Page 51 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

My inner voice taunts me as I battle the tears that I will let fall over my dead body. He doesn’t deserve my tears. He gets nothing from me and as I sit hunched on the cold ground, I replay what happened over and over again in my mind.

A sudden movement behind me causes my skin to prickle and I guess who it is before his husky voice drifts across my soul.

“You deserve an explanation.”

I say nothing and as he sits beside me, I stare into the darkness of the lake, wondering if I have the strength left to drown him in it.

“You could have told me your intention before I made an ass of myself back there.”

My voice is dull. Enthusiasm left me back in that dungeon.

“I never told you my decision.”

“But you told me to stick. Do you get off on making me look like a fool?”

“I did it for a reason, Cass. Nothing has changed between us.”

I turn and throw him an incredulous glare.

“Nothing has changed.Everythinghas changed.”

He shakes his head. “Only if you want change. I do not.”

“Then why twist?”

I reach out and cup her beautiful face in my hands and my voice is sincere as I whisper, “I want you to stay with me because you choose to—not because of the game.”

“I don’t understand.”

Her eyes flicker with confusion, and I smile softly. “It’s obvious you have a history with Jack. I’m aware you discussed it, but how would I ever know if you wanted me over him if you weren’t free to make the choice?”

Understanding dawns and I falter. “So it was a test?”

“Of course.”

He runs his thumb under my eyes where the tears spill and smiles. “It was something my mom said to me.”

“Your mom?”

He nods. “She told me you don’t win hearts by taking them. You must deserve them and put in the work to win them fair and square. There is nothing fair about The Claiming, Cassie. It’s a battle where one person wins by strength, not deeds.”

He leans closer until our lips touch. Then pulls away a little and whispers, “I wanted to test your reaction as well as Jack’sreaction. He had the choice to twist, but I’m aware he is an honorable guy and wouldn’t do that to my cousin. His reaction didn’t reassure me, but it’s your mind that concerns me.”

“What do you want from me, Frankie?”

I stare into his eyes and he smiles. “I want you to stay because you want me. Voluntarily and free to leave at any time if I piss you off and because there is nobody else you would rather be with.”

He reaches for my hand and presses it to his heart. “I don’t want anyone but you, Cassie. I never did. You are the first girl I’ve wanted to share my bed with, my thoughts, my memories, and my time. The world outside of Rockwell may have a different future for both of us, but while we’re here, under the same roof, I want my experience to be with you. I already know that, but I’m not certain you want the same. For my own sanity, I must be your first choice and not the one where you havenochoice. If we are together voluntarily, I must continue to try harder to keep you. To work on what we have and put the hard work in. The Claiming was a game to make that first step. The Twist is a harder one because you may choose to step away from me.”

“Frankie.” My heart is crushed because now I understand. He has held doubts this entire time because he believed I was in love with Jack.

Iamin love with Jack, but it’s different with him. Is it possible to love two guys in different ways at the same time? Of course it is because I’m living it now.

I say nothing and crush my lips to his because it’s actions that interest me now.

I grasp his hair and hold it tightly in my hand as I kiss him fiercely, wanting him more than anything.

He tugs at my lower lip and bites the soft flesh between his teeth and spins me around and pushes me so my back hits the ground.

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