Page 17 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

As she heads off, Summer gazes after her with a smile. “I like her.”

“She’s a good friend.”

I think of how she handled Abigail’s situation last semester and the way she accepted her pairing with Amos Sams. On the surface, Kennedy James appears a spoiled brat with a vindictivesoul, but she is nothing like that. She is kind, loyal and her emotions run deep and is the perfect friend to those she lets into her clique. I’m happy for Imogen and Summer because with Kennedy in their corner, their Rockwell experience will be a far better one.

8

FRANKIE

It’s party night. The first one of the new semester is always an anticipated one and as Cassie draws shit on her face, I lie back on the bed and consider the implications.

“You’re thoughtful tonight.”

She interrupts my planning, and I stretch my arms behind my head and nod. “There is a lot to think about.”

She told me about River and Autumn and I didn’t like it. That is not the objective of The Claiming, and River has overstepped the mark. It’s about control, sure, but it goes both ways and if Autumn has been suffering because of something I created, it becomes my problem.

“What are you planning?”

Our eyes connect through the mirror and I say simply, “There’s a few loose ends to tie up before next week’s Twist ceremony.”

“As in River and Autumn?”

“Among other things.”

Her hand hovers in midair and I don’t miss the anxiety in her expression. “Are you talking about us?”

“Should I be?”

My voice is even, but inside I’m on a knife edge because if Cassie believes for one second she is going to Twist, then I’ll cancel the whole fucking ceremony until she promises otherwise.

“I’ve told you my intentions—you haven’t. Of course I’m going to question that. You may twist and I’ve got to plan for that.”

“Plan for it?” I arch my brow. “And exactly what are you planning?”

She shrugs, resuming her task. “If you don’t want me, I must consider my options.”

“You have no options.”

I state fact and she hisses, “I have every option, you asshole. I’m a free woman who chooses to be with you. Don’t make me choose otherwise.”

I love her fury. Sometimes I push it so I can bathe in her anger. Cassie is a beautiful woman who transforms into a warrior when angry. I love how her eyes flash and her blood heats. The wild look in her eye and the disapproval radiating from every pore. She is my match in every way, and why the hell would I want anyone else? Cassie is the best and I like the best, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“Why would I show my hand before the game?”

“For reassurance, perhaps.”

“Reassurance is for pussies. If something special exists between us, then why do you allow doubt into your mind? Surely you are secure in the knowledge that we are good together. Isn’t that enough? Do you really believe I would choose anything else if we are strong?”

“I never know with you, Frankie.”

She spins and stares at me with a resigned expression. “In my mind, it’s good. Close to perfect actually, but you give nothing away. When we were apart, I heard little from you. I’m notsaying I wanted a daily check in but a weekly one would have been good.”

She throws an intense look my way. “You’re an enigma, a closed mind and a secretive prick. Why wouldn’t I doubt your intentions when you give fuck all away?”

“Because it keeps life interesting. Never get comfortable in life, Cassie, because that’s when you stop working at it. You become complacent, settled and predictable. That’s when interest is lost and the rot sets in. Always hold an air of mystery and keep something back. It will work in your favor in every aspect of your life.”

“Or allow doubt to shake the foundations of what could be the strongest structure. As I said before, Frankie, you’re full of shit.”

---