A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) (4 page)

Chapter 5

Matched or Leave?

Classes were a blur to me today. I hardly slept last night thinking about what I was going to do. However, it was Mom’s question that kept popping into my thoughts. What has changed about me in the past couple of days?

As I drove home, I tried to remember the party where Thaddeus’ and my parents thought we would be a good Matched pair. I had no memory of it. Sad to think that party changed my life, and I had no idea.

As I pulled up to the gates of Unit, I thought about leaving here. Could I really survive out in the world? Could I make it from behind these walls? Yes, Mom and Dad had done well financially outside of Unit, but do I have that same strength? How would I ever know, if I never left Unit, or Vermont, for that matter? Could I not be a Royal anymore? How would I adjust to it?

I punched in my code, and the gate swung open letting me into the town. Driving through Main Street, I saw the same things I’d always seen. The Diner, the bank, the post office, a gas station, a few small department stores, and our grocery store all in the exact places where they were originally built. A few other stores were in the small shopping plaza, and of course as I continued through town, there was the grade school, the middle school, and the high school. I had been in every one of those buildings. I roamed those halls, laughed with Amaya and Gia, and studied my tail off to ensure that I would be able to leave someday.

Then again, did I want to?

I parked the car in our driveway and stared at the house. Our house was one of the first homes built in Unit, and it was still just as strong as the day it was built. I looked at the two leveled, snow white home. Every memory I have is entwined in that house. I learned to ride a bike on our front sidewalk. My dad and I would create snowmen in the backyard. I helped Mom with her flower bed and garden. I remember the day when Dad and Mr. Edwards built the back patio. I broke my arm jumping on the trampoline. Amaya, Gia, and I would climb to the roof and look at the stars, thinking of our futures, and our Matched.

I’m sure people thought since we were Royal we should have a magnificent house that took up several city blocks. That wasn’t us. It’s not who we were.

The alert of a text message pulled my gaze from the house and to my phone.

Mom:
Come to the Edwards’ house. Now.

I closed my eyes trying to control my breathing. I didn’t want to go there, but I had pushed enough of my parents’ buttons in the past forty-eight hours, and I didn’t want them any more upset with me. I know that they hadn’t said it outright, but they’re upset. I assumed they thought I was just going to leap into Thaddeus’ arms and ride off to the sunset with him.

I backed out of the driveway and headed across town to the Edwards’ home. Their home was much newer than ours. Mr. Edwards had constructed it when Mrs. Edwards and he were first Matched. I will admit it’s one of my favorite homes in Unit. It is huge. There are five bedrooms and six bathrooms, and every room is decorated as if it was right out of a magazine. Mr. Edwards was convinced that he would have a house full of kids.

Thaddeus has an older sister, Michelle, who was Matched and lived near us. Then he has a younger sister, Dina, who is a couple of years younger than me. Mr. Edwards was the majority owner of his own architect firm and is a big deal in Vermont and surrounding states. He recently began to expand further out. Mrs. Edwards worked in real estate and took care of a lot of homes here in Unit.

I parked behind my mom’s car and was still in awe of the perfectly designed brick home in front of me.

Gosh, I loved this house
. I got out of my car and walked up the stone walkway. I gently knocked on the frosted, stained glass doors. They looked like they should have been on a door of some regal palace.

Mrs. Edwards opened the door in a pressed pastel green pant suit. “Princess, come in.” Her smile was bright, and I walked into the home. I followed her to the kitchen where my mother sat at the table. Mom must have left work early because she was still in her navy pant suit, and her hair was still perfectly styled.

“Hello, my dear.” Mom patted the chair next to her, and I sat down.

Mrs. Edwards asked me if I wanted anything to drink, and I kindly declined. My attention turned to the sound of someone coming into the kitchen and Thaddeus appeared.

I should have known.

“Looks like everyone is here,” Mrs. Edwards exclaimed.

“I have things to do.” He turned on his heels.

“Thaddeus Jax Edwards, I suggest you sit down. Now.” Mrs. Edwards’ voice left no room for argument. He spun back around and sat next to her, which was across from me. “We have some things to discuss.” She looked between us both.

Thaddeus gave me a quick glance. His mouth was tight, and his eyes were narrowed at me. I swore he never smiled, ever.

“Queen Stacy and I came up with a plan for you two. Would you like to hear it?” Mrs. Edwards looked at Thaddeus until he nodded, and then me, and I did too. “So, maybe things got off on the wrong foot a bit, but we’re going to fix that. I believe that you two are perfect for each other.”

“As do I,” my mom jumped in.

“And I think this can work. Our plan is simple.” She sat up straighter, her smile still in place. “We really want you to make a conscious effort during your decision period, and if you don’t want to be Matched, then you can leave Unit without any argument from any of us.”

We sit there, letting the silent noise surround us. Our mother’s faces were long, knowing that we might leave, never to return.

“Do you both agree?” Mom looked at each of us.

I nodded, and then Thaddeus.

Mom reached out her hands and Thaddeus and I took them. “Adiuro vos per repromissionem,” Mom spoke in Latin. “I bind you both to the promise.”

I felt a shiver go through my bones.

“Now, was that so hard?” Mrs. Edwards turned her sad expression to a smile. I could tell that she was faking as was my mother. If this didn’t work, we had the right to leave. Is that what I wanted? Oh my word, this was the hardest decision of my life.

“I have homework,” I announced standing. “Thank you, Mrs. Edwards.” I gave her a polite smile. “Thaddeus,” I semi growled at him as I stalked out of the house.

When I got outside to the fresh air, I pushed my hand through my brown hair trying to process everything that happened in there. In about three months, I would either be going through my ceremony or leaving Unit. On top of that, I was graduating in December. That was going to be a lot of change no matter which plan came through.

“I don’t have your phone number.” I jumped at the closeness of Thaddeus’ voice. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s fine.” I tried to catch my breath and calm myself. “I was in dreamland,” I said reaching for my phone in my purse.

“Dreamland?”

“I was deep in thought,” I explained further. I told him my phone number, and he punched it into his phone.

He sent me a text, so I’d have his. “Thanks.” I dropped it back into my purse.

“My mother can be very persuasive.” His blue eyes locked me in place. I felt like they were looking through me.

“Mom is the same way, but I agreed to this promise, and I don’t lie to my parents.”

“Neither do I,” he answered back.

“Then we’re stuck with each other. At least for a while,” I informed him not like he didn’t already figure that out.

“Seems that way,” he confirmed. He glanced at his watch, and then back at me. “I have to go back to work, but I’m off at five. How about I get you around six, and we can have dinner together?”

I nodded. “Sounds great,” I tried to sound positive, but I’m not sure it came across that way.

I headed back to my car, but Thaddeus was there first opening the door for me. “Thanks.”

I could feel him watching me as I drove off. When I looked back he was shaking his head while going back up the sidewalk. He didn’t want to do this.

Figures, he wanted me as much as I wanted him, and it wasn’t much at this point.

~~~

I finished pinning my hair back and touching up my makeup. When I walked out of my bathroom, I smoothed my blue striped maxi dress out in front of the mirror. It has thin straps so I had to put on something to cover up my arms. I grabbed my half jean jacket. I doubled checked myself, and I didn’t look bad, but I needed shoes.

I stepped in front of my closet and inspected my collection. Oh how I loved my shoes! I paired my dress with an ivory wedge heel.

“Xaviera, where are you going?” Dad asked as he was about to pass my room.

“Thaddeus asked me to dinner.”

“That’s great. Don’t stay out too late.” He winked as he continued down the hall.

I wanted to tell him that I knew I wouldn’t be, but I kept quiet. I tossed my phone, wallet, and keys into my clutch that matched my shoes and headed downstairs to wait for Thaddeus.

When I reached the kitchen, Thaddeus’ blue eyes met mine from where he was leaning on the counter. I stopped as I looked him up and down. He had on a pair of dark colored jeans with a pale blue polo and black boots. His dark shaggy hair was wild and loose. But the one thing that caught my eyes was his glasses. He had a pair of thick black framed glasses. He looked like he was one of those studious models in Vogue and Cosmo.

“Xaviera, I was getting ready to come get you.” Mom smiled. “You two have fun tonight.” She patted my shoulder leaving us alone in the kitchen.

“Ready?” he asked heading toward the door.

“Sure,” I said.

The sun was setting and the sky was a stunning array of oranges, reds, and yellows. It seemed to give a beautiful haze over everything. Thaddeus had a bright red Audi, and it was easy to spot in Unit. Other people had flashy cars, but Thaddeus’ was flashier because of his matching car rims. I was always interested on why guys spent so much time on perfecting their car.

It’s a car.

That’s it.

After Thaddeus opened the door for me, and then got in himself, we were off. We didn’t say anything only the music from the low radio was on. When he passed The Diner, I looked over at him.

“Where are we going?” I asked when he punched out to leave Unit.

“To the city.” He shifted the gears quickly, and I felt like we were flying. I wasn’t one to drive fast, but Thaddeus is obviously different.

It dawned on me as the city light was coming into view because the sun was almost gone; I’m in a car…with a boy.

Oh my word, this was my first date.

“I know that face.”

“What?”

“You just realized that you’re on a date for the first time, and we’re not with our Pairs.”

My mouth dropped. “How did you know that?”

The corner of his mouth turned slightly. “My sister had that exact same look when she went out with Vic for the first time.”

“Oh, well,” I didn’t know what to say. What would you say to something like that? “Have you ever been alone with a girl?” I blurted.

He gave me a quick stern look. “We live in Unit, isn’t that against the Rules?”

I won’t lie there was some relief that came over me. I knew the rules of Unit, but there were a few people that didn’t follow them. Especially, if they had already decided to leave.

“So, why don’t you want to be Matched?” I asked.

“How about this,” his voice boomed out. “Why don’t we just have small talk tonight and not get too in depth? Deal?” He turned into the city heading downtown.

“Deal.” He was right not that I’d tell him that, but we shouldn’t jump into big topics yet. “I think that’s the most you’ve ever talked to me?” I giggled softly at the realization.

“I’m not a huge talker. Ask my sisters.”

“Am I dressed okay? I mean,” I looked down at my dress, “are we going somewhere very fancy?”

“You look…fine,” Thaddeus stammered. “This is casual.”

Fine
.

That was it?

Well, I feel pathetic right now. I keep my focus on the scenery passing me. Thaddeus finally parked and came around to open my door. We didn’t talk as we strolled up the street, and I followed him into a small restaurant that was in the basement of a large green building.

“Well, Thaddeus.” I heard an old Italian woman with a short gray bob and watched her face light up when she saw him. “It’s been forever.”

“Yes, ma’am, it has been a little bit.” I thought I could hear a little glee in his voice.

He pulled my chair out as she seated us at the table. My heart did a little flutter from the gesture.

I browsed the menu that she handed me trying to figure out something that wouldn’t be too sloppy or get all over me.

“I think the Eggplant Parmesan looks good,” I tried the small talk like he suggested.

“Hhmm,” was all he replied. I guessed that was what he classified as ‘small talk’.

The waiter came over, and we ordered. I got the eggplant, and he ordered spaghetti and meatballs.

We sat there in silence again. Until Thaddeus broke it. “What are you studying in school?”