Page 8 of Face Me Off

A strange sense of heat rushes south as I recall just how much fun Iactuallyhad.

“Wipe that damn smirk off your face.”

Unaware that I was smiling, I forced my expression to neutralize. The last thing I need is for Dad to find out I hooked up with Madison Grimes.

That particular detail needs to be kept on the downlow.

“Yeah, what of it?”

“I told you not to fraternize with those people. At least until the lawsuit is settled.”

My stomach twists. That damn lawsuit. I understand why Dad wouldn’t want me hanging with Maddy. Her family’s estate is the defendant in the suit. So, I get it. But ignoring the entire alumni? The very ones I graduated with? That’s too much of an ask and beyond ridiculous.

“You know that’s hard to do. I’m best friends with Blake Morton. He’s a teammate.”

“Blake wasn’t there. You showed up alone and hung around with those people.”

“Dad, I graduated withthose people.They’re my friends.”

“They’re your friends until you’re no longer useful.”

My back straightens. Blake isn’t like that. Sure, most of the people that went to Stewart Academy are silver-spooned assholes, but Blake, hell, even Maddy, are different. They never treated me as a scholarship kid.

Well, Blake never did. After I pissed off Maddy, she didn’t give me the time of day. No matter how much that sucked, her treatment of me was deserved. It also never mattered how badly I wished things to be different.

My hands ball into fists. “It was just a party.”

“That produced a rumor about you and that Grimes girl.” His voice rises.

For fuck’s sake. How’d my old man hear about my hookup?

“Nothing happened between Maddy and me if that’s what you’re getting at,” I lie. Something happened, all right. Something that should happen quite often if I had my way.

“The Grimes are nothing but trouble. Remember that, Ryan.”

The intensity of his gaze makes my skin prickle. I’ve lived in the shadow of his resentment for the Grimes family for years, and it’s been a constant battle within myself. We lost a lot that day.

“I’m not a kid anymore, Dad. I can make my own choices.”

A grunt escapes his lips, the only indication he heard me. The silence stretches before he finally breaks it.

“Remember what they’ve done to us, boy. They ruined my life, and don’t kid yourself thinking they won’t do the same to you. People like us are expendable.”

The memory of Maddy’s father pulling me to the side remains in my mind. I was headed toward Maddy’s bedroom when his voice called from the stately living room. The house is old but impressive, with grand architecture and expensive furnishings—much too extravagant for a doctor’s salary, but her parents come from old money.

“I know you’ve become close to my daughter, but you need to squash whatever idea you have inside that brain of yours. You’re not to see her anymore.”

“Sir, we’re friends.”

He eyed me for the longest minute in history before speaking. “What exactly are your intentions then?”

I swallowed. I wanted to ask Maddy out to prom and then to be my girlfriend. I even had this elaborate plan thought out. I planned to take her to her favorite art store and have her pick me out some dip pins and synthetic paper she likes. I was going to have her show me what to do, and when she wasn’t looking, paint out the question, “Will you go to prom with me?” But as I stared at the tall and robust figure blocking my path, I realized that wasn’t the best thing to say. So, I remained quiet.

“That’s what I thought.” He leaned closer, eyes narrowing. “Her future is set, boy, and it doesn’t involve you. Remember your place.”

I wanted to get him on the ice and show him who the domineering person was, but a horrific scream followed by lots of shouting interrupted my rebuttal. When we ran outside, my entire world tilted at the sight of my father lying on the ground, twisted in an unnatural position, a rickety ladder lying beside him.

“Goddamn it. What is this going to cost?” Mr. Grimes pulled out his phone and dialed his lawyer. Eyes cold as he stared at me. “Stay away from my daughter.”

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