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I hesitated. He only drank when he got bad news. “Are you okay?” I asked.
He looked back at me and smiled. “I’m great. How was your shower?”
“It was fine.” I drifted over and sat next to him. “Who was that on the phone?”
“Matthias.”
“How are things going?”
“He’s good. He wanted some advice.”
“Yeah? And?”
He grinned at me and took a sip. “My father’s going to name him heir. They signed the adoption papers today.”
I gasped. My hands flew to my mouth. “Calvin!”
“I know. It’s crazy. I didn’t think this plan would work, but here we are.”
“That’s wonderful. How does Matthias feel? Is he excited?”
“I think he’s wary, but starting to be a bit more optimistic.”
“He’s going to do great.”
“I know that.” He leaned closer and kissed my lips softly.
“Better than your asshole brothers. Where are they, anyway?”
“Noah’s in Greece. I think he’s working on some tech startup here. Raymond’s bumming around California, spending his trust fund. They’ll both be out of cash in the next few years, and I can’t wait to tell them to fuck off when they come begging.”
I laughed and leaned my head against his shoulder. His brothers took it hard when they were cast out of the family in favor of Matthias and hadn’t quite recovered yet. I had a feeling they never would.
At least I hoped so, the bastards.
His mother still enjoyed her position as the matriarch of the Solar family. I wished she’d get thrown out too, but at least Matthias would be there to counter her moves. He had no love for Diana Solar, and he’d do everything in his power to make sure her life wasn’t perfect.
“Are you going to tell Cora and Jarrod?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. I want it all to be over first.”
“I understand. I’m happy though. I’ll have to call Matthias and congratulate him.”
He pulled me tighter and hugged me against his side. His arms were warm, strong and comforting.
“We should get going if we’re going to make it on time.”
I kissed his chin. “We could always stand them up, you know.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“I mean it. We can celebrate here, alone.”
“I know what you mean by celebrate. Are you sure, baby?”
“I’m sure.” I hesitated and bit his lip. “On second thought, I’ll text Cora and let her know at least. We’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Better hurry, because I’m not going to wait very long.”
I laughed and jumped up from the couch, dancing out of his reach. He grinned, sipped his whiskey, and leaned his head back.
I knew Matthias taking over the family was a huge burden lifted from his shoulders. He always seemed happier and lighter.
We had one more year of Blackwoods. Things weren’t perfect and they weren’t settled, but it was going to work out. I had my Calvin, my husband, my future. And I couldn’t wait.
I sent a quick text to Cora.
Robyn: Something came up. We’ll see you two tomorrow.
Cora: Ugh, god, newlyweds are the worst!! Get a room!!!
Robyn: We have a room. We’re using it right now.
Cora: GROSS. Love u.
I tossed my phone aside and sat at the edge of the bed. “Calvin?”
He appeared in the doorway. “Yes, my dear?”
“Come over here and fuck me like it’s the first time.”
“Gladly.”
Epilogue: Des
When people look at me, they see fun-loving, easygoing, loveable asshole Des.
I’m a clown. I make crowds smile. I like attention, and I’m not ashamed of it.
Nobody knows why I’m at Blackwoods.
They figure it’s the normal stuff. Good education. Bright future. My family’s connected—though how, nobody’s sure. There are rumors. I’ve heard them all. Apparently, I’m the scion of an elite Saudi prince, cousin of the Rothschilds family, and something about aliens.
The truth is worse. Much worse.
My friends don’t see past my mask. Jarrod and Calvin are too busy with their own fucked-up darkness to notice much around them, and Addler wants to believe the best in people. He doesn’t want to see the truth.
Not that I can blame him. It’s nicer to think your closest friend in the world is just a decent, normal, all-American douchebag jerk.
Campus was quiet the first day of my senior year. I strolled along the pathways alone, admiring the buildings, the gaggles of hot freshmen girls—okay, some of my reputation was true, fair enough—and the long fields of manicured grass. I loved Blackwoods, loved it like a real home. It was the closest I’ve ever been to being happy.
I gave in to that happiness. I let myself be normal. For three years, I was one of the Four Horsemen. I ruled the school and took what I wanted, when I wanted it.
Life didn’t get better, and I wasn’t ready to give that all up.
But the time had come.
I waited outside of the Warren Life Sciences building. I lingered near a bench, leaning against a cold black light pole. I watched strangers come and go, nodded at a few shouted greetings, grinned at a girl I fucked three nights earlier and winked as she hustled past blushing wildly, until I saw my target.
