Past…

“Are you going to the spring fling?” Julia Brown asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Peeling my gaze away from the board full of trigonometry questions, I look at her. “I don’t know. Haven’t really thought about it.”

The pen she’s chewing on like a rabid animal nearly snaps. “Gosh, I’m so dumb.”

Julia’s a weird girl.

However, she’s also a smart girl—her SAT scores were off the charts. And now that I’m looking at her for more than a second, I realize she’s kind of pretty. Flat chested and a little chubby…but cute. And she’s without a doubt someone my father would approve of as long as I keep those pens far away.

Too bad I’m not even remotely attracted to her.

Which means she’s ideal for me. Way better than Katrina who had a face and body that appealed to me and my cock.

Releasing a sigh, I mull over the idea of dating Julia.

I’m not proud of myself for categorizing girls based on what they can do for me, but it’s been instilled in me since I was a kid. My father told me early on that I had a choice to make. If I pursued politics, I’d have to marry a girl who was good for me on paper but had no romantic or sexual feelings for. If not—I could be a dentist who goes home to the woman he loves with all his heart and soul night after night.

Because I couldn’t have both.

Emotions—especially love—have no place in politics.

“You’re not dumb.” I give Julia a smile. I might not be attracted to her, but she’s officially on my list of potential options. “Thanks for reminding me about the dance.”

She blushes. “No problem. I wasn’t sure if you were going or not because of the whole…you know. You and Katrina.” She lowers her voice. “For what it’s worth, I always thought you could do way better than her.”

I give her a tight nod.

Katrina and I have been broken up for a little over a week now. She’s called me twice since then, but I have nothing to say to her. Unlike the rest of my classmates who are still gossiping about her cheating on me with Damien.

Granted, the chatter about us isn’t as bad as it was when it was fresh. But still…they’re talking.

Maybe going to this stupid dance with Julia will prove to everyone I’ve moved on and they should too.

I lean over. “When is it again?”

She nearly chokes on her pen. “Next Friday at eight. In the school gymnasium.” She frantically jots something down on a sheet of paper and hands it to me. “Here, I wrote the date down so you won’t forget.” She comes up for air. “The theme is masquerade.”

I inwardly groan.  Why is this town obsessed with masquerade parties? It’s bad enough we have one every year at the old Vanderbilt castle for Halloween. Is it really necessary for them to turn our senior spring fling into one, too?

I take the paper from her and tuck it away. “Thanks.” I start to ask her if she has a date, but the bell cuts me off.

Julia stands, and I follow suit as students fly out of the classroom for dismissal. Not me, though because I’m staying after school to run a student council meeting.

She chews on her pen coyly, which might be cute if it didn’t look like a German Shepard already got to it. “So, does this mean you’re gonna go?”

I stuff my trig book under my arm. “Yeah, sounds fun. Plus, I’m expected to attend all school functions.”

“Right, duh.” She taps her head. “You are our president.”

My grin is smug. “That I am.”

“And you’re so good at it. God, you’re like the best President ever. Even better than the real one.”

Hmm. Maybe dating her won’t be so bad after all. She’s easy on my ego, that’s for sure.

I rub the back of my neck, trying my best to look humble. “You’re sweet. But I’m just a regular guy trying to do what’s best for everyone. I’m no one special.”

She eats it up. “And that right there is what makes you even more amazing. You’re so kind and nice. But you’re also commanding and powerfu—”

“Where the fuck is my phone, Carter?” Damien booms from the classroom door.

Shit.

“Sorry, man. Forgot it again. I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

“You said that yesterday.” He takes a step closer. “And the day before that.” Another step. “And the day before that.” Another step. “And the—”

“Day before that,” I finish for him. “I get the picture. Look, I’m sorry to inform you, but my life doesn’t revolve around you. I’m a busy man and bringing you your phone isn’t on my list of priorities.”

Julia’s gaze ping-pongs between us cautiously. “Should I go?”

“No,” I say at the same time Damien hisses, “Yes.”

Julia looks like a deer caught in headlights and it only gets worse when Damien turns his creepy eyes on her.

Instantly, she swipes her purse off her desk, nearly dropping the stack of books she’s holding.

“Let me know about the dance, Cain,” she squeaks as she hustles to the door. “I wrote my number down on the paper.”

“Was that really necessary?”

His lips twitch. “Not my fault little Miss Chewy is skittish.” His expression turns serious. “What are you doing with my phone?”

“I’m not doing anything with your phone,” I snap, making a mental note to cover my tracks tonight before I return it. “I have my own phone. What in the world would I want with yours?”

He gets uncomfortably close to my face. “You have until tomorrow to return it. Or else.”

“Or else what?”

“Is there a problem here?” Mr. Turner questions, popping his head inside the classroom.

Damien fixes my collar. “No. Just asking my boy Cain here for some study tips.”

Mr. Turner doesn’t look like he’s buying it for a second. “Considering you haven’t turned in homework for me in two years, I find that hard to believe.” He looks at me. “You okay, Cain?”

“Yeah.” I hike my bookbag up my shoulder. “I borrowed a textbook from Damien last week and forgot to return it. We were just figuring out our schedules and making arrangements.”

Damien nods. “Yup.” He slaps my shoulder so hard I almost wince. “I have Mrs. Miller for eighth period tomorrow. Make sure you bring it to me by then, pal.”

With that, he walks out with Mr. Turner right on his heels.

A moment later the phone in my pocket vibrates. I peer around the classroom to make sure it’s empty before I take it out.

Another text immediately follows that one.

I do another look around before I type out my response.