Chapter 35

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On prom night, Reid arrived on my doorstep ten minutes early.

As Mom left to give us some privacy, it felt like a real movie moment when I saw him, pausing at the top of the stairs. His dark hair was slicked back, dressed in a black tux and a gold tie to match my dress and he watched me descend with a dazzling, unexpected smile.

"You look great," Reid said simply. "The colour suits you."

Self-consciously, I looked down at my dress which was more dramatic than I was used to. It was floor-length, a smooth gold satin that hugged my bodice and slit at mid-thigh. My hair was arranged in loose curls over my left shoulder, held in place using gold pins.

"Thanks," I replied, a little breathlessly. "You, too."

He cleared his throat and then drew a clear box from his pocket, gesturing for my hand. His fingers were cool as he slipped the corsage of white roses onto my wrist, lingering and I was close enough to catch a whiff of his smoky cologne.

Reid's boutonniere was on the table behind me, along with an extravagant bouquet of red roses. As I stepped closer to secure it to his tux, our eyes met. There was a wicked glint in his, one that had been missing for too long and his attention strayed, travelling the length of my body. I found heat rushing to my face at the brazen admiration.

"Sorry," Reid smirked, not sorry at all.

I tried to stop myself from blushing, sliding the second pin over his lapel before backing away. "Well, don't look too surprised. I had to make an effort for my senior prom."

"Not for me?" He joked and then a worried look crossed his face, almost too quick for me to register. "Wait, you're not regretting this, right? It's just prom... that's all."

I laughed, shaking my head even though the sudden image of Reid and Natalia flashed through my mind. Even if he wasn't over her and I had no idea what this was between us, tonight was our prom. Luckily, I was saved from replying when footsteps sounded and my mom reappeared.

"A golden couple, if I've ever seen one!" She clasped her hands together and I could tell that she was trying not to get emotional. "Oh my, look at you two."

"Thanks, Mom." I blinked as she snapped a million pictures on her phone.

"We should get going." Reid smiled at my mom, all pearly whites and effortless charm. Having apparently warmed up to him, she smiled back. "I'll have her home before midnight."

"It's nice to see you, Reid. Have fun, guys."

I took Reid's offered hand, letting him lead me to the limo waiting in front of my house. He helped me inside, gathering my dress before following suit. As the car started and we pulled away from my house, Reid poured two glasses of champagne. He seemed more serious now and I could tell that there was a lot more than just prom on his mind.

"My parents are getting a divorce."

Taken aback, the champagne flute stilled in my hand. "What?"

"My mother has known about the affair for years." Reid shook his head, leaning forward so that his elbows rested on his knees. "But it was different this time - it was Savannah."

"Savannah?" I echoed stupidly. "Why?"

The question snapped him out of a reverie and he blinked. "I mean, surely you've heard about the speculation over her parentage."

"Yes, but-"

"You never paid much attention to it." Reid looked at me, almost approvingly. "My mother was eight months pregnant with me when my father brought Savannah home."

I felt queasy all of a sudden.

"Everyone accused her of having an affair but it was him all along. He left for a business trip and returned with a baby - my half-sister. My mom was gracious enough to raise her as her own. And funnily enough, Savannah was the only thing holding my family together for years."

The look on his face felt like a knife to the gut. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No - I just needed to say it out loud."

"So it feels more real," I finished.

"Yeah," said Reid hollowly. "Something like that."

-

"You just wait until I become rich and famous." Tyler threatened when I declined his offer to dance for the fourth time. "Unbelievable!"

As he stormed off in a childish rage, Bree took his vacated seat, long and sleek braids sweeping over her shoulder. She was styled in a stunning gown that was the lightest shade of blue with a flattering neckline, hugging her figure and complimenting her dark skin. Catching her eye, we both watched Tyler disappear into the crowd.

"I won't miss how obnoxious he is, that's for sure." I said brightly and then winced when Bree's attention snapped back to me, surprised. Of course, she didn't know. "I'm so sorry. He - he's serious about LA. He's leaving in ten days."

"Ten days?" Her hands unconsciously fluttered up to the pendant that Tyler had given her but it was long gone now. "Well, good for him. I'm glad he's happy."

I could only hope to be as classy as she was, after going through such an ordeal. Bree had the true character of somebody who'd mastered everything Marshall Grammar had to teach.

"It doesn't matter," she continued on. "I think we all need a fresh start. I'm going to New York for college and I hope we keep in touch, Lex. I mean, after all, I'll need updates on Reid."

I laughed as she wagged her perfect eyebrows suggestively. She didn't seem to notice my momentary lapse when I remembered I had yet to ask Reid about college. His friends had remained stubbornly tight-lipped, to a point where I wondered if they even knew.

Bree was eventually whisked away by her partner as the lights dimmed and the music stopped.

"It's time." Tyler appeared on stage, tapping on the microphone as Dennis stood beside him begrudgingly, holding a single slip of paper. "Marshall Grammar, are we ready?"

"Yes!" The crowd screamed back.

"Where's Reid?" Kayley hissed indignantly, cheeks flushed as she pulled Jarred away from the dance floor. "You've only danced, like, twice! He's being a terrible date."

"Don't worry about him." Jarred reassured me with a smile. "He's probably taking another super-secret phone call. Give him a second."

"And without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, your Prom King and Queen for 2019 is... Jarred Dalton and Kayley Brewer!"

The music blasted and I found myself screaming with the rest of the student body, pushing a stunned Kayley forward. Her mouth hung open as did Jarred's and she clutched my arm tightly before the crowd tugged her away. The students parted as they returned to the dance floor, Kayley beaming up at Jarred as he shook his head in disbelief. In her mermaid-style red dress with lace sleeves and his navy tux, they were a stunning couple.

"Who knew Marshall Grammar would ever come together in such a way?" Reid materialised behind me, his voice making me jump. "It's remarkable."

I narrowed my eyes but took the hand that he offered me and we made our way onto the dance floor. "You disappeared at a convenient time - maybe you pulled some strings."

The corner of his lips twitched as his arm circled my waist. "Maybe."

Catching sight of Kayley's wide grin as she waved ecstatically at me, I found myself smiling stupidly back. "Thank you. It means a lot to her."

He just nodded. "Do you remember when I said I missed the SuperDraft?"

I frowned. "Of course."

"They didn't announce it on draft night because it would have caused all sorts of uproar." He was far too calm for anyone with bad news. "But my representatives have just confirmed the details of my contract with New York City FC. Pick seven overall, to wear the number seven."

New York.

My heart lurched, mind blanking and as if he sensed this, a small dimple appeared in his cheek. Reid seemed happy enough to let me process the new information.

I felt surprisingly calm, remembering Valentina's warnings to me about the differences between Reid's future and mine. While he was destined for stardom in New York, I would be working my way through law school at Yale. Reid's mother had been right after all and strangely enough, I didn't resent her for it.

"Reid!" My voice came out quieter than I expected. "Are you kidding? That's incredible!"

"It's complicated." His grip tightened around my waist and belatedly, I knew where this was going now. "Lex, I owe everything to my family and taking over for my father is how I repay the faith. I might not like it and you might not either but to them, it doesn't matter."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"So," Reid continued loftily. "I got into business school at Columbia."

For a moment, I just stared at him.

"I wish I could've chosen Yale or something." Reid's gaze turned imploring and belatedly, I realised that he was nervous for my reaction. His throat bobbed. "I think I might regret that later but... neither of us are ready for that conversation. And at the end of the day, I'm still selfish."

I wanted to tell him that he was far from selfish. The workload, the pressure, the expectations of his family but also everyone else around him... it was more than the average person can bear. The best athletes have to drop everything but Reid was still holding on. Even if I didn't like it, my resolve was slowly ebbing away because I knew Reid's tenacity and discipline. If anyone was going to accomplish the impossible, it was Reid. I knew that now.

"You're going to do both," I said finally.

He just smiled and stunned, I let him spin me the same way that they did in those stupid, cliché romances. When he pulled me in again, I was pressed flush against his chest and to my surprise, he was smiling. It was harder for me to return it but despite myself, I did.

"I wanted to explain," said Reid quietly, eyes scanning my face. "I thought you deserved to hear it from me. Even if I don't plan on reconsidering."

I squeezed his hand, our fingers laced together in an oddly intimate moment. People were watching but I didn't care and Reid didn't even seem to notice.

"You don't have to explain yourself," I told him in sincerity.

He just shook his head, pressing his lips to my knuckles. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, dark lashes brushing over high cheekbones, wide shoulders under that expensive tux and the dimple in his cheek. In that moment, it seemed to me that even if Reid Castellan caved, the whole world would take one look at him and then conspire to help him succeed.

"You said to me in New York that night," Reid's gaze met mine and then dropped lower, lingering on my mouth. "You said that my family's dream is not my dream. But it is."

I sighed and leaned my head against his chest. "If studying at Columbia and playing for the Blues feels right for you, then that's all. I'm glad that you got to make that decision."

"Thanks, Lex." He chuckled, gently resting his chin on top of my head. "Anyway, the world will judge me no matter what I do. Why not give them a show?"


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