Page 19 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Well, fuck me. Frankie has a twin.”

We openly stare as he heads toward the guys with no nerves and an air of commanding the room with no words or looks given. He is a magnetic force and Imogen’s eyes widen as she follows his progress and my heart sinks. Fuck no. Imogen is too pure and way too innocent for a guy like him. She would be swallowed whole.

I attempt to divert her attention.

“Hey, Imo, how is life at Willow Tree House?”

She returns her attention to me.

“I love it.” Her eyes shine with happiness. “Kennedy is so sweet and the rooms are fantastic.”

Summer nods. “It beats the dorm hands down and the girls have been so welcoming. It certainly surprised me because I’ve only heard bad things about sorority houses.”

“There are none at Rockwell. Officially, anyway.”

Siri nods. “Unofficially, they are existing as before. Not in the same way, but everyone knows their places and it appears you have been inducted into Kennedy’s clan with no problem.”

“I like her.” Summer states simply, and Imogen nods.

“Me too.”

“She is a good friend when you earn it.”

Siri grins. “Kennedy can be a difficult nut to crack, but the center is a sweet one. Hopefully, you passed the test before you even knew you were taking one.”

“I’m guessing it’s because of our connections.”

Summer glances at Frankie and rolls her eyes. “I have followed him through school and it eased my path. Everyone wanted to be my friend because of him. It sucks because I’m never sure if they like me as a person or just because of who my brother is.”

“You’re a fantastic person, Summer.”

Siri’s tone is fierce and I smile. It appears that their friendship is every bit as tight as mine, Imogen’s and Jack, of course. Yet as I think of my best friend, I hate the hollowness inside me that was never there before we came to Rockwell and as our eyes connect across the room, I realize this is the perfect time to thrash out the conversation that’s been a long time coming.

I excusemyself and head toward him, and he obviously senses my determination and meets me halfway.

“We need to talk.” I state simply and he nods, a closed expression unusually hiding his emotions.

“Shall we grab a beer outside?”

“Sure.”

He heads to the bar and grabs a few and as we head outside, I don’t miss that Frankie’s eyes follow us. I’m aware he’s curious about our relationship and I have never enlightened him about that. He doesn’t need to know our history; it serves no purpose in our life together.

As we hit the night air and close the door on the noise from the basement, we walk to the tree line and drop down onto the hard ground, our backs to a tree.

Jack hands me a beer and as we sit side by side, I hate the imaginary wall that shouldn’t be between us.

“Talk to me Jack.” I open up the discussion and he sighs, leaning back against the tree, knowing exactly what I mean by that.

“It’s different.”

“I know.”

I add. “It doesn’t have to be.”

His laugh is without humor. “Of course it does. Everything’s changed.”

“No, it hasn’t.” I argue. “My love for you as a friend is still as intense as it’s always been. We are still Jack and Cassie, and that will never change. You’re just pissed that I’m with Frankie. Admit it.”

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