Faze

A Rosewood High #6 Prequel

Tracy Lorraine

Copyright © 2020 by tracy Lorraine

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Edited by My Brother’s Editor

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

About the Author

Also by Tracy Lorraine

THORN

THORN

1

Ashton

Looking around the lavish house that I have never wanted to visit, anger races through my veins.

This is the last place in the world I wanted to be.

I should be home in the shitty apartment that Mom and I live in back in Seattle, but I’m not. I’m in his house, the asshole that ruined both of our lives.

It’s been over five years since he walked away, leaving us with fuck all, just the bitter taste of his betrayal.

Mom said it was fine, that it was for the best. But it’s all bullshit. She’s tried to put a brave face on, tried to convince me that their relationship really was over and that he didn’t shatter all of her hopes and dreams for the future.

But I know her better than she thinks. I see the shadows in her eyes. The coldness, the loneliness, that set in after he left. I also don’t miss the number of bottles that sit in our recycling on a weekly basis. They seem to be multiplying week by week, and I have no fucking idea how to help her.

Getting suspended from school again for fighting probably wasn’t the best thing to do to help, but that prick has had it coming for a long time.

I think of Jonathon fucking Parker and the way he looked down at us all like he was something fucking special.

My fists curl once again as if he’s in touching distance. If I could take him out all over again I would.

My busted knuckles split open, the sting of pain a reminder I don’t need of where I am right now.

He’d asked me time and time again over the years to come and visit his new home, his new family. But every time I refused. I had no interest in meeting the bitch that took him away from us or the girl who he got to play daddy for while he mostly forgot that I existed.

My teeth grind as I think about everything I lost the day he walked away. My best fucking friend. That’s what I lost.

But this time was different. It wasn’t him asking me to come. It was Mom. And as much as I wanted to refuse her request, I couldn’t. One look into her tired, stressed eyes and I knew she needed the break probably as much as I did.

I haven’t made it easy for her the past few years. I’ve been suspended more times than I can remember. I’ve been on my last warning at that shithole of a school for months, but the principal is a fucking pussy, so I doubt he’ll ever actually kick me out. It’ll give him too much paperwork to do, and we all know how much he hates doing any actual work.

“Please, Ash. Go and spend the week with him. Clear your head. It can be a fresh start when you get back.” Her words ring out in my mind as if she’s standing next to me having the conversation.

I couldn’t say no to her. I’ve never been able to. Having experienced how much hurt he’s caused her. I’d hate to do the same. I know I’m a constant disappointment to her, but no matter how I try not to be, it happens, nonetheless.

My temper always gets the better of me. My hate gets the better of me. My fury gets the better of me. It’s only right that it does. It is my name, after all. The one and only thing I have that still connects me to the man who spends his days under this roof.

The perfect all-American family home. Wrap-around porch, the huge kitchen with an island in the center, the pristine garden and the glistening pool. It’s a million miles away from the place Mom and I call home now.

I stand at the window waiting for her to pull up. Lisa, my stepmom, excitedly told me that I could expect her any time now before both her and Dad disappeared not long after picking me up from the airport. I can’t fucking wait to meet my stepsister. It’s been a long time coming, that’s for sure.

I’ve seen the odd photo of her when I’ve needed to torture myself and looked at his Facebook. Every single time all it’s done is to add to the anger that lives inside me as I see images of them together playing happy family.

He should be doing that with us. His real family. Not his replacements.

My teeth grind right as a little blue car pulls up in front of the house.

I lean toward the window a little, trying to get a better view of her before we’re face to face. I need to get a read on her, try to make a game plan.

I know nothing about her aside from the fact she played a part in ruining my life. That he chose her and her mother over me and mine. His son and wife. The ones whose best intentions he should have had at heart.

Disappointment settles in my stomach when she doesn’t immediately get out of the car. Instead, she looks down, I guess at her cell.

After a few minutes, she looks up at the house and blows out a long breath.

Is she nervous? Apprehensive about meeting me?

If she’s not, she fucking should be.

This house, that I can only assume is her sanctuary, her home, is about to become the place of living nightmares because my darling stepsister has never met someone like me before, I can fucking guarantee it.

After what feels like a lifetime, she pushes the door open and a pair of legs emerge before she stands.

Her head barely appears above the door. She’s so small, so breakable. I rub my hands together as my plan for my time here floats around in my head.

You ruined my life, I’m about to turn yours upside down, you motherfucker.

The second she slams the door, a smile twitches at the corners of my mouth.

She’s wearing the smallest pair of shorts, that I can only imagine are cut high across her ass, and a crop top that shows off her tiny waist and more than ample tits.

Oh yeah, she’s definitely rocking something I can work with.

Walking to the other side of the room, I wait out of sight for her to let herself in.

She does so quickly, but it’s not until I hear her purse hit the table that I step from my hiding space.

2

Ruby

I stare up at the house and blow out a long breath, hoping that the nerves that are fluttering in my belly will subside.

Ashton is inside.

I had no idea he was coming, although I don’t think anyone was aware until a few hours ago.

Mom and Stephen might have been together for years now, married even, yet I’ve never met my elusive stepbrother.

The strained relationship between him and Stephen isn’t a secret, his refusal to attend the wedding was just the tip of the iceberg.

The thing I don’t know is why. Why he hates his father so much. Stephen is a good man. I mean, he’s not my dad, no one could ever replace him, but as far as stepdads go, I consider myself pretty lucky.

That could all be about to change though.

Sucking in a breath and hopefully a shit load of confidence with it, I push open the door and head for the house.

My muscles ache from the hard practice Chelsea just put us through. But I loved it. I love the pain, the knowledge that I pushed myself.

I’ve wanted to be on the squad for as long as I can remember. The day it was announced I was in was one of the best of my life. I’m determined to prove myself over the coming months, I want to show the seniors that I’m as good as them, that they were right to choose me, that I won’t let them down.

Throwing my purse over my shoulder and clutching a couple of books to my chest, I make my way to the house.

It’s silent as I step inside, making me wonder if he’s here.

Needing to get something to eat before I start on my homework, I drop my purse to the table in the hallway and take a step to the kitchen only when I do, a dark figure emerges from the living room.

My heart plummets and a blood-curdling scream rips from my throat.

I should run, I should leave the house as fast as I entered, but my body doesn’t respond to instruction. It freezes as my limbs tremble with fear and my vision blurs.

All I see is the figure before me, head to toe in black with his hood casting his face in darkness.

As my blood rushes past my ears and my heart pounds like a fucking drum, he lifts his head.

The first thing I see are his lips curled into an accomplished smirk, but that’s enough to know who it is.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I bark, my voice betraying me and trembling slightly with every word.

He takes a step toward me and lowers his hood.

His dark, almost inky black eyes lock on mine and a shudder runs down my spine. His scent hits my nose and fuck if the smell doesn’t have my mouth watering.

Damn him.

Ripping my eyes from his, I take in the rest of his face, a face I’ve only seen on the odd photo.

His nose is slightly crooked, he’s got a scar on his cheek and his jawline is sharp, sharper than should be allowed on someone who is clearly this much of an asshole, but none of those really capture my attention, it’s his lips that mesmerize me. They’re full, almost too full for a dude. I bet he’s a really good kisser.

It’s not until he sinks his teeth into the bottom one that I manage to shake the crazy thoughts from my head and look back up to his eyes.

He closes even more space between us.

My head is a mess after almost having a freaking heart attack but no matter how distracting his lips are, my sensible side speaks up and I take a huge step back, only when I do, my back hits the wall, stopping any further retreat.

His lips twitch into a smile, knowing that he’s got me.

“What do you want, Ashton?”

I try again, getting quickly fed up with his scary, broody, silent treatment.

His eyes scan over my face once more.

“I need your car keys.”

“Go to hell.”

His eyes widen at my refusal. Was he really expecting me to bend to his demand and hand them right over?

A laugh falls from his lips, it’s low, unamused, evil even, and it makes something in my stomach clench in fear.

Is this how murderers act right before putting you out of your misery?

“Keys, little girl.” He holds his hand out, but my only reaction is to raise a brow and to tilt my chin in defiance.

“Little girl? Fuck you, Ashton.”

I push to move around him, but he’s not having any of it. His large hand lands on my shoulder and pushes me back where I was.

“Ow,” I complain when my shoulder blade connects with the wall.

His eyes prowl down the length of my body and I suddenly wish I’d changed after cheer practice. I feel naked under his stare in my tiny workout clothes.

“You really want to play this game, little girl?”

“I’m not a little girl, Ashton. I’m a few months younger than you, get over yourself.”

“So I see.” His eyes lock on my chest. As much as I want to cover up, I don’t want him to think that his asshole attitude has any effect on me whatsoever.

His eyes lift once more, and something crackles between us. Hate? It has to be because it can’t possibly be anything else. This guy is an asshole of epic proportions.

Who does he think he is standing here demanding my car keys as if he owns the place?

We’ve lived in this house for almost four years, not once has he ever made the effort to come and visit, to spend time with his dad and to meet his new family.

I can’t really say I’m all that disappointed if this is the kind of person he is. No wonder Stephen has never put much effort into visiting his only child.

“Do you mind, I’ve got shit to be doing that doesn’t involve hanging out in the hallway with you.”

I swallow down my nerves when his hands land on either side of my head, effectively caging me in.

“Give me your keys and you can continue with your pathetic little life.”

“You’re an ass,” I spit, ducking under his arm and racing around him.

I might have escaped, but the second he spins and notices that I look straight to my purse, he moves.

We both lunge for it at the same time, but seeing as he’s not a midget, he beats me to it.

“Ashton,” I warn, my voice low.

He glances at me for a beat before opening it up and rummaging around.

I stand with my hands on my hips, feeling totally violated. I would say something, but I feel at this point it would probably fall on deaf ears. Ashton clearly gives zero fucks about me, or anything, it seems, so long as he gets his way.

The sooner he fucks back off to his mom in Seattle, the better.

With a wide smile that exposes a perfectly straight set of white teeth—asshole—he waves my keys in the air.

“See now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“You’re a dick.”

“I’ve been called worse, little one. I’m outta here.”

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”

He leaves with the sound of his amused chuckle filling the hallway.

“Argh,” I scream the second I know he’s out of earshot.

For years I’ve wanted to meet my stepbrother. Now I’m wondering why I even spared him a thought.

Ashton Fury is a douchebag, and I think Stephen might just be better off without him.

He’s only staying a few days. Only a few days, I tell myself as I pick up my discarded purse and head for the kitchen.

3

Ashton

I fucking hate social media. All the dickheads posting random shit about their lives that no one else really gives a crap about. Although they like each post just so they look like they care.

Bullshit. All of it.

Having said that though, it’s the perfect place to find exactly what I need.

As I put the address into the GPS, I half expect her to come running out of the house to attempt to drag me out of her car. But when I glance up at the front door, I find it closed as I left it.

I had no idea what to expect from my stepsister. All I knew was her name and age. Obviously, I had hopes that she might not be a complete loser, but I could have only wished for the hot little body that emerged from this very car earlier.

I like her feisty side. If I didn’t hate her, I might think it was cute.

There’s only one thing I feel toward my stepsister. Indignation.

She’s lived the perfect little life here with my father and her whore of a mother, all the while Mom and I were forgotten.

My knuckles turn white, splitting once more with the force of my grip on the wheel as I back out of the driveway.

The address I was given online seems to be right on the other side of town. Good thing she’s got a full tank of gas. It would have seriously pissed me off if I had to spend the little money I have on gas instead of something to help me get through the next few days.

The guy I’d arranged to meet was waiting for me in the deserted parking lot he’d directed me to, and after little fuss, I head back toward the house I don’t want to be in with exactly what I need in my back pocket.

There are still no other cars in the driveway, not that I’m surprised. Dad said that they’d be gone most of the night. Some bullshit about going to a local golf club or something. I can’t say I was really listening. I took the money he offered, nodded when he suggested I order takeout, and turned my back on him.

I didn’t want him under any illusion that I actually wanted to be here. That I came because I thought his suggestion was a good idea. Fucking hardly. If I thought coming to visit would be fun then I would have done it years ago.

All I was doing was trying to make life easier for Mom. If me being away for a while gave her the space to breathe, then I’d almost willingly do it.

Anything for her. The woman who’s given her entire life to look after me, to give me everything I need. It’s not like the asshole in this house has helped since the day he walked away and left us high and dry.

I stare up at the house, wondering if she’s heard me return and is waiting with a kitchen knife in hand. Or is she going to be hiding? Oddly, that thought is more appealing.

I got to her earlier, I know I did. I almost want to see her try to ignore me, trying to pretend that I’m not here, not driving her crazy. It’ll make this game so much more entertaining for me.

I have every intention of this being my first and last visit here. My plan is to ride out the year, graduate… maybe, then get a job. I want to start earning some real money so Mom and I can get a better place, somewhere with heat that actually works in the winter and air conditioning for the summer. I want to be able to look out of at least one window and not stare directly into some other scumbag’s apartment.

With a sigh, I push from the car with my purchase burning a hole in my pocket. I’m more than ready to kick back and make the most of the queen-size bed instead of the twin I’m used to.

The house is in blissful silence as I make my way via the kitchen to grab some food and up the stairs to the room Dad directed me to after picking me up from the airport earlier.

I couldn’t help smiling when I discovered that he’d put me right next to his precious Ruby. I’d spent the entire house tour having happy, smiling photos of the three of them shoved in my face. Anyone who wasn’t aware would think they’re the perfect little family. Fuck our parents’ previous lives, those who were left behind. They had been forgotten long ago and this was all they cared about.

Pushing through into my temporary room, I kick the door shut before toeing off my shoes, opening my window and diving onto the bed.

I pull the baggie of weed, my lighter, and cell from my pocket and get comfortable.

After restarting my music, I set about rolling my first blunt.

My mouth waters for a taste, for something that’s going to make this hellhole that much more bearable.

The first drag hits exactly where I needed it to. I suck it deep and hold the smoke in my lungs until it begins to burn.

Fucking yes!

Slipping down the bed a little, I take hit after hit, not giving two fucks about this being his house. He didn’t give any ground rules, so I take that as there not being any.

I’m just about to push from the bed in my need to find where that motherfucker’s liquor cabinet is when my bedroom door flies open.

It seems tonight might have just got interesting.

4

Ruby

I’m still fuming from our earlier interaction and the fact he stole my fucking car as I lie on my bed hours later, AirPods in and my music attempting to get me out of my own head as I try to focus on what I should be doing. Sadly, the only thing I’m actually doing is replaying our short interaction from earlier.

He shouldn’t intrigue me like he does. Especially after the way he spoke to me, the way he acted. The way he totally invaded my privacy by riffling through my purse like he owned the fucking thing.

Stephen has had nothing but good things to say about his ex-wife, so I find it hard to believe she’s brought him up to be such an arrogant, selfish prick.

My fingers tighten on the pencil I’m holding until I’m worried it’s about to snap in half.

It’s just a few days. Just a few days.

No wonder he’s been suspended from school if he acts like that on a normal day. I wonder what he did.

My inappropriate thoughts about the boy occupying the next room are thwarted when the vibration of the front door slamming hits me.

I sit up straight, pulling one of my AirPods from my ear to listen to what he might be doing.

After a few minutes, the sound of his footsteps pounding up the stairs has my heart beating faster than it should.

I shouldn’t care that he’s home. I should just be glad he made it back with my car hopefully in one piece.

Thankfully, he doesn’t make it down to my door, assuming he knows which room is mine, of course. Instead, another door slams as he locks himself away in his room.

Good. And I hope you damn well stay in there. I sure have every intention of hiding in here until I absolutely have to leave.

Unfortunately, his god-awful music almost immediately starts, sending my irritation levels sky-high.

Thoughts of packing a bag and moving in with Harley for a few days flit through my mind. Her mom wouldn’t care, that’s if she’s even there. I could make up some story about Harley needing company, Mom wouldn’t even bat an eyelid.

It’s a solid idea. It would get me away from this house, and more importantly, him. So why is it that I make no move to pack a bag and leave as fast as I can?

It seems I’m a glutton for punishment because there’s a huge part of me that wants to find out more about my angry stepbrother. I want to know why he was the way he was earlier. I find it hard to believe it’s because he’s here. Stephen said he agreed happily after the suggestion was made.

I think about that for a moment. That can’t be right. He refused every other time Stephen has tried to get him to visit. Why is he here now? And why was he apparently so happy to come?

My thoughts are halted when a familiar smell hits my nose.

Who the hell is smoking a joint outside my house? If Harley and Poppy have turned up to have an impromptu party, I’m going to be less than impressed after I specifically told them I was coming home to catch up on homework.

Pushing from the bed, I walk over to my window and look down. I expect to find the girls sneaking around the back of the house, trying not to get caught and stifling laughs. Only, that’s not at all what I find because there’s no one to be seen.

My fists curl as realization hits me.

Without thinking, I storm from my bedroom and toward his closed door. There’s no way he can know I’m coming with the volume of his music. Half the freaking street probably can’t hear themselves think over it.

Swinging his door open, I step inside as the strong scent of his blunt hits me despite the window being open, making me want to cough.

Resting my hands on my hips, I wait just inside his room for him to open his eyes and see me.

Long seconds pass as he continues and blows repeated rings of smoke into the room.

I’m just about to march his way and rip the joint from his fingers when he sits up.

My breath catches as I prepare for him to look at me. But when he does, I realize that no amount of time could have prepared me for looking in those dark, cold eyes once again.

A smile curls at one side of his lips as he runs his eyes down the length of my body. Tingles erupt in their wake and as my nipples tighten under his stare, I remember that I’m only wearing a thin tank and a pair of sleep shorts.

Fuck. Fuck him and his assholery.

Folding my arms over my chest in an attempt to hide what my clothes are doing a shit job of, I cock my hip and wait for him to finish.

“Are you about finished?” I sass when his eyes find mine once again.

He stands, his free hand running through his dark hair and pushing it from his forehead while the other continues to hold his joint.

“Oh, little one. I haven’t even started.”

I swallow, square my shoulders and straighten my back, ready to go up against him again.

“There’s no smoking in this house. Of any kind.”

“Oh yeah?” he asks, taking a drag and blowing the smoke right in my face.

“You’d better get rid of it before your dad gets back,” I suggest, much to his amusement if his barked laugh is anything to go by.

“And tell me, little girl, what’s he going to do about it, huh?” He bends at the knees, lowering down to my level.

I open my mouth to respond, but I have no words. He makes the most of my parted lips to blow a stream of smoke past them.

“Stop it,” I spit.

“Why? You too much of a goody-two-shoes little girl to enjoy a hit?”

“Fuck you.”

“Hmm…” His eyes roam over me once again. “Maybe. It’s good to know you’d be up for it.”

“Uh… what? No. That was not—” My words are cut off when he reaches over my shoulder.

My heart pounds and my head spins as I try to figure out what he’s doing. The second the door slams. I start to panic. I don’t want to be stuck in a room with this asshole.

He steps forward, his body heat flowing into mine.

“Here,” he says, offering me his joint. It’s the first nice thing he’s done or said since we met earlier. Although I’m not sure offering your younger stepsister drugs is actually considered a nice thing to do. Maybe where he’s from.

Turning my face away from him, I silently refuse the offer.

“Ah, you too good for this? Don’t tell me, you’re also a cheerleader and on the school council campaigning for a life of abstinence and veganism.”

My head snaps back to his in shock. He might be a douchebag, but I didn’t have him down for a judgmental one too. “Don’t pretend that you know me. You know fuck all about me.”

“Oh, little girl,” he says, his deep voice rumbling through me as he grasps my chin between his fingers. “I know you better than you think.”

I want to shake him off, but he holds so hard that it actually starts to pinch.

“That hurts,” I snap.

“And?”

He pushes me until my back collides with the door.

“I’m a cheerleader, so what?”

He smiles, it’s accomplished and evil.

“Fucking knew it. You’ve got high school prep written all over you.”

“Right now, all I’ve got all over me is you.”

He growls, actually fucking growls right in my face.

“Oh, little one, trust me when I say that when I’m all over you, you’ll feel me in more places than just your chin.”

My eyes widen in shock at his words. I also don’t miss the fact that he says when, not if. And I fucking hate that just the image that those words conjure up in my head has my lower stomach clenching in a way I haven’t felt before.

He stares down at me as I will my brain to work properly with him so close. He smells like sexy male and weed, it’s a heady combination. Although that could just be the weed that’s causing that effect.

“Come on, I thought you were a good girl, Rosy.”

“I’m pretty sure taking that.” I nod at the joint he’s still holding up for me. “Would make me anything but a good girl. And,” I add sharply. “My name is Ruby. Ruby,” I repeat, enunciating each syllable clearly so the asshole might have a chance at understanding it.

He takes another drag, making a show of holding it deep before once again blowing it out over me.

“Huh, look at that, it seems you’re already dirty. And do you know what?”

I raise a brow, trying to appear totally uninterested in anything he might have to say, although I know deep down that I’m desperate to hear his voice again.

“I like my girls dirty.”

Every muscle below my waist clenches.

With his blunt between his lips, he uses my moment of weakness to his advantage. His hot fingers wrap around my wrists and he lifts my arms above my head, pinning them there in one of his large hands.

Dropping his other arm, he runs his busted-up knuckles down my cheek. Goose bumps erupt around my body and I look to the side, not wanting him to see whatever he might be able to read in my eyes. I’ve no doubt my traitorous thoughts will be clear in their hazel depths.

I hate him. He’s an asshole. So why does his touch feel so good? Even such a simple one.

Tucking his fingers under my chin, he forces me to face him. Only, much to his displeasure, I keep my eyes downcast.

“Look at me,” he barks. His fingers wrap around my ponytail and my head is forced up. My eyes close, my need to defy him too strong to deny.

I resist for a beat, but his strength has nothing on my fast crumbling restraint.

Dragging my eyelids open, I gasp when I find his face incredibly close to mine with his dark eyes boring down into mine.

“Ashton, what are you…” He makes the most of my parted lips and places his blunt between them.

Anger explodes in my belly. Red hot fury racing through my veins. I shouldn’t be fazed by this asshole, but he’s getting under my skin faster than I know what to do with.

Spitting it from my lips, I watch as it hits his shoulder before falling to the ground.

His hold on my hair tightens as his other now free hand wraps around my exposed throat. He doesn’t squeeze, but it doesn’t stop my pulse thundering against his hold.

“You need to stay out of my way,” he warns, his nose almost brushing mine, his breath racing over my face.

“Or what?” I sass, not willing to give up my fight against this asshole.

“Or… I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” My voice is all breathy and I hate it.

His hand releases my hair, but with his other still wrapped around my throat, I can’t move. I do however let out a little shriek when he cups me between the legs.

“It means, little one, that I’ll take whatever I like, when I like, and give zero fucks about the consequences.”

“Y-y-you can’t. You wouldn’t.” My head spins with both his warning and his touch. His words should be a reality check, they should put me off, but with his hand on me, all I can think about is him giving me more.

It’s wrong. So fucking wrong.

He leans in, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.

“You want more, don’t you? Maybe I was wrong about you being a goody-two-shoes cheerleader, and the truth is that you’re just a cheer slut.”

“No,” I cry, bucking against his hold. Only it doesn’t shake him off, it only makes his fingers press into me harder.

Heat floods me as my temperature soars.

He glares down at me, his dark eyes full of hate and disgust. I’ve never felt so small and vulnerable in my life, and I fucking hate it.

He could do whatever he wants in this situation, and he knows it. It’s why he’s enjoying this power trip so much.

Unable to physically do anything about it, I use my words instead in the hope it’ll get me kicked out of his room and away from his epic headfuck.

“Why do you want to touch me anyway? You hate me, remember?”

His teeth grind and his shoulders tense.

“And why is that exactly? Because I’ve been living here with daddy while you’ve been forgotten in Seattle?” It’s a shot in the dark but one I’m confident in. But as his lips press into a thin line, I know that I hit the nail on the head.

His fingers clench slightly around my neck, but the warning isn’t enough to make me stop.

“He treats me like his own daughter, you know. Gives me everything I could possibly want. Buys me whatever I want. He—”

“Enough,” he roars, getting right in my face. His breaths are ragged, his eyes blown with anger. “Stop talking, little girl, before you say something you’ll regret.”

Before I get the chance to talk, his lips slam down on mine. Shock renders me motionless as his kiss bruises and his hold on me gets tighter.

“Ashton, no,” I cry against him after a few brain-frazzled moments. My hands slap against his chest as I try to push him away. But it seems he has other ideas because before I even realize I’ve moved, I’m out of his room and tripping over my own feet.

I hold my breath as I wait for my body to collide with something, and only moments later my shoulder hits the wall in the hallway, and I slide down until I’m on my ass.

He stands above me. Anger and contempt vibrating from every inch of him.

“You’re nothing, little girl. The only reason he puts up with you is because of your whore of a mother.”

“No,” I cry. “She’s not.”

“Pfft.” He waves me off before lowering down on his haunches. “It seems that there’s a lot you don’t know, little one. You should know something, though.” He looks over me as I clutch on to my smarting shoulder. “I’m going to fucking ruin you and leave them both with the broken pieces I leave behind. You know, just a little thank you for having me gift.”

My head spins as his words register. Did he really just say those things to me, or is it the effects of the second-hand weed messing with my brain?

When I look up, I find that I’m alone in the hallway and that the pain in my shoulder is very real.

Fucking asshole.

5

Ruby

Ashton’s music continues all freaking night.

Mom and Stephen came home sometime after midnight, although I didn’t hear them arrive thanks to the booming bass on the other side of the wall. It wasn’t until the loud shouts rang out as Stephen tried to get his son to be respectful and turn it down that I discovered they’d returned.

As I lay there staring at my ceiling, desperate to go to sleep in the hope it would help me to forget everything that had happened since I came home from school this afternoon, I can’t help wondering why Stephen is bothering. It seems like a waste of energy to try to tell Ashton to do anything that might be considered thoughtful to others. I might have only spent a very limited time with him this evening, but I really doubt he’s going to turn around and agree to do anything he’s told, especially if that request comes from the mouth of his father.

There’s some serious bad blood between the two of them I’m discovering, although I’m confident that it’s totally one-sided.

I’ve seen the love that lights up Stephen’s eyes when he talks about his son. It might have been years since he’s spent any decent amount of time with him, but he fondly remembers the little boy he helped to bring into this world. Although after the past few hours, I wonder if that little boy no longer exists.

I think of the stories of the Lego loving boy he’s fondly told us about and realize that there’s a very good chance that Stephen knows nothing about his now hotheaded and very angry son.

I release a frustrated sigh as the arguing continues. One of them will win soon, and I have no doubt that when that person does, the music will continue and that none of us will be getting any sleep tonight.

As predicted, less than five minutes later, the bedroom door slams but the music doesn’t turn off, in fact, I think it actually gets louder.

After having to get up early to meet the squad for a morning workout session, I spend the day half asleep. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing in each class I drag my exhausted body to, my eyelids just get heavier and heavier as I desperately try to concentrate.

“What’s up with you?” Harley, my best friend, asks when she drops down beside me with her own lunch tray at the cheerleaders’ table.

“Ugh, don’t ask.”

“Well, I did, so…”

Rolling my eyes at her, I push my tray away and rest my elbow on the table.

“Ashton has come to visit.”

Her brows draw together as she thinks. “Ashton as in your stepbrother that you’ve never met but the one I lust after anytime he posts a picture on Instagram?”

I can’t help but groan. “Yup, that one. I can assure you though, that beauty, it’s only skin deep.”

“Fine by me, I don’t have any intentions of making him my new BFF.”

“Jesus,” I mutter. “He’s… argh. He’s a nightmare. His music was booming all night. He was smoking weed in his bedroom. He’s been here less than a day and I want to kill him.”

“Why is he here? I thought he always refused.”

I shrug, not really having the answer to her question. “He was suspended from school, that’s all I know.”

“He’ll be there after practice, right? I need to meet this enigma.”

“No, Harley. I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” I argue, although as I do, I can’t help but wonder why I’m so against it.

She’s interested, I’ve always known that, but just assumed that she’d never get any closer than his Insta. Now that he’s under the same roof as me, the way he looked down at me last night, the way his lips pressed against mine, I’m not sure I want her anywhere near him.

Not that I want him, of course. He’s an asshole. But I love Harley and I refuse to introduce her to a prick like him knowing that if anything were to happen that she’d only end up with her heart broken.

“Oh shush, I’ll just come for a bit. Show him what he’s missing.” She winks, flicking her bright red hair over her shoulder. “You know what they say, once they go red, they never go back.”

“And who exactly says that?” I ask curiously, knowing that the farthest Harley had got with a boy was a sloppy fumbled kiss at the summer formal a few months ago.

She shrugs. “Someone, I’m sure.”

A few other members of the squad join us and thankfully our previous conversation is forgotten. There are only a handful of juniors on the squad, and both Harley and I were lucky enough to make the cut not so long ago.

I’ve spent years at both gymnastics and dance classes in the hope of making varsity. Pride washes through me as I think about all my hard work paying off.

My eyes roam over the squad, taking in their perfection before I stop on Chelsea, our captain, and Shelly, our assistant captain, sitting beside her. That’s my next mission. I want to prove myself enough to have a shot at captain next year once Chelsea graduates.

* * *

Practice is killer. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m exhausted or that Chelsea is extra hard on us today, but I feel like I screw up every move I make.

“Ruby, lock your fucking knees,” Chelsea barks. “If you don’t straighten up and hold position, you’re going to end up on your ass.”

I wobble about as Krissy and Victoria try to keep me steady.

“Fucking hell, there are plenty of other JVs who’d love a shot at this. Get it together,” Krissy snaps as I try to make my body respond.

I eventually manage the move to Chelsea’s requirement before one of the girls below my grip slips and the world falls out from beneath me.

My cheek connects with something, someone’s head maybe, an elbow, as I fall, sending burning pain through my face and down my neck before I collapse on the floor, landing on my already painful shoulder, I’m sure only making it worse.

“Fucking hell, Ruby,” Chelsea says, racing over and staring down at me along with a huddle of the other girls, including Harley. “Are you okay?”

Releasing my cheek, I roll my shoulder. It hurts, but it’s okay.

“Yeah.”

I place my hand in Chelsea’s as she reaches out to pull me up. Everyone else disperses, going back to what they were all doing before some drama kicked off.

“Is everything okay? You’re not your usual self this afternoon,” Chelsea asks. She’s got a reputation for being an epic bitch, but while that may be true, she’s an incredible captain, and every now and then, like just now, she does show that she has a softer side.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just family stuff, you know how it is.”

“Sure do. But I need you to lock that shit down in here. You got that?”

I nod, despite the fact she’s not looking at me.

Thankfully, the rest of practice passes without any more drama. I forgo showering in the locker room after once again declining the offer of Aces with the squad and the football team. I know I should go, not just because I need to ensure I’m fully part of the group, but more so because I don’t want to go home in case he’s there, but I’ve still got a ton of homework that’s only been added to as the day’s gone on.

I always thought that junior year was meant to be the calm before the storm, so to speak, but so far it’s been nothing but hard work.

With my purse and duffle over my shoulder, I say my goodbyes and head out to the parking lot.

If I’m lucky, he’ll have stolen someone else’s car today and he won’t be home.

Deciding to check my cell before showing up at home today, I pull it from my purse the second I’m in the car. My heart sinks the second I see a message from Mom. What now?

Mom: Family meal tonight. 7PM. Do not be late.

Groaning, I drop my head back on the headrest and close my eyes.

All I want to do is go home to my quiet house and sleep. Why do I get the impression that’s not going to be happening anytime soon?

Blowing out a long breath, I rev the engine and make my way home to see what delights tonight might hold.

6

Ashton

It’s been a long ass day with only what’s left of my weed and the memories of how she reacted to me last night filling my mind.

Fuck if her curvy little body didn’t speak to me in a way it shouldn’t. If her pert nipples that were hiding behind that thin fabric weren’t just begging for me to take them into my mouth.

I wonder if anyone has ever touched her like I did last night. I wonder if me following through on my threat of taking whatever I want when I want might be a bigger deal to daddy’s little princess than it might be to others. The way her eyes widened as I touched her sure leads me to believe that it’s not something that’s happened all that often.

A smile curls at my lips. Taking that from her sure would be a way to prove a point.

I had hopes for what my stepsister would be like. And as it’s turning out, she’s exactly what I was dreaming of. Hot, innocent, and totally unsuspecting.

Rubbing my hands together, I push from the bed and pull my jersey over my head. I stare at my name on the back and wonder if I’ll ever be allowed to play again after this. Probably not. Football is the only thing that’s kept me at that shitty school this long. Without it, I have no reason to be there when I could be working and helping provide for Mom and me.

Dropping it beside my bag, I push my sweats from my hips and walk toward the connected bathroom to shower before this lovely family meal Lisa intercepted me to talk about earlier. I only wanted a fucking sandwich, but instead I ended up having to endure my overly happy stepmother wanting to know my preferences for tonight’s food. I’m an eighteen-year-old guy, put anything edible in front of me and I’ll eat it. Clearly, she’s not used to having boys around. The thought makes me smile and takes me back to my earlier musings about her possibly innocent daughter.

After a quick shower, I pull on a fresh set of clothes and run some gel through my hair. That’s about all the effort they’re going to get out of me for this inevitable shit show.

Not wanting to go downstairs early and give the impression I’m looking forward to this despite the fact I’m fucking starving, I equally don’t want to sit here waiting. Deciding that I need some entertainment, I pull the door open and turn toward the one with my little toy inside.

I know she’s there, she’s been home a couple of hours. It’s taken more restraint than I thought possible to stay locked inside my room this long, knowing that she’s only on the other side of the door.

Something akin to excitement tingles in my stomach as I place my hand on her doorknob and twist.

I’m expecting her to see me immediately and for her to attempt to rip me a new one, but to my delight, the room is empty. The only evidence of where she is comes courtesy of the steam billowing from her bathroom.

I glance to her bed with all her homework strewn across it, trying to decide what my next move is going to be.

I’m just walking back from the window when she appears in the doorway, clutching a fluffy towel around her body.

“Get the fuck out,” she shouts loud enough to alert our parents downstairs.

Racing over, I press my palm to her mouth to stop her from doing it again. I continue pushing her until she’s backed up against the wall.

Her angry eyes stare up at me as her chest begins to heave.

“You seem to be in a vulnerable position right now, don’t you think?” At my words, her grip on the towel tightens. It’s amusing that she thinks she has any power right now. If I wanted to rip it from her body, I could in one swift move, I have no doubt of that.

The tension between us crackles as we stare at each other, the only sounds that can be heard is that of our increased breaths.

Breaking our connection, I run my eyes over her face. A darkening bruise on her cheek catches my eye and I lift my fingers to run over it, releasing her mouth once I’m confident that she’s not going to scream again.

She flinches like it hurts despite the fact I barely make contact.

“Looks like I’m not the only one who likes to fight dirty.”

Her brows draw together. “You think I…” She trails off with a shake of her head. “I’ve never been in a fight in my life. Although my need to hurt you is starting to get the better of me.”

I can’t help but smile. The thought of her unleashing her tiny fists on me is too amusing to ignore.

“Oh yeah, and how exactly do you think you’re capable of hurting me?”

“I might be small, but don’t underestimate me.”

My jaw pops as I stare at her, wondering exactly what she’s thinking, what she believes she could do to me that would cause any more pain. She’s already ruined my life, taken my father away, I’m not sure there’s much else she could do to make my life any worse.

“Ruby, Ashton, dinner is ready.” The sound of Lisa’s sweet voice is like nails on a chalkboard, and I visibly shudder as it sounds out around us.

“Uh oh, saved by the bell.”

I take a step back as she breathes out a sigh of relief and drops her hands. Wrong thing to do.

In a split second, I’ve reached out and tugged at the fabric that’s covering her body.

Shock renders her useless because by the time her brain’s caught up with what I’ve done and she reaches for the towel, it’s too late.

The fluffy fabric flutters to the ground, allowing me a few seconds to take in my fill of her naked body. It’s fucking perfection. Her rosy pink nipples perk and beg to be touched. Her toned stomach, the small patch of hair before the apex of her thighs, the curve of her hips.

Fuck.

This was probably a huge mistake because where I previously wanted to get my hands on her to prove a point, now I’m damn near desperate to discover if she’s just as feisty when she’s on her back with her legs spread.

Long before I’ve had my fill, she bends and covers herself once more.

“Happy now?” she asks, trying to sound confident but failing miserably. “You’ve had a good look, you can stash it in your fucked-up spank bank for later or whatever it is sadistic motherfuckers like you do.”

I smile at her, the fact she thinks I’m even remotely interested amuses me.

“You think I want you? Fuck off, little girl. If I need a willing pussy for the night, I’ll go find a woman who knows what she’s doing, thank you very much.”

Her cheeks burn crimson before I move toward the door. I’m almost in the hallway when she finds her voice again.

“Who says I don’t know what I’m doing?”

I leave her standing there with just my laugh filling her ears.

7

Ruby

“Ah, there you are. I thought we were going to have to send out a search party,” Mom says when I eventually join them in the dining room.

My skin tingles with their stares, making me look up. I find Stephen at his usual place at the head of the table, with Mom beside him, and Ashton in what is usually my seat. Of course he fucking is. Without even knowing it, he’s driving me crazy.

Ignoring him and trying to push down my embarrassment from not so long ago, I stalk toward the farthest chair away from him and sit down.

“Ruby? Have we all done something to offend you?” Stephen asks as I settle at the opposite end of the table.

“I think I’m coming down with something, I’d hate to spread it around everyone,” I lie, badly.

“Don’t be silly, honey. Come and sit next to Ash, I’m sure he’d love to get to know you better.”

I don’t look up at him, I don’t need to to know that he’s got a shit-eating grin on his face right now.

Reluctantly, very reluctantly, I stand back up and walk to the chair beside him. I could refuse and cause a scene about not wanting to sit beside him. But what would be the point? Our parents would want to know why and I can hardly tell them that it’s because after trying to pressure me into smoking a joint with him—in the house, I might add if they’ve not already discovered that—that he then proceeded to kiss me, throw me out and then, only moments ago, strip me naked for his own sick pleasure. While I’m at it, I could also try to explain that some twisted part of me enjoyed every minute of it. But I decide against saying all of that and just sit silently beside him, keeping my eyes on the table and my hands in my lap.

“I suggested to your mom that we have your favorite,” Stephen explains as Mom disappears from the room and Ashton stifles a groan. “We thought Ash would probably approve too,” he adds, turning his gaze on his son.

Ash opens his mouth to respond, but he must have other ideas because no sooner do his lips part than they close again.

My eyes flick between the two of them as they stare at each other. Confusion and concern covers Stephen’s face whereas Ashton’s entire body is locked with tension and oozing with anger.

Glancing down, I spot his fists curled around the edge of the chair, his knuckles white with the force.

There’s clearly a lot that’s been left unsaid between these two. I can only hope that something good actually comes from Ashton’s stay here and they manage to fix whatever it is that’s broken between them.

Ashton might be an asshole, but he still deserves to have a relationship with his father.

My thoughts wander to mine and I can’t help but smile. He might not live under the same roof as me now, but we’re still pretty close, when he’s in town of course. I think his regular work trips might have been one of the things that added to the many issues that put an end to his and Mom’s relationship.

“Here we go,” Mom sings, oblivious to the tension in the room. It’s so freaking thick you could cut it with a knife, but as she lays out plates laden with everything to make tacos, she either misses it or just chooses to ignore it. “We weren’t sure what you liked, Ash, so I just picked up everything I could think of.”

“It’s great… thanks,” he says, unnervingly quietly.

Usually I’d dive straight into tacos like my life depends on it, but today, with dread sitting heavy in my stomach and the tension pressing down on my shoulders, eating is the last thing I want to be doing.

“Are you all set for the big party tomorrow night?” Stephen asks me after a long, painful minute of silence.

“Er… yeah, I guess.”

“Party?” Ashton pipes up.

“Oh yes. It’s Halloween. Every year the Rosewood students attend a haunted house party on the outskirts of town in an old mansion. It’s a tradition that’s been going for years, right?” Mom says, looking to Stephen with a soft smile as she remembers their previous life together.

When I glance to Ashton, he’s staring between the two of them, the muscles in his neck and shoulders pulled tight.

“Those were some great parties, eh?”

It’s no secret to me that our parents were childhood sweethearts back in the day, but it blows my mind to think of them both doing the same things I am now, believing that they were destined to spend their lives together. I guess it just goes to show that you don’t know what road life will take you on. It’s heartwarming to see that they’ve come back together now and reconnected though.

“Have you got your costume sorted?” Stephen asks, turning his eyes on me.

“Yep.”

“What are you going as?” Ashton asks, speaking for the first time in forever.

“Zombie cheerleader.”

“Wow, how original.”

“I’m sorry, who made you the Halloween police?” I snap, turning my narrowed gaze on him.

He widens his eyes, but he doesn’t respond. If it’s possible, his silence annoys me more than if he were to bark back an insult.

Stephen tries to maintain some less than stimulating conversation that Ashton clearly has no interest in engaging in, it doesn’t stop him trying though.

The meal is agonizing and all I can think about is escaping.

“You must be coming down with something. You’ve barely touched your dinner,” Mom helpfully points out sometime later.

“You should have some more, it might make you feel better,” Ashton says, turning his dark eyes on me. “It’ll give you some energy at least.”

My entire body jolts when his burning hot hand lands on my thigh.

My lips purse in frustration as I try to push it away without being obvious, not that our parents are paying any attention, they’re too lost in their own conversation once again.

“Get off me,” I whisper, putting more effort into pushing him off me.

Sadly, he seems to enjoy my attempt because as a smile tugs at his lips, his hand only slides higher up my thigh, his fingers dipping under the fabric of my skirt.

“Stop fighting, little one. You know you wore this to tempt me.”

“Like fuck I did.” Truth is that it was the first thing I found abandoned on the chair in my room after he left me earlier. I knew I was late and that Mom would start asking questions, so I just pulled on whatever and headed down, not putting any more thought into it.

“Are you even wearing panties?”

Standing abruptly, the chair squeaks on the tiled floor, turning all eyes on me.

“Is everything okay, honey?”

“I’m sorry, I really need to go and get some air.”

“O-of course. I’ll wrap some of this up for you in case you’re hungry later.”

I want to tell her not to bother, that as long as he’s under this roof that I’m not sure I’ll ever eat again. But instead I nod, and quickly leave the room, thankfully sucking in deep lungfuls of air now that I’m not surrounded by his scent.

Pushing through the back doors, I walk out across the deck until I get to one of the sun loungers that has its back to the house.

I rest my head back and close my eyes.

How did things get so complicated so fast?

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I ignore the message from Harley checking in on me after my fall and instead find my conversation with Dad.

Ruby: Hey, are you in town?

I hit send and wait with bated breath in the hope that he is and is willing to have a gate-crasher for a few days.

Going to stay with him isn’t unheard of, I’ve just never done it because I’ve needed to escape my own house.

Dad: Sorry, kiddo. I’m in Colorado on a shoot. Everything okay?

Blowing out a breath through pursed lips, I roll my shoulders in the hope it loosens the tension pulling at them. Sadly, it does shit all, just makes the one I’ve now landed on hurt that much more.

I reply to say that everything is good and that I just miss him. It’s not a total lie.

Placing my cell on the lounger beside me, I rest back and close my eyes.

I’m almost asleep when a shadow falls over me and a shiver of fear runs down my spine.

For fuck’s sake. Just leave me alone, I want to scream but I know it would be futile.

“What?” I bark without even bothering to open my eyes. It’s probably a stupid move, I should be on my guard with him at all times, but I’m just too freaking tired.

He drops down onto the lounger beside me, forcing my legs out of the way in the process.

“Sure, you can join me.”

“I don’t remember asking permission.”

Dragging my eyes open, my lips part ready to spit some more abuse at him, but I don’t get the chance, because his hot palm once again lands on my exposed thigh.

“Get your fucking hands off me.”

My entire body freezes and he pushes it higher, his fingers disappearing under the fabric, heading for dangerous territory.

“You don’t get to fucking touch me.” I try to move away, but his fingers tighten on my thigh.

“I get to do whatever the fuck I want. And right now, I want to play with my little toy.”

“I’m not a fucking toy, I’m not your little plaything, I’m a fucking person. A person who after barely twenty-four hours can’t stand the fucking sight of you. So get your hands off me and leave me the hell alone.”

When I’ve finished my little rant, it soon becomes obvious that the only effect it’s had on the asshole is to amuse him.

“Are you finished?” he asks around a smirk.

“No, you’re a fucking—argh.” He grabs my arm before my hand can connect with his cheek.

“Careful now, little one. You don’t want to cause yourself any more injuries.”

“Fuck you.”

“Hmm… like I said before, it’s certainly an option. What do you think daddy would say if I corrupted his little princess? Maybe we could do it out here, make him watch. Force him to watch me break you in two, force him to watch you enjoy every last second of it.”

“No, I—”

“Oh come on, little one. You know you’d enjoy it. I bet you’re wet for me right now just thinking about my cock.”

“Never,” I seethe, but apparently my words, my anger, isn’t enough for him. Before I know it, he’s pushed his hand even higher and he’s running his fingertip over me.

Something akin to pleasure races through me at his touch, but I refuse to acknowledge it.

“Tut, tut, tut, I’m disappointed, little one. I thought I was going to find you bare for me under here. I thought you were going to make it easy for me.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I push at his arm, trying to force him away from me and thankfully, after a second, he concedes and removes all contact from me.

A menacing laugh falls from his lips. “So many things, little one, that I’ve lost count. Have a great evening and enjoy finishing your homework.” With those parting words, he pushes from the lounger and stalks off, leaving my head spinning and my body trembling.

Resting my head back once more, I stare up at the darkening sky.

What the fuck is that asshole’s problem? What did I ever do to him to deserve this kind of torture?

After a few minutes, I start to feel vulnerable sitting out here alone, plus I know for a fact that he has the perfect view of me from his bedroom window if that’s where he’s just disappeared to.

Scooting forward on the lounger, I prepare to head back upstairs to try to get some more work done. Only, before I move, something floating in the pool catches my eyes.

Looking around at the back yard, I spot more paper littered around.

What the… oh no… No, no, no.

Racing over to the paper at the edge of the pool, I pull it out and find exactly what I feared.

My almost completed assignment, the paper soaked through and the ink running everywhere.

“You fucking asshole,” I scream into the silent evening.

Spinning on my heels, I stare up at his bedroom window and sure as shit, there he stands with a proud fucking smirk firmly in place.

With my heart threatening to beat out of my chest, I race around the garden, collecting what I can before grabbing the pool net and fishing out a few other stray pieces.

I stare down at the soaked paper, it’s totally ruined.

My teeth grind as I make my way up to my bedroom. I slow when I get to his door. My need to storm in and rip him a new one is almost too much to ignore, but a trickle of reality seeps in and tells me that no matter what I intend to do, he’ll win. He’ll make sure he always wins.

I can fight back all I like, but whatever this thing is between us is only going to end one way.

Forcing my legs to keep moving, I drop everything to my desk and smooth some of the less damaged pieces of paper out, but it’s pointless. The whole thing is fucked.

As if he was waiting for me, his music starts up on the other side of the wall.

I scream against it, but I’m no match for the booming bass.

Pulling my cell back out, I send a message to my second savior.

Ruby: I’m struggling with this assignment. Wanna do it together?

Harley: Sure. Mom’s out, you wanna come over? You can stay the night?

“Yes,” I squeal as the exact question I was hoping for lights up on my screen.

I quickly pack a bag with everything I’m going to need for the foreseeable future, including everything for the party tomorrow night.

I figure I’ll stick it all in my car just in case I can get away with not coming back here for a while.

After letting Mom know where I’m going, I leave the house as fast as I can, breathing a huge sigh of relief as I back out of the drive.

“Bye, bye, motherfucker.”

8

Ashton

Walking away from her knowing that her body was fully on board with the thoughts I had running around my head was one of the hardest things I think I’ve ever done.

Her skin was so soft under my hand, her panties so fucking wet when I brushed my finger over them, the floral scent of her hair. Fuck, all I could think about was pushing her panties aside and finding out exactly how wet she was for me.

Reaching down, I rub at my length that’s tenting my sweats as I watch her run around the back yard collecting her homework. Every time she bends over, her skirt rises and I get just a hint at the ass she’s hiding beneath it.

I could have taken more so easily. I should have.

“Fuck,” I bark, slamming my hand down on the window frame in frustration.

Images of her beneath me writhing and moaning as I push her over the edge fill my mind and it only makes my cock harder for her.

I want her fucking broken so that I can hand her back to daddy and walk away knowing that I fucked him over just like he did us.

Selfish fucking cunt.

My skin tingles with awareness and when I glance back up, she’s staring right at me.

Pushing my hand inside my sweats, I wrap my fingers around my length and squeeze. My eyelids flutter with pleasure.

I wonder how her tiny hand would feel. How hot her mouth might be?

“Fuuuuck,” I grate out, stepping back from the window when she disappears.

The temptation to follow her into her room and discover the answer to those questions is strong, but I hold off, for now at least. Nothing good can come of me going after her when I’m so desperate that I can hardly think straight.

The second she’s safely in her room—or so she might think—I turn my music on and fall down onto my bed, pushing my sweats from my hips, I take my cock in my hand with images of her hot little body filling my mind.

It takes an embarrassingly short amount of time before I feel the familiar tingles at the base of my spine. Two more pumps and I groan out as I come over my hand.

I’d hoped it might bring me some relief, but even before the high from my orgasm has faded, I know that I need more. And by more, I don’t mean delivered by my own hand.

I need her.

After cleaning up, I slip out of my room and stand at hers, listening for what she might be doing inside.

My hand rests on the doorknob, but in the end, I decide against it.

I’ll leave her stewing a little longer. Plus, it sounds like there’s going to be a semi-decent party tomorrow night. I guess I’ve got a costume to organize because there is no fucking way I’m allowing her to spend the night with any other motherfucker, even if it is her boyfriend that I’ve yet to know exists or not.

* * *

I somehow manage to remain in my room for the rest of the night and thankfully after that forced bit of family time at dinner, my dad allows me the evening to hide. I know my time avoiding him is running out though.

He’s wanted me to visit for years and the one time I do, he seems to spend his entire time working. I’m not complaining, quite the opposite in fact. If I get to do my time here hiding in this room and only coming out to torment Ruby, then I’ll head home counting it as a win with no intention of coming back again anytime soon.

Hopefully, Mom will have had a few days break and we’ll just be able to dive back into our normal clusterfuck of a life bouncing from one day to the next and hoping a lottery win might drag us from the hellhole we call home. We can only dream, right?

“Good morning, honey.” Lisa’s sweet voice sets my teeth on edge.

I put off leaving my room until as late as possible in the hope she might have left, seems I wasn’t that lucky.

“Mornin’,” I grunt, walking past her and straight to the coffee machine.

“I can do that if you tell me how you like it.” I look over my shoulder at her and watch as her smile falters at the look on my face.

I’m not sure at what point she decided that I needed her to mommy me, but she really needs to fucking stop.

“I’m more than capable of making myself a cup of coffee.”

“O-okay, well… would you like any breakfast?”

“Do you fuss around your daughter this much?” I ask.

“Um… well… no, but you’re our guest.”

“Pfft.” And doesn’t that just say it all.

This is not my home, and it never will be. My dad handed over his title as part of my family the day he walked away from us and into this irritatingly happy woman’s arms.

“It won’t be long and you can resume your lives as the world’s happiest family without me bringing the tone down,” I mutter.

“Ashton, what makes you say that? We love having you here.”

I spin and rest my lower back against the counter as the coffee machine does its thing.

She swallows nervously as my eyes bore into hers. A small sense of achievement fills me. Good, I’m glad she’s scared.

“Really?” I ask.

“Of course. Your dad told me to tell you that he’s cleared his schedule for the weekend so that the two of you can spend some time together. He misses you terribly.”

“Well he should have thought about that before he started fucking you and left me then, shouldn’t he? Excuse me.” I snatch my mug from the machine and march past her before she recovers from my comment and comes up with a response.

I don’t put my music on to the level that I have the past two days, and I’ve got a very good reason. I’m expecting a delivery.

Once I know that Lisa has left and I’ve got the place to myself, I emerge from my bedroom and make the most of the rest of the house.

Dad’s got a home gym that I use for a couple of hours before spending most of the day on the couch watching their fucking massive TV.

As it starts to creep around to the time Ruby has returned from school the past two days, I can’t help but feel a little excitement start to bubble up.

Only, she never does.

Looks like I’m going to have to take matters into my own hands if I want to see her tonight.

9

Ruby

The second Harley looked at me, she knew something was wrong but no matter how much she begged, I refused to tell her what had me running from my own house.

I told her that I’d been working on the outside table and everything blew away with a gust of wind. It was totally unfeasible seeing as there wasn’t so much as a breeze outside, let alone a gust, but she soon realized her pleading was falling on deaf ears before she gave up. That didn’t stop her casting me worried glances every time she saw me at school today.

Thankfully, sleeping with her in the silent bedroom meant I had a night of much better sleep and I’m not walking around like a freaking zombie. I need my energy for the party.

I remember last year’s, it was mental. Technically, Harley and I were too young to be invited but seeing as we were already JV cheerleaders, we managed to get our names on the guest list. Mom and Stephen weren’t all that impressed until I pointed out how they delight in telling me all about the parties they’d crashed when they were younger and reminded them what good girls Harley and I were. Of course, I was laughing on the inside as I said the words. I might be somewhat of a good girl, but Harley seriously has her moments.

As predicted, during lunch, Harley announces that I should get ready for the party at hers and then stay the night again. That is more than fine by me, so once cheer practice is over, I follow her back to her house to get the party started early.

She snatches a bottle of vodka that her brother Zayn had stashed in his den and we take turns taking a shot while we get ready.

“Here,” she says, walking into her bedroom with two huge pizza boxes in her hands. “I ordered food to soak up some of that.”

“Oh gimmie,” I say with grabby hands. My head is already spinning and we haven’t even left the house yet.

“Zayn,” she bellows out her bedroom door. “Dinner.”

I look down at myself wearing just a tank and a tiny pair of panties.

“Har,” I say in panic, pointing to myself as footsteps head our way.

“Oh shush. My brother’s such a dog, he’s probably immune to a pair of tits by now.”

“I heard that,” he calls as he steps into the doorway.

“You were supposed to, asswipe. Here.” She thrusts a box in his direction, but he doesn’t even notice.

“Hey, Ruby, baby. How’s it going?”

Nerves erupt in my belly. It’s no secret that I’ve crushed on Zayn for as long as I can remember. His dark eyes call to me in a way that a certain other pair don’t. While he who won’t even be thought about has terrifying dark eyes, Zayn’s are like melted chocolate that I just want to dive into. Add that to his warm bronze skin and I can’t help but want to discover more.

Sadly, he just sees me as his little sister’s friend. He might flirt, but I’d be stupid to think it was anything more than banter.

I curl myself into a ball in the hope of hiding what my minimal clothing isn’t.

“I-it’s good. You?” I stutter like an idiot.

“All the better after seeing you, baby.” He winks and my cheeks heat.

“Now you’ve got that, you can fuck off. We’ve got a party to get ready for,” Harley barks at him.

“Ugh, you’re really coming?”

“Um… of course we are. You’re not the only one to have all the fun.”

“You could wait until next year though, when I’m at college,” he grumbles.

“And what would be the fun in that? You wouldn’t get to disapprove of my outfit or the boys I choose to kiss.”

He takes a step toward her, his finger coming out to tell her off. “Harley, there will be no kis—”

“Oh, take a day off. I know for a fact that you were doing more than kissing when you were a junior, so you don’t get to comment. Unless you want me to tell Mom that I caught you fucking—”

“Enough.”

Harley bursts out laughing. “So I thought. Now off you fuck.”

“You’re a pain in my ass, Harley Hunter.”

“Yeah, yeah. The feeling is mutual, asswipe,” she calls as he heads off down the hall.

Their banter is what a brother and sister relationship should be like. I think about the past forty-eight hours with Ashton. There is no sibling bond between us. But then, why should there be? We’re strangers brought together by our parents. There’s no reason for us to have any kind of connection.

Although there is. There’s something that crackles between us every time we’re in touching distance. But it’s anything but fun banter. It’s pure hate.

I see it in his eyes. I feel it in his touch.

No matter how much I fight him, we both know that he holds all the power and I need to keep my guard up before he achieves his mission to break me.

“Whoa, calm down. I’d like to get to the party before you pass out,” Harley says, swiping the bottle that I was chugging from.

“Just letting go. It’s been a long week.”

“I knew it,” she announces, slapping her knee. “What did he do to make you run from your own house?”

“It’s just the music. We should get dressed.”

Pushing from the edge of her bed while she pulls out her first slice of steaming pizza, I rummage around in the bag I packed to get my outfit out. It consists of my cheer uniform and some face paint. Ashton was right, it’s not exactly creative but I hate costumes, or more specifically masks, so it’s as much as I’m willing to do.

“Fuck,” I mutter, rummaging to the bottom.

“What?”

“I didn’t pack a white bra.”

“So, just go without. Give the guys a free pass to second base tonight.”

Looking at her, I narrow my eyes in her direction. My boobs might not be massive, but I prefer to have them contained. At least I’m not actually cheering tonight, I guess.

“Or borrow one of mine,” she suggests with a shrug.

“That would probably be worse.” I glance down at her chest.

“All right, no need to point out what I’m missing.”

“Just put your top on. Any guy who’s lucky to get a hand under tonight will think all his Christmases have come at once.”

I think of the guys at school, of Zayn, and who I could end up with tonight, but every time I do, their faces merge into someone else’s.

I shake my head. I need more fucking vodka.

10

Ruby

Much like last year, the haunted house looks creepy as fuck as we walk toward it. Thankfully, Zayn gave us a lift, although he made a point of expressing his annoyance at every turn. Not that either of us gave a shit. Harley is too ready to party and I’m too ready to have a night away from the drama and those eyes and evil words.

The second we’re out of the car, Harley, dressed as Catwoman, takes my hand and drags me toward the house.

We’re immediately engulfed into the crowd that’s hovering by the entrance. She makes quick work of locating the drinks before we down one each and find the rest of the squad.

Most of them are on the dance floor, so without a second thought we join them.

The music pounds, my friends happy, if not already slightly drunk, surround me and I finally breathe a sigh of relief as I lift my arms above my head and grind my hips in time with the music.

One song blends into another, different members of the squad keep appearing with more drinks and as the time goes on, my head gets lighter and I begin to forget about everything and just enjoy myself. Even the masks of some of the students around me stop bothering me so much.

At some point, a warm pair of hands slide around my bare waist and a hot, firm body presses against my back.

“You really are trying to torture me tonight, aren’t you, baby?” Zayn’s smooth voice fills my ear as he moves against me.

The alcohol gives me confidence that I wouldn’t have on a normal day and I push my ass back into him and he groans in pleasure.

“You’re a tease, baby.”

“Who said I only tease?” I shoot over my shoulder as his hands begin to hesitantly skim up my stomach.

He’s about an inch from finding out that I’m bare beneath when he’s suddenly gone.

“What the—” I spin around, the room seeming to move along with me, telling me just how much I’ve had to drink but I don’t see Zayn, I don’t see anyone other than people enjoying themselves.

Two seconds pass as I try to figure out what the fuck just happened when I hear it.

“Trick or treat, little one?”

A violent shudder works its way through my body as his large hand clamps down on my hip. The other skates up my body, over my breast until it’s around my throat.

I swallow and the low chuckle that fills my ear tells me that he didn’t miss my fear.

The length of his body presses against my back, but unlike with Zayn, I don’t immediately relax back into him.

“What? So you’ll happily dance with that cocksucker, but you won’t with me? If I cared, little one, I’d be offended.”

Something hard hits the back of my head, but my alcohol fuzzed brain can’t register what it is.

“Dance,” he demands and as he rolls his hips against my ass, I have no choice but to follow the move.

I glance around at everyone surrounding us, but no one is paying us any mind, they’re all too lost in enjoying themselves.

My head continues to spin, and it’s not at all helped by his scent and the strength of his hold on me. It’s possessive, dominant, and fuck if it doesn’t make me want to submit.

His hand leaves my hip and slides up my stomach. Unlike with Zayn, there’s no hesitation as his fingers disappear under the fabric.

In seconds, his fingers find my naked breasts. My nipples pebble against the fabric of my top moments before one is covered by his giant hand.

“Oh god,” I moan, my head falling back against his shoulder as he squeezes.

Turning my head toward him, I expect to find his dark eyes boring down on me, only when I open my eyes, all I register is the mask and I scream bloody murder. I jump away from him, but his grip is too tight and I’m forced to stare at my worst nightmare. A fucking Jason mask. Of course that’s what he chose for tonight, fitting I guess seeing as he’s turning my life into a living nightmare.

“Let’s go,” he demands, removing his hand from my top and lacing his fingers through mine. For a second, I think the move is too sweet to belong to him, but that’s soon forgotten when he tugs me harshly behind him.

No one looks our way, so no one sees the fear that is written all over my face as I follow the devil himself to wherever he’s deemed suitable.

We climb two sets of stairs before he pushes a very squeaky door open and slips inside. The room is dark and dirty, one of the panes of glass on the window is broken, allowing the nighttime breeze to blow in, causing goose bumps to erupt on my skin. The moonlight is the only light, and it highlights the dust floating around in the air that we disturb as we enter.

Yeah, it’s not creepy at all. I’m in a derelict house, in an abandoned room with Jason freaking Voorhees. Nothing good can come from this.

He releases me, and as much as I might want to turn and run, I don’t. My sick fascination with what he’s going to do next leaves me frozen on the spot. That and the vodka that’s filling my veins.

Walking over to the window, he rips the mask from his head and drops it to the bare floorboards. The thud makes me jump and has my already pounding heart thumping against my ribs.

I’m sure he only has his back to me for seconds, but it feels like a lifetime has passed when he eventually turns his dark stare on me.

Something crackles and I feel it all the way down to my toes. I open my mouth to say something, but I don’t get a chance to figure out what it might be because he closes the space between us. In seconds, his fingers are around my throat and his lips are on mine.

His tongue demands entrance and parts my lips in its need for more.

My brain misfires as I try to keep up with him.

One second he’s seeking entrance and the next my back is up against the wall and my leg is hitched up around his waist. His already hard length presses against me and I can’t help but move against him.

His tongue plunges into my mouth, tangling with my own, taking everything he needs. Although, I’m not sure if he’s taking when I’m handing myself over willingly.

I was right about his lips the first time I looked at them. Fuck, can he kiss.

He utterly consumes me.

His hand squeezes my throat as he loses control but at no point does it concern me, if anything, it just makes me crave more. More of his touch, more of his taste, just more of him.

My fingers fumble with his leather jacket until I’m pushing it from his shoulders. It hits the floor with a thud, but it doesn’t stop him.

His other hand slides down the underside of my thigh until he’s palming my ass. When he finds it’s bare, he groans into my mouth. His fingers continue down until he’s running them over the small scrap of soaked fabric covering me.

Ripping my lips from his, my head falls back, banging against the wall as an unfamiliar feeling races through me.

“You can only hide what you really want for so long, little one. Tell me you want this. Tell me that you want me to watch you shatter.”

“Ashton.” His name is meant to be a warning, but it comes out sounding like a needy whimper.

Slipping the lace aside, he runs his fingers through my heat.

“Fuck, little one. I knew you were desperate for me, but shit.”

“Oh god, oh god,” I chant as he teases me.

Just as it starts to get even more intense, he stops touching me and stands back.

Even with the limited light, I can see his chest heaving.

I watch as he tips his face to the ceiling for a beat, but I only get a second to wonder what the fuck he’s playing at because no sooner have I blinked than he’s back.

His fingers wrap around the hem of my top and he tugs it up my body. I’m powerless but to lift my arms and allow him to expose me.

The moment I’m free of the fabric, his hands cup my breasts. He squeezes and a loud sigh falls from my lips.

So fucking good.

“Watch,” he barks, and like the good little girl that I am. My head lifts of its own accord and I watch with fascination as his kiss-swollen lips part to suck on my nipple.

The second he connects with my sensitive skin, my entire body tingles with pleasure.

His eyes remain locked on mine and he sucks, licks, and bites, making me squeal with the weird mix of pain and pleasure.

I follow, totally lost in him as he moves to the other side.

Just when I think that’s all he’s going to do, he drops to his knees and begins kissing down my stomach.

Oh fuck, oh fuck. Is he going to…

His fingers wrap around my skirt and before I get to finish the thought he has it around my ankles, leaving me in just my white lace thong.

“Oh, little one. You’re way too innocent for the likes of me. I’m going to fucking ruin you.”

The tearing of fabric fills the room as he rips my panties from my body.

He stares at me for a beat and my cheeks heat knowing that he’s eye level with my most intimate place.

Unable to look at him, I cast my eyes aside.

“What did I say?” My chin is in his grasp in a beat and I’m forced to look back at him. I find him standing once again, his dark hungry eyes staring into mine. “Look. At. Me.”

Running his tongue along his bottom lip, he stares at me. His eyes are impossibly dark, but there’s more in them than just his normal evil intentions.

“Wha—”

“No talking,” he demands before ensuring that I’m unable to spit a comeback by filling my mouth with his tongue once again.

His kiss is bruising as our tongues duel and our teeth clash. I give as good as I get as his hands roam around my body as if he doesn’t know where to touch first.

Needing to make some contact of my own, I slip my hands under the hem of his shirt. His abs jump under my touch, but I don’t get to enjoy trailing my fingers along the indentations for long.

His fingers wrap around my wrist and I’m pulled away.

“I’ll tell you when you can touch me. And trust me when I say that what you’ll be touching will be somewhat lower.”

I should be turned off, but fuck if every muscle south of my waist doesn’t clench with desire.

Both of his hands grip onto my waist and I squeal as I’m lifted into his body and spun from the wall.

His lips trail down my neck as we move, and as he descends lower toward my breasts once again, I lose all train of thought and concern that he might be heading for the door to expose me to the entire school. Something tells me that he’s not one for sharing if the way he removed Zayn earlier is anything to go by.

I tense as I think of him. I really hope Ash didn’t hurt him.

Ashton coming to a stop puts an end to my worries, reaching out he moves something that sends another plume of dust into the air and when I look over my shoulder, I see he’s revealed an old piano.

My brows pull together as I wonder what he’s going to do, but the coldness of the instrument’s wood bites into my back as he lays me out across it.

“Same rules apply. Watch. Me.”

Following orders, I scramble to prop myself up on my elbows as he pushes my thighs as wide as they’ll go and places my feet on the old wood.

My chin drops at the hungry expression on his face as he stares up at me.

“Anyone done this to you before, little one?” His voice is deep and rougher than normal and as it rumbles through me, I feel my center getting wetter.

I stifle a groan of frustration. I’m not entirely sure what I need him to do right now, but I know I need him to touch me, to do something instead of just stare at me.

“N-no.”

A wicked smile curls up at his lips.

“Good. You’ll always remember me then.”

I want to tell him that he’s such an asshole that it’s probably not possible anyway but I don’t get the chance because he wraps his hands around my hips as he fixes his lips over me.

His tongue almost immediately starts to circle my clit and I cry out at the sensation.

“Fuuuuuck.”

I have no idea if I need to drag him closer or push him away, the sensation is so intense. Fuck. I don’t even know my own fucking name as he licks, sucks and grazes his teeth against me.

My back arches, thrusting my breasts in the air as I fight to do as I was told and watch him.

His eyes remain on me as I fight to stay still and he ups the ante, circling my entrance with one finger.

“Ashton,” I scream as he pushes the digit deep inside me. The foreign sensation too good to deny.

He shouldn’t be doing this. We shouldn’t be doing this.

I shouldn’t want it to continue so badly.

With one finger inside me and his lips latched onto my core, he reaches out with his other hand and pinches my nipple.

“Oh god.”

I fall down onto the piano with such force it cries out its own tune for a second.

My fingers of one hand curl around the wood as the other dives for Ashton’s hair. I grip on to him, holding him in place and ensuring that he’s not about to stop whatever it is that he’s doing to me.

Everything around me disappears and I feel like I’m floating as sensations surge through my body.

Adding another finger, it only gets more and more intense and I hold on to him tighter.

“Let go,” he whispers against me, the vibrations of his deep voice only adding to his ministrations.

“Oh god, oh god,” I chant as the ball that’s been growing inside me gets so big that all it can do is shatter. “Oh god. Ashton,” I scream as it explodes.

White lights spark behind my eyes as my entire body twitches and convulses against his face.

“Oh my god, oh my god,” I continue to whisper as he slows down and the feelings start to subside.

My chest heaves as I try to drag in the air I need, and my eyelids get heavy.

The room spins around me as the overwhelming need to sleep hits me like a truck.

The last thing I remember is Ashton coming to stand beside me and press his lips to mine. I remember thinking how hot it was that he tasted like me, but then everything goes black.

11

Ruby

I come to with what feels like a freaking drum pounding in my head.

Groaning, I roll over and my stomach turns.

I still immediately and try to cast my mind back to why I feel so horrendous.

Then the reason hits me full force.

Sitting up in a rush, my stomach rolls again and I grip the sheets, ready to throw them back to run toward a bathroom.

Thankfully, it subsides and I open my eyes.

“Huh?”

I’m in my bedroom.

Lifting the sheets from my body, I look down to find I’m wearing my cheer uniform once again, only I soon notice that one item of clothing is missing.

The image of Ashton ripping my panties from my body fills my mind and my traitorous body heats as I continue running the events of the night before through my head.

“Oh my god,” I mutter, dropping my head into my hands.

Please tell me it’s a really bad dream and I really didn’t let my stepbrother eat me out on top of a piano.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

But even as ashamed as I am for how I acted, I can’t deny that it wasn’t a serious fucking high. Screw his blunt from the other day, that was something else.

No, no, no. Don’t even think about it.

Falling back down into bed, I pull the sheets over my head and will my body to go back to sleep. But I can’t, I’ve got too many questions racing around in my head.

Like, how did I get from being naked on a piano to mostly dressed again and in my own bed? What did he do to me after I passed out? Did I even pass out or are there parts of last night that I’m forgetting? Shit, did I let him fuck me? I wiggle my hips and feel nothing unusual. Surely, I’d know if it went that far, right?

“Jesus fucking Christ, Ruby. What are you doing?” I ask myself before flipping the sheets back once more and pushing from the bed.

My head spins and pounds, and my stomach feels less than secure as I plod toward my bathroom, stripping out of my uniform as I do.

After making use of the toilet, I stand with my hands on the basin and stare at myself in the mirror.

“Shit,” I gasp when I get a look at my smeared face paint, but that’s nothing compared to my shock when I look at my chest. It’s covered in red marks, some of which look suspiciously like bite marks. “What the fuck have I done?”

After a very long hot shower, I drag on a pair of sweats and an oversized shirt and reluctantly head out of my room, knowing that I can hardly hide in here forever.

Weirdly, there’s no music coming from Ashton’s room. It must be the first time since he arrived that he’s not had it booming just to piss me off.

When I get downstairs, I find both Mom and Stephen sitting at the table eating breakfast.

“Hey, honey. I thought you were staying at Harley’s?” she asks with her brows knitted together.

“Uh… change of plan?” She looks even more confused when what should have been a statement passes my lips as a question.

“O-okay. Well, did you have a good night?”

“Uh… yeah… it was… memorable,” I mutter, unable to come up with a better word.

“Are you okay?” she asks, looking even more concerned.

“Too much vodka,” I admit, much to her horror. “I’m sorry. I know. I just got a bit carried away.”

“And that’s the end of my sympathy. You know how I feel about you drinking so young.”

“I know, Mom. It was a one-off, I promise.”

“Good. And I hope it hurts. It might stop you from doing it again.”

“Did one hangover stop you?” I ask, regretting it the second she turns her judgmental eyes on me.

She opens her mouth to respond but must decide against it.

“Just please be sensible, Ruby. We don’t want you to regret your actions,” Stephen says, covering for Mom’s inability to lie about what they were like as kids.

I nod at him, just barely refraining from pointing out that it’s already too late.

“I’m gonna take this back up to my room,” I say, lifting my coffee mug up to show them.

“Could you knock for Ash as you pass? We’re heading out in ten.”

My stomach clenches uncomfortably at the thought of having to face him once again, but knowing I’ve got little choice, I leave the room and head for the stairs.

Coming to a stop outside his door, I blow out a long breath.

Just knock, shout, and hide back in your room.

Nodding at myself, I lift my hand and rap my knuckles against the wood.

“Ash, your dad wants you ready in ten.”

Silence greets me.

Resting my ear to the door, I strain to hear any movement inside, but when there’s nothing, my heart starts to race.

Stephen is waiting for him, surely he’s not left without him.

Putting my hand to the doorknob, I lift it off again, undecided as to what to do, but something’s telling me to push the door open.

“Ash?” I try again, knocking harder in case he’s in the bathroom and couldn’t hear me.

Getting frustrated, I finally twist the knob and push the door open.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I stare at the pristine and empty room before me.

I take a step inside, but I don’t need to. I already know.

He’s gone.

Lifting my hands, I tug on my hair, spinning around to look for evidence that he was ever even here. The only thing I find is his Jason mask sitting on the dresser. It’s an unwanted creepy reminder of the night before and for some strange reason, the sight of it has tears burning my eyes.

He really has gone.

Ruby and Ashton’s story continues in FURY, Rosewood High #6.

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About the Author

Tracy Lorraine is a new adult and contemporary romance author. Tracy has recently turned thirty and lives in a cute Cotswold village in England with her husband, baby girl and lovable but slightly crazy dog. Having always been a bookaholic with her head stuck in her Kindle, Tracy decided to try her hand at a story idea she dreamt up and hasn’t looked back since.

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Also by Tracy Lorraine

Falling Series

Falling for Ryan: Part One #1

Falling for Ryan: Part Two #2

Falling for Jax #3

Falling for Daniel (An Falling Series Novella)

Falling for Ruben #4

Falling for Fin #5

Falling for Lucas #6

Falling for Caleb #7

Falling for Declan #8

Falling For Liam #9

Forbidden Series

Falling for the Forbidden #1

Losing the Forbidden #2

Fighting for the Forbidden #3

Craving Redemption #4

Demanding Redemption #5

Avoiding Temptation #6

Chasing Temptation #7

Rebel Ink Series

Hate You #1

Trick You #2

Defy You #3

Play You #4

Rosewood High Series

Thorn #1

Paine #2

Savage #3

Fierce #4

Hunter #5

Faze (#6 Prequel)

Fury #6

Ruined Series

Ruined Plans #1

Ruined by Lies #2

Ruined Promises #3

Never Forget Series

Never Forget Him #1

Never Forget Us #2

Everywhere & Nowhere #3

Chasing Series

Chasing Logan

The Cocktail Girls

His Manhattan

Her Kensington

Co-written with Angel Devlin

Hot Daddy Series

Hot Daddy Sauce #1

Baby Daddy Rescue #2

The Daddy Dilemma #3

Single Daddy Seduction #4

Hot Daddy Package #5

B.A.D. Inc. Series

Torment #1

Ride #2

Bait #3

THORN

Chapter One

Amalie

“I think you’ll really enjoy your time here,” Principal Hartmann says. He tries to sound cheerful about it, but he’s got sympathy oozing from his wrinkled, tired eyes.

This shouldn’t have been part of my life. I should be in London starting university, yet here I am at the beginning of what is apparently my junior year at an American high school I have no idea about aside from its name and the fact my mum attended many years ago. A lump climbs up my throat as thoughts of my parents hit me without warning.

“I know things are going to be different and you might feel that you’re going backward, but I can assure you it’s the right thing to do. It will give you the time you need to... adjust and to put some serious thought into what you want to do once you graduate.”

Time to adjust. I’m not sure any amount of time will be enough to learn to live without my parents and being shipped across the Pacific to start a new life in America.

“I’m sure it’ll be great.” Plastering a fake smile on my face, I take the timetable from the principal’s hand and stare down at it. The butterflies that were already fluttering around in my stomach erupt to the point I might just throw up over his chipped Formica desk.

Math, English lit, biology, gym, my hands tremble until I see something that instantly relaxes me, art and film studies. At least I got my own way with something.

“I’ve arranged for someone to show you around. Chelsea is the captain of the cheer squad, what she doesn’t know about the school isn’t worth knowing. If you need anything, Amalie, my door is always open.”

Nodding at him, I rise from my chair just as a soft knock sounds out and a cheery brunette bounces into the room. My knowledge of American high schools comes courtesy of the hours of films I used to spend my evenings watching, and she fits the stereotype of captain to a tee.

“You wanted something, Mr. Hartmann?” she sings so sweetly it makes even my teeth shiver.

“Chelsea, this is Amalie. It’s her first day starting junior year. I trust you’ll be able to show her around. Here’s a copy of her schedule.”

“Consider it done, sir.”

“I assured Amalie that she’s in safe hands.”

I want to say it’s my imagination but when she turns her big chocolate eyes on me, the light in them diminishes a little.

“Lead the way.” My voice is lacking any kind of enthusiasm and from the narrowing of her eyes, I don’t think she misses it.

I follow her out of the room with a little less bounce in my step. Once we’re in the hallway, she turns her eyes on me. She’s really quite pretty with thick brown hair, large eyes, and full lips. She’s shorter than me, but then at five foot eight, you’ll be hard pushed to find many other teenage girls who can look me in the eye.

Tilting her head so she can look at me, I fight my smile. “Let’s make this quick. It’s my first day of senior year and I’ve got shit to be doing.”

Spinning on her heels, she takes off and I rush to catch up with her. “Cafeteria, library.” She points then looks down at her copy of my timetable. “Looks like your locker is down there.” She waves her hand down a hallway full of students who are all staring our way, before gesturing in the general direction of my different subjects.

“Okay, that should do it. Have a great day.” Her smile is faker than mine’s been all morning, which really is saying something. She goes to walk away, but at the last minute turns back to me. “Oh, I forgot. That over there.” I follow her finger as she points to a large group of people outside the open double doors sitting around a bunch of tables. “That’s my group. I should probably warn you now that you won’t fit in there.”

I hear her warning loud and clear, but it didn’t really need saying. I’ve no intention of befriending the cheerleaders, that kind of thing’s not really my scene. I’m much happier hiding behind my camera and slinking into the background.

Chelsea flounces off and I can’t help my eyes from following her out toward her group. I can see from here that it consists of her squad and the football team. I can also see the longing in other student’s eyes as they walk past them. They either want to be them or want to be part of their stupid little gang.

Jesus, this place is even more stereotypical than I was expecting.

Unfortunately, my first class of the day is in the direction Chelsea just went. I pull my bag up higher on my shoulder and hold the couple of books I have tighter to my chest as I walk out of the doors.

I’ve not taken two steps out of the building when my skin tingles with awareness. I tell myself to keep my head down. I’ve no interest in being their entertainment but my eyes defy me, and I find myself looking up as Chelsea points at me and laughs. I knew my sudden arrival in the town wasn’t a secret. My mum’s legacy is still strong, so when they heard the news, I’m sure it was hot gossip.

Heat spreads from my cheeks and down my neck. I go to look away when a pair of blue eyes catch my attention. While everyone else’s look intrigued, like they’ve got a new pet to play with, his are haunted and angry. Our stare holds, his eyes narrow as if he’s trying to warn me of something before he menacingly shakes his head.

Confused by his actions, I manage to rip my eyes from his and turn toward where I think I should be going.

I only manage three steps at the most before I crash into something—or somebody.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” a deep voice asks. When I look into the kind green eyes of the guy in front of me, I almost sigh with relief. I was starting to wonder if I’d find anyone who wasn’t just going to glare at me. I know I’m the new girl but shit. They must experience new kids on a weekly basis, I can’t be that unusual.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“You’re the new British girl. Emily, right?”

“It’s Amalie, and yeah... that’s me.”

“I’m so sorry about your parents. Mom said she was friends with yours.” Tears burn my eyes. Today is hard enough without the constant reminder of everything I’ve lost. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“It’s fine,” I lie.

“What’s your first class?”

Handing over my timetable, he quickly runs his eyes over it. “English lit, I’m heading that way. Can I walk you?”

“Yes.” His smile grows at my eagerness and for the first time today my returning one is almost sincere.

“I’m Shane, by the way.” I look over and smile at him, thankfully the hallway is too noisy for us to continue any kind of conversation.

He seems like a sweet guy but my head’s spinning and just the thought of trying to hold a serious conversation right now is exhausting.

Student’s stares follow my every move. My skin prickles as more and more notice me as I walk beside Shane. Some give me smiles but most just nod in my direction, pointing me out to their friends. Some are just downright rude and physically point at me like I’m some fucking zoo animal awoken from its slumber.

In reality, I’m just an eighteen-year-old girl who’s starting somewhere new, and desperate to blend into the crowd. I know that with who I am—or more who my parents were—that it’s not going to be all that easy, but I’d at least like a chance to try to be normal. Although I fear I might have lost that the day I lost my parents.

“This is you.” Shane’s voice breaks through my thoughts and when I drag my head up from avoiding everyone else around me, I see he’s holding the door open.

Thankfully the classroom’s only half full, but still, every single set of eyes turn to me.

Ignoring their attention, I keep my head down and find an empty desk toward the back of the room.

Once I’m settled, I risk looking up. My breath catches when I find Shane still standing in the doorway, forcing the students entering to squeeze past him. He nods his head. I know it’s his way of asking if I’m okay. Forcing a smile onto my lips, I nod in return and after a few seconds, he turns to leave.

THORN

Chapter Two

Jake

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Chelsea whines to her friends. “She’s not even really that pretty. Look.” I can’t help but follow her finger as she points across the quad. My eyes find the tall blonde girl immediately. My lips press into a thin line and my blood boils. Feelings that I’ve fought for years to keep locked down threaten to bubble up.

Ripping my eyes away, I stare down at the bench below me. My heart races and my vision blurs. Suddenly, I’m a six-year-old boy again watching my world fall apart.

The girls continue bitching but I zone them out, too lost in my own turmoil to care about their pathetic opinions on the looks of the new girl. She won’t fit in here. I’m going to make damn sure of it.

“I have no idea what they’re chatting about. She is fine with a capital F,” Mason, my best friend says, his stare still focused on the blonde everyone seems so fascinated with.

“She ain’t all that.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you? It’s the first day of senior year, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

“If you say so. I’m outta here.”

“Jake, hold up.”

I ignore him and jump from the bench. I must only make it two steps when a gasp makes me look up. When I do, I watch as New Girl collides with Shane, one of our players. His hands grip onto her upper arms to steady her. The sight of him touching her, protecting her has fire erupting inside of me. Just looking at her makes me feel vulnerable, and that’s not something I ever want to experience again.

“What’s going on?” Mason and Ethan flank my sides and stare at the same car crash that I am.

“You calling her?” Ethan asks, following my stare.

Not having a fucking care in the world has resulted in one thing at least. My reputation. I do what the fuck I like, when I like and everyone around here knows it’s best to just let me do my thing. That means not turning up to class, getting off my ass drunk, and most importantly, I get first pick of the girls. The others can have her once I’m done if they like, I don’t care about passing them down once I’m done. But I never get sloppy seconds. Ever.

“She’s off limits.”

“I fucking knew you wanted her,” Ethan mocks before I turn and fist his shirt. The blood drains from his face as he prepares for the hit he’s expecting.

“I don’t fucking want her. I’m saying she’s off fucking limits. You got that?”

“Yeah-yeah. Off limits, got it.”

“And make sure everyone fucking knows it. That bitch don’t belong here and we’re about to show her.”

“Are we done here?” Mason asks. He’s always been the slightly cooler headed one out of the three of us. He pulls my arm away from Ethan and steps between us, but not before a confused look passes between the two of them.

Staking claim on a girl isn’t unusual, but what I just did. That shit isn’t normal and without intending to, I just showed both of them a side of me that I don’t want anyone to ever witness. Weakness.

“Are you sure everything’s all right?” Mason asks once again when we fall into step in the direction of our first class.

“Yeah. Just feeling the pressure, I guess.”

“This year’s gonna be great.”

Raising an eyebrow at him, I wait for him to explain how that’s going to happen. Rosewood High’s football team has never been all that. We have all the passion and dedication we need, but historically, it doesn’t help all that much. Every year Coach gives the speech that this year is going to be the year but as of yet, we’ve never progressed more than a few games into the state playoffs. I can admit that our team is performing better than ever, but I don’t want to set my hopes on anything epic.

For me, football’s a release. A way to work out the tension and to forget about my bullshit life. I might give it my all, but I’m under no illusion that it’s my life. Some of the guys have high hopes of getting scouted for college and I’m sure for a few of them it’ll happen but I doubt we’ll ever see their names on the NFL team sheets.

“Don’t give me that look, Thorn. You know as well as I do that this is our year. With you in charge, there’s no way we won’t make it to the end.”

I can’t criticize his enthusiasm, that’s for sure. It’s just a shame I don’t feel it. And her arrival sure isn’t going to help matters.

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