“Kenley and I are—”
“Fine,” I say. “It was a strange and unfortunate situation. Juliette and I are both moving on.”
Juliette smiles and passes me a packet with information. There’s a brochure from the Jasper lodge that includes photos of the amenities; there are fire pits down by the lake, a big dock, an indoor pool and hot tub, a fireplace in the lodge. Beyond that there’s sledding, tubing, ice skating, and a few other outdoor activities.
“This looks really nice.”
“Only the best for the senior class,” Juliette says with a smug grin. “We’ve been through enough hell this year, don’t you think?”
The question isn’t exactly rhetorical. She’s looking right at me.
I hold Juliette’s eye and say, “Yeah, I think we have. Let’s do everything we can to make the senior retreat totally kick-ass.”
“Exactly how much adult supervision is there going to be?” Carlie asks. She’s been dating Dawson Bertram for three years. Everyone knows why she’s asking. Truthfully, I’m curious myself. A whole weekend with my guys? I’m looking forward to it.
“Other than the mandatory activities, we’re going to have a lot of freedom,” Juliette says, “but be prepared for some basic rules. No boys or girls in each other’s rooms. That kind of thing.”
Carlie rolls her eyes. “Lame.”
“I’m sure you and Dawson can work your way around that,” Caden says with a laugh. His gaze skips over me. “Or anyone else here looking for a hookup.”
My cheeks heat despite the fact I will them not to. I’m not sure what he’s implying. Are there rumors about me and the guys? We’ve kept our relationship on the downlow as much as possible, but there’s no denying we hang out together a lot.
“It’s a school trip,” Juliette says, “not a sexportunity. I’m sure everyone can keep it in their pants for a couple of days.” She shoots a glare at Carlie. “Or at least be discreet.”
Carlie doesn’t look the least bit bothered, but I can’t say that I’m not looking forward to having some time away with my boyfriends as well. Good thing we already know how to be discreet.
Once the meeting is over, I stop at my locker for a book I need for an assignment. There are only a few people still around, but there’s no mistaking the blue hair that ducks into a doorway down the hall.
Coach Chandler’s office.
Worry is replaced by anger. Alice has to be doing this on purpose. Defying both my instructions as her editor and seeking attention from the one man I’ve made it clear is to be off limits.
I’m not surprised. This is classic Alice Kendrick.
Me not being able to leave it alone is classic Kenley Keene.
I press my back against the wall next to his office door and pretend to check my phone.
“Thanks for following up with some of the alumni. These quotes are really great.”
“No problem. It’s always nice to talk to my old teammates. They were especially excited since the boys won this title this year.”
“What’s it like being such a hometown hero?”
“Well,” his chair creaks. I dare a peek inside and see him leaning back in his chair, hands propped behind his neck. Alice stands at the edge of his desk. “It’s an honor and a burden. It’s nice to be recognized and to have a measure of success. But it also puts a target on your back.”
“You mean the accusations recently.”
Oh, Alice has no problem diving head in.
“They’re preposterous. All I’ve done is provide support for the students at my school. Some of them girls. There are no actual accusations by students—just one pathetic girl looking for assuage her guilt.”
I suck in a breath. Seriously?
“Some people are desperate to take people down so that it makes them look better,” Alice replies.
She. Did. Not.