Mackenzie (Heritage Bay Series Book 2)

by M. A. Foster

  “No,” I huff, irritated. “I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, Jay, but having a girlfriend means being in a relationship. Relationship requires commitment. Commitment requires time and effort. And none of that appeals to me.”

  Not with Ashton, anyway.

  “HEY, SLEEPY GIRL,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to Willow’s temple.

  “Go way, Co,” she whines, palming my face to push it away. “I sweepin’.”

  Willow does not like her sleep disturbed unless it’s with cuddles and kisses. Fortunately for her, I have time for both. Dropping my backpack to the floor, I crawl over the little mesh bed bumper that keeps her from rolling off the bed, curling behind her and pulling her to my chest.

  “I have to go to school, so I’ll see you later, baby girl.” I kiss the top of her head, and in return she lets out an irritated huff. With one last kiss to her forehead, I maneuver my way out of her little twin bed.

  Aiden is waiting by the front door, playing with his phone. Dressed in his Heritage Bay Academy uniform, he’s ready for his first day of eighth grade.

  Aiden is a good kid.

  Smart.

  Smartass.

  Same thing.

  Good-looking, of course, because he’s a Mackenzie. His hair is lighter, which he gets from our mother, but he has the Mackenzie eyes and devilish smirk. He’s grown a few inches over the summer and put on quite a bit of muscle. No doubt the girls will be blowing up his phone this year.

  “Let’s roll,” I say, slugging him in the arm before opening the door and heading for my SUV.

  STEERING MY TAHOE into the drop-off circle, I roll to a stop at the curb outside the common area of the building that houses the middle schoolers at Heritage Bay Academy.

  I look over to see Aiden staring out the passenger window. He makes no move to get out. Following his line of sight, I see a group of girls gathered in the common area, but his gaze is locked on the brunette facing us.

  I smirk. “What’s her name,” I ask, putting my SUV in Park.

  “Hmm?” He turns to me with that dopey, starry-eyed look.

  Ah. Young love.

  I remember what it was like at his age.

  Raging hormones.

  Random boners in class.

  Jerking off ten times a day.

  The good ol’ days.

  Eighth grade was when it all started for me. Marissa Moore was my first real girlfriend and my first kiss.

  I purse my lips. “The girl.” I jerk my chin toward the object of his affection.

  He scowls. “What girl?”

  I quirk a brow, as if to say “really.”

  “What?” he snaps.

  “Chill, dude.” I hold up my hands. “Don’t get so defensive. What’s the big deal? She’s cute.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Cute? Puppies are cute. Willow is cute. Logan is hot.”

  “Logan?” I pull my brows inward. “Her name is Logan?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “Logan is a boy’s name.”

  “It can be a girl’s name, too,” he defends.

  “It’s Wolverine’s name.”

  “Ha-ha.” He rolls his eyes again and I laugh.

  “I’m kidding, Aiden.”

  He sighs, grabbing his backpack off the floor.

  “Does she know you like her?” I ask.

  “I don’t like her. I just think she’s hot.”

  “Okay.” It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Why are you embarrassed? You’re a fucking Mackenzie, little bro. Stop being a pussy, get out there, and own that shit. You got a reputation to protect.”

  He laughs. “I’m pretty sure you’ve already taken care of that, teen dad.”

  Ouch!

  “Hey.” I punch him in the arm.

  “Sorry,” he says regretfully. “I didn’t mean that.”

  “Yeah you did.” I sigh, turning to look out my window. I’m the big brother. The guy he’s supposed to idolize. Instead, he thinks I’m a piece of shit. And that stings. “It’s cool. It’s my job as your big brother to lead by example.” I look over at him and smirk. “At least I’ve done a good job of setting an example of what not to do.”

  “Don’t say that, Cole. You made a mistake, but you learned from it. Willow is the best thing to happen to our family. And honestly, if you could go back and change things, would you?”

  I don’t even hesitate. “No.”

  “Exactly. You’re a good dad. And for what it’s worth, I do look up to you. You could’ve given her up, let Mom and Dad take over so you could do your own thing, but you didn’t. I see how hard you’re trying.” He shoves the door open and climbs out. “I’m sorry.”

  His words are touching, and I’m already regretting what I’m about to do as I roll down the passenger window, shift the gear into Drive, and lay on the horn.

  Aiden’s head whips around with a panic-stricken expression and an unspoken plea.

  “Have a good day, Aiden,” I call out. My gaze flicks to the group of girls who are now watching our exchange. I lift my hand and wave. “Hi, Logan.” I wink before speeding off.

  “Teen dad,” I bristle.

  Little shit.

  I’VE BEEN GOING to Heritage Bay Academy with the same kids going on three years now, but the first day of school always makes me nervous. Blowing out a breath, I climb out of my car, using my hip to push the door closed before adjusting my backpack over my shoulder and making my way inside.

  “Hey, Harper,” a male voice coos beside me. I look over to see Derek Hayes, aka Derek the dickhead, falling in step beside me. “You’re looking good this year.” He winks.

  He’s got to be kidding.

  I scrunch up my nose. “Uh… thanks.” I pick up my pace.

  “We should hang out again,” he suggests before he veers off toward the locker room beside the gym.

  He can’t seriously be that dense.

  “I’m good, thanks,” I call out before crossing the common area and heading to my locker.

  Fuck that guy.

  “Hey, neighbor,” Jay singsongs as she steps up to the locker beside mine and begins fiddling with the lock.

  “Hey,” I greet her with a smile. “How’s it going? You just get your schedule?”

  “Yeah.” She holds up a piece of paper. “I’ll be in orientation all day with the Project Mayhem class, so I wanted to check and make sure this combination works first.”

  “I didn’t get to tell you the other night, but you are extremely talented and you have an amazing voice.”

  Jay’s head tilts to the side and she smiles. “Thank you, Harper. That’s really nice of you to say.”

  I mean every word.

  The locker on the other side of mine opens, and we both look over to see Zach pulling out a notebook and pencil from his backpack before shoving it into his locker.

  “Hi, Zach,” Jay says sweetly.

  “Hey,” he replies without even looking her way, then slams his locker shut and walks off.

  Well that was rude.

  I look over at Jay, confused, and see the deflated look on her face. She sighs and shakes her head before she closes her locker.

  “I’ll see you later, Harper.” She offers me a sad smile before she walks off.

  BRAD, CARTER, AND I are sitting on the bench in the locker room, waiting for Coach to show up for our Monday morning meeting, when Derek Hayes walks in with his signature grin. No one is more amused by Derek than Derek himself. I’ve known him since kindergarten and he’s a decent dude. A bit of a whore, but that’s his business—as long as he stays away from Jay.

  “What are you up to?” I chuckle as he plops down on the bench across from us.

  Derek shakes his head. “Nothing. Just messing with this chick I banged last year. She hates my guts.” He snickers.

  Carter barks out a laugh. “Dude, they all hate your guts. Grow a conscience, for fuck’s sake.”

  “You gonna hook me up with your cousin?” Derek wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
He already knows the answer is hell to the fuck no.

  I narrow my eyes in warning. “Dude, if you want to keep your balls, stay away from Jay.”

  Derek raises his hands in defense. “Chill, Mackenzie. I’m kidding. I heard Easton’s already got dibs on her anyway.”

  Dibs?

  What the—

  “Where did you hear that?” Brad asks.

  Derek shrugs. “Your party Friday night. I overheard some girl saying that Zach and Grayson Martinez almost fought over her.”

  I snort a disgusted laugh. Normally I wouldn’t even bother with this kind of bullshit gossip, but it’s only the first day of school and it involves Jay.

  Shaking my head, I say, “That’s not even close to being true. Do me a favor. If you hear any rumors about Jay, come to me. She isn’t like these girls. She was homeschooled for the last eleven years. She’s a little naïve.”

  Derek nods slowly in understanding. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know. Don’t worry. I got your back.”

  “Thanks.” Leaning forward, I hold out my fist and pound it against his.

  “I’M STARVING,” I say as set my tray down on the table and straddle the chair beside Zach.

  “You’re always starving,” Carter points out.

  “True.” Reaching for my sports drink, I twist off the cap. “Has anyone seen Jay today?”

  “No,” everyone mumbles as Evan sits down.

  “She’s the hot topic of the day,” he informs me as he unwraps his sandwich. “Did you seriously threaten every guy in school to stay away from her?”

  I smirk as my gaze shifts to Zach. “Just about.”

  Evan chuckles, shaking his head as he takes a bite of his sandwich.

  I give a slight shrug. “I’m protective of her.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Brad chimes in. “I’m the same way with Brooklyn.”

  Ashton and her gang make their way down from the other end of the table.

  “Here we go,” Zach mumbles, and Brad quickly becomes very interested in his food.

  The difference between my friends and me is they avoid confrontation at all cost. Me? I welcome it. I’m outspoken. It’s in my DNA, and I have no problem putting someone in their place.

  Including Ashton.

  “What’s up, Ashton?” I address her without looking up. I’m starving and no one gets between me and my food. Except Willow.

  “Oh, so now I’m Ashton? Not Ash? What’s going on with you? You ignored my texts all day yesterday. You promised me you’d wait for me at your locker so we could sit together at lunch. What’s your deal?”

  This girl has lost her mind. Slowly, I lift my head and look at Zach with wide eyes before turning to look up at Ashton.

  “Holy stage-five-clinger shit! What the fuck is your deal?” My temper flares. “First of all—not that I owe you an explanation—I was busy with my family yesterday, and second, I didn’t wait for you at my locker because I was starving.” I jerk my chin toward the opposite end of the table. “Go down there and eat with your friends. Let me eat my lunch in peace.”

  “Fine.” She turns and storms off with Piper following.

  “Bro, that was pretty harsh,” Carter says with a grin.

  He loved every second of it.

  “She knows better than to come at me like that. She acts like I need permission from her to take a shit. She’s not my girlfriend.” I don’t know how many times I have to keep reminding her of that.

  I guess it’s my own fault for letting things go on as long as I have.

  “Brad?”

  “Not happening, Hannah,” Brad says, avoiding her stare. “I’m not in the mood for your crazy shit today either. Move along.”

  I shake my head and continue eating.

  A moment later, Reagan speaks up. “Zach, can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Zach leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “Sure. Talk,” he says with a cocky smirk. I lower my head and chuckle to myself.

  “I’d rather talk to you alone,” she says, looking around the table. “Outside.”

  “I already know what you want to talk about, and it’s not gonna happen because it’s none of your business.”

  I jerk my head up and look between Zach and Reagan. “What?”

  Reagan exhales harshly, rolls her eyes, and crosses her arms, mimicking Zach’s pose. “Whatever.” She scoffs and goes down to the other end of the table to join the rest of the bitch squad.

  Returning my attention to Zach, I ask, “What does she want to talk about?”

  “What do you think?” he replies, bugging his eyes out at me.

  Jay.

  I make a mental note to ask him about it later.

  “What’s up with them today, anyway?” Brad asks. “Did they get a double shot of psycho in their Starbucks this morning or what?”

  “Seems like it. Reagan’s been up my ass lately.” Zach shakes head. “I don’t get it. We broke up months ago. I’m not getting back with her. I don’t even like her.”

  I snort.

  “They’ve got their cheer panties in a bunch because all the new girls are taking the attention away from them,” Evan says before shoveling a handful of fries in his mouth. “Like Jayla,” he adds through the mouthful of food.

  “And Harper,” Carter reminds me, jabbing me in the side with his elbow.

  I shake my head. Asshole.

  “You know Harper has been at this school since our sophomore year, right?” Evan says matter-of-factly.

  “Is she the redheaded waitress from Mac’s the other night?” Zach asks.

  “Yeah, but someone hadn’t noticed her until now,” Carter answers, grinning at me. “Right, Cole?”

  “Shut up.” I laugh.

  “You got the hots for Harper, Mackenzie?” Zach grins.

  I shrug. “She’s all right.”

  “She’s not your type,” he taunts.

  “She’s female. She’s my type.”

  “What about Ashton?” Evan asks.

  “What about her?”

  “Cole—” Zach begins, but is quickly distracted when Brad mumbles something under his breath, drawing his attention to something behind me.

  “Damn, who’s the firecracker?” Brad asks, and I look over my shoulder to see Jay, Lexi, and another girl with wild curly hair heading our way, Justin following them with a devilish grin on his face.

  “I think she’s new,” Zach replies.

  “Look at Justin,” Brad says with a laugh. “He’s like the hot-girl wrangler.”

  Jay drops into my lap and throws her arm over my shoulder. The chatter from the end of the table drops to whispers and gasps.

  “What’s with all the glares?” Jay asks me before she looks over at Brad. “They were all smiles at your party.”

  “Welcome to high school,” Lexi jokes. “Ignore them. They’re just a bunch of jealous bitches.”

  I knew Lexi would be a good friend to Jay.

  “Where’s Brooklyn?” Jay asks Brad.

  “She eats lunch with the juniors,” he replies. “How’s your first day going, Jay?”

  “Great.” She gestures to the girl with the wild curly hair. “This is Cherry. She’s in my Project Mayhem class. Cherry, this is my cousin Cole, Brad, Zach—”

  “And this is my boyfriend, Evan,” Lexi cuts in, wrapping her arm around Evan’s bicep and leaning her head on his shoulder. “You’ve met Justin, and that’s Carter,” she adds.

  “Hey.” Cherry waves.

  Jay stands from my lap. “Anyway, I just came to say hi. We’ve got to get back to class. We told Alex we were going to the bathroom.”

  “Aren’t there bathrooms in the performing arts building?” I ask with a knowing smirk.

  She wanted to see Zach.

  She returns a smirk of her own. “Exactly.”

  “What exactly is the Project Mayhem class? Is it like School of Rock or something?” Brad asks.

  “Or something,” Jay replies. “Alex is n
o Jack Black. Oh yeah!” She smacks me on the arm. “Thanks for telling me about Alex. I mean Mr. Alex.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m calling Weenie after school. I’m sick of that bitch keeping secrets from me.”

  She can’t seriously be mad.

  “Who’s Weenie?” Brad asks.

  “My lying-ass best friend who lies.”

  “Alex wanted to surprise you,” I tell her. If she only knew how important this was to Alex or the lengths he’s gone to so he could spend time with her. “Don’t be a bitch about it.”

  “Shut up.” She smacks me again. “I’m not being a bitch. I love Alex. It’s just weird having him as a teacher because he’s practically family.” He is family. “Come on, Cherry. See you guys later.” She turns on her heels and walks off.

  And now she’s pissed at me.

  I return my attention to the table to see Zach watching her. Suddenly he lets out a light laugh and stands from the table. “Will you dump that for me?” he asks no one in particular, pointing to his tray before he trails after Jay.

  “Is he going after her?” Brad asks.

  I look over my shoulder just in time to see Zach walk out the door. “I hope so. He’s an idiot if he doesn’t.”

  “He loves her, you know?” Brad reassures me as we all watch Zach and Jay through the windows.

  I nod. “I know.”

  “WHAT’D YOU SAY to Jay at lunch?” I ask Zach as we stretch before practice.

  “I told her I wanted to talk. We’re meeting up at Mac’s tonight after practice.”

  “How does Reagan know about Jay?” Normally I don’t have these girl chats with Zach, especially during practice, but there’s something shady going on. I can feel it.

  Zach’s brows pull together. “Because of Chelsea. Reagan admitted to me at Brad’s party that Chelsea told her I would never date her seriously because I was in love with your cousin, and that’s why she cheated on me.”

  Bingo.

  That’s why Reagan was eyeing Jay at Brad’s party, because she realized it was game over for her. I’ll bet in Reagan’s twisted little mind she probably blames Jay for her failed relationship with Zach and not because she’s a whore.

  “What a bitch. I thought Chelsea hated Reagan. And she’s supposed to be your friend. Why would she do that?” Girls are too much drama.