Free Exaltation by Jamie Magee

his eyes. The way he looked at her. And of course how closely they passed each other—they literally slid their bodies against one another.
    The last few weeks he found amusement in their daily meetings. Every day it was something different. He either let his hand rest on Raven’s waist, or stopped so she was against him longer, let his hand cross hers. He even smelled her hair one time—yep, smelled her hair. Which…oddly, delighted Raven.
    River was furious Raven was giving him control and her grand plan was for Raven to kiss him and show him who was boss. Show him she was not scared of him, that he was food to girls like Raven. Which was not true. But Raven liked the idea of playing the role. She never saw him when the girls were around so she’d never been able to point him out—without the girls ‘vibe’ she was a little hesitant to engage this boy.
    They called boys like him regrettables , meaning that you knew you were going to regret it before it even happened. River was the one who coined the catchword. She was the first to handle one. Needless to say the girls never said the “M” word around her because she was still broken after what her regrettable boy did to her. Good thing he was living up north somewhere. Good riddance, Mason Wade.
    The first boy who earned the title for Raven was Benjamin. He was the boy who gave her a ride home when she was sixteen—the one she almost died with. The twins never liked him. Raven knew she should have seen that as a sign. But good lawd, he was hot, too … I’m sucker for sexy eyes.
    In most cases Raven didn’t have time for boys, not with her class load. All she wanted was a dance partner and at work Soren dominated that role. In front of the audience they played a role that made them look like the perfect couple, which was a joke. He’d been in love with Ash since they were toddlers.
    Ash classified him as a regrettable because they were friends first, and she didn’t want to destroy the vibe. She used Raven and River as an excuse, which they both called BS on.
    “How grounded do you think we are? I have to skate or I am going to lose it,” Raven playfully groaned, halfway bummed she was being dismissed…mystery boy had sexy eyes, too—ones she would not have a chance to investigate today.
    “Hopefully they saw how big of a creep Mr. Berries was and we’ll be excused, ” Ash said.
    “What was up with your dad? Did I miss something? Mom was totally blushing the whole time,” River asked.
    Raven shrugged. “Maybe it was just a strong family front.”
    “Like we had to front that,” River mumbled.
    “I wonder if this family meeting is at my house or yours,” Raven said, hoping it would be a swift lecture.
    “Bet it’s mine. Sure your dad has to get back to work and Mom is already back.”
    The warning bell rang and everyone started to rush by. The girls heard a few other girls giggling. “Oh My God! Who was that? Please tell me he’s a new sub!”
    When they all looked at each other then up the hall, they saw Jamison leaned against the wall that lead to the hall they were on. He was smiling at the students as they passed. He must have asked one of them where the girls’ lockers were because a girl giggled and pointed in their direction.
    “Maybe he just wanted to say goodbye,” Ash said, as she loaded her bag.
    “I have my doubts,” Raven said with a sigh, clearly seeing her weekend transforming from dancing and skating to sitting next to her father. Usually after she managed to get in trouble or hurt he’d linger a little closer for a day or two.
    Once they were packed they made their way to him. “Girls, Emery said to tell you to take the Jeep home.”
    Raven went to follow them but Jamison grabbed the hook on her book bag. “Not you, little one.”
    She glanced up at him, a pout in her eyes. “Am I bar backing this weekend?”
    Jamison stifled a grin as he nodded for her to head outside.
    ***
    Rydell King was leaning against the