TWISTED FATE (Twisted Path Book 1)

Chapter 4

Shane

"You're not coming to lunch?" Amanda asks in that artificially sweet voice she reserves for me.

Sorting through the stack of books in my locker, I grab what I need to get through my afternoon classes. "Not today, remember? I have that peer advisory meeting."

Pouting, she bats her eyes and scoots in closer like she's hoping I'll reach for her. The familiar pang of guilt flares to life, but just as quickly, I push it away. Having known each other since we were kids, reacting to her needs is more of a habit at this point. It's a by-product of the way our families have always pushed us together, which made it feel natural—or rather easy—to give in to the steady stream of affection she both gives and demands from me.

For a long time, I was content with what we had. But with both college and adulthood around the corner, I realized I was running out of time. My parents brought me into this world with one purpose in mind, to grow into a man worthy of stepping into my father's shoes at our family's Private Equity Firm. The clock is ticking. Set to start immediately after college, which leaves me with a little over four years to figure out who I am outside of the Montgomery legacy. Four years to find a path that leads to a future both my parents and I can live with.

It's something I tried to explain to Amanda when I broke up with her a year ago. She's under the same pressure and standing at the same crossroad. Unfortunately, she didn't quite see things my way, which I understand. It goes back to how we were raised. Relationships in our world are transactional in nature. Political moves or business arrangements that are thoroughly calculated, leaving nothing to chance. I understood this when I ended things, and it's why I left the door somewhat open, leaving us in a state of "broken up for now" while we figure out who we are and what we want out of life.

She's still resistant. Opting instead to monopolize my time and treat me like we're still together. I get this is hard for her and being cruel just isn't me, which is why I give her so much leeway. Well, that and the fact our parents are so determined to force us together. It's yet another reason I do the bare minimum to keep her happy and keep up appearances for our parents. The consequences of disappointing them are pretty dire for both her and me. More so for her, since her father is a sexist bastard who's made it clear she won't be inheriting any part of his business, and with her brother Nick refusing to fall in line, marriage to someone who's been groomed to take over the Kline Empire is the only way to secure her future.

"Can you wrap up a little early? I'd like to see you even if just for a few minutes. With you having practice today, it's the only chance we'll get." She coyly tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. Her bright blue eyes reveal a small glimpse of the wistful innocence she rarely shows.

It's a look that, over time, her parents' cold reprimands have nearly extinguished. In our world, there is no room for anything other than calculated cutthroat indifference. Some of us—like her brother Nick Kline—are strong enough to stand up for who we are and rebel against their expectations. Others—like Connor Matthews—embrace it and become the very thing they despise as a means of survival. Then there is me—the eternal optimist and visionary who believes there is a better way. Exhausting as it is, I walk that fine line between being who they want me to be while fighting to remain true to myself and the man I want to become.

"Sorry Ames. Not today." Frustration gets the best of me and I slam my locker shut with a bit more force than I intended, making her jump. "I promise I'll call when I get home." I rub her back in apology, leaning down to catch her eyes. Though we're not together, I want her to see she still matters to me. In a world where it's hard to find people who truly care, I refuse to be that guy. While the rest of Ruby Creek may see my friends as nothing more than rich, entitled assholes, I know the truth of who they are. Their cold, callous exteriors are part of the armor necessary to survive the cruelty of being born into families like ours.