Page 2 of Royally Matched
“You will one day, Margo,” Lily assured her friend. “It just happens when you least expect it.”
“What do you guys have planned tonight after the big celebration?” Isabella asked with a knowing smile. “Is tonight going to bethenight?”
Lily shook her head. “You know I’m waiting until I get married, Isabella. Just because I’m with Max now, it doesn’t change that.”
“I always forget how old-fashioned you are,” Isabella stated. “You know Max hascertainexpectations. After all, his last girlfriend was Georgina, and we all know how she loved to brag about her and Max’s exploits. You don’t want him to break up with you because of it, or date someone else on the side.”
It was true. Though Isabella was blunt about the situation, Lily was worried about her choice to stay abstinent. She hadn’t broached the subject with Max, but the more alone time they spent together, the different scenarios of his reaction rushed through her head. Not wanting to dwell on it or the uncomfortable feelings it stirred in her, Lily decided to gofind Max instead.
“I think the guys will be done changing out and talking to the coach soon. I’m going to go find him. I’ll catch up with you guys later,” Lily said, taking off without waiting for a response.
Even though she had escaped her friend’s presence and despite her best efforts to push them aside, Isabella’s words continued to haunt her. Her classmates talked about guys only wanting one thing. This made her feel like she couldn’t give Max the one thing he would want. Would Max refrain from pressuring her for it? What would he think if she told him she wanted to wait to be intimate with him? Would he toss her aside? Would he look to someone else? She hoped he would support her decision, but she wondered how practical that was of her.
As Lily approached the doors leading to the boys’ locker room, she heard Max’s familiar voice speaking to someone. “You can’t be here like this. What if Lily sees you?”
“Who cares if she sees me?” she heard Lady Georgina Winston, Max’s ex-girlfriend, state with irritation. “I hope she does.”
Lily stopped moving and ducked behind a bush. Part of her wanted to interrupt them, the other part wondered if this would answer all the troubling questions rolling around in her head. Was there something still going on between Georgina and Max? Had he been keeping it from Lily?
“I told you to keep your distance. Why can’t you do what I tell you?” Max asked with frustration, as he pushed his hand through his dark hair.
“Because, you know I’m exactly what you want,” Georgina stated, pressing her body up against his, “and need. Lily can’t—or should I say won’t. You need someonereal,” she said, taking his hand and placing it on her chest, “who can berealwith you.”
Before Lily could decide whether she wanted to interrupt, Georgina leaned up and kissed Max on the mouth. Bile rose in Lily’s throat as she watched the other girl’s lips linger on her boyfriend’s mouth without him pulling away.
Not being able to stomach another moment, Lily turned and ran from the awful situation behind her. She had her answer, Max wanted something Lily couldn’t give him. Though their relationship had barely begun, what they had was over. Lily knew she would never be the same again.
