by Rachel Leigh
Copyright © 2020 Rachel Leigh
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the copyright owner,
except as permitted by U.S. copyright law .The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the author.
For permissions contact: [email protected]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This book contains mature content and is not recommended for minors.
www.rachelleighauthor.com
ISBN: 9798624284999
Cover design by R.L Kenderson @ R.L Covers
Model: Nicholas Da Silva
Photographer: Xram Ragde
Editing by Fairest Reviews Editing Service
Proofreading by: Gem’s Precise Proofreads
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Message From Rachel
About the Author
Also by Rachel Leigh
Chapter One
Blakely
It’s five minutes into first period, and I still have no car keys.
I fluff my hair in the vanity mirror one last time, my mind focused on my disobedient part-line.
I quickly make my way downstairs.
“Esme!” I shout, swinging around and bumping into our petite housekeeper, “Did you…” I stop when I see my keys dangling from her hand. I snatch them up and dash for the door. “I have to go.”
I’m already on Mrs. Tate’s bad side. Not that I care much, but I would like to try and avoid another lunch detention spent studying the atmosphere.
As for her opinion of me, that's no secret. I know that most of the staff at Redwood High think that I’m nothing but a spoiled brat.
I learned at a young age that if you want something, then you have to fight for it, no matter what the cost. That’s how I’ve lived my life, fighting—against my so-called friends, against authority, but mostly against myself. I know what I want and I don’t let anyone get in my way.
My life has been a series of unfortunate events that have shaped me into the person I am today. My parents throw money at me and my little brother to make us go away so that Dad can drink and work his life away, and so that Mom can feast on his wealth and social status, or whatever man bats an eye at her that week. On the outside, we are the essence of luxury. Our family name is well-known, but no one knows what happens when the curtains are drawn. My little brother and I have learned about life on our own, our role models not exactly exemplary.
Slamming my locker shut as the metal meets with a creak, I walk casually to first period. I’m already late, so what’s the rush? Mrs. Tate will mark me tardy again, threatening lunch detention, and Mom will get another call interrupting her precious morning while she gossips with her stuck-up friends over coffee. Boo-fucking-hoo.
I run my hand down the grooves of the white brick wall until I reach the spirit week graffiti, stopping to admire the beauty of all things Levi Maddox, aka my homecoming date, and also the captain of the football team. His gorgeous face looks back at me in the poster of the entire Ravens team. I smile back, but I’m interrupted by an obnoxious deep voice—one that may send butterflies quivering through the stomachs of the hormonal girls of Redwood High, but turns bile in mine.
His jet black hair really brings out his sun kissed skin. “Ms. Porter, don’t you have somewhere to be?” Principal Somers asks, as he continues to walk through the hall.
I fight back a groan. “Don't you have somewhere to be?” I retort with a glare. He continues to walk in the opposite direction, so I raise my voice a little louder. “Should I expect you this weekend? After all, my Dad is out of town until Sunday.” My voice echoes through the hall, and although he doesn’t respond, I know he heard me.
Ever since I caught him sneaking out of the guesthouse two months ago, he’s been... let’s say... awkward. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Mom didn’t walk out fluffing her hair five minutes later. Principal Somers is now on a short leash.
I walk into class, and Mrs. Tate has already started her lecture on Greek mythology.
“Blakely, tardy again. That’s twice this month. One more and it’s lunch detention.”
“Uh huh.” I take my seat and look over to find Knox staring me down with disapproval. Knox and I have been best friends and neighbors since we were kids. He’s my person, one who knows me better than myself, despite the fact that we’re complete opposites. He’s more reserved, where I’m outgoing and loud, often embarrassing him with my assertiveness and vulgarity—yet, he remains my best friend because he doesn’t have a choice in the matter. This is the only class we have together since he’s only a junior and I’m a senior. We usually walk together, but I was running behind this morning when Esme misplaced my car keys. Well, I misplaced them, she just took too long to find them.
“Who can tell me how many constellations there are?” Mrs. Tate asks the class, and I know damn well she’s going to call on me, simply because I haven’t started taking notes yet. “Jasper.”
Jasper, who the hell is Jasper? I follow the direction of her stare and look directly behind me. Gorgeous, and hot as hell. He looks like trouble—like someone who could suck me in and spit me out without giving it a second thought.
“Eighty-eight.” He responds, with his eyes still on me, an expression of annoyance plastered on his face. I take a moment to examine his sharp jawline—one that could chisel ice and still hold its perfect form, the dark hair that matches his dark eyes that probably lead to a dark soul. This is someone I have to stay far away from. He twists his face, furrowing his brows in displeasure. I turn back around and sink into my seat.
“That’s correct.” Mrs. Tate continues, “Blakely, you could learn a thing or two from your partner.”
“Partner,” I spit. Glancing behind my shoulder, a shit eating grin replacing his indignant look.
My face falls into my hands, and I turn my head slightly to look at Knox. “Sorry,” I mouth.
We had planned on partnering up for this project. Serves me right for being late. In my defense, he’s better off. I would have more than likely had him do all the work anyway.
I can feel the air move as Jasper leans forward in his chair. “You’re a lucky girl,” He breathes into my neck.
I hold my focus on the front of the classroom, “And, why is that exactly?”
“Because I get to show you the stars.”
“What crappy romance novel did you step out of?” I turn around to face him, but he leans back in his seat, straightening h
is face and taking notes again as Mrs. Tate continues her lecture.
I let out a sigh, sinking further into my chair.
After hearing the constant tap of Mrs. Tate’s shoes against the marbled floors, class is dismissed. I close my blank notebook and head out in the hall to meet up with Knox.
“What the hell, Blakely?” He grumbles as we walk to his locker.
“I’m sorry, I completely forgot that partners were getting assigned today. Who did you get?”
“Harper.” He sighs, as her name rolls off his tongue.
I can’t help but laugh. I may be a slacker, but I still have more brain cells than that girl. Poor guy. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
“It is what it is, but you’re the one who’s going to be sorry. You’re partnered with the biggest douchebag in the school.”
“Jasper? Isn’t he new?”
“Yeah, he is.” Knox says, shutting his locker and walking with me, since his next class is on the way.
We make our way through the crowded halls overflowing with students. Knox gets a few pats on the back as his classmates wish him luck for Friday’s game.
“How did he claim that title so soon?”
“He may be new to Redwood, but he’s not new to me. He is... well, he was, the Las Verdes starting quarterback and none other than, Isaac’s son and my new housemate.”
“That’s Isaac’s son?” My eyes widen. I knew his mom’s boyfriend and son would be moving in, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
“Yep, and the minute he stepped foot in the door, he had a chip on his shoulder. Acting like we all owe him something.”
“Oh come on, he can’t be that bad.” We turn down the senior hallway as students begin staggering into classrooms.
“Blakely,” he clenches his teeth, “he tried taking my bedroom because he said he liked the view better. He seriously expected me to pack up my life and move to the spare room.”
“Did you?”
“Hell no! The asshole even had the nerve to park his car in my space in the garage.”
We stop at my locker, so I can grab my books for next hour, continuing our conversation while rummaging through the mess. “Did you say anything about it?”
“Of course, I did. If he does it again then my key will be meeting the paint of his four-door sedan.” Knox glances at his phone, I assume it’s to make sure he isn’t late. He’s much more punctual than I am.
“Well, I’m proud of you, because we all know what a pushover you can be. It’s about time you got a backbone. I’ll set that boy straight. No one messes with my best friend.” I shake my head in disgust of this new kid.
“Whatever. I gotta go. Are you going to Axel’s party after the game on Friday?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” I beam, eager to get through this week, so the events of Friday night can unfold.
As I turn from my locker, I feel the weight of a body crash into me. “Watch it, whore,” Petra growls.
“Excuse yourself, you bumped into me,” I snap.
Principal Somers comes into view, giving Petra an out, as she slithers between myself and the door frame.
Levi walks in after her, winking as he passes by me. I keep my sights on him as he walks right over to Petra’s desk. I don’t know why he continues to meddle with that girl. It was only a year ago that she was practically invisible, and now all of a sudden, everyone gravitates toward her. I refuse to let it get me down. I may not be their hero at the moment, but I once was, and I will be again. When I am, the whole school will know what a liar and manipulator Petra is.
Enjoy your sunshine, sweetie. A storm is coming.
“You forgot this.”
That voice again, only this time, it’s not sending chills down my spine.
“Forgot what?” I say, taking the paper that Jasper’s waving obnoxiously in front of my face. I skim over the headline, Greek Mythology Project, stuffing it in between the pages of my math textbook. I look over and see he’s still there. “You can go now. I have class.”
“After you.” He gestures to the classroom.
“Wonderful.” I walk inside with him still chirping in my ear.
“If we’re gonna be working together, you might want to tone down the bitchiness.”
I shuffle to my seat but stop myself as soon as his words hit my ears.
I prance after him and lean over his desk. “Hey new kid, let’s get a few things straight, first of all, I am not a bitch.” I stop when I look around and notice everyone watching us intently. A couple of nobodies spewing laughter at my comment.
I’m not a bitch. What do they know? I’m a lot of things—spoiled and materialistic, maybe—but it’s because I know my worth.
Most of this school thinks they know who I am. Sure, they know my name, but they don’t truly know me. I’m more than meets the eye.
Petra, my ex best-friend who was amongst the laughter, doesn’t know the whole story of what happened that night with her ex, Wyatt. He took advantage of my unconscious state and decided to take it upon himself to undress me in his bedroom when I passed out at a party he was throwing. He may not have physically harmed me, but he made a mockery of me. Sharing with all of his friends and social media, the glory of his drunken idiocy. It was one of the lowest points in my life. He stole my voice, he stole my dignity, and he destroyed my reputation— with the help of Petra. She chose to believe the other side of the rumors and in turn dragged my name through the mud. It wasn’t until two days later that the photos surfaced and Petra accused me of trying to sleep with him. That's also the story that she told the entire school.
I never said anything. I let him get away with what he did because Mom told me it would draw too much attention to the family. When the rumors died down and the photos were deleted, she held onto it as a reason to think the worst of me. After that night, I told myself that I would never again allow someone to belittle me or make me feel like I’m not good enough.
It was after that night that I truly broke. But I glued myself back together and came back stronger. A force to be reckoned with.
Axel, who is Knox’s best friend, doesn’t know that when his mom was sick, I'm the one who had a week’s worth of meals delivered to them. And when she passed, I cried. Not for myself but for him. My mom may be living, but I’ve mourned the loss of her for years.
I look back to Levi who is elbows deep into Petra’s desk and whispering something in her ear that woos her. A flirtatious smile growing on her face, followed by giggles. She may call me the whore, but she’s the one who spreads her legs for every guy in this school. I’m not sure why it irks me, but it does.
The rest of the day drags, but when the final bell rings, I’m released from my slumber.
I toss everything into my locker and slam it shut, making my way through the maze of students.
“Hey.” Knox jogs to my side as we approach the locker room. “Swing over tonight after practice. You can finish that drawing you started.”
“Sounds good. I have no plans.” I shrug with a smile.
Knox takes off in the other direction to the guys’ locker room as I walk into the girls’.
I’m heading to my car after practice when I hear footsteps on the pavement behind me and a familiar voice. “B, wait up.”
I don’t turn around; I don’t have to. I already know that voice.
Jasper.
I continue to ignore him and head to my car.
“B? Let me guess, short for bitch.” I exhale deeply, as he steers at my side. “Go to hell.” I climb in my car and leave the door ajar, since he’s obviously ignoring my request.
“Are you always this difficult?” He hangs on the door frame as if he’s had an invitation into my personal space.
“Yes, I am. Are you finished?” I stare straight ahead, avoiding eye contact, out of fear that he will drag this conversation out.
“No,” he growls, “I’m not doing this project on my own. So one way or another, you have to talk to me.”
I inhale deeply, holding my breath while I think. “Fine. But not tonight. I have plans. Meet me in the cafeteria tomorrow morning.” I attempt to close my door, but his foot jammed in the door stops it from closing.
“I’ll be there.” He turns to walk away, “And, don’t be late. I’ve seen how punctual you are.”
I slam my door closed and rub my temples as I watch him walk away. I’ve known him all of three hours and he’s already giving me a migraine.
This guy will soon learn that this is my school. He’s just a new boy taking up too much space.
Chapter Two
Jasper
It’s bad enough that I’m starting my senior year as the new guy. Partnering up with the school damsel just takes the cake. When Dad first mentioned we’d be moving to Redwood, I was able to convince him to hold off until after graduation. It wasn’t until I broke Tommy Nilson’s nose and got expelled that I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince him to wait. For some unknown reason, he really likes this lady.
The worst part of all of this is leaving behind the Wildcats as their starting quarterback and walking onto the Ravens team, the Wildcats biggest rival, as a backup. Me—Jasper Scott, a benchwarmer. What a crock of shit.
I may be a team player, but the Ravens will never be my team. The only reason I’ll be putting on that jersey is to please Dad and atone for my fuck ups. It’s only for one month, though, and then I can toss that purple and black trash where it belongs.
