Winner Take All

August 2005

Truth be told, before August of 2005, Adam Hunter had never taken a second glance at Lexis Cross. Despite growing up in the same town and meeting occasionally through their parents, neither cared about the other’s business. Lexi was part of a different circle - one of writers, singers, and other artistic abilities. Adam was part of the soccer and basketball teams. They rarely intersected.

That was before Lexi started dating his best friend.

Gabriel had crushed on Lexi for almost a year before he finally worked up the nerve to ask her out. At first, she quietly turned him down, telling him that with her father currently campaigning for Congress, she had no time to have a boyfriend. But Gabriel was persistent and eventually wore the girl down. After that, Adam never saw Gabriel without the blonde attached to his hip.

After meeting her again up close and personal, Adam immediately decided he didn’t care for her at all. She was quiet, giving Adam the impression she thought herself better than others. There was also the matter of jealousy. Whether Adam wanted to admit it or not, he was jealous of Lexi. There had been a time when Gabriel was always there to do something - no matter what time of the day it was. After Lexi, Gabriel suddenly always had weekends planned, and when they did something, Lexi was included.

Lexis Cross brought out the worst in Adam Hunter.

Yet neither had expected what was to come when Congressman Michael Cross suddenly decided he wanted to take a shot at the presidency. Or when Adam’s wealthy family business suddenly failed.


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She looked stunning. As Raileigh Howard took her first steps down the stairs to the first floor, it was the only thought that ran through his mind. He had to admit, Raileigh had done a fantastic job of putting herself together that morning, managing to look not only beautiful but also sophisticated as well.

It was their first day of college. Raileigh had spent half the morning trying to get ready for their first class, determined she was going to be the best looking student on the entire campus. Adam honestly had no idea why she bothered - Raileigh had always been the queen no matter where she went, immediately fitting into whatever posh crowd schools or churches had. But as she stood at the top of the stairs, Adam had to agree she would give all the girls a good run for their money.

She wore a red top, one of the latest styles Adam assumed, and dark blue fitted jeans. On a normal person, it would have looked ordinary. On Raileigh, it accented her figure. She flew down the stairs, and greeted him with a kiss. “Good morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning to you too. We’re going to be late.” Adam was always matter of fact with Raileigh. She had the bad habit of becoming caught up in herself and forgetting that there really was a world around her. It was a fact that both annoyed and endeared her to him. Raileigh was conceited, there was no denying that. Raileigh smiled in return and linked their arms, all but dragging him out the door. She babbled about nothing in particular on the way to the car - Adam nodded and pretended to pay attention. He normally couldn’t be bothered by what Raileigh was saying - he would hear it over and over again in the future.

The drive to school was relatively normal, with very little traffic blocking the roads. Raileigh grumbled about having to park too far away, determined she was never going to be able to make it too the front door. She showed him her high heels (with a little too much leg), and gave him a look. Adam rolled his eyes and helped her out of the car, determined he was not going to let her spoil his first day of school.

It had been a mystery for most of his family on what he saw in Raileigh. She was stuck up, conceited, and obviously cared more about what purse matched her dresses than her grades. She was all boobs with very little brains in the real world. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t smart, however. The girl defiantly knew how to twist situation into her favor - with plays that required some cunning wit behind them.

Perhaps it was because Adam saw a little of himself in Raileigh, and that endeared him toward her. In high school, Adam had been the catch. He went through girls like he went through newspapers, and Raileigh seemed to be the only one he kept coming back to. Both were from predominantly rich families, and both could be stubborn as hell.

Raileigh was also good in bed. Why lie about it? Either way, Adam always assumed Raileigh Howard was the girl he was going to marry. No questions asked.

A look of distaste crossed Raileigh’s face when they walked into the building, and she sent a withering look at Adam. He gave her a confused look. “What?”

“I was not aware Gabriel and Lexis were supposed to be going to this school too. I thought it had taste. Apparently not.” She scowled as she said this, and tossed her red hair away from her face. Adam ignored the comment, all too used to Raileigh’s intense dislike of his best friend and his girlfriend. But she would have to live. This was his friend, and he was not going to cut Gabriel out of his life because of one woman. He could always drop Raileigh, but Gabriel was going to be around for life.

“Hey, man!” Gabriel exclaimed as he approached the couple. He held out his hand, and Adam slapped him with a high five. Raileigh rolled her eyes, and Adam knew she thought their games were childish. “I didn’t know you were going here. What classes are you taking?” Gabriel whipped out his schedule and held it up to Adam, who scanned it.

“We don’t’ have any classes together,” he confirmed, and Gabriel’s face fell. “Too bad. It would be nice to have someone in a class that I know.” He heard Raileigh take in a deep breath. “Okay, well someone besides Raileigh.” A small cough caused him to peek around Gabriel, and he frowned. Lexis Cross stood there, pushing a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. She gave a small, shy smile toward the two, and sent a strong look toward her boyfriend. One that clearly showed she didn’t want to be there. Still, she remained quiet and hidden by Gabriel.

It was one of the many things that bugged Adam about Lexi. She always chose to remain in the background, shadowed completely by her boyfriend. She very rarely spoke up for herself - Gabriel almost always did all the talking. The girl had absolutely no backbone, and it annoyed the hell out of Adam.

He wasn’t really sure why he cared so much.

Raileigh cleared her throat and sent a look toward Adam, telling him it was time for class. “Hey, I’ll catch you after we get out. Maybe we can all go to lunch or something?” They made plans for that afternoon to meet at the Braums across the street. Raileigh sniffed, obviously upset, but said nothing As they walked away, she turned on him.

“We are having lunch with them?” she spat venomously. Her blue eyes were smoldering, and she frowned. “I still can not believe you hang out with that boy. He is rude, and uncouth, and presumptuous -”

“Are you going to continue quoting Titanic, or are you done?” Adam questioned. “Gabriel is my friend, Raileigh. We’ve been best friends since the third grade, and you aren’t going to take that away. I love you, but you are going to have to accept this. This is one thing I’m not caving on.” Raileigh fell silent, but Adam knew this discussion wasn’t over.

Sometimes Raileigh was annoying.

The first class of the semester was like any typical first class of the year. The teacher explained the syllabus and what the requirements of the class would be. Raileigh acted bored the entire time, sighing and playing with the strands of her hair. She passed him a few notes, mostly mindless dribble and little hearts. He sent her a charming smile, one that he knew could melt her. She sent him one back, and reached over her desk to rub his arm. When the teacher frowned at her actions, Raileigh sent him a smile that could have charmed Ebenezer Scrooge.

Adam was never so glad for a lunch break. The first day of school was always completely boring to him, and it didn’t help Raileigh was obviously upset. He brushed it off, determined to have a nice lunch with Gabriel. . Even if Raileigh and Lexis were there. He parked the car in front of Braums, and turned to Raileigh. “Please try to be polite,” he asked her. “I realize you have nothing but dislike for the both of them, but for my sake, can it.”

Only they could be rude to each other and get away with it. Adam knew they could bitch at each other like cats and dogs and still end up in the same bed twelve hours later. Sometimes, though, he wished they could cut the melodrama.

Gabriel split into a grin when the two walked through the door. “I scored us a booth,” he exclaimed, pointing to one just beside the counter. “It gets a little busy in her during the lunch hour, so I figured I’d grab one while I could. Look okay to you guys?’

Raileigh opened her mouth, but a sharp look from Adam had her biting her tongue. Adam nodded. “The booth is fine, Gabe. Thanks.” Adam ordered the food, a chicken sandwich for himself and a salad for Raileigh, and took his place at the booth. Gabriel grinned, and Lexi gave a shy smile.

“How are you classes going to be this semester?” Gabriel asked, taking a bite out of his burger. “I think mine are going to kill me. Introducing me to mathematic statistics on the first day? Are you serious? We even were given homework.”

Adam grinned. “Welcome to college, buddy. What are you going to major in?”

“Undecided.” Gabriel frowned. “None of the degrees stand out to me. I think I’m just going to take the basics and decide from there.”

“Good luck finding a withstanding job,” Raileigh said, lightly. She batted her eyelashes toward the blonde boy. “Undecided degrees usually don’t go anywhere. I am majoring in fashion design. I’ve always had an eye for what looks good on people.”

Gabriel gave nod of approval. He took another bite of his burger and shrugged, uncaring. “I didn’t say I was going to go forever without one. I just haven’t found anything that is appealing to me yet. Who knows. I might be one of the random men that decide to go into nursing. I’ve always been good with kids and taking care of people. Or maybe a vet.”

Lexi stifled a laugh with a cough, and Adam had to do the same thing. Gabriel gave them both confused looks. “What?”

“Weren’t you the same kid who passed out when I cut my leg open skateboarding when we were twelve?” Adam joked. Lexi nodded her agreement. “I think anything to do with blood or cutting should be the last degree on your list. Maybe you should go into something safe like. . Working with cars. Or something.”

“Oh thanks.” Gabriel muttered, and his cheeks were dark.

“What are you majoring in?” Raileigh asked, turning her attentions to Lexi. Lexi’s eyes went wide, and she swallowed.

“I think I am going to major in music, actually.” she answered quietly. Raileigh’s eyes narrowed and she rolled them. Adam knew exactly what she was going to say, and he had to agree with her.

“Music?” both asked at the same time.

She gave a shy nod. “Yes. It makes my heart smile.”

Adam rolled his eyes. God, how could Gabriel stand being in her presence for more than fifteen minutes? She was quiet, rarely talked unless angered, and always acted like she was some shy little virgin who had just graduated from Catholic school. Adam would not have been surprised to found out she really had. The look that Raileigh had on her face told him she was thinking the exact same thing.

Lexi obviously took offense to their silence. “What?” she asked, a frown crossing her face. “Raileigh gets to major in something like fashion desgin, and I can’t major in the one thing I have a talent for? How hypocritical is that?”

The redhead’s eyes went wide. “Music is a fine profession .. . If you have any talent.”

“So just because I’m not Celine Dion, I have no talent?”

“Don’t jump all over Raileigh,” Adam defended, glaring at Lexi. She sent him one back - it was rare instances like this that brought the girl out of her shell. Gabriel held his hands up.

“Guys!” he exclaimed, giving them both looks. “Geeze, calm down. There is no reason to have a blood bath in the middle of Braums. But seriously, Lexi you need to be getting to class soon. Adam, I’ll call you later?” He made his goodbyes and within seconds, both he and Lexi were out the door. Raileigh let out a snort.

“Your best friend is a dumbass. How can he date that little bimbo?” Adam shrugged, not caring anymore. What was Gabriel thinking? Then again, his friend had never dashed his hopes of Adam and Lexi getting along. He had given up on Raileigh long ago.

It felt good to drop Raileigh off and get home later that afternoon. Adam collapsed on his bed, and stared up at the ceiling. College was going to be hard transition for him. In high school, he had gotten away with being popular and the jock of the school. He was handsome, had the prettiest girl in school on his arm, amazing at sports, and the Hunter family name to top it off. At the college, it was clear that he wasn’t going to be top dog anymore. Adam wondered if this happened to every high school king. He was sure it did.

A knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. He looked up to find his mother standing in the door way, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. It made Adam’s stomach twist unpleasantly. It was a habit his mother did when she was nervous, or about to tell him something she knew he wouldn’t like. Accompanied with the wringing, the look on her face told Adam this was bad. The only and only time he had ever seen his mother in such a state, his grandfather had died the night before.

Whatever his mother had to tell him, it wasn’t going to be good.

“May I come in?”

Having no other choice, Adam nodded, and pointed to one of the chairs in his room. Slowly, his mother made her way to the chair, and took a while sitting down. She fiddled with her skirt, smoothing out the wrinkles, and taking deep breaths. She looked up. “Adam, we need to talk.”

He knew it. This was bad. “What?”

“Your father and I have been debating back and forth about telling you for weeks. I’m sure you’ve noticed that there has been some family strife going on . . The Hunter family has always been on the top of the business and now . .“ Mrs. Hunter took a deep breath. “The business is failing” she blurted out suddenly, and wrung her hands again. “Something went wrong with one of the stocks, or the trades or something. You know I’m not good with this type of thing - if you want details, ask your father. All I know is that in the last six months, we’ve lost a lot of our wealthiest clients and therefore a lot of business. If it continues to go the way it is .. . I’m not sure what will happen to us. We will not have the money to do the things we’re used to doing. No more fancy parties, no more clothes. . The house will have to go on the market.“ She bit her lip

Shit. This was bad, this was very bad. Their family relied on those clients and if they were suddenly disappearing . . . Adam furrowed his brow and sat up on the edge of his bed. “Alright. What are we going to do about this?”

Mrs. Hunter looked nervous again, and a twinge of fear started to form in the bottom of his stomach. “You remember your father’s old friend, Michael Cross? You might remember that he’s running for president. . Has a young daughter - such a sweet girl . .”

Adam cut her off. “Yes, what about him?”

“They had a discussion today. Michael seems to have a fine chance at winning this race, and would be a great support if he was to suddenly take us under his wing . . . He and your father made a deal this afternoon. And it involved old ideas and goes almost all the way back to your grandfather . . . Michael agreed to back us. But he had one condition.”

“Being?”

His mother fell silent. Finally, she rolled her eyes momentarily, and shrugged. “He wants you to marry Lexis. The marriage could be good for both sides. It would show that we’re still in the running, and that Michael has a family name behind him. In return, he would loan us the financial needs to keep us running.”

His stomach fell. “You want me to what?” He exclaimed. “Mother -”

“Adam, this girl could save our family, you know.” His mother’s eyes were staring hard into his own, pleading with him to understand her situation. She liked this no better than he, but she felt that she had no choice. “Please understand where I’m coming from.”

“I understand perfectly. You’re using me as the means to get the support and money we need from the presidential candidate. I marry this. . . Girl, we back their family in their political run, and if he wins, he sponsor’s us.” Adam rolled his eyes. “Lexis would never agree to this.”

“She already has.”

Adam sat back, stunned. What had they promised this girl? What had happened in the past three hours that would make her completely drop Gabriel and go for him? He though back to lunch, and remembered that Lexi had been unusually quiet . . And also unusually angered. Something had been on her mind, and he had been to blind to see it. From what he could guess, Michael Cross had been discussing this possibility with his daughter for weeks.

But Lexi had Gabriel - everyone knew that. At least everyone in his circle, anyway. Lexi had her qualities, but not enough to make him want to spend the rest of his life with her.

All because two families needed help. He had never hated the name “Hunter” more in his entire life.

His mother’s voice broke this thoughts. “Adam, please. I can not beg you enough.”

“Tell me how I’m supposed to explain this to Raileigh?” Adam snapped. “I claim to love her, I do love her, yet I’m going to turn around and tell her I’m marrying another woman? This is bullshit and she’ll know it.”

A small smile grew over Mrs. Hunter’s face. “Adam, I never said you had to be faithful.”

“Excuse me?”

She shrugged. “Well, think about it. Lexis has Gabriel, and you have Raileigh. I’m sure she will understand that neither of you really want a relationship with each other. Marry the girl, wait a few months, then annul the marriage and be with Raileigh. Simple.”

Adam had to admit, his mother had a point. This would not be easy to explain to Raileigh, but a divorce could be quick and painless. All they had to do was make a few public appearances with each other, and wait until Lexi’s father won the race. This was August, and the campaign ended in November. Two months couldn’t kill him.

He was trapped, and his mother was still staring at him, waiting for an answer. He sighed.

And with the feeling that he was singing his soul, life, and freedom away, Adam lowered his head and nodded.

“Plan the wedding.”


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Author's Notes: So! I finally got inspriation on this story. This chapter was very obviously written at two times and I have tried to blend them together better. I hope I did at least a decent job. Yes, things are confusing and things do not make sense at this point - but they will. There is more to this agreement than meets the eye. Adam and Lexi really have no idea what they are getting into. I realize my characters, at this point, are very unlikeable. Seriously, I'm the writer and I want to kill Raileigh. But she has her reasons, as does Adam. All character (well, most) will become more likable as we go along. Character development, ahoy!

Reviews are appreciated. But if you have anything to say such as "Jesus, you're dumb" as one kind reviewer left - please restrain yourself. If you don't have a reason to back up your statement, don't say anything at all. It just makes you look stupid.