Shane

“You’re not coming to lunch?” Amanda asks in that artificially sweet voice she reserves for me. 

Sorting through the stack of books in my locker, I grab what I need to get through my afternoon classes. “Not today, remember? I have that peer advisory meeting.”

Pouting, she bats her eyes and scoots in closer like she’s hoping I’ll reach for her. The familiar pang of guilt flares to life, but just as quickly, I push it away. Having known each other since we were kids, reacting to her needs is more of a habit at this point. It’s a by-product of the way our families have always pushed us together, which made it feel natural—or rather easy—to give in to the steady stream of affection she both gives and demands from me.

For a long time, I was content with what we had. But with both college and adulthood around the corner, I realized I was running out of time. My parents brought me into this world with one purpose in mind, to grow into a man worthy of stepping into my father’s shoes at our family’s Private Equity Firm. The clock is ticking. Set to start immediately after college, which leaves me with a little over four years to figure out who I am outside of the Montgomery legacy. Four years to find a path that leads to a future both my parents and I can live with.

It’s something I tried to explain to Amanda when I broke up with her a year ago. She’s under the same pressure and standing at the same crossroad. Unfortunately, she didn’t quite see things my way, which I understand. It goes back to how we were raised. Relationships in our world are transactional in nature. Political moves or business arrangements that are thoroughly calculated, leaving nothing to chance. I understood this when I ended things, and it’s why I left the door somewhat open, leaving us in a state of “broken up for now” while we figure out who we are and what we want out of life.

She’s still resistant. Opting instead to monopolize my time and treat me like we’re still together. I get this is hard for her and being cruel just isn’t me, which is why I give her so much leeway. Well, that and the fact our parents are so determined to force us together. It’s yet another reason I do the bare minimum to keep her happy and keep up appearances for our parents. The consequences of disappointing them are pretty dire for both her and me. More so for her, since her father is a sexist bastard who’s made it clear she won’t be inheriting any part of his business, and with her brother Nick refusing to fall in line, marriage to someone who’s been groomed to take over the Kline Empire is the only way to secure her future.

“Can you wrap up a little early? I’d like to see you even if just for a few minutes. With you having practice today, it’s the only chance we’ll get.” She coyly tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Her bright blue eyes reveal a small glimpse of the wistful innocence she rarely shows.

It’s a look that, over time, her parents’ cold reprimands have nearly extinguished. In our world, there is no room for anything other than calculated cutthroat indifference. Some of us—like her brother Nick Kline—are strong enough to stand up for who we are and rebel against their expectations. Others—like Connor Matthews—embrace it and become the very thing they despise as a means of survival. Then there is me—the eternal optimist and visionary who believes there is a better way. Exhausting as it is, I walk that fine line between being who they want me to be while fighting to remain true to myself and the man I want to become.

“Sorry Ames. Not today.” Frustration gets the best of me and I slam my locker shut with a bit more force than I intended, making her jump. “I promise I’ll call when I get home.” I rub her back in apology, leaning down to catch her eyes. Though we’re not together, I want her to see she still matters to me. In a world where it’s hard to find people who truly care, I refuse to be that guy. While the rest of Ruby Creek may see my friends as nothing more than rich, entitled assholes, I know the truth of who they are. Their cold, callous exteriors are part of the armor necessary to survive the cruelty of being born into families like ours.

The smile she gives me is weak, but she looks pleased. “Okay. I’ll talk to you then.”

I hate to admit it, but I’m relieved when she’s the first to walk away. Whenever she looks at me, I can see her yearning for something I can no longer give. As much as everyone insists our future is bound together, I just don’t feel that indomitable spark with Amanda that I do in the mere presence of Becca. I don’t understand what it is or why it happens, but it’s like a sixth sense of sorts. This strange awareness that permeates my senses and alerts me that not only is she near, but that I need to be closer to her. Becca is like a beacon that shines in the dark, and like a deer caught in a headlight, I’m helpless, unable to turn away. With my path in life already mapped out and at the mercy of my family name, I owe it to myself to figure out what this strange pull means. Especially if these next four years are my only chance at actually doing something for me.

“She’ll be okay,” I mumble under my breath, intending my words to be true. I’m determined to spend the next four years looking for a way to ensure Amanda is taken care of, regardless of what happens between us.

Stopping at the main office to grab the food delivery I ordered, I give the cranky receptionist Mrs. Wilson my most charming smile, while sweet-talking my way until her signature scowl disappears. It’s as close to a smile as I’ll ever get from the old bat, but I’ll take it.

“You’re making a habit of this, Mr. Montgomery.” She shakes her head disapprovingly, but I can tell it’s only to hide her amusement. “Need I remind you that having outside food delivered is against school policy?”

“See, I knew you’d feel that way, which is why I ordered you a little something to make up for your trouble.” I push the smaller bag in her direction. “It’s not much. Just a slice of the best apple pie in town.” Everyone knows Mrs. Wilson is a sucker for sweets. When she scowls and purses her lips, I smile wide. “Enjoy and please know the student body appreciates all your hard work. Now, I’m off to a peer advisory meeting. Please say hello to Mr. Blair for me.” 

With our lunch in hand, I walk out the front doors of the school and head towards the side courtyard, where I told Becca to meet me for our first official peer advisory meeting. Surrounded by three walls full of windows that look into the administrative offices, the place is typically a ghost town. It’s why I chose it. For reasons I don’t yet understand, my pretty girl is skittish. Untrusting. I get the sense she’s been hurt pretty bad and if our last conversation is any indication, it’s somehow linked to Amanda’s father, Charles Kline. Whatever was done to her family, she’s lumped me in the same category as him and therefore doesn’t trust me. Her fear when we’re alone together is palpable, even as she tries to hide it behind walls of feigned fury. Those times she’s like a cornered animal, her eyes filled with a sense of desperation and pleading that leaves me confused and uncertain if she’s asking for me to leave her alone, or to stay and prove to her I can be trusted.

And God… what I wouldn’t give for her to trust me. 

For four months now, I’ve been slowly finessing my way into her life, and though I’m not even close to convincing her she should give me a chance, I’m already halfway in love with the girl. Since that first day of school when I saw her in Mr. Blair’s office begging to add more AP classes to her already full course load, I’ve been desperate for more time with her. It started with spending my Wednesday evenings at the diner where she works, sitting at a table and having one-sided conversations as she looked at me with annoyance. Then I moved on to coordinating chance encounters at school, after having learned her class schedule and the routes she takes to get to each one.

I know Monday mornings are the hardest for her, after having spent the weekend working her fingers to the bone, and then staying up late Sunday night after working the closing shift. I know that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she comes to school ninety minutes early to use library resources since she doesn’t have a computer or printer at home. On Wednesdays, I’ve seen how she sneaks off to the table no one uses at the back of the diner, to do homework and study for minutes at a time between running food and taking orders. And then there are Fridays when she takes off from school, already wearing her work uniform, as she rushes off to start her longest shift of the week. I’ve never met anyone who works harder than Becca, and her determination to achieve her goals and succeed in a world that cuts her no slack is not only admirable but captivating.

And then when she looks up at me from where she waits at the lone picnic table in the middle of the courtyard, dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a white coat, and her silky brown hair cascading from under a knitted beanie, that’s when I realize I’m not halfway in love with Becca Franks after all.

As it turns out, I’m all the way in.

Without a doubt, I’m head over heels in love with this girl and I’m more determined than ever to prove to her she and I are meant to be.

Want to read ahead? The next 2 Chapters are available FREE if you FOLLOW ME on REAM!!! (https://reamstories.com/arianaclarkauthor) 

Please remember to like, comment, & review. For updates on this and future stories, remember to follow me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note:

This is the first time we get a scene from Shane's point of view. Through his eyes, we get a small glimpse of the challenges that are a part of his world.

I'd love to hear what you think about Shane and this scene. Comment as you read along and let me know what you think. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW CHAPTERS post at 3:00 PM EST on Fridays!!!