I take a long pull from the glass, now regretting my choice to come down here.
“I’m going to sit outside for a little while. You can too, if you want,” he says before turning and heading out the side door.
He doesn’t wait for a response, but he does leave the door open. I think about it a couple of moments before I decide to follow him.
I must be a masochist, but I’m curious as to what made him make the offer. It could be a trap, of course. Another ploy to humiliate me. But my gut says it’s not.
Walking out the door, I find him sitting in a chair on the patio. I take a seat next to him, setting the glass of water on the table between us. Looking out, I take in the moonlight reflecting off the lake.
I smile as I admire the beauty. I’ve always loved nature and water. Scooting a little farther down in my seat, I lay my head back, admiring the stars.
“It’s beautiful,” I mutter, not realizing I spoke out loud until Reed responds.
“I’ve always preferred the calm of the night. Even the lake is calm with no wind to ruffle its waves.”
I resist the urge to look over at him, enjoying a moment of truce between us.
“It’s comforting. Things have been changing so much recently that it’s nice to have a moment where everything is still.”
As soon as the words slip out of my mouth, I want to take them back. I never share, especially with a guy who’s made it his life’s mission to humiliate me. Yet, sitting out here in the dark with the stars shining above, I felt like I can confide in him.
I bite my lip, waiting for a response that never comes. Finally, after a few moments, I turn to look at him.
The moonlight is bright tonight, illuminating his face. He appears lost in thought, and thank whatever god is watching out for me, as it seems he didn’t hear my slipup.
Turning back to the lake, I let myself get lost in the silence. For once, my brain isn’t going a million miles a minute. Just like that, my mind settles, and I feel my eyelids become heavy.
∞∞∞
I go to turn over but find my movement limited. Grabbing my blanket, I burrow into the chair a little more.
My eyes pop open as I become aware of a bird chirping. I gasp quietly as I realize I’m still in the patio chair, curled up and covered with a blanket.
I glance over and see Reed also still in the chair with his head facing me. I stare at him a moment, watching his chest rise and fall with steady breaths.
I wonder where the blanket came from.
There wasn’t a blanket out here last night. One of the servants must’ve brought it out.
Then why doesn’t Reed have one?
I hush the annoying voice of reason in my head and stand up, hoping to get inside before he wakes up.
“Where are you going?”
I glance back as his husky voice flows through my body, causing shivers to break out.
“Inside. I’m sure your sister and V are wondering where I am.”
“They aren’t awake yet. It’s probably around six o’clock. They’ll be sleeping a while longer.”
He stands up and stretches, causing his T-shirt to ride up. Of their own volition, my eyes zero in on his abs. He stretches a moment longer before speaking again.
“Were you warm enough? I noticed you shivering in your sleep, so I grabbed you a blanket.”
There goes your pretending he’s never done anything nice for you.
“I was. Thank you. Why didn’t you go up to bed?”
He gives me a small smile, different from his usual cocky smirk. “I didn’t want to leave you out here by yourself, but I didn’t want to wake you after you finally fell asleep.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but it is. I don’t know why he’s being nice all of a sudden, but I don’t trust it.
So hot and cold.
“Thank you.”
“No worries.” He brushes it off, turning to head into the house.
I follow him inside, making my way back to Tinsley’s room. Once at her door, I glance over my shoulder as Reed pauses by his own door, locking eyes with me.
I smile at him, relieved when he smiles back. He gives me a knowing look before he disappears into his room. I quietly slip into Tinsley’s room, resting my back against the door.
Last night was crazy, but for the first time since I’ve been here, I feel normal.
I feel like maybe I might belong.
Chapter Fourteen
“Are you going to eat lunch with us today?” Keaton slings his arm over my shoulder.
After the weird moment with Reed Sunday morning, I spent the rest of the day working. Beth gave me four days this week, for which I’m grateful. One of them is tonight.
“I can.” I shrug. “I was planning to eat with Tinsley and Victoria.”
“If you eat with me, then they will too. Come on. Lunch is on me today.”
I roll my eyes. “Lunch is free for all students.”
“And because of the generous donation from the Yates family, that is possible.” The charming wink he tacks on makes the statement as cheesy as it sounds.
“How noble of you. I’m sure you wrote the check yourself.”
He helps me load up my plate while piling food on his own. “Nah, I leave the family business stuff to Reed. So really, I guess lunch is on him. For both of us.”
“I always knew Reed was the more generous brother,” I add wistfully.
“Glad to hear that. I can be generous in more ways than one.” The voice from behind me causes me to freeze.
I glance over my shoulder to find Reed holding his own plate, also walking to the table Keaton was leading me to.
“Come on, little fox. Don’t let Reed bother you.”
Reed narrows his eyes on his brother. “She doesn’t like to be touched. You should probably remove your arm before I do it for you.”
Keaton gives me a small smile before glaring at his brother.
“Maybe she doesn’t like to be touched by you, bro.”
Reed’s eyes darken, meeting mine as he sets his plate on the nearest table before grabbing mine and placing it with his. He crowds into my space, reaching up to remove Keaton’s arm from around my shoulder. Then he leans in, trailing his nose from my cheek up to my ear.
“I had a good time Saturday. You know, you’re the first girl I’ve ever spent the night with.” His words are low, but they must be loud enough for Keaton to hear because he gasps.
“It was an enjoyable evening. Who knew you were such a romantic? Staring at the stars with a trailer trash whore.”
Reed growls and grabs my waist before I can move away from him. “Don’t say that. Never say that about yourself. You’re not a whore or trailer trash.”
“You know, you said I was playing games, but I think you’re the master game player. I don’t know what your angle is, but I can’t keep up. I’d rather bow out gracefully from whatever your next plot is.”
This time, he lets me pull away, leaving him and my lunch behind.
And maybe a little piece of my heart that I hadn’t realized he’d snatched.
∞∞∞
I spend the rest of lunch in the library. As I’m getting up to leave, Mrs. Lincoln stops me.
“How are you settling in?” Her eyes seem to hold a tinge of concern.