Don't Kiss The Heartbreaker (Billionaire Academy YA Romance Book 3) Page 9

  How dare she? I fumed. How dare she accuse me of being cruel. I was taking my time, being cautious, and Cade said he was willing to wait. Had he said something different to Lacey? Did he think I was cruel? None of his texts or the time we spent together suggested it.

  I marched into our dorm hall, ready to lock myself in my room for a good, solid pity party … when I saw Cade tacking a flyer to the oversized bulletin board in the hall. Even in my frustration, the sight of him took my breath away, while simultaneously causing an eruption of butterflies in my belly—just like it did every time I saw him. I wrapped my anger close around me like a stifling blanket. He needed to know that I was upset.

  He turned at the sound of the door closing, and when he saw me, his face lit with the smile meant solely for me. Don’t let that smile get to you, I warned myself. You’re angry. Stay angry.

  “Hey there, gorgeous,” he said, turning to face me as I walked toward him. “I was just thinking about you.”

  “Me too.”

  He cocked an intrigued eyebrow. “Really?” He looked like he wanted to reach for me but didn’t.

  In spite of my anger, my gut pinged with disappointment. If we were dating, he wouldn’t have hesitated.

  “What were you thinking?” he asked.

  “I was wondering why you’ve been talking about me behind my back,” I said, holding his gaze.

  Understanding smoothed his features, and he nodded slowly. “You’ve been talking to Lacey.”

  “Yes.” I crossed my arms. “What are you doing sneaking around talking to her? If you have a question, you can ask me.”

  His eyes brimmed with amusement. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re cute when you’re mad?”

  I stamped my foot. “Cade, I’m serious.”

  He held a fist to his mouth to hide a smile. “I know. I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat and dropped his hand, looking adorably contrite. “And you’re right. I was sneaking behind your back asking Lacey about you. But in my defense, everyone knows when you’re trying to figure out the girl you’re crushing on, you talk to her best friend.”

  I huffed, wanting to come up with a snarky comeback, but couldn’t think of anything. Was that something everyone knew? I hadn’t dated enough to know what was normal. Maybe I’d been too hard on Lacey—maybe she’d only had my best interest in mind.

  Cade tipped his head down to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, Tia,” he said. “I shouldn’t have gone behind your back. I’m a little crazy about you, and I figured desperate times called for desperate measures.”

  My heart lurched. Dang, he was good. How could I argue with a comment like that? I lifted my chin. “I’ll let it slide this time … but in the future, if you have a question, just ask me about it, okay? Not my best friend.”

  “Deal.” He gave me a crooked smile, his eyes teasing. “And now that we have that established, do you want to help me hang up these flyers? I’m just getting started.”

  I paused, considering all the reasons I should still be mad, but again coming up short. It was impossible to stay upset with Cade for long. “Sure,” I said. “Let me just send a quick text first.”

  He nodded and returned his attention to the bulletin board while I pulled out my phone, sending a message to Lacey.

  I just talked to Cade and realized you were only trying to be helpful. Sorry I got mad.

  Her reply came back in seconds.

  I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have gone behind your back, and I’m sorry I called you cruel. You’re smart to be cautious, and I promise not to interfere anymore.

  I winced. The cruel comment still stung a little, but it had gotten me thinking. Was I being cruel to Cade? I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. He’d been nothing but sweet to me from our first date—with zero evidence of toying with me. Maybe it was time to give him a chance.

  I took a deep breath and stepped toward him, ready to start the conversation, when I heard the voice that made my skin crawl.

  “What’s that you’re hanging on our bulletin board, Cade?” Chloe asked, approaching from the hallway. She sauntered up to Cade without acknowledging me, placing her hand on his shoulder to look over it. “Flyers for the auction?”

  He turned, glancing at me before giving her a half-hearted smile. “Yep. It’s time to get the word out.”

  “Perfect. I was just taking a study break, so I’ll help.” She took the stack of flyers from him. “Where to next?”

  My blood boiled. Could she be any more obnoxious? And how did she always seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times? It was like she had Cade-radar or something … or, more likely, she’d told her friends to text her whenever they spotted him. Either way, I was seriously bugged that she’d barged in right when I was about to talk to him about our relationship.

  Cade scratched the back of his neck, his eyes darting to mine again. “Actually, I already asked Tia for help. But thanks for offering.”

  Her lips puckered like she’d eaten something sour as she regarded me for the first time. She’d perfected the art of the mocking stare, delivering insults without saying a single word. “It will go faster with three,” she persisted, looking back at Cade.

  “Um … okay,” he said, giving me an apologetic shrug when she wasn’t watching.

  I nodded once to let him know I understood. When Chloe wanted something, it was pointless to stand in her way.

  She smiled widely and took his arm. “Where are you headed next?”

  Cade looked uncomfortable. “I already put one of these in the guys’ dorm, so let’s head to the main commons, and we’ll branch out from there.”

  “Great.” She kept hold of his arm and started walking, but Cade turned to me.

  “Coming?” he asked, holding out his free arm, his brown eyes pleading with me to take it.

  I gave him a look that said I didn’t love this, but I took his arm anyway. He squeezed my arm, his face relaxing as the three of us walked together, like some kind of ridiculous daisy chain.

  Chloe read one of the flyers from the stack. “There’s going to be a date auction?” she asked, arching a perfect brow at Cade. “I’m going to need more details on that.”

  “Yeah, we thought it would be a fun way to raise more money,” Cade said, giving my arm another squeeze. “We’re going to give the person modeling the clothes the option to enter the date auction if they want.”

  “Will you be in the auction?” she asked, giving him a flirty little smile.

  “I … uh, don’t know.” He hesitated, a flush appearing on his neck above the collar.

  “You have to,” Chloe insisted. “Especially since this whole thing was your idea. You need to set the example for everyone.”

  I clenched my teeth. Chloe would pay through the nose for a date with Cade—and so would the rest of the girls at RLA. The thought rankled, but I had to admit it would raise a lot of money. “You really should,” I agreed, surprising myself by speaking up in front of Chloe. She gave me an annoyed glare, which I ignored.

  “You want me to?” Cade asked, giving me a questioning look.

  I nodded. “She’s right. You kind of have to, since you’re putting it together. Plus, a lot of girls would pay big money for a date with Cade Carlisle—at least, I know I would.” I threw a challenging glance at Chloe. Her eyes narrowed, but with Cade between us as a buffer, she refrained from saying whatever nasty thing she was thinking.

  “Okay.” Cade shrugged, his eyes gleaming mischievously as he looked at me. “But only if you agree to enter too.”

  “Me?” I blinked. “Uh, no.”

  “Come on,” he pressed. “It’s for a good cause.”

  “I’ll enter,” Chloe said, clearly desperate to shove her way back into the conversation. “But I don’t think you should force anyone into it, Cade. I mean, what if someone entered and no one bid on them?” She gave me a fiendish little look that Cade didn’t see. “You wouldn’t want to put anyone through that humiliation, would you?” she asked,
blinking up at him with her ridiculously long lashes.

  “I don’t see that happening,” he said, “but we already discussed the possibility, and if it does happen, one of us from the student body presidency will bid.”

  “Sad. Like a pity date?” She gave me another pointed look.

  I wanted to reach over and yank her hair. She was such a monster.

  “Uh, I wouldn’t put it that way,” Cade said. “I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like they’re a project.”

  “No, you’re too nice for that,” she said, squeezing his arm.

  I turned away, knowing what Chloe was getting at and not wanting to see another one of her barbed looks. She was the Wicked Witch of the West, but I wasn’t going to let her get to me this time. I took a breath. “I’ll enter,” I said, looking up at Cade.

  His brow lifted. “Really? Awesome. I thought I’d have to do a lot more convincing.”

  He gave me a look that made my stomach flip, and part of me wondered what kind of “convincing” he’d had in mind. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed so quickly. I was pretty sure I was going to regret agreeing to enter the auction … but the furious look on Chloe’s face made it all worth it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I stood in front of the mirror, turning to see every angle of my prom dress. The fabric was a muted silver color, with a lace appliqué bodice, a satin waistband, and a flowy A-line skirt. It was somewhat simplistic and elegant, and it fit like a glove.

  “Oh, honey, you’re so beautiful,” Mom said, looking like she might cry as she stood off to one side, inspecting my hair and makeup to be sure they were done to her satisfaction. She’d hired a hair and makeup stylist to come to our dorm and help Lacey and me get ready for prom. They were the same specialists who helped me with every pageant, and even though I’d worn countless formal gowns and been done up more often than I could count, this time felt different. This time I wasn’t trying to win over any judges or put on my best fake smile. This time I was getting ready for a date with Cade, and I’d never felt prettier.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said, turning to give her a hug.

  She gave me a light, unsatisfactory hug back, the kind that was mostly hands and the kind she always gave before a pageant, not wanting to mess anything up.

  “Yes, thanks so much, Raquel,” Lacey added from the vanity chair where Jillian was adding the final touches to her hair. Her dress had come on time and fit her perfectly. But it was still her newfound confidence that really made her glow.

  “You’re welcome.” Mom beamed at us. “You’re both going to have the best time tonight.”

  “I just hope Oliver doesn’t want to fast dance,” Lacey said, biting her lip. “I’ve never been to any of the dances before—not even the informal ones. I have no idea how to do it.”

  I turned from the mirror. “Don’t stress. There’s really not much to it.”

  “Right,” Mom agreed. “In fact, I’ll put on some music right now and Tiara and I will show you how it’s done.”

  I snorted. “Mom, we don’t want to scar her for life.” Did she not remember the many years of my failed dance lessons?

  Mom waved a hand at me. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun.” She pulled some fast-paced dance music up on her phone, using my Bluetooth speaker to turn the volume way up until our room was practically pulsing.

  I laughed. “You’re going to get us in trouble,” I said, although the noise curfew wasn’t until eleven p.m., and the resident attendant was usually more relaxed on the weekends. “And what about my hair?” I said as a last-ditch excuse.

  “A tornado wouldn’t move that now,” Jillian said between the bobby pins in her teeth.

  Mom grinned and started dancing, motioning for me to join her. Unlike me, she actually had some pretty good moves. She danced around the room, grabbing my hands until I caved and joined in. Lacey giggled as we danced, singing along to the words. I loved that Mom wasn’t worrying about my perfectly set hair and makeup. She was actually fun to hang out with when she wasn’t in pageant mode.

  When Lacey’s hair was done, she got up from the chair and danced with us, and her moves weren’t half bad. We were dancing to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” singing from the tops of our lungs and spinning around in circles, twirling like princesses. Halfway through a spin, I saw Cade leaning against the doorframe, grinning at us. I forgot we’d left the door cracked open, and with the music so loud, I hadn’t noticed him.

  I stopped spinning, pressing my lips together in embarrassment.

  “Please, don’t stop on my account,” he said, straightening. He looked lethally handsome in his tux, and all I could do was stare.

  “Cade!” Mom exclaimed, pausing the music mid-chorus. “We didn’t hear you come in. Don’t you look handsome?” She waved him into the room. Normally, boys weren’t allowed in, but with a parent in the room, it wasn’t an issue.

  I blushed at Mom’s enthusiasm. Most of the other girls’ moms hadn’t insisted on being here when they left for prom—but not mine. Lucky, lucky me.

  “Thanks, Raquel,” Cade said, giving her a charming smile before his eyes moved back to me. He shook his head, gesturing to my dress. “You look stunning.”

  My blush deepened. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”

  “Mm-hmm,” Lacey murmured from behind me, quiet enough so that only I could hear.

  I clasped my hands behind my back, suddenly nervous about tonight. I’d been looking forward to prom since Cade asked me, but now that I’d made up my mind to tell him that I wanted to be his girlfriend, my stomach was a strange sort of quivery. It didn’t help that he was uber hot tonight and every time I looked at him, my mind blanked.

  “I brought this for you,” he said, holding up a corsage box. He opened and pulled out a corsage with pink roses, similar to the ones covering the pergola where we’d had our first kiss.

  I met his eyes, and he smiled in a way that said he’d been thinking of that night when he’d bought it.

  “Thank you,” I said, blushing as I moved to get the box with his boutonniere. Mom took pictures as Cade slid the corsage onto my wrist and I pinned the boutonniere to the lapel of Cade’s tux.

  “Knock, knock,” Oliver said as he entered the room. I watched as his eyes landed on Lacey, his face going slack.

  She beamed and moved to him, looking every bit as starry-eyed. “Hey, Oliver. You look dashing.”

  “Thanks.” He seemed to shake himself back to reality and gave her a hug. “You’re gorgeous, Lacey.”

  I couldn’t keep the grin from my face as I turned to Cade and mouthed, “They’re so cute!”

  He smiled and nodded in agreement.

  “Oh, you are all just darling!” Mom gushed.

  I rolled my eyes but smiled at her enthusiasm.

  “Before you leave, I need pictures,” she said. “Not in here, though. Let’s go outside for a good backdrop.”

  We followed her out of the room and Cade reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers and waiting so that we were a few beats behind the others before he turned to me. “What are you trying to do, Radcliffe?” He raised an eyebrow as his mouth curved up in the corner. “How do you expect me to focus on anything else tonight when you look like that?”

  My heart climbed into my throat. “Maybe that was my intention,” I teased, playfully squeezing his hand.

  His smile grew. “I knew it. You are a tease. That whole thing about you thinking I’m a heartbreaker—you were trying to hide the fact that you’re the one going around breaking hearts. Leaving guys like me trailing after you, hopelessly lost.”

  I bit my lip, wanting to confess my feelings to him right then and there, but the timing needed to be right. “I’m not a heartbreaker,” I said. “You’ll know that soon enough.”

  He paused, searching my face. “What do you mean?”

  I gave him a secretive smile. “I’ll tell you later.” I pulled on his hand, tugging him to keep walking. “Come on. The sooner we get these pict
ures over with, the sooner we can get to the dance.”

  He groaned in frustration. “Like I said, a tease.” He shook his head at me but obediently followed me outside to the spot where Mom was posing Lacey and Oliver. She took a few shots of them, and then of us as a group, and then about a gazillion shots of just me and Cade. Lacey and Oliver watched for a bit, and then left to join Oliver’s group of math club friends that they’d planned to go to the dance with.

  After another ten minutes of smiling for the camera, I told Mom that we needed to meet up with our group and she reluctantly let us go. We walked toward the guys’ dorms where we were meeting Cade’s friends from lacrosse, but instead of going into the building, Cade pulled me around the corner, toward the gazebo near the pond.

  “Where are we going?” I asked. “Aren’t your friends waiting for us?”

  “I’ll text them and let them know we’ll meet them at the dance,” he said, leading me into the gazebo before taking both of my hands as he turned me to face him, looking into my eyes. “Tia, I’ve been trying really hard to be patient—but I have to know what you were trying to say to me back there.”

  My heart pounded and the ball of knots tightened in my stomach. His hopeful brown eyes searched mine, and I knew it was time to let go of my fears. I took a deep breath. “I like you, Cade. A lot.” I blushed and looked up at him through my lashes. “I want us to be a couple … if you still want to?”

  His chest lifted as his eyes filled with warmth. He cupped my face gently in his hands. “There’s nothing I want more.”

  The air escaped my lungs and my heart fluttered like a bird set free. He smiled and bent his face to mine, kissing me in a way he never had before—a kiss that felt like a promise. Like belonging. The kind of kiss a boyfriend would give to his new girlfriend. I’d never been anyone’s girlfriend before, but if Cade’s kiss was any indication of what it would be like, I didn’t know why I’d fought it for so long. Standing here in his arms, I felt safe and wanted. My heart would be safe with him.