Spring Knight: Young Adult Romance Novella (A Seasons of Change Standalone) Page 3

Kayleigh didn’t know what had come over her, but she was determined to get her message across. She refused to be played, and even if getting angry made her look like a fool, it would be no worse than stuttering and stumbling over her words because of Aiden’s presence.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  He didn’t know what was going on inside his head. In fact, he didn’t know what was going on with anything. His brain was struggling to keep up with the events of the last few hours and it wasn’t just because of Kayleigh’s transformation. He had never seen her act as confident as she had done recently. When she stepped into that room she was a totally different person, and he had to admit he liked her feisty side. It was obvious she’d liked him for a while. She probably thought he’d never noticed her in the years she’d been hanging out with Ellie, but he had. He noticed the subtle blushes at certain comments, the way she tried to disappear from his eye line, and how she stumbled over her words. Of course, Aiden was cocky and over confident, he thought everyone loved him, but Kayleigh was different. She wasn’t upfront and demanding he go out with her, but her quietness made him notice her even more.

  Her feisty side was a new development, though. The teasing on his part had been deliberate. He’d wanted to see if he could make her lose control; he wanted to see her blush, and he wanted her to play his game. However, he never expected her threats, and even if they didn’t scare him, he couldn’t get her face out of his head as he walked over to the café to buy a drink.

  The idea of starring in a play had become that much more interesting at the prospect of being able to be around Kayleigh. He’d thought it would be boring, but as his mind came up with all of the ways he could make her blush or curse him, it suddenly became a great source of entertainment, and he wanted to get to know her. He had to remind himself not to take it too far, though. Not only would Ellie string him up by the balls if he hurt Kayleigh, but she was also a sweet girl who already suffered from a lack of confidence. After all, he wasn’t a monster. Regardless, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was ready to change for her … if the performance would be enough of an excuse to allow him to admit his true feelings and prove himself. At least that was his thought until he saw her storming across the room.

  Maybe her anger isn’t so hot.

  Her eyes locked on to him at the end of the counter immediately. Like a homing missile she headed in his direction, weaving through the tables gracefully but rapidly. Within seconds she stood toe-to-toe with him. “Outside. Now.” She didn’t wait for a response. Gripping his arm, she dragged him from the café until they were outside where less people could see them. Despite being angry, she didn’t want to cause a huge scene. “What the hell was that?”

  “What the hell was what?” He folded his arms, leaning against the corner of the wall with a teasing expression.

  “In there ... the touching ... your comments. This isn’t a game, Aiden.”

  “Believe me, I know. I have hundreds of pound resting on you getting me through to the show.”

  “I meant me. I’m not going to be your new toy. I know your games, and I know your tricks.” Her anger was subsiding quickly, leaving room for her to doubt herself. She could feel herself reverting back to her old ways, becoming uncomfortable in his presence.

  “Oh really? And what games would they be?” When he laughed, she both wanted to hit him and collapse into his arms, the sound making her go weak at the knees as she stared into his cool eyes that were bright with humour.

  “You have a new girl on your arm every week, you take what you want and then end it. You’re Aiden Hanson for crying out loud, you’re known for not doing serious. But I refuse to be one of them.”

  “What made you think you were going to be?”

  That took her back a step. It stripped all of her anger, leaving a cold vulnerability behind. Like someone had thrown a bucket of ice cold water over her, a freezing nervousness surged through her as her heart started to race. Maybe she had read the situation wrong. Kayleigh started to twist her hands in front of her, keeping her attention on the stone beneath her ballet flats that had suddenly become so interesting. “I just thought ... you know ... because ...”

  She kicked at the pebble, rolling it beneath her shoe, humiliated. Not knowing how she could have gotten things so wrong, she refused to look at him.

  “Kay, I was only messing with you. I thought you’d know I was teasing. I’d never turn you down.”

  She saw his feet move, signalling he was no longer leaning against the wall. Yet, not knowing how to respond, all words failing her, she said nothing.

  “Look, you said you know how I am. I flirt with everyone, you’ve seen me. I’m confident and I go for what I want. I don’t mean anything by it most of the time.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t understand what he was saying. Was he telling her he wasn’t interested or that he was flirting?

  “So are we good? You’ll still help me?”

  “Promise this isn’t a wind up?” She had to be sure.

  “I never joke about money, Kayleigh. I need your help. I can’t promise I won’t say things that will make you uncomfortable, but I’ll try to think before I do something. God knows Ellie will kill me if I hurt you.”

  Kayleigh nodded. It wasn’t a great deal, but at least it was something. She didn’t know what working with him was going to be like—she assumed it’d be hell—but she told herself she could work through it. As long as she remained in control and kept her feelings separate, she convinced herself she’d be fine.

  “Be back in the P.A.C in thirty minutes, you’ll have your monologue audition.” Unable to stay around him any longer, she turned to leave. Her mind needed a break if she was going to have to help him through auditions.

  “P.A.C?”

  “Performing Arts Centre. The room you were in earlier,” she explained, and turned fully so she could no longer see him.

  “Kay,” he called to her back and she faced him warily. “Thanks, I appreciate the help.”

  Kayleigh shrugged and walked away. She couldn’t deny his appreciation felt good.

  He felt terrible as he watched her walk back into the building. He’d told himself he’d be different with her, and one of the first things he did was revert to his old mannerisms. He’d seen the ruby colour bleeding into her cheeks before she’d dropped her gaze, and instantly his heart clenched with guilt. Hurting her was never his intention, and it pained him that she had so little trust—even if it was valid. The comment was meant as a joke, but as soon as it had left his mouth he’d known it was the wrong thing to say. For once he was cursing his reputation. Sighing, he reached into his pocket to pull out the monologue. He already had most of it memorised, but wanted to make sure. If he could prove Kayleigh wrong, he’d have done something right. He wanted to support her and see more of her feisty side. If he could bring that out during his audition, he hoped she’d start to relax more in public—with or without him—because she always looked so lost without Ellie. He’d seen a different side to her today, and he wanted to see more.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The auditions ran smoother than normal. People entered the room, and they either nailed their piece or messed up. However, none of them were given any indication as to which category they fell into because Adam dismissed them with only a curt nod, and Kayleigh a smile. Of course there were a few who stumbled over their lines so badly there was no doubt that they weren’t going to make the cut. “I detest time wasters,” Adam spat as the last person exited the room. The poor guy had been so nervous he’d only managed to get a line out before tripping over his words and breaking out into a sweat. By the time his five minutes had ended, he looked like he’d run a marathon rather than tried to audition for male lead. Despite Kayleigh’s efforts to try and prompt him, he still hadn’t managed to complete the monologue. It was a shame since Kayleigh thought he looked perfect for the part of the knight, but even she couldn’t champion him.

  “It’s part of the job. Don’t do it if you don’t
like it.”

  “Yeah ... You’d love that wouldn’t you? You could muscle your way in and take control then.”

  Kayleigh sighed, she knew she shouldn’t have said anything.

  “And I didn’t say I hated this job, I just think only performing arts students should be allowed to audition.”

  “Not everyone was terrible,” Kayleigh defended, one name springing to mind instantly. The biggest surprise of the day came in the form of Aiden as he recited the monologue she had given him word for word. Even more surprising was that he actually performed it, and then followed it up by singing almost pitch perfectly. It was the last thing Kayleigh had expected, and so had Adam if he’d be honest with himself. Aiden was almost too good to be true, like an undiscovered pop star. She felt herself melting a little bit more as she watched him—unable to look away—but she also questioned if there was anything he couldn’t do.

  “Yeah? Who? Name one person that made it through to round three that wasn’t part of the usual crowd.”

  He was mostly right. It was the usual bunch that got through to the third round—singing—and the similar people that weren’t star material who would make up the backing cast.

  “Aiden Hanson.”

  “That cocky, womanising jackass who thinks the world owes him something?”

  Kayleigh almost choked on the water she had taken a sip of. His statement was beyond hypocritical. “Well I think he’s lead material. My vote goes to him.”

  Adam glared at her, seething. He hated that she was involved in this part, but it was beyond his control. Being vice president and female lead had some perks, and although she wouldn’t get into a big fight over Aiden, she knew talent when she saw it.

  “I will not have him making a mockery of my show. You may be second to me, but I still out rank you.”

  Kayleigh shrugged. She didn’t want an argument and she wasn’t talking about their competition for president next year. She was used to his intimidation tactics; she’d suffered them for two years after all. At the start she thought he had a personal vendetta against her, that everything he said was true, but finally she’d learnt silence was the best defence and offence. People couldn’t argue with silence, and she was through taking anything he said to heart.

  “I want Max. We know he can perform under pressure, he’s a quick learner, and he’s reliable.”

  “True, but we need new people to bring a new sense of life into the shows. The same cast for everything gets boring. Just admit, Aiden surprised you.”

  “He did, but it wasn’t enough. Why are you backing him anyway?”

  “He was the best. He’s fresh and has a big name on campus. He’ll bring a new audience to the show. Max is boring.”

  “So are you then.” His comment riled Kayleigh, but she kept quiet and glared at him. They didn’t normally need to discuss who the roles would go to; there was always a stand-out performance. However, Adam was allowing his prejudices to get in the way this time. Kayleigh knew he thought the same as her, she’d seen it in his eyes as Aiden sang, but he was too proud to admit it. Knowing Adam, he probably thought it was a conspiracy for leadership.

  “Fine, I’ll cast him on one condition.”

  Kayleigh should have been excited, but rather a part of her was trying to figure Adam’s motives out while the other half was questioning how she was meant to act around Aiden without becoming a speechless moron.

  “If he so much as misses one practice, and can’t be script perfect in a week, then you step down. You step out of the election and you become just another performer.” He was stalking towards her, slowly pushing her back against the folded-up, raised seating that created a wooden wall. He had a predatory look in his eyes as he towered over her. “Deal?”

  She looked up at him, and much to her annoyance, she swallowed hard from nerves. He stood toe-to-toe with her, an arm on the left side of her head in a threatening way.

  “Fine.” It came out weaker than she would have liked because she’d resorted back to the Kayleigh she was outside of drama; the quiet, reserved girl who didn’t challenge anyone.

  “I look forward to it then.” His smile was deadly as he wrote Aiden’s name at the top of the cast list.

  Kayleigh’s heart was pounding as he backed off. What have I just done? she thought. She’d wanted to spend more time with Aiden, which was why she fought for him, but now she needed to make him see the importance of the show. That meant being able to have a normal conversation with him when she wasn’t mad ... then again, mad seemed to work just as well.

  Shaking her head to clear it, she stared as Adam approached her with the list. “Be a good girl and go pin this up. I’m sure your boyfriend will be thrilled to see the strings you’ve pulled for him.”

  Kayleigh was about to correct him when the full effect of his statement hit her. She was certain he was going to do everything in his power to not only embarrass her, but cause a divide between them. She wasn’t very subtle with her crush on Aiden, and suddenly Adam had all of the fuel he needed to ruin her drama career ... and she’d handed it to him.

  Exiting the room with the cast list, Kayleigh walked through the eager crowd and over to the noticeboard to pin it up. They all converged on it like a pack of wild dogs over a carcass. Cheers erupted as people got the parts they wanted and others groaned as they found they were either part of the chorus or not cast at all.

  Wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible and head home, she turned away from the noise. She needed to start preparing and going over her lines for the first rehearsal the next day. She almost made it, too. However, at the last moment before she disappeared through the door a hand encircled her wrist, pulling her to a gentle stop.

  Looking up, her mouth suddenly became dry, the skin where he touched her burned as she stared into his piercing eyes. His lips turned up at the corners like he knew the effect he had on her.

  “Why’d you do it? You know I didn’t need the lead part.”

  It took her a while to decipher his words as she was more interested in his lips, but finally her brain registered the sentences. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “We both know that’s not true, but I’ll believe you for now.”

  “Can you ... um, can you let go of me? I have to go.”

  “You sure you want me to?” He arched his eyebrow, a cocky expression washing his face. The fact he was actually seeing her for once made her heart race, and she hoped he didn’t feel her frantic pulse against his fingers.

  Biting her lip, she looked at him warily, unsure what he was playing at. “Yes.” It was only a whisper, but he dropped his hand and instantly she covered the spot he had held with her own.

  “Better get used to it, though. By the looks of the script there’s going to be a lot of touching.”

  Kayleigh sucked in a sharp breath, the stark reality hitting her hard. She might as well have sold her soul to the devil and bought a one way ticket to hell because that’s where she was going to be living for the next two weeks. She was a good actress, but she couldn’t pull off a feat this big.

  “Just don’t let me down, okay? I have a lot riding on this, and if you’re not there it’s me who loses out. ”

  He gave her a mock salute, even though the words were timid and she couldn’t meet his eyes. Despite her best efforts, she smiled. Before he could make another comment that turned her to a pool of jelly, she hurried out of the door.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Aiden stood at Justin’s door with the biggest smile on his face. He was there to collect his winnings, and he couldn’t wait to feel the cash in his hand. Aiden thrived off winning. It wasn’t about the money—although he wouldn’t turn it down—it was the kick he got from it. Like with everything—sports, pool, bets, or anything that meant he could prove himself—it gave him a thrill. After raising his hand and knocking, it didn’t take long for the door to open. However, what greeted him caused his jaw to drop. He hadn’t been expecting to be met by a half-naked Ellie, w
ho was dressed only in one of Justin’s dorky shirts. Her hair was slightly rumpled and her eyes narrowed into annoyed slits as she glared at him.

  “Am I interrupting something?” he asked slyly and waited for her to slap him. Despite how he treated her, and as much as he flirted, Aiden didn’t have feelings for Ellie. She was his best mate’s sister for crying out loud and his cousin’s girlfriend. If that didn’t scream off limits to him then nothing would. However, he was in fact a guy and that meant he couldn’t help but admire her as she folded her arms across her chest, the shirt inching higher up her thighs in the process.

  “I was sleeping. What do you want?” She let out an exasperated sigh, moving away from the door and gesturing to let him in.

  “Just sleeping?”

  This time she did slap him. A stinging pain radiated out from where her fingers collided with his arm, but it caused him to laugh. “All right, I’ll stop. I thought you were in France?”

  “I came back.”

  “Obviously. That is unless you’ve cloned yourself or have a twin I don’t know about.”

  Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’m allowed a holiday and I have a twin. I think you know him; famous skier who can kick your ass?”

  “I missed you, Elles.” Laughing, he wrapped her in a hug. It was true, she was one of the few people who called him out on his jerky comments.

  “Wish I could say the same. Anyway, seeing as you didn’t know I was back, I’m assuming you’re not here to see me.” The arch in her eyebrow gave away the unspoken question.

  “Justin owes me something, I came to collect it.”

  She eyed him suspiciously over her shoulder as she headed into what he knew to be the bedroom. He was about to follow her when the door slammed in his face, almost hitting his nose.

  It opened seconds later to Ellie dressed in a pair of trackies.

  “Elles, is Justin even here?”