Free Spring Knight: Young Adult Romance Novella (A Seasons of Change Standalone) by Mia Hoddell

Inhale, exhale.” He kept up a steady rhythm of orders as he rubbed circles on her back. Slowly, she calmed down.
    “Sorry, I just don’t want them to think that about me.”
    She gazed up at him, catching the moment of hurt in his eyes, but she couldn’t feel sorry for him. There was no way she wanted people to add her to his list of conquests, thinking she was easy when nothing happened.
    “Kay, if anyone even thinks that about you they’ll have me to deal with.”
    “Please just go change,” she whispered, clutching the clothes in a tight fist as she hunched over the chair. “I’ll cover for you, just be there as soon as possible.”
    “All right, I’m going.” The hurt was still in his eyes and his voice as he turned to glance at her by the door. The smile didn’t meet his eyes and he shook his head regretfully, but Kayleigh ignored it. She needed to focus if she’d be able to deal with Adam. Wasting no time, she changed and hurried out the door.
    When she walked into the Performing Arts Centre everyone else was already there. Adam was in the middle of a speech, and she’d hoped she could creep in and tag on to the end without him noticing. However, she should have known better.
    “You’re late, Kayleigh, that is not acceptable for a leading actress. In fact, it’s also unacceptable for your co-star to be late, too.”
    Kayleigh didn’t like what his tone insinuated; it was as if he knew they had been together. Regardless, telling herself he couldn’t possibly have jumped straight to that conclusion, she ignored it. “I overslept. Aiden texted me on my way over. He had to deal with a family issue and will be here shortly.”
    “I’m sure he will ...” His voice was laced with doubt and disbelief.
    “Yep, I will.” Aiden came jogging in through the doors, an easy smile on his face. He was wearing a different set of clothes, but he still hadn’t shaved, something that put Kayleigh on edge. Adam was already suspicious.
    “Sorry I’m late everyone. My brother suffers from panic attacks and needed me.”
    Kayleigh didn’t miss the subtle look he gave her as he bent the truth.
    “Right, well now everyone has
finally
shown up, I think we should start.”
    They all found their places, and Kayleigh breathed a sigh of relief at the fact it wasn’t a scene with Aiden they were rehearsing.
     
    * * * *
     
Kayleigh was packing her belongings up and tying her hair into a loose, messy ponytail when Adam approached her. When she saw the determined stride to his walk her heart sank, knowing there was no way to avoid what was obviously going to be a conflict. Pulling her bag over her shoulder, she made sure she was ready to run the moment an opportunity arose.
    “Strange that both you and Aiden were late today, don’t you think?”
    “No not really. Just a coincidence I guess.”
    He didn’t look like he believed a word. “You sure about that?”
    “Why wouldn’t I be?”
    “You’re a good actress, Kayleigh, but I know what’s going on here. You aren’t pretending when it comes to Aiden.”
    “I don’t think that’s any of your business, really, even if it were true.” Kayleigh was proud that her voice didn’t wobble or crack. Her tone remained nonchalant and she conveyed an air of boredom as she glanced down at her nails.
    “It has everything to do with me if you turn into one of his sluts. What do you think will happen to the show when he kicks you to the curb like every other woman who thinks they’re special enough to change him? You’ll be left heartbroken and the show will be ruined all because you fought to get him cast and then couldn’t keep your hands off him. By the looks of this morning you don’t have long left with him either.”
    Kayleigh resisted the urge to slap him. Her hand was twitching at her side, but she knew it would do her no favours. Gritting her teeth she was about to reply, but Aiden beat her to it.
    “Is there a problem here?” He towered over Adam,