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over a woman. Not just any woman, a woman who was probably too good for him in every way. The way she spoke to him at the game still haunted him, like he had insulted her. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have shown up with Olivia after flirting all night with Clara. Women typically frowned on that sort of thing. Regardless, it wasn’t like he was serious about either of them. Hell, he wasn’t serious about anyone. So why did this one plague his mind?
    “It’s nothing.” If he was honest, his bad mood had less to do with Clara and more to do with his mother.
    “I don’t believe you.” Luke knew Adam well enough to tell when he was lying. He was probably the only one.
    With a long exhale, Adam admitted, “My mother found out about Whitney.”
    “The T.A.?”
    Adam took another swig of his watered down drink. “Yep.”
    “Oh come on, she can’t put the blame it all on you.”
    “Oh, she didn’t. Whitney’s been transferred, and I was given an ultimatum.”
    A long pfff escaped Luke’s mouth. “The chick’s lucky she was only transferred.”
    “A transfer for her silence. Wouldn’t want to dirty the Beaumont name.”
    Luke shook his head and snorted as he slumped further into the chair. “So what’s the ultimatum?”
    Closing his eyes, Adam downed his drink. “I’ve been told I must behave. No more living on campus. No parties. No women. I’m to be a respectable adult and not disappoint my father.”
    Luke’s jaw almost fell to the floor. “She didn’t.”
    “Oh, she did,” Adam replied. It was barely a year ago that Edward Beaumont passed away from heart disease. His mother bringing up his father’s possible disappointment in what little of a man his son had become was like pouring the largest salt grains in an open wound. His mother’s voice echoed in his words. “She told me I won’t receive my inheritance when I turn twenty-one. Not unless I can show I’m a respectable young man, worthy of carrying on the Beaumont name.”
    “Ouch.”
    “You haven’t heard the best part. To make sure Whitney wasn’t the only assistant I was sleeping with, she took the liberty of rescheduling my classes. I’m retaking any class that had a pretty assistant.”
    Luke couldn’t suppress his laughter. “I’m sorry, man. I’m not trying to sound like an ass, but I can’t say I’m shocked. You’ve been living large for how long? I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. I thought your parents were going to put their foot down after the time we threw that kegger here.”
    “Oh yeah. That was a great party.”
    Luke nodded. “I think the whole college showed up.”
    Adam grinned at the memory. He appreciated Luke’s attempt at cheering him up, but it wasn’t going to change the hell his life had just become. His mother believed he spent far too much time drinking and whoring his way around campus the last few years. It was time to buckle down and become a real, respectable man. A man who could carry on the family name with honor and dignity. A man his father would be proud of.
    “Once the semester begins tomorrow, you won’t see much of me.” Adam felt like he was cursed.
    “Oh come on! Your mom just can’t hide you behind these walls.”
    “She can, and she has.”
    “Well, can’t we find you a tutor? One who needs to help you on … say a Saturday night?”
    Adam couldn’t hide his laugh. “And where will we find this tutor?”
    The fire in Luke’s eyes diminished as they faced reality. There was no way they were going to find someone who would also back them in any cover story they might need. Deacon was the smartest of the group, but his mother would see right through it. The school’s tutors were out of the question. It would be far too easy for the Dean to check in anytime. He would just have to face the fact that he couldn’t have both worlds.
    “What about Clara?” Luke asked, his tone too eager for Adam’s taste.
    “What about her?”
    “Oh come on! Don’t you see it? We’re