Page 9

Madison

So far, Rhue has kept a moderate distance.

I didn’t expect it, considering the promises of hell that he had made in previous days.

He managed to scare Cameron away since that evening.

What a prick. Not Rhue; no, I knew Rhue was bad news.

I mean Cameron. Allowing Rhue to scare him off like that.

Not standing his ground. Believing the things Rhue said without getting to know me himself.

I shake my head. That was just the anger talking.

The Echeveria name has quite the reach, making it all the way into Ithaca and anyone, Kennedy or not, knew better than to imprint themselves on an Echeveria’s bad side.

Cameron was here to learn and, whether I wanted to admit it or not, perhaps staying away from me was beneficial to his education.

I told myself it didn’t matter. That one scorned relationship wasn’t the end of the world.

That much was true. In just my second week here, I’d managed to get acquainted enough with a few girls which meant meals weren’t spend alone and invitations to have a social life were extended.

They were nice girls, too. Sweet imports from Georgia and North Carolina.

A smile stretches across my lips as I look up to see them waiting for me outside the auditorium. We’re about to start one of three ancient history modules, and my heart dances at the thought of being able to discuss the lecture with them afterwards.

“There she is!” Rita exclaims upon seeing me.

“Hey,” I greet them as I part from the deluge of students filling the hallways.

It’s high traffic time as everyone is still trying to figure out which room is which, which auditorium holds which seminars, and so on.

This orientation chaos will go on for another couple of weeks until we’re all accustomed to the building and its intricate maze of chambers, halls and corridors. “How was your weekend?”

“Oh, boring,” Rita replies with a scoff. “My fiancé was supposed to come over, but he canceled. Don’t know what issue he had back home that was more important than me.” She pauses, then gives me a dark, narrow-eyed smile. “Let’s just say this was strike one. There isn’t going to be a strike two.”

Lindsey laughs lightly. “I, on the other hand, had my share of fun settling into town. I tried like three different eateries and mapped out every liquor store in Ithaca. Let’s save the legalities for later, I don’t look under 21, and that is all the people behind the counter need to know when they ring me up.

” She glances my way. “I was gonna throw a small get-together in my dorm room tomorrow night. You in?”

“It’s a weeknight,” I reply, smiling awkwardly as I pray they don’t lead me any deeper into temptation.

My grades are more important than changing my social life, and I am really bad at turning people down.

My stomach clenches as I remember Julian Echeveria for the umpteenth time.

Had trouble saying no there, too. “But I think I can make it.”

“Exams are still a long way away,” Lindsey says. “You’ll be fine if you go through one day of school in the company of a head-splitting hangover.”

“Well, not if we teach Maddie here how to drink like a champion,” Rita chimes in, grinning like the very devil that turns saints into sinners.

I like them both. They’re spunky and outspoken and lacking most inhibitions, which is exactly what I need if I’m to let loose. They’re also quite brilliant and with above-average GPAs, so they must be doing something right.

“Okay, I’m in,” I tell them, and I get nods of approval. “But I’m gonna have to be careful. I don’t usually drink.”

“None of us do,” Rita replies. “It’s just us girls, some music, some junk food. That kind of stuff. You can order the pizza, and Lindsey here will take care of the drinks.”

“Sounds like a great plan,” I say, almost giddy, my emotions playing a soundtrack fit for a sunny California teen power movie. Then Rhue pops up from behind the girls like a fucking nightmare and the record scratches, announcing the death of a good moment.

He seems amused. “Hey, ladies. So, are you sure you want to be seen associating with Madison Willis, the whore of Rochester?”

“Excuse me?” Rita asks, scrunching her nose as she takes a few steps to the side and turns to face him. Like a mirror image, Lindsey does the same, and they both cross their arms while they glower at Rhue.

I’m virtually crapping my pants, blood running ice cold as I try to think of ways to salvage this budding friendship.

I was a fool to let my guard down. I should have warned the girls about Rhue.

Maybe a lie, something about him being deranged or something, I don’t know.

Anything to turn them against him before he showed up to do something like this.

“I’m just saying, your reputations back home are pristine.

Madison’s will stain everyone she comes into contact with.

And if you’re looking to have some kind of political careers going forward, I recommend you leave this girl be,” Rhue says.

His tone is calm, holding just the right tinge of concern to make it feel like he’s actually being genuine and not just a downright asshole.

“I know her well enough to understand the kind of danger you’re exposing yourselves to, that’s all. ”

Lindsey narrows her eyes. “You’re Rhue Echeveria, right?”

“That is correct, and it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he replies, putting on his most charming smile. Guess he considers them already bagged.

“Your dad is Julian Echeveria. Big time real estate entrepreneur, Capitol Hill lobbyist during Congress sessions. Right?” Lindsey continues, while Rita is already googling his name.

Rhue nods. “That is also correct, yet.”

“Loves to twist arms and get various bills signed,” Lindsey says. “Bills that benefit him and his business partners, mostly. Bills that get entire neighborhoods gentrified, hundreds of people kicked out every month.”

I can see the good humor fading from his expression. My heart does a recovery jump as I realize where Lindsey is going with this, and Rhue catches up, too.

“I think you’ve got me wrong,” he tries to say, but he is quickly cut off.

“No, no, we’ve got you right,” Rita replies.

“The housing bill from last year. The one that cut funding for Baltimore and New Jersey, in particular. The Washington Post wrote some scathing editorials and opinion pieces on the matter, though they failed to mention your daddy’s name even though we all know he was the mastermind. ”

Rhue is irritated now. “And how would you know that?”

“Because my daddy is Reginald Spencer III, a Senator for North Carolina and one of the authors of that bill,” Lindsey shoots back.

“So, let me make something perfectly clear, Mr. Echeveria. Whatever issues you have with Madison, they are yours and yours alone. If you decide to proceed with this slut shaming strategy around campus, however, I’m going to have to file an official complaint about you, and I’m sure my colleague, Rita Manning, daughter of the Honorable Judge Manning of the Supreme Court for the State of Alabama, will gladly co-sign. ”

And just like that, my knees drop.

I had no idea they were this connected. Holy shit, they make Rhue’s dad sound like a little kid with a sandbox and nothing else.

I guess power comes in different forms, but I never thought I would find myself protected by it.

I’ve always been afraid of it, knowing what I know about Julian and his shady affairs.

But I will take this as a win.

“What are you saying, exactly? Are you threatening me?” Rhue asks, his good humor dead and buried.

Lindsey shrugs with blatant nonchalance. “Oh, darlin’, It’s not a threat, it’s a promise. And I’m sure you’ve told tales of Madison’s alleged promiscuity to others, too, since you’ve been here. I mean, how else could I explain why she’s turned so peaked and pale since you showed up?”

“You see, we’re taking psychology classes as part of our anthropology curriculum for the purpose of political careers, much like you.

Unlike you, however, we’ve learned a few things from our studies already,” Rita adds.

“I, for one, am able to identify a stalker’s pathology, and you, darlin’––” she gives him a cutting look up and down, “–––you qualify. I’m sure the Rectorate will see it, too. ”

“It’d do you good to watch your mouth, and your back,” Rhue hisses and then his eyes dart to mine. My little friends might have won this round, but I know by the look in Rhue’s eyes that he’s about to start a war.

He takes a step closer, making it clear that I’m the only target he gives a damn about.

I find it mind-boggling that after everything that has happened between us, I am still so startlingly receptive to the very space that he occupies with his physical form.

But I stand my ground, trying to steady myself on the support Rita and Lindsey have offered me.

“It’s nowhere near over,” Rhue warns me, his hand moving up to burn a line down my cheek, perhaps marking the course my tears will take when the brunt of his anger comes into effect.

“Again, I’m hearing threats,” Lindsey sighs and rolls her eyes.

Rhue ignores her and pushes his way into the auditorium as the last of the students in our year go in.

A minute goes by in the most awkward silence as I try to find the right words to thank Lindsey and Rita for having my back just now. As soon as I open my mouth to speak, however, Lindsey cuts me off.

“Don’t sweat it. But you’re going to have to do something about him, honey. If the young colt is anything like his daddy, and if my daddy’s stories about Julian Echeveria are true, his son will never stop haunting you.”

“There is only so much we can do here. I mean, sure, the faculty has our backs as women in a collegiate environment and everything, but men like Rhue have money and power.”

“I know.” The words fall heavy as stones from my lips.

Lindsey sighs softly. “You’re gonna have to find a middle ground with the guy or something. Whatever bad blood you two have, you best sort it out, sugar.”

They’re right. They are absolutely right, though I do feel slightly embittered that this is as far as their support will get me. I shouldn’t be shocked. They are who they are. Daughters of important people. My dad’s a carpenter, and I was in Julian Echeveria’s bed.

Bile tickles the back of my throat as I push the memory back down. This is the wrong time for it, goddammit.

I offer Lindsey and Rita a thankful nod. “I think I owe you one, either way.”

“Consider this a freebie,” Lindsey replies, slightly amused. “Besides, it bugs me when a man tries to bully a woman.”

“Oh, yeah, and the slut shaming? That’s the worst!” Rita chimes in.

We go inside, and I’m smiling with my whole heart.

It feels like it’s the first time that I have truly smiled.

Like it’s coming from deep within my very soul, bathed in light and hope and the love of living.

I’m not alone anymore. I had Lindsey and Rita backing me up just now.

I got through it. Maybe I was never alone to begin with.

Maybe good people were just waiting to cross my path.

After all, my biggest mistake was almost falling in love with the wrong guy. That was it. And I’m still paying for that “horrendous” crime.