cotillions, but they weren’t worth noting. A personal invitation from Bonham Brodie’s mama was unheard of. I never thought I’d be allowed to come out as a debutante, but what the Heirs wanted, they got.
Personally, I didn’t even want to be a debutante. It was a lot of pressure for perfection. One mishap, and you could be socially ruined, and not just for high school, but for all of Savannah. The only thing worse than not being a debutante, was being a failed one. Or at least, that was the general mentality of every damn person in this town.
When I pulled on my tennis shoes and an off-the-shoulder shirt over my sports bra, I stood up and made my way out of the dance studio and onto the street. I guzzled my bottle of water on my way outside to where my driver was waiting for me.
I slipped into the backseat while looking distractedly at my phone. I was mumbling Clay’s address to my driver when a low timber of a voice cut me off. “Actually, we’re going to the Kelly Estate.”
Startled, I looked up to find Rogue sitting in my car, wearing a smirk. I gasped and clutched my chest at the shock of seeing another person in my car.
“Shit, Rogue. You can’t just sneak up on a girl like that. What are you doing here?” I asked, noticing that my driver was putting up the tinted partition between us. I wondered how much Rogue paid him for this impromptu ride.
“Wanted to make sure you actually attended your appointment. The boys and I got drinks at the sports bar two doors down.” Of course they were. Luis's Mama owned that property, so it was a favorite hangout of theirs since they could be served alcohol without issue.
“I figured you could give me a ride home,” Rogue said, leaning forward. I smelled spicy cognac on his breath. He’d always had expensive tastes. He wasn’t flashy, but he was particular. Rogue Kelly only had the best. Clothes. Cars. Women. Alcohol.
“Fine. But I’m gonna have my driver drop me off at Clay’s first. He can take you home afterwards, and I’ll just spend the night.”
Rogue scowled and rested his forearms against his knees. “No.”
I cocked a brow. “No?”
“That’s right. No. You’re not gonna go see Clay. I can’t trust that you won’t tell him anything. Who is that guy to you, anyway?”
I rolled my eyes before reaching for the control to the partition. “A friend,” I replied, as Rogue swatted my hand away.
“How’d you two meet?”
The truth was at the tip of my tongue. I could have told him that Clay and I met at an art show. I could have told him about our strictly platonic friendship that revolved around our mutual love of food, binge-worthy television, and mindless conversation. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Maybe a part of me wanted to be cruel, too. Maybe I liked seeing Rogue pissed off.
So instead, I heard myself saying, “He was a one-night stand a few months ago that turned into a friend with benefits. He’s adventurous. Makes me feel good. And he’s in college. I like that he’s older and more...experienced,” I said with a self-satisfied smirk.
I got the reaction I wanted. Rogue’s lips thinned and his fists clenched. I wasn’t sure why, but every time he unleashed a bit of that pent-up anger, I became electrified from the thrill from it. Feeling cocky, I opened my mouth to lie some more, but before I could say anything, Rogue slid across the seat, invading my space and clouding my judgement with that ritzy brandy on his breath. “You’re lying,” he said. I could see that familiar fury blooming on his face. It made my breath hitch with excitement. “I’ll bet you haven’t fucked anyone. You’ve always wanted me, Scar.”
At my frown, Rogue smirked meanly. “You think I didn’t know? I knew you wanted me. Sometimes, I’d think about your lips while I let someone else suck my cock.”
My own anger simmered to life, and he knew it. “I don’t want you,” I lied. “And Clay is an excellent fuck.”
His eyes darkened. “Liar.”
I tilted my head, letting my eyes kiss over his face. “Am I? How would you even know, Rogue? You’re not my friend anymore. I don’t tell you everything the way I used to. You tossed me out, remember?” I said, my voice low and husky from his nearness and his intensity.