Rhodes
I try to remember whether we had actual school teams. Did they compete?
I realize it’s been twelve years, and these guys didn’t go into professional polo, but they truly suck.
I think they miss the ball more than they hit it.
There’s a chance I’m biased because we are watching the Fucked-Up Four, but honestly. What the fuck is this?
“Are we really watching this right now?” Dianna asks, disgust lacing her voice.
“The real question is whether they were always this bad?” Thornton counters.
Bennett leans into me and murmurs, “I’ve never seen a game of polo, so I’m not entirely sure what the goal is here, but that guy almost falling off the horse wasn’t intentional, right?”
Bethany snorts.
“No.” I watch Fox miss the ball entirely, his mallet swinging high over his head with the momentum.
He has to awkwardly dodge and catch the mallet at the same time, which does end up with him on the ground.
“Do you think they realize that they’re making fools of themselves? ” I muse to no one in particular.
“They’re going to play it up like it was an intentional act,” Sara says. “Just wait.”
They do, in fact, claim that they were trying to entertain us. We can’t possibly believe that they’d been practicing for the past decade.
“If I recall, we never won a game even when they were in ‘top shape,’” Rosemary says. “Then again, I didn’t attend a game or keep up with the team. It’s polo. Who cares?”
“We weren’t a big enough school for any real sports teams,” Sara says.
“Not true. We could have had a basketball team,” Thornton argues.
“Chess would have been more entertaining,” I mutter just as we pass the Fucked-Up Four.
It appears as if Miller and Fox hear me. They glare in my direction, but all they get is a cold stare. I’m not afraid of them anymore. I shouldn’t have been in high school, but as a teenager, all you want is to fit in. High school is lonely with no friends.
Which is something I know from experience. I think there were actually very few true friends made in my year. We were all watching Chris. Not daring to speak up and have the attention turned on us. Commiserating, but our own fear won out.
There’s no way I’m the only one who feels guilty because I lived by the mantra better him than me right up until he was found hanging in the tree. I’d wager a guess that most of my classmates chanted the same four words in their heads as a means to turn their attention the other way.
Lee growls on his way by. A warning. He leans into Bennett’s side, seeing what I didn’t see immediately. They can’t get to me. This is something they know. Whether it’s because of my family or because of my pack. I’m inaccessible.
Bennett, though. That’s a different story. Bennett isn’t a Van Doren.
I drop my hand to his lower back possessively. He looks at me with his big megawatt smile, and I try to return it. There’s a lump in my stomach. Something all too familiar. Something I recognize but haven’t felt in more than a decade.
Fear.
Not fear for myself this time. Fear for someone else.
I’ll have a conversation with my pack when we’re upstairs. Bennett is not to be left alone. He’s never to be out of sight. There will always be at least three pups with him at all times. Hmm. Maybe four. One for each of the Fucked-Up Four.
“Are we just supposed to wander now?” Dianna asks.
“I think we’re supposed to be in the ballroom to network,” Heathcliff says. Apparently, he’s the only one who read our itinerary. Something I find a little amusing, since he didn’t attend the school.
“You have a ballroom?” Bennett asks, eyes wide and glittering.
“Oh, you sweet summer child,” Bethany says, not unkindly. “We couldn’t possibly have formals in the gymnasium like heathens.”
Rosemary, Thornton, and I laugh.
The ballroom is part of the primary building. Bennett looks around with stars in his eyes. I wonder what kind of school he went to. I’m not the only one wondering, though.
“You went to public school?” Rosemary asks.
Bennett nods. “Yep. We didn’t have formals, but we had dances, and they were in the gym. Our proms were at hotels, though. The kinds of rooms that were made to look grand but could be split in two by folding walls that remain visible when pulled back, taking away the entire luxurious effect.”
“Huh,” Dianna says.
“Wow. Tell me you’re rich and spoiled without telling me,” Robert teases.
Dianna grins. “My family owns a chain of high-end sporting equipment brands, so yeah, I’m used to eating on a silver platter.”
“Van Doren over here was eating off a diamond platter,” Bethany says, elbowing me playfully.
“Not back then,” I say, letting my gaze trail around the room. My pack is close. They likely feel my unease. The dark knot in my stomach. “It was still silver like yours.”
“You’ve just been upgraded since then,” Sara says.
I shrug one shoulder. “Uncle Jalon is a god, but don’t let him know I said that.”
“What’s he like?” Heathcliff asks.
“Uh…” I turn my attention to the group. The hand not holding Bennett’s is buried in Floofy Pants’ fur at the base of his neck. Which is probably why my pack is on alert right now. They feel my tension, even as I keep it from my posture and voice. They know.
“Well, whatever image you have of him, throw it out. He’s far more humble and kind than anyone with his wealth has ever thought of being.
Unlike most wealthy people, it’s not money and power that keep him going.
” I don’t miss several skeptical looks as they listen to me.
“It’s his family. He’ll do whatever it takes to always protect his family.
To provide for them and set up the future for as many following generations as he can manage.
He doesn’t care about money for money’s sake.
He wants the money to make sure his family always has everything they’ll ever need or want. ”
“You’re right. I can’t imagine that,” Thornton says.
I shrug. “That’s fine. I have no interest in convincing you. You’re free to believe what you want. That doesn’t mean you’re right.”
He bows his head with a smile.
“So… we’re supposed to be networking,” Bethany says. “How can I further your careers?”
Bobby laughs. Heathcliff wraps an arm around Bobby’s waist and pulls him in close, kissing his temple. Bethany’s smile is practiced. Not entirely disingenuous, but not exactly real either.
“How about we begin with the basics. What do you do?” Dianna asks, narrowing her eyes at Bethany. “You’re an enemy to the people, yes?”
Bethany grins. “I’m an elected official in Connecticut. But no, I’ve made most of my career all about forcing schools to be transparent and listen to victims who claim they’re being bullied.”
Dianna’s sarcasm dies down. A moment of silence passes between us, and I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking of Chris.
“What about you?” Bethany asks Dianna.
“I work for my family’s sports line. Marketing mostly. Sometimes social media,” Dianna answers. She looks at Sara.
“I’m a stay-at-home mom,” Sara says. “Though I organize a lot of outings and educational field trips for the playgroups my kids are involved in. Because I homeschool, it’s important to socialize our kids, which means we have the means to shape their empathy and acceptance of others.”
“Love that,” Rosemary says.
Sara nods. “I’m hoping to raise kids who don’t just feel confident but are also brave enough to stand up for those who aren’t in a position to defend themselves.”
Bennett rests his head on my shoulder. I can just barely see his smile.
He’s absently rubbing Lee behind his ears.
Which, of course, is Lee’s absolute favorite thing.
I think I can physically feel Lee’s loyalty shifting.
As if my pup can read my mind, he glances in my direction. Yep. Little traitor.
“What about you, Rose?”
“I’m a member of the school board,” she says with an amused smile. “I find it interesting that so many of us have made a career focusing on schools.”
“Not this one, though,” I comment.
“Oh, it’s on my list, but I’m not Canadian, so… it’s not as easy to get involved here as it would be if it were located in the States,” Bethany says. “Bobby is Canadian, though, so we have an in now.”
“Ah. That’s why you love me,” Bobby says, eyes hooding.
“You’re too cute,” Bethany says and kisses him. She turns to us again. “Bobby is in healthcare. He’s in his last rotation to be a cardiologist.”
“Wow,” Bennett says. “That’s cool.”
Bobby smiles. “Thanks.”
“Heathcliff is in PR. Specifically, my PR,” Bethany says. Her eyes turn to me. “You?”
“Rhodes is a hero,” Bennett says, and I have to hand it to him. I’m pretty sure I see big, shiny hearts in his eyes. “He kills bad people. Especially bullies. Isn’t that so brave?”
The group looks at me with questions.
“Like… executioner?” Thornton asks.
“Is that even a thing anymore?” Janet, his wife, asks.
“It is, and I am,” I agree. I feel like that’s a reasonable enough professional tag for what I do.
“He’s also an expert dog trainer,” Bennett says.
He slips down, so he’s on the same level as Lee and takes Lee’s big face in his hands.
His voice turns cooing as if he’s talking to a baby.
“Isn’t that right, precious? He found the sweetest, most beautiful puppies, and they behave so well.
Don’t you, LeeLee? Don’t you?” He nuzzles his face against Lee’s muzzle.
Lee licks his nose with a long, delicate tongue.
“Awww. You’re so damn cute. Such a delicate kiss! Your manners are better than most humans’!”
I’m not the only one nodding in agreement with his last statement. I’m also not the only one watching him with amusement. As if he’s talking to a Pomeranian and not a massive wolf dog. It’s endearing. Is there really any surprise that warmth blossoms in my chest in response?
It’s easy to look at my puppies and think monsters, but Bennett sees the truth. He sees that they’re the most perfect mix of deadly and cuddly.
“What do you do, Bennett?” Dianna asks.
“I have a subscription service,” he says, getting to his feet. “Mostly, I do stories through bi-weekly letters. Every mailing has story pages and also little bits of ephemera—like stickers, clippings, or tickets. Everything has to do with that week’s installment.”
“That’s really cool,” Janet says. “Do you have a card? I want to check it out.”
“Sure, but all the stories are gay.” He shrugs. “I like gay stories, and there aren’t enough of them in the world.”
Janet beams. “That’s cool with me.”
“All kinds of gay?” Dianna challenges. “Do you have some lesbian stories?”
“I know you’re ready for me to tell you no, but ha! I do!” He beams. “I also have two trans stories and a nonbinary story.”
His smile is blinding, and I fucking love it.
“That’s what you get for thinking he’s a jerk,” Sara says, hip-checking Dianna. “We’ll also take a card. Totally going to check it out.”
Bennett pulls a handful of cards from his pocket and hands them around.
“Amusing that the one person who didn’t attend school here is making all the connections,” Thornton says.
“I think you and Janet are last in telling us what you do,” Rosemary says to Thornton.
“Actually, I don’t think we’ve heard from you either. But I’m a genetic biologist. My wife is also a stay-at-home mother, but she goes to school in the evenings with the intent to be a dental hygienist.”
“Oh, cool,” Sara says. “Let’s keep in touch. I’d love to compare notes on being home with the kids.”
Janet smiles. “Absolutely.”
“Robert and I are high school principals at rival high schools,” Rosemary says, grinning.
“And a member of the school board?” Bennett asks.
“Yep. Being a member of the board is volunteer work. Not a paid job. An important job but not paid.
Sometimes, I forget how much our high school experiences can shape what we do in life. I think it’s safe to say that most of us have gone into professions where we’re fighting back against people like the Fucked-Up Four.
My gaze lazily turns in their direction, and I find that they’re watching us. I think they’re watching Bennett specifically. My hackles rise. It might not be a physical thing, but I feel it all the same.
Time to play.