps their plan to make sure no girl stayed alone with Manion would be enough to stymie his efforts to creep on the students.

  “Thanks, Isis.”

  Isis nodded as she headed in the direction of her friends when they reached the dining hall. Candace looked around, spotting Lex sitting with Wills. That held no appeal, so when she caught Dalton’s eye, and he gestured for her to join him, she nodded after ensuring none of his minions or Malone and her piranhas were sitting with him. He was at a different table today, and she wondered if that was so she would sit with him.

  She worked her way through the line quickly before heading toward Dalton. Lex called her name, and she waved at him, but she gestured with her head where she was heading. He looked at Dalton, and his expression seemed pained. He nodded and turned his attention to Wills. She thought about inviting him to join her and Dalton, but she didn’t think the two men were at that point of civility.

  She sat down him, keeping a respectable distance that he soon swallowed by scooting closer. She arched her brow when his hand crept onto her thigh. “If you keep sitting so close, people will gossip. I just finally got them to stop talking about me and Lex.”

  Dalton frowned. “Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”

  Her mouth dropped open at the idea. “Of course not. I just don’t want more rumors circulating. It’s different for you guys. People love it when boys score, and they congratulate you… Though maybe not in these circumstances.”

  He paused in the middle of scooping up a spoonful of peas. “What circumstances?”

  She leaned a little closer to lower her voice. “You’re my stepbrother, and people are going to find that strange.”

  He rolled his eyes. “We’ve known each other less than a year, and we certainly weren’t raised together. Who cares?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t, obviously, but I know how people can be. After Malone’s rumor about me and Lex in the locker room circulated—”

  He frowned suddenly, interrupting her. “I first thought that was something Malone made up, but then I found out it was true. How far did you and Lex…?”

  She rolled her eyes. “A kiss. After a breakup, we were hardly likely to reunite with more than that.”

  “And you haven’t with Jonas or…” He trailed off, leaving her to fill in the blank.

  Was he asking about previous boyfriends, or did he know about Kip? “I haven’t ever,” she said. She wanted to tell him everything, but she needed a little more time to be sure he was invested in the relationship before she risked Kip’s position by telling Dalton, who might use it against her if they fell apart, and he was angry. She wanted to think he wouldn’t, but she didn’t know him well enough yet to be certain.

  He grinned. “I figured that, but I’m glad to know you haven’t.”

  She narrowed her eyes, unable to let that slide. “So, I guess you haven’t either, since you’re clearly so happy about my virginity? You must value it for yourself too, right?”

  He lost the smile, looking hunted. “Um…no.”

  “Is that no, you haven’t, or no, you have?”

  “I have.” His neck turned red.

  She wanted to ask with whom, but she didn’t. It made her uncomfortable to discuss how far she’d gone with each of her boyfriends, because it was such an intimate experience with each one.

  On the other hand, she could understand his curiosity, and Dalton was probably quietly driving himself crazy wanting to know just how far she’d gone with Jonas and Lex, because that was his personality. Asking opened the chance of questions she didn’t want to answer.

  He didn’t press for more information, to her relief, though he didn’t offer any details about his experience either. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about that either, and he definitely didn’t like thinking about her with Jonas or Lex. She was still amazed he had decided he could share her affection.

  She was still holding back with him, the fear that he wouldn’t be able to share, or that he wouldn’t be able to change from the bullying Dalton, making her cautious.

  “I like your earrings,” said Dalton unexpectedly.

  She touched her ear reflexively, rubbing her thumb over the shining ruby. “Thanks. They were a gift for my birthday.”

  His eyes widened. “When is your birthday?”

  “A few days from now. I’ll be eighteen.” She mentioned that part
almost casually, because she doubted Dalton cared if she was eighteen before they had sex. He was only a few months older than her and wouldn’t have the same fear as Jonas.

  “Interesting. Who gave you the earrings?” There was definitely a note of suspicion in his tone, though he seemed unaware of it.

  “Jonas,” she said in a calm voice, bracing herself for a jealous outburst.

  His jaw clenched for a moment, but then he breathed deeply. “Very nice. They’re not too gaudy or anything. I guess he has good taste.”

  She giggled. “I’d like to think so, since he likes me.”

  Dalton bent his head so he could whisper, “He has very good taste then. I know what your skin tastes like.”

  She blushed, but she was saved from having to come up with a witty reply that danced the line between flirty and appropriate by the arrival of Malone and the piranhas. They surrounded the table like they had scented blood in the water, and she was their prey.

  Malone looked at her brother, scowling. “What are you doing sitting with her?”

  “I’m trying to maintain the peace, sis.” Dalton gave that little fib without even a blink or any indication it wasn’t the full truth.

  “Why bother? Dad will tire of her mother spending all our money, or her mother will leave him for a younger guy soon enough. She’s never going to really be part of our family.” Malone sneered in her direction, but she didn’t quite meet Candace’s gaze.

  Dalton glared at his sister. “Didn’t you lose your allowance for next term?”

  Malone flushed, glaring at Candace. “It was worth it to speak my mind.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, okay. Why don’t you make things easier on yourself and accept the new reality, Malone? I’m not saying he’d do it but imagine if Dad decided not to pay your tuition for BriarEdge. I’d hate for him to cut you off.”

  Malone sniffed in his direction. “I can do just fine on my own. I don’t need his help or him. I’ll say what I want when I want.” With another glower for Candace, she and the piranhas turned and walked away in unison.

  “Sorry,” said Dalton, sounding mortified.

  Candace shrugged. “It’s not like I expected her feelings to change overnight, if at all. She’s really angry right now, especially with our parents having a baby. That’s so weird, isn’t it?”

  Dalton shrugged. “I don’t think we’ll notice too much. We won’t be home a lot, you know?”

  Candace nodded, feeling a niggle of regret. When she was younger, she’d wanted a sibling more than anything, but her mother had been far too careful for that after an accidental teenage pregnancy. She’d been disappointed throughout the years not to have a sibling, but now that she was going to get one, it seemed less exciting. It sounded like more work than anything, but Dalton was right. It wouldn’t really impact them either way.

  “Do I get you tonight for a while?” asked Dalton as the time ticked away toward the end of the lunch hour.

  She shook her head. “I’m studying with Lex tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow though.”

  “The basement?” he asked hopefully.

  “Rec room,” she said sternly, but laughed a little. “I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye, Candace.” He squeezed her hand discreetly under the table before they stood up to bus their trays. After that, it was time for Professor Barnes’s class, so Dalton followed behind her as she prepared herself for another torture session with Suzanne.

  To her relief, there was a substitute again. She didn’t care why Suzanne was out for the day, and she didn’t care that the substitute was a grumpy old man. He was nothing compared to Suzanne, and at least he was cracking down on everybody equally.

  Friday afternoon, she met with Kip as usual, going to his office. She resented the door having to remain open, but it wasn’t worth the risk of closing it.

  When she sat down, he pulled out a box from under his seat. It had a pink bow wrapped around it, and she frowned when he handed it to her. “What’s this?”

  “A little bird named Lex told me you have a birthday coming up. Of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to attend a party, if you’re having one, but I wanted to make sure you know I’ll be thinking of you on your birthday, Candace.”

  Her fingers shook with anticipation as she opened the ribbon before removing the box lid to reveal a book nestled on tissue paper. It was a new copy of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare,” and she opened it reverently. “Thank you, Kip, er, Professor Stuart. This is a very thoughtful gift.”

  “Yes, I think you’ll enjoy it. I bookmarked one of my favorite sonnets.”

  She flipped to the page with a piece of paper sticking out of the book, and her gaze first went to the sonnet, but she quickly realized it wasn’t a blank pager or a bookmark he’d used. His handwriting was on it. Quietly, she opened the letter he’d left in the book.

  Dear Candace,

  I hope you can join me for a few days in Boston over Winter Break. It will give us time to be alone, and then we can celebrate your birthday belatedly, along with partaking in some of the holiday traditions. Just nod or shake your head to let me know if you can come. It’s not safe to talk about it with the harpy lurking nearby.

  She giggled at the last line before looking up and meeting Kip’s gaze. She gave him an enthusiastic nod, though her yes was predicated on Hannah letting her go. Technically, she’d be eighteen by Christmas break, but she wasn’t financially independent enough to push the narrative of claiming she could do whatever she wanted. Her mother would shut that down, though she was determined to make it happen some way.

  After that, conversation turned to Shakespeare, and they discussed “The Tempest.” She had gotten caught up on the books he’d suggested she read for class, so now she was reading books he recommended, or books she discovered, so they could still have a reason to meet on Fridays. And she enjoyed the stimulating conversation, which was often a debate. She felt like she could talk to Kip for fifty years and never grow bored.

  One of her discoveries was Shakespeare had become a favorite of hers, and she was touched that he remembered. She had a feeling he remembered just about everything she’d told him though. It was the same for her, since they had such a special connection. She shivered with anticipation at the idea of spending a few days alone with Kip in Boston. Their intellectual romance would have a chance to move to a far more tangible, physical plane.

  After leaving his office, thankfully not running into Suzanne, she returned to her dorm room. As soon as she was inside with the door closed, she dialed her mom’s number with shaking hands, nervous about the request and afraid her mom would say no.

  “Hello?” Hannah sounded terrible.

  “Are you okay, Mom?”

  “I’m just a little sick to my stomach. It’s okay though. Surely this morning sickness has to end sometime.” Hannah gave a breathy chuckle, and her voice sounded more raspy than amused, as though she’d spent too much time vomiting recently.

  “Not too much longer, right?”

  “Right. Did you need something, hon? Are you calling about your birthday party? I’m so sorry that I’m not going to feel up to the drive up there. I’ve discovered I get horrible car sickness with this baby that I never had with you.”

  Candace swallowed the disappointment at her mom’s words, though she hadn’t really expected her mom to drive up to BriarEdge midweek just to spend an hour or so with her before or after dinner. Birthday or not, that wasn’t a very logical plan. “I’m fine. I don’t plan to do anything special for my birthday anyway.”

  “Oh, but you must,” said Hannah.

  She had intentions of doing special things after her birthday, assuming her boyfriends were cooperative. She left that unspoken, not wanting to remind her mom she was in a relationship with more than one guy. “I have something to ask though.”

  “What’s going on?” Hannah paused to heave, but there was no further sound accompanying it.

  She grimaced at the sound, wa
iting until her mother’s breathing had stabilized again before speaking. “A friend of mine invited me to spend a few days in Boston over Christmas break.” As she spoke, the door handle turned, and Isis entered the room. She heard enough to infer what they were discussing.

  “Over Christmas break? I’d rather that be family time, since you’ll be going off to college after this semester.”

  “Please, Mom. I’ve never been to Boston, and it should be really educational.”

  “Sure it will,” said Hannah with a snort. “Don’t try to make me think you’re going to go to museums and historical sites if you go to Boston.”

  “Okay, maybe not, but it will be a lot of fun. Please?”

  “Yes, please let her come,” said Isis loudly enough for her mom to hear even if the speakerphone hadn’t been on. “I’m looking forward to spending time with her there.”

  “Who’s that?” asked Hannah.

  “My roommate, Isis, and the one who invited me to Boston.” Candace winced as she told the lie, though Isis had already set the idea in motion. She hated that she couldn’t admit who she was visiting, at least not yet.

  “Oh, I guess it would be okay for a few days before Christmas. But you must spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with us for certain, okay?”

  “Oh, thanks, Mom.” She spoke with Hannah for another moment before hanging up and letting out a squeal of excitement. Then she looked at Isis. “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver for implying I’m visiting you.”

  “You had an air of desperation about you. I figure you’re going to sneak off to spend time with Lex at his parents’ house or something. If your mom’s anything like mine, she would’ve said hell no to that.”

  “Yeah, that’s about it.” Let Isis think she was referring to her mom. She wasn’t going to correct that it wasn’t Lex she was meeting for a few days. “Seriously, you’re a lifesaver, and I owe you one.”